5 Traits Of A Good Man!

Ever wonder what the
traits of a good man are? If you are in the
dating scene, I am sure you have? We all have
wanted to know the type of things to look for in
a good man. Take a peek at these 5 traits of a
good man and keep them in mind during your
next date.

1. PROMISES – A man’s word is his
currency. A respectable man is a man of his
word. He says what he means and means what
he says. His word is his bond. A good man will
keep his promises to his woman. He won’t break
dates and be a no call and no show. He will not
play with your emotions. He remembers to call
you when he says he will. A man who values his
woman keeps his promises. That is the way he
shows that he cares.

2. KNOCKING BOOTS is
something that is natural to human nature.
However, pressuring a woman whom he just met
is not of a good man’s nature. A man who has
any intentions of being a good mate to you does
not pressure you in that way when he meets
you. A woman is not a vehicle to be driven. Her
body does not need to be test driven. A woman
is a gift from God, and her time, attention and
affection should be appreciated, not taken for
granted. If a woman meets a man who wants to
test drive her physical body, emotions and
feelings, it’s best that she point him to a car
dealership, bid him goodbye and don’t look
back! A woman deserves a good man who will
respect her.

3. TERRITORY – A good man will let
a woman know what place she has in his life. He
will give you a title, whether that title be friend,
girlfriend, boo, woman, lady, or wife, he will
introduce you as such. He will introduce you
according to how he feels about a woman, no
surprises. Good men in general tend to be very
protective. We mark our territory. If a good
man loves you, he is willing to profess it to
others.

4. SELFLESS – A good man is not a
selfish man. He puts his woman first and is
always sure to address any issues or concerns
that she may have. A good man desires to do
things that make his woman happy. The opinions
of his lady count to him. He understands that a
happy wife means a happy life.

5. MISSION –
When a good man wakes up in the morning, his
mission is to make sure that his family is taken
care of in every way, to the best of his ability.
He wants to make sure his woman is happy and
satisfied. Providing for the people he loves and
cares about, whether it’s financially or with
sweat equity, it’s all a part of a good man’s
DNA. A good man has no limits to the things he
provides for those he loves.* A good man
believes in uplifting his community, whether
that be in terms of mentorship, volunteering his
time or allowing himself to be an image that
youth can look up to. The people in his life label
him as a good man. A good man has a desire to
protect and provide for his woman. Even if he
may currently not have the financial ability to
provide for a woman he still has a deep desire
to.

Mary Mary, Fred Hammond, Whitney Houston, Marvin Sapp, Hezekiah Walker, Donnie McClurkin Featured in RCA Inspiration’s Gotta Have Gospel! Christmas…O Holy Night compilation

Mary Mary, Fred Hammond, Whitney Houston, Marvin Sapp, Hezekiah Walker, Donnie McClurkin Featured in RCA Inspiration’s Gotta Have Gospel! Christmas…O Holy Night compilation

RCA Inspiration has announced the release of its new holiday compilation album, Gotta Have Gospel! Christmas… O Holy Night. The album became available in stores and via all digital music providers on October 21, 2014.

The 15-song collection boasts some of the most beloved and recognizable voices in both popular and inspirational music performing holiday classics and modern worship songs. The award-winning artists featured on Gotta Have Gospel! Christmas…O Holy Night are: Yolanda Adams, Anthony Brown & Group therapy, Commissioned, James Fortune & FIYA, Ayana George, Fred Hammond, Israel Houghton & New Breed, Whitney Houston, Joe, John P. Kee & The New Life Community Choir, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, Tarralyn Ramsey, Richard Smallwood and Hezekiah Walker.

This timeless collection is the latest offering from the Gotta Have Gospel series which brings together the biggest artists in gospel as well as superstars from other genres to provide music lovers with a complete listening experience from start to finish. Featuring perennial favorites including, “The First Noel,” “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” and “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” (full track listing below) Gotta Have Gospel! Christmas… O Holy Night is certain to bring enjoyment this holiday season and for years to come. The Gotta Have Gospel! series is a brand partnership between RCA Inspiration and Integrity Music.

Gotta Have Gospel! Christmas O Holy Night Track Listing

1. His Name Is Jesus – Fred Hammond
2. Only One – Mary Mary
3. Christmas Time – James Fortune & FIYA
4. Home For Christmas Marvin Sapp Featuring Joe
5. Tidings (God Rest Ye Merry Gentleman) – Israel & New Breed
6. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas – Anthony Brown & Group therAPy
7. O Come, O Come Emmanuel – Ayana George
8. Christmas Medley – Richard Smallwood with Vision
9. Donnie’s Christmas Songs (Medley) – Donnie McClurkin
10. The First Noel – Whitney Houston
11. No Christmas Without You – John P. Kee & The New Life Community Choir
12. O Little Town Of Bethlehem – Yolanda Adams
13. 4 Real Christmas – Commissioned
14. O Holy Night – Tarralyn Ramsey
15. Born To Die – Hezekiah Walker

ABOUT RCA Inspiration
RCA Inspiration (formerly Verity Gospel Music Group) is the #1 gospel label in the country that operates under Sony Music Entertainment. Voted Billboard's #1 "Gospel Songs Label" for the past 15 years, RCA Inspiration is the home of mega-gospel artists Donnie McClurkin, Richard Smallwood, Israel Houghton, Marvin Sapp, Le'Andria Johnson, Fred Hammond and many more.

Where Does God Want Me To Work? Get It Right With These Tips...

5 Tips For Finding a Satisfying Career

It is often said (and has attributed to many different people) that “if you will find a job you love you will never work another day in your life.” While that sounds like a nice goal, the truth is that every job has its difficulties and at some point even the best job will feel like work. So the bigger issue is not finding a career that seems like play all the time, but finding a career that God has designed you to do that will bring the greatest satisfaction in your life.

The best book I have read concerning career choices is Cure for the Common Life by Max Lucado. In this book he talks about finding a job and a career that God has uniquely designed you to perform. It is all about finding your “sweet spot” in life where your work seems to be effortless while accomplishing its goal. That doesn’t mean that it is always easy or fun, but that it is fulfilling and satisfying. It is the kind of work you enjoy doing and may sometimes feel guilty that people actually pay you for doing.

This first tip is the whole focus of the book by Lucado. The other 4 tips are how to apply what you discover to your life.


A satisfying career … it is the kind of work you enjoy doing and may sometimes feel guilty that people actually pay you for doing.


Make A Life Inventory

Look back over your life and write down the things you used to do for the sheer pleasure of doing. If you are like me, you may find that there are many different types of activities that brought you satisfaction. It may actually be hard to see one activity that pops up over and over. But as you look at your list of enjoyable things, you might find a common thread that will help you see the types of activities you enjoy.

Spend some time in prayer asking God to help you call to mind those activities. Those moments of satisfaction may have been during previous work experience or it may have been when you were in school. Think about your time from elementary all the way through the time you finished formal education and write down all the great activities that seemed to inspire your life and you wished you could continue doing forever. Maybe your inspiration came during time away from school. Time with friends on the weekend or cooking dinner for your family. Write down those pleasurable times and activities.

When you start to see a pattern of satisfaction it will help you see that God has given you a personality that is satisfied by certain activities. In fact, when you see the things that bring the greatest joy to you, it might surprise you to discover that not everyone enjoys those things. That is because God made each one of us different and that He has a purpose for your life that is different than His plan for others.

Work Within Your Values

An area that is critical to job satisfaction is working within your value system. If you work for a company that you cannot wholeheartedly support, then you probably will never find complete satisfaction in your career. No company is perfect. You will always have to deal with flawed people. However, there are many places where you can work and not have to compromise your values and goals in life.

Recently I was in a nationally known hardware store. I needed a particular product that one of the workers wasn’t sure they carried. He connected me with another worker who was able to help me out. As my wife and I were leaving the store the first worker caught us in the parking lot to make sure that we were served in a satisfactory way. I could tell that his personal value system was based on serving the customer even if it meant sending us to another store down the street. He was able to stay true to his personal mission of serving the customer while also serving the company he worked for. He seemed content to know that we got the answer we needed.

Write Down Your Goals

Once you start to define what a satisfying career means for you, you need to write down your goals. What do you expect to accomplish in the next month, year or decade that will help you know that you are doing what you endeavor to do?

The first goal should be landing that job that God has designed you to love. It could be that God wants you to stay right where you are, but change your attitude toward the job you are doing. Or, you can stay in your current employment, but ask for a change of positions. You may need some education that will help you make the transition to your desired career. Your current job could be what pays for that needed education. In other words, don’t burn your bridges where you are. Your current employment is likely to be the key to getting you where you want to be.

Obviously not everything will be done in the timeline that you initially set for it, but if you don’t have goals then you will never know if you are moving forward. It has been proven time and again that successful people are in the habit of writing down their goals. The more intentional you are about having a written plan, the more likely you are to reach those goals and move towards the career that you desire.

Find An Internship

You may still not know exactly what that new job will be but you want to try the waters in a few different places. If you are just starting out on your job search, you have many internships that are probably available to you. Take advantage of those. Ask your parents, fellow church members, and college advisers to give you some recommendations on where to start with finding an internship in your chosen field. There are so many job fields that are represented in the typical church setting. As a young person without much work experience you may be shocked to know all the different departments that are needed to run a company. It is likely someone you know could help you get an internship in their company so that you can see for yourself if a particular job is right for you.

If you are already involved with a career and can’t take 3 months off for a full internship, try to find friends within your social circles who could help you investigate different jobs at their places of employment. This could mean taking a department leader to dinner and interviewing him for information about a particular job. This doesn’t mean you are trying to get a job there, but that you want to know if that job really would be the kind of work you enjoy. Of course, we all know that what people say about a job and its listed job description is not always exactly what the job entails.

Look For Satisfaction, Not Just Success

It could be that your dream job is not a high-paying, high-profile job. There is nothing wrong with desiring a job that does not put you at the top of the corporate ladder. Success should be measured by your own goals and what is needed to make you satisfied that you are accomplishing the job God wants you to do.

Do you have that list of goals for your career projected out a few years that I mentioned? This will be your standard from which you will work. Again, your written goals probably need to be adjusted from time to time, but you need to have something that gives you a basic plan. Revisit those goals regularly and make sure you are still headed towards that fulfillment that got you started down this path to begin with.

Success for you should be defined by your level of satisfaction with the career you have chosen.


May God give you clarity and direction as you seek to please Him with your career choice. Also, try to be sensitive to God’s working through your current employer. God wants you to grow closer to Him. He desires to have a personal relationship with you that extends beyond your salvation. Some of the frustration you experience in your current career is likely caused by God trying to draw you closer to Him. Learn what He is teaching you where you are, so that when you get to where you want to be in your job it will help you have a better daily relationship with Him.

A Funny "Religious" Horse Story

Alan bought a horse, a religious horse it appeared. Strangely, the horse only reacted to two words: the word "Hallelujah" to make it go, and "Amen" to make it stop.

Excited, Alan took his new horse out on the range and was riding it happily when he realised he was heading towards the edge of a cliff. Terrified, Alan forgot which word was the one to stop the horse.

Obviously wanting to prevent falling over the cliff to certain death, he bellowed out a prayer ending with the word - Amen. Phew! The horse stopped.

'Hallelujah,' shouted the relieved Alan.

Good morning!

GET RID OF THE NON-ESSENTIALS

The Word For Today

'Let us lay aside every weight...and let us run.' Hebrews 12:1

In the days of the Roman Empire, Olympic runners practised with heavy weights strapped to their bodies. But on the day of the race all the weights were stripped from them; hence we are told in Scripture, 'Let us lay aside every weight...and let us run.' When Elijah passed by, Elisha was busy ploughing. This was Elisha's moment of opportunity. He could become a prophet and enjoy twice the success of his new mentor. But first he had to be willing to break his plough and sacrifice his yoke of oxen. His plough and oxen represented the financial security he was willing to walk away from in order to fulfil God's plan for his life.

Think for a moment about your dream, and everything that will result from it. If you're like most people, what comes to mind are the benefits you'll receive, the places you'll go, the people you'll meet, the things you'll own, and the position or title you'll earn. Do you notice anything in particular about that list? It outlines all the things that will be added to you, and none of the things you'll have to give up in order to achieve it. And your greatest challenge won't be giving up the obvious things you know will hurt you; it'll be giving up the good things you like but won't help you.

Removing the non-essentials from your daily routine will be a constant struggle, but it's worth fighting for. Why? Because most people who fail to reach their destination aren't stopped because of insurmountable barriers, but because they're worn out trying to carry too many things on their journey.

Be Strong in the Lord

The Word For Today

'Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.' Ephesians 6:10 NIV

The Bible says, ‘Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armour so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh–and–blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places. Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armour so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm.



Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armour of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.’ (Ephesians 6:10–18 NLT) The way to make a comeback is to get back up and move forward. Winning consists of getting up one more time than you were knocked down. Booker T. Washington said, ‘Success is not measured by the heights one attains, but by the obstacles one overcomes in its attainment.’ The God you serve is bigger than the obstacles you face. The strength He provides is greater than the forces arrayed against you. So be strong in the Lord!

My Testimony: What True Love Is..God, He and She!!!

Sarah Adams take you, Lawson Kuti as
my lawful wedded husband, to love and
to cherish, in sickness and in health, till
death do us part” she smiled at him
through her veil.
“You may now kiss your bride Mr.
Lawson” The Pastor beckoned.
Lawson’s heart raced as he gently
unveiled his bride’s face. She looked so
beautiful. He gently bent over and placed
a soft kiss on her lips. Sarah in turn
embraced him tightly with tears of joy
streaming down her face.
“Never leave me Sarah” He whispered in
her ear.
“I will never leave you” she whispered
and they slowly released themselves
from the embrace.
“I present to you the latest couple!” The
Pastor exclaimed excitedly

The church cheered and Sarah cried
more in her husband’s arms.
5 years Later
Sarah silently tip toed behind her
husband. He was in his study, engrossed
in reading. She smiled to herself and
gently covered his eyes with both hands.
“It’s just you and I in this house Sara,
plus, I smelled you the moment you
walked in” He dropped
Sara released her hold, sighed and sat on
the study table, “Why do you figure me
out so easily? I can’t even surprise you!
That sucks” she curled her arms around
his neck.
“You are my wife, nothing you do is
supposed to surprise me” He playfully
pecked her nose.
“But you’ve been in the study all day
and I’m bored!” She rolled her eyes
“So what kind of fun do you suggest we
have then?” He swooped her off the table
in his arms
“No! no that kind of fun!” She hit him
playfully till he put her down.
“Ok”, He folded his arms on his chest,
looking into her eyes, “So what do you
want us to do?”
“Not us. Actually, all I want is to play
with your play station and you’ve hidden
it again! Just give it to me and you can
continue your reading, pleaaaseee” She
blinked her eyes playfully
“No way”, He went back toward his
study chair and sat, “Not my play
station”
“Why! You never let me touch it…like
its your baby” She sulked.
“Well”, he rolled his eyes, “Not like
you’ve given me a baby yet”
Sara paused for a moment. Did he just
say that to her? The words struck her
deep down.
“You shouldn’t have said that
Lawson…” She managed to say, her
countenance changing.
“But it’s true…I’m only saying the truth
Sara” He turned to face her, still sitting
on the chair.
“The truth? You think I don’t want us to
have kids?”
“Don’t get me wrong, I’m not saying
that…” He stood to face her now.
“Then what are you saying Lawson? Tell
me, what is the truth?”
“Let’s not do this today…please. You
can have the play station and play all
you want. It’s in my footwear locker and
the key is in my Bible.”
“You always do this…hurting me with
your words” Her voice began to shake.
“Don’t start Sara please”
“Tell me why you said those words to
me! I want to know!”
“Because I’m tired! I want to be a father!
I want to have my own kids Sara…” and
you think I don’t?!” Sara flared, trying
not to let the tears pour.
“Then why can’t you get pregnant Sara?
This is the fifth year we are trying.” He
clenched his teeth and walked out of the
study room.
Sara was in shock. She sat on the chair
for some seconds, stood up again and sat
on the chair again…this time she held on
to her blouse and burst into tears.
2weeks after
“Lawson, wake up please” Sara tapped
him
Lawson gently opened his eyes and
looked at the alarm clock by his bedside,
“It’s 2:00am Sara…”
“It’s urgent”
“I’m listening” He said drowsily.
“Mother says we should come for tests.
She says she’s spoken to her doctor and
he said we should come.”
“What?” Lawson opened his eyes now,
“Your mother is in the UK for Christ’s
sakes”
“Let’s just do it. We can go for the
weekend, lets just give it a shot, please.”
“No. That would be rather expensive
and…”
“It’s my birthday today and the only
thing I want from you is this trip”
Lawson fell quiet now. For the past two
years now, his wife’s birthday skips his
mind…totally.
“I’m…I’m sorry Sara…It skipped my
mind…”
“It always does” She lay down back on
the bed, backing him.
Lawson wrapped his arms around her
waist, “I said I’m sorry…”
No response.
Lawson sighed, “Fine, we go this
weekend”
“Really?” She turned sharply, excited.
“If it will make you happy today”
“Thank you baby” She hugged him.
A week after
Sara jerked at the vibration of the phone
in her pocket.
“Hi mom!” she pressed the phone to her
ear with her shoulders, wiping the
washed dishes with her hands.
“Honey…”
“What is it mom?” she pressed it harder
????The result…the result of the tests…”
her mother cried
Sarah gently dropped the plate and the
wiper, heart racing…”Just say it mom…”
That night
“I can never have children Lawson…”
Sara cried
Lawson felt his world crash right in front
of him, “W…what?”
“Mama called today…she’s gotten the
tests results”
“Jesus Christ” Lawson stood, placing his
palm on his head, “b…but you told me
you were ok before we got married, you
told me the doctor said your abortion
didn’t damage your womb”
“Don’t bring my past into this!” Sara
flared.
Lawson laughed and got serious almost
immediately, “You are crazy. I married a
crazy woman!”
Sara looked at him in shock, like he’d
lost his mind.
“The results say you can never have
children and we both know that this has
to do with the abortion you had before
we met!”, he flared, “are you happy?…
you know we’re screwed right? No kids?
what re we going to tell the world?”
“Lawson we can adopt…” Sara cried.
“Adopt? Wow!”, he laughed again, “I
married a funny woman too!” He got
serious again, “Its still not our baby! The
damn baby is not my flesh and blood!
You are full of deceit Sara” He looked
into her eyes. Sara could see him fighting
his tears.
“Lawson stop…you are hurting me…”
Sara fell on her knees crying.
“You want to know what I’m thinking?”
Lawson looked at her with disgust, “I’m
thinking how on earth I’m going to stand
seeing your deceitful face for the rest of
my life”
“Sara cried harder, “Dont give up
Lawson…So far I have a womb…I can
still carry our baby…”
“I am not giving up on having my baby,
I’m giving up on you” Lawson turned
around to leave
“Lawson!” She held his feet, “I’m
hurting too…”
He only dragged his feet from her hold
and drove out of the house. She wept.
A month Later
“Mother, he’s not even talking to me. All
of a sudden we are both strangers…He
doesn’t eat my food, comes home late…
he hates me so much and it’s killing me.
I’m confused…to think that it’s truly
hurting…”
“For how long will you hide this truth
from him. You’ve got to let him know…
you can’t carry his…”
There was the sound of a car horn.
“Mom I’ve got to go…he’s back”
“Baby, you’ve got to let him know. It can
work when you two are one in mind”
“Bye mom” she ended the call.
Lawson came into the house, about to
walk past her.
“Lawson” She held him
“I’m tired” He didn’t want to look at her
face
“I know…can we talk for some
minutes?” She tried to help him remove
his suit
“Look what is it” He jerked from her.
“Do you hate me this much? you can’t
even look me in the eye? you can’t even
stand my sight? Lawson…it’s me Sara…
your best friend…” Her eyes grew moist
“I’m in no mood for this” He turned
around to walk away
“Don’t you dare leave when I’m talking
to you!” She dragged him by the suit.
Just then, some papers fell to the floor.
Sara quickly bent to pick them up…her
hands shook and her body became numb
all over.
“D…divorce papers? Lawson?” She
searched his eyes.
“Answer me goddammit!” She held him
by the collar of his shirt, crying.
“They are for you to sign. I want to be
out” Lawson dropped.
“Y…you what?” she slowly freed him
from her hold.
“It’s not going to work Sara, can’t you
see?”
“Lawson I can’t believe you would think
of a divorce and even go this far…why
are you so wicked!” she cried, angry.
“No! Why are you so wicked!” He
retorted, flaring

“Think about me for once. I am a man for
Christ’s sakes. My children are my pride!
and you are about to deny me that for the
rest of my life because of your stupid
mistake!”
“What about me! have you stopped for
once to think about what I’m going
through”
“It’s your cross, carry it” Lawson fixed
his angry eyes on his wife.
“No, its now our cross and I am not
signing those divorce papers! We vowed
never to leave each other!”
“Isn’t it better Sara that you save
yourself more hurt and sign these papers
than to see another woman move into
this house before your very eyes?” he
said with a tone of sarcasm.
Sara’s heart thumped, “What?”
“You heard me…another woman who
can help raise a family, so save yourself
the stress and sign the damn papers. I
need it tomorrow”He turned around to
leave again
“She still can’t carry your baby” Sara
dropped
“Not all women had abortions. Not every
woman was like you.” He scorned
“You are the one who can’t give me a
child!” Sara let out, crying.
Lawson stopped now, turned around and
walked towards her, “Whatever your
plan is won’t work”
“I told you I could never have a child
because its you who can’t make me
pregnant”
“Shut up! shut up Sara! what the hell are
you saying!” He shook her shoulders
violently

“You are infertile Lawson…the doctor
says you have primary infertility…” Sara
burst into tears
Lawson gasped, loosing his balance.
“Mother called me to give me the news. I
was shattered, I felt like my world was
over but more importantly I thought of
you. I thought of what the news could do
to you, I thought of the best way to tell
you… never for once did i think of
leaving you. I bore your insults, your
scorn, because of my past. It was so easy
to judge me and think of yourself.
I am the one who is hurting, I am the one
who should bring some miserable
divorce papers…but I thought of you…I
thought of hope, faith and a miracle…I
thought of my vow to you on that altar.
In sickness and in health remember?”,
she smiled through her tears, “all of a
sudden you are as weak as a baby…
looking in your eyes, I can see you
suddenly have lost all your guards, You
are so wicked”
“Sara…” Lawson fell on his knees, torn.
“No!” She quickly fell on her knees too,
“No Lawson…” She couldn’t bear to see
him cry
“I’m…I’m infertile”, he cried, “What is
left of me?” he searched his wife’s eyes
“Lawson please…” she held his face, “I
understand…it has been so hard for
me…I have put myself in your shoes
since the first day…”
“You don’t deserve this…you deserve
better…I can’t believe I scorned you all
along…please let me leave you”
“No” she shook her head, “You are my
husband. I won’t leave you. I won’t let
you leave me…I believe in miracles”
“I’m doomed…Sara I’m doomed…”He
allowed his wife take him in her arms
and on her shoulder he wept like a child.
In the Morning
Sara gently opened her eyes, looking
beside her bed…it was empty. She
quickly sat up on seeing a note gently
placed on the bed. Hands shaking, she
opened the letter to read.
Sara,

I cannot bear the shame. I have treated
you so unfairly, yet you love me still,
you are with me even in this condition of
mine. To think that you knew all along
and you never for once gave me a clue
that it is my fault we are in this mess,
makes me so unworthy of you.
I love you enough to let you build
another life with a man who can make
you happier. I’m torn Sara and all I ask is
your forgiveness. I have always loved
you and if you truly love me then please
start your life over again…without me…
I am truly sorry for disappointing you.
Lawson.
Sara couldn’t control the tears. She
couldn’t think straight anymore. She
picked her cell phone, shaking…
“Hi Mr. Lawson’s office please”
“Hi Lola…” she cried, “have you seen
my husband today?”
“No…no ma’am, we’ve been expecting
him at work. He has a presentation is
fifteen minutes”
“Oh God…God…” Sara dipped her hand
in her full hair.
“Everything ok ma’am?”
“Thank you” she ended the call.
She quickly got down from the bed and
in her pyjamas she ran into her car. She
dialed his number repeatedly as she
drove…no answer.

At 2:00pm
She sped into Fred’s compound, a close
friend to her husband.
“Fred!” she banged the door hastily till
the door flung open
“My God Sara what’s wrong?” Fred held
her.
“It’s…it’s Lawson…have you seen him?
is he here?”
“No…Haven’t heard from him in a
week”
“Oh God” she held her hair
“What’s wrong?”
But she was already walking away into
her car.
“Sara!” He called after her.
She zoomed away.
4:30pm
“Mom, Dad, I can’t find Lawson…I can’t
find your son…” she cried as she paced
in front of the two who looked lost.
“You have to calm down and tell us what
happened” Lawson’s mother put her
arms around Sara.
Sara burst into tears, “Please Dad could
you try his number, maybe he’d pick
your call?”
“Have you been to his office?” He
picked his cellphone and dialed his son’s
number.
“I have been everywhere I know him to
be likely available”
“It’s ok…calm down please” Lawson’s
mother pet her.
“He’s not picking. What exactly went
wrong between you two?” Lawson’s
father searched Sara’a eyes
9:00pm
Sara was still in her pyjamas and on her
way back home, exhausted and stuck in
the traffic. She had told Lawson’s
parents everything. The poor couple was
so shattered and also begging her to
begin a new life. Sara buried her head on
the steering, crying; she hadn’t realized
the green light.
“Hey get off the freaking road!” a driver
cursed from behind her
“God please don’t let him harm
himself…keep him safe and lead me to
him…please God…” she quickly started
the car and began to move.
Suddenly she remembered the church
where they wedded and took their vows.
It was two hours from here; she made a
u-turn and headed for the church hoping
to find some peace.
She tiredly got down from the car,
drenched and exhausted. She trudged
into the open entrance of the church. She
paused for a moment; shocked…it was
Lawson sitting at the front row of the
empty church, facing the altar.
“Lawson!” She began to run towards
him, happy, relieved that he was ok.
“Sara?” He quickly stood as she
approached him, “Sara…”
They both ran into each other’s arms. He
hugged her so tightly
“I looked for you everywhere….thi s was
the last place I thought you’d ever be…I
just came and I saw you…Lawson….I’m
so happy you are ok” she touched his
face
“I didn’t know where else to go…It just
feels like I cant face the world
anymore…” he slowly released her from
his embrace.
“Take my hand” Sara stretched out her
hand, “C’mon, just take it”
Lawson gently clasped his hand into hers
and she took him to the altar and stood to
face him. She searched his eyes so
deeply and hadn’t seen him so weak and
helpless.
“Five years ago Lawson, we both stood
on this altar. Remember our vows?

Remember you whispered in my ear
never to leave you. I told you I
wouldn’t…that’s why I’m here. I am
your wife Lawson, I am meant to be with
you forever, though the bad and good
times. We’ve had good times, why would
I leave you now? All I want from you is
to believe that you can still give me a
child despite what the result said…I want
you to believe in a miracle”, she held his
face, “remember when you told me I was
a miracle in your life?…our children will
be our miracles too. Trust God with me
because I know it won’t be long…”
“Who are you Sara…” Lawson was weak
with her words.
“The one who vowed to be with you till
the end” she smiled through her thin
tears
“God I love you so much Sara” He
hugged her again.
“So will you come back home with me?”
Sara searched his eyes.
“I have no other place to call home” He
placed a soft kiss on her lips.
2 years after
Lawson and Sara were on the sofa
watching a late night movie. Sara was
resting on his shoulders when she felt the
movement
“Lawson Lawson, it moved again…don’t
miss it this time touch touch” she gently
placed his palm on the side of the
stomach. Both felt the movement of their
child
“I can feel him…I can feel him” Lawson
placed his head on her belly
“I can feel him growing each day inside
of me…”
“What do you think its saying now by
this movement?”
“Thank you dada for believing in me”
she laughed. They both laughed “The
movement has stopped” he slowly
removed his head from her stomach, “I
think he’s sleeping”
Sara rested on his shoulders again, “In
six months you’d be a father, “You
finally got your miracle”

Lawson tilted his wife’s face to him,
looking into her eyes, “Sara…you were
the miracle I needed. Thank you for not
leaving me.”
Sara tickled his nose with hers, “I love
you too. Always will”, she smiled, “We
missed a whole lot on our movie”
“Movie can wait, but this can’t” He
gently planted a kiss on her belly.

Hip Hop Artist DEE-1 Takes The Music Industry By Storm With Debut Appearance On BET’S Hip Hop Awards And New Single “Against Us” | @Dee1music |

Hip Hop Artist DEE-1 Takes The Music Industry By Storm With Debut Appearance On BET’S Hip Hop Awards And New Single “Against Us” | @Dee1music |

Last week, Dee-1 made a huge splash in the rap-game with his debut performance on the BET Hip Hop Awards’ Cypher and the release of his new single, “Against Us” on RCA Inspiration. The New Orleans based rapper celebrated both successes with a performance at SOB’s in New York City during BET’s Music Matter’s Showcase that left fans and music critics alike buzzing. While in New York, Dee-1 also made stops at Music Choice, BET, XXL, and SiriusXM’s Sway in the Morning Show on Shade 45.

Check out Dee-1’s performance from the BET Hip Hop Awards Cypher, his powerful interview on Sway in the Morning below:

Hip Hop Awards
http://serve.a-widget.com/service/getWidgetSwf.kickAction

Sway in the Morning


“Against Us” is the powerful first single from Dee-1’s forthcoming EP, 3’S UP, scheduled for release at the top of 2015. “Against Us” is available via all digital music providers.

With a goal to educate and inspire a generation to achieve more, Dee-1 is regularly sought out to speak and perform for the youth. Recognizing his influence, BET tapped Dee-1 to join this year’s BET College Tour. Remaining dates on the tour for Dee-1 include stops at Grambling State, Tuskegee University, Mississippi Valley State University, and Jackson State University.

Remaining BET College Tour Dates:
Wednesday, October 22—Tuskegee University—Tuskegee, AL
Wednesday, October 29—Mississippi Valley—Itta Bena, MS
Friday, October 31—Jackson State—Jackson, MS

5 Valuable Life Lessons My Mom Taught Me.

My family has been a very important element in my faith and growth in Jesus Christ. I count it a huge privilege that both my mom and dad were strong in their faith and tried to put Christ first in everything they did. This came across to me loud and clear as I grew up in a strong family of faith. My mother was the one that led me to Christ at the tender age of five years old. I remember coming home from church and feeling uneasy about what I had learned that morning and asking my mother to talk to me. She took the time to sit me down and explain God’s plan of salvation to me and she led me to Christ that day.

My mom went home to be with the Lord seven years ago and I miss her every day. When you have someone you love die and go home to be with Jesus it is sad but happy at the same time. You are very sad that they are gone but you know that they are with Jesus and that is an awesome and comforting thought. There are many lessons that my mother taught me but these five are especially memorable to me.

1. Put God first in your life

This first point is the big umbrella under which everything else falls. My mom showed me this on a daily basis. She had a walk with God that was evident to me even from an early age. This was evident in everything our family did as we never scheduled anything that would conflict with things going on at church. God truly needs to be first and at the center of our lives if we are to live according to His plan and His will.

2. Eat dinner together every night

This may seem like a strange lesson but let me explain. My mom made family dinner a priority every night. I am the 4th of 5 children and we were involved in sports, cheerleading (my sister was not me), band, jobs…etc. We were a very busy family that always seemed to be on the run. Yet, my mom made it a priority that we have one meal together each night. Now, as a 47 year old adult, I look back and see the wisdom and blessing that this priority made. My brothers and my sister and I remain very close (even though we live far apart) and they all have dropped everything to be with one in need. Mom taught us that God was first but family was a very strong priority and by eating together regularly each day, we grew a bond that has been a model for me to take to my own family.


Mom taught us that God was first but family was a very strong priority and by eating together regularly each day, we grew a bond that has been a model for me to take to my own family.

3. Stay humble

Mom was a very humble servant and loving wife. She was a friend to many other women in the church. She was a Sunday school teacher and she sang in the choir but she truly was a helpmate to my father. My dad was heavily involved in the leadership of the church and he seemed to always be at church either for a meeting or planning or something but he was always there. Mom was more behind the scenes but was equally vital and important not only to our family but too the church as well. She showed a humility even in her last days of fighting cancer when this terrible disease can take away your strength, your dignity, and your life. I remember one moment fondly just a few days before she would die. I was sitting with her in her bed as she was on hospice and was very weak and there was a laundry basket nearby with clean but unfolded laundry in it. She looked at it and said that she wished she had the strength to fold the laundry. She was humble and wanted to serve even when she was in the final hours of her life.

4. Love the world

My mother had a true love for the world. Mom always gave someone the benefit of the doubt and would help out those in need. She had a love for those around her that was inspiring to me. She cared especially for the younger children in our neighborhood. We had something called “Bible Club” in our home for many years. This was a club in which mom would teach me and my friends a Bible story using flannel graph and telling a story that we could understand. Most of my friends were not church people so this was a great way to show the love of Jesus to our friends. Our house always was the “hub” of the neighborhood. Every wiffle ball game, every basketball game, every football game…happened at our house. Our grass had worn out spots for where the baseball bases were placed and mom’s flowers never looked the best (as the landscaping area was a double) but my friends felt safe and wanted to be at our house. Mom always made lunch or snacks and she is the one that made that happen. Looking back now some 40 years later, I want my house to be that house too. I want my son’s friends to want to be at our house. I want to grow in my love for my neighbors and someday be like my mom.

5. Invest in others

Our lives our empty and without life unless we invest in the lives of others. My mother taught me that over and over. I already mentioned how she invested in the other neighborhood kids and how she invested in our family but mom invested in many others as well. She was part of a women’s Bible study approximately 50 years ago (before I was even born) that continued for about 20 years. This was way before the current church trend towards Bible study. She often hosted this group and was a regular teacher and gave of her time and efforts to invest in these women. She also became a mentor for some other women in the church that were going through difficult times. Mom was easy to talk to and a good listener and many women gravitated towards that. Jesus showed this picture by investing in the “12” and even investing more intentionally in Peter, James, and John. We need to invest in other people to show the love of Christ to all. Mom did that.

This short list of lesson that mom taught me was in some ways easy to write, as many lessons quickly came to mind. I am eternally thankful to God for giving me Christian parents that pointed me and showed me the way to follow God. I hope you have been blessed. Happy Weekend -{Anonymous}

Be Yourself in Prayer -Stephen Miller

Sometimes it seems as if many believers feel the need to alter who they are when they come to God in prayer, particularly when others are around. As if God will not hear them if they are themselves, they play characters, hoping to be more acceptable to God and others.

I have personally struggled over the years with what to say and how to say it when I pray. I’m in good company. Even the apostles asked Jesus to teach them to pray. And with kind, compassionate patience in his voice, he taught them to pray simply, humbly, confidently, according to God’s word and for God’s glory.

You could sum up Jesus’ teaching into a few guiding principles.

1. Slow Down and Be OK With Silence
There is no need to use filler language to take up every ounce of space in prayer, as if the Lord can’t handle the silence or doesn’t have time to listen. You don’t have to speed through like an auctioneer. I can’t imagine how I would react if someone came up to talk to me like, “Stephen Miller, just … just Stephen, we should just go to lunch together, Stephen Miller. Just let’s just go grab … just a burger, Stephen. Stephen, I know you like a good burger from time to time, Stephen Miller. Stephen, just then we could just grab a frozen custard, Stephen Miller.” I know that I am not God, but in my flesh, I might be too weirded out to get a burger with that guy. If we would naturally react to someone talking to us that way, why do we feel the need to speak that way to God? He knows our hearts. Slow down. Be OK with pauses. Perhaps God wants to speak to you in the silence.

2. Pray to God as Father, Son and Holy Spirit
God is Trinity. One God, three distinct persons, each person fully God. It is truly a great mystery, and I don’t know that we will ever understand it this side of Heaven. Yet each person within the Trinity is distinct. The Father is not the Son and the Son is not the Spirit. We rightly relate to God as a Trinity, adoring and thanking and pleading with Father, Son and Spirit in our prayers. Yet while doing this, it can be easy to get confused and begin to thank the Father for dying on the cross and so on and so forth.

While God knows what we mean and sees past our broken prayers, this has got to confuse people who are listening to our prayers, trying to pray along in agreement. When you pray, consider the person of the Trinity to whom you are praying. The Father sends the Son to be the Savior of the world. The Son came obediently, died in our place, rose from the dead, then sent his Spirit to convict of sin, to convince of truth, and to equip and empower us. So as we pray, pray with that in mind.

3. Use Normal Language
My great Grandpa was a firm believer that the only inspired word of Scripture was the King James Version. When he quoted scripture (and he could quote most of the Bible I think), it was always KJV. While he was one of the biggest spiritual influences in my life, it was odd to me when he began to pray out loud, because he prayed in old English. “Our Gracious Heavenly Father, Thou hast bestowed upon us this bountiful feast and the glory belongest to Thou and Thou alone. Wouldst Thou blesseth this meal by Thine own good pleasure … .” Then, once he said amen, he would resume speaking in modern language. When you pray, there is no need to speak like someone from a bygone era in order to sound more spiritual or reverent. Use normal language, and pray like yourself.

4. Use Your Normal Voice
We have all heard the hyped-up emotional vocal inflections of a man trying to sell a prayer the way a voice-over actor sells a product. He may talk like Ron Burgundy in real life, but as soon as he begins praying, his voice takes on a reflective Enrique Iglesias whisper that sounds a bit like being on the verge of tears while trying to woo someone into making an emotional decision. We should pray with all of our emotions and affections, but it must be sincere and authentic. If you’re moved, be moved, but be real about it. No need to alter your voice or manufacture emotion. God knows our hearts better than we know ourselves.

5. Keep It Short and Simple
Our prayers can be simple and still faith-filled. I often say that God can use a three-minute worship song as much as a nine-minute worship song. The same is true of prayer. God won’t hear us any more because of our long-windedness. Prayer isn’t a love bank where many words equal a more substantive deposit. Our prayers don’t have to be long or eloquent. When Jesus taught his disciples to pray, he taught them a short prayer that exemplified the vertical (glorifying God) and the horizontal (edifying others) aspects of prayer. When praying with others, aim to build them up with short, thoughtful prayers, and if you feel the need to pray longer, go to God “in secret” (Matthew 6:6).

It’s never too late to be yourself. God is looking for a relationship with us, not whomever it is that we are trying to act like when we come to him. Prayer starts with our adoption in Christ. That’s why Jesus taught us to begin with God as “Our Father.” There is an intimate reverence there—a humble familiarity.

Prayer is naturally one of the most spiritual things we can do as believers, so we don’t need to add anything extra to overspiritualize it. We can simply come as deeply joyful sons and daughters with reverent awe that we have been rescued by a God who loves us and hears us.  

Thou Shall Not Lie!

The Word For Today

'You shall not give false testimony.' Exodus 20:16

The ninth commandment says, 'You shall not give false testimony against your neighbour.' Why do we lie? For lots of reasons: to escape the consequences of our actions; to avoid paying our dues; to create a false image; to convince others we're something we're not. But it doesn't work; time and truth force deception to surface--literally!

In 1996 the body of the former ambassador to Switzerland was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, America's resting place for war heroes. The granite tombstone read, 'S1C [Seaman First Class] U.S. Merchant Marine.' But according to investigative reporters, Don Van Natta Jr. and Elaine Sciolino, in a 1997 issue of 'The New York Times', cemetery workers hauled the tombstone away and exhumed the casket. The reason? The man lied. For years he told others he'd served on the Coast Guard ship Horace Bushnell during World War II. He said the Germans torpedoed the ship and he'd been thrown overboard, sustaining a head injury. But the record shows that at the time he said he was serving in the Merchant Marine, he was actually attending Wilbur Wright College in Chicago. The Coast Guard had no record of his having served in the Merchant Marine, or having earned the rank of Seaman First Class.

Somehow the lie wasn't discovered when the State Department investigated his background and he was made an ambassador. As a result, his remains were buried in Arlington Cemetery, and his tombstone engraved with a lie. But the truth came out, as it always does, and posterity now knows the facts. Think about that, the next time you're tempted to spin a story that's less than truthful.

8 Things God won't ask on THAT day...

8 Things God won't ask on THAT day.

1. God won't ask what kind of car you drove.
He'll ask how many people you drove who didn't have transportation.

2. God won't ask the square footage of your house.
He'll ask how many people you welcomed into your home.

3. God won't ask about the clothes you had in your closet.
He'll ask how many you helped to clothe.

4. God won't ask what your highest salary was.
He'll ask if you compromised your character to obtain it.

5. God won't ask what your job title was.
He'll ask if you performed your job to the best of your ability.

6. God won't ask how many friends you had.
He'll ask how many people to whom you were a friend.

7. God won't ask in what neighborhood you lived.
He'll ask how you treated your neighbors.

8. God won't ask about the color of your skin.  
He'll ask about the content of your character.

THE ANT AND ITS INTERESTING LIFE INTRIGUES!!!!

One Sunday morning, a Wealthy man sat in his balcony enjoying sunshine and his coffee when a little 🐜ant caught his eye which was going from one side to the other side of the balcony carrying a big leaf several
times more than its size. The man watched it for more
than an hour. He saw that the ant faced many impediments during its journey, paused, took a diversion and then continued towards destination.

At one point the tiny creature came across a crack in the floor. It paused for a little while, analyzed and then
laid the huge leaf over the crack, walked over the leaf,
picked the leaf on the other side then continued its
journey.

The man was captivated by the cleverness of the ant, one of GOD'S tiniest creatures. The incident left the man in awe and forced him to contemplate over the miracle of Creation. It showed the Greatness of the Creator. In front of his eyes there was this tiny creature of GOD ALMIGHTY, lacking in size yet
equipped with a brain to Analyze, Contemplate, Reason, Explore, Discover and Overcome.

Along with all these capabilities, the man also noticed that this tiny creature shared some human being shortcomings.

The man saw about an hour later the creature had reached its destination – a tiny hole in the floor which was entrance to its underground dwelling. And it was at this point that the 🐜ant’s shortcoming that it shared with the man was revealed. How could the ant carry it into the tiny hole the large leaf that it had managed to carefully bring to the destination? It simply couldn’t!

So the tiny 🐜creature, after all the painstaking and hard work and exercising great skills, overcoming all the difficulties along the way, just left behind the large leaf and went home empty-handed.
The 🐜ant had not thought about the end before it began its challenging journey and in the end the large leaf was nothing more than a burden to it.
The creature had no option, but to leave it behind to reach
its destination. The man learned a Great Lesson that day.

Isn’t that the Truth about our Lives?
We worry about our family,
We worry about our job,
We worry about how to earn more money,
We worry about where we should live – 5 bedroom or 6
bedroom house,
What kind of vehicle to buy – a Mercedes or Honda or BMW or a Porsche,
What kind of dresses to wear,
All sorts of things, only to abandon all these things when we reach our destination – The GRAVE.

We don’t realize in our life’s journey that these are just
burdens that we are carrying with utmost care and fear of losing them, only to find that at the end they are useless and we can’t take them with us.
Good Morning!

Secret Of David Mass Concert to hold in 2015 || @secretofdavid || #SODConcertNigeria.

The SOD Mass Concert 2015 is happening in Lagos, Nigeria. The groups in Cyprus and London are joining the Lagos chapter for this massive concert come next year. Watch out!
SECRET OF DAVID is a group of young Christians who are out to preach the word of God in songs and also to make people know what real worship is about. The group is located in Cyprus, London and Nigeria

The founder of the group, Deborah Oluwanifesimi shared with E-Testifies how she came about the name SOD.
"When I got the vision about the group from God, I asked few friends what I should name the group...some made jest of the issue, some said instead of you to face your studies, you are worrying about what to name a group that won't go far...some told me to google it (hahaha!).
I then decided to seek the face of God that night since he gave me the assignment, he should provide a name and yay! He gave me Secret of David! Divinely inspired! 'Twas after I got the name I got to know about Spirit of David...they are doing a great job as well. He didn't only give me the name, He told me why He chose that name."

Secret Of David, a platform for music ministers to preach the gospel through music. If you want to be part of this vision, feel free to join. You can check videos of SOD ministrations on youtube or http://t.co/jYQ6zu8hux.

For more updates, You can like the facebook page, Secret Of David
Twitter: @secretofdavid

Goodness Saved The Day

:::::::::Short Story:::::::::::

Musa worked at a meat distribution factory. One day, when he finished with his work schedule, he went into the meat cold room(Freezer) to inspect something, but in a moment of bad luck, the door closed and he was locked inside with no help in sight. Although he screamed and knocked with all his might, his cries went unheard as no one could hear him. Most of the workers had already gone, and outside the cold room (freezer) it's impossible to hear what was going on inside.

Five hours later, whilst Musa was on the verge of death, the security guard of the factory, eventually open the door and saved the life of Musa. Musa then asked the security guard how he got to open the door, as it wasn't part of his work routine. His explanation: "I've been working in this factory for 35 years, hundreds of workers come in and out every day, but you're one of the few who greets me in the morning and says goodbye to me every night when leaving after working hours. Many treat me as if I am invisible.

Today, like every other day, you greeted me in your simple manner ' Hello ' at the entrance when resuming for work. .....But curiously, after working hours today, I observed I've not heard your ' bye! see you tomorrow '. Hence I decided to check around the factory. I look forward to your' Hi 'and' bye ' every day. To you, I am someone. By not hearing your farewell, I knew something had happened. Then I Sought and found you!

"Moral Lesson to reflect upon:..
Be humble,love and respect those around you. As life is too short! Try to have an impact on people, especially the people that cross your part every day!!!
Good Morning

THE WORD FROM THE TOP

The Word For Today

'You shall not murder.' Exodus 20:13

The sixth commandment says, 'You shall not murder.' Now, most of us don't need a lecture on murder, so let's address the real issue: the tongue, which kills by destroying a person's self-worth and future hopes. Paul writes: 'All the law is fulfilled in...this: "You shall love your neighbour as yourself." But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!' (Galatians 5:14-15 NKJV). Who can forget the 1994 tabloid headline, 'killer bug ate my face'? The reporting was sensational, but the stories were based on factual cases of invasive streptococcal bacteria found in Gloucestershire. When invasive Strep A (which isn't the same as strep throat [Bacterial tonsillitis]) takes hold, necrotizing fasciitis can begin, which causes the victim's flesh to die at the rate of several inches per hour. Meanwhile toxic shock sets in, shutting down organs and causing death.

Dr Jeffrey Crowley describes what happens after the deadly microbes take hold: 'The bacteria multiply rapidly, producing toxins...For three days the patient may suffer swollen lymph nodes, rising fever, and excruciating pain at the site of infection. Penicillin can stop the attack at this stage, but by day four, infected tissues start dying. Bacteria saturate the bloodstream, destroying muscles and organs, sending the body into shock, and death can follow within hours... invasive streptococcus is rare, but unforgiving.' You say, 'That's gruesome!' Yes, and so is gossip, and slander! They're deadly. They make people feel worthless by destroying their self-esteem and undermining them to the point where life doesn't seem worth living. Learn to guard your tongue and speak words that bring life, not death.

DATE WITH A WOMAN…!

Read on..you will be touched too..!

After 21 years of Marriage, my Wife wanted me to take another Woman
out to Dinner and a Movie.

She said I Love You but I know this other Woman loves you too and would Love
to spend some Time with You.


The other Woman that my Wife wanted me to take out was my MOTHER who has been a Widow for 19 years,
but the demands of my Work and my three Children had made it possible to visit her only occasionally.


That night I called to Invite her to go out for Dinner and a Movie.


'What's wrong, are you well,' she asked?

My Mother is the type of Woman who suspects that a Late Night Call or a Surprise Invitation is a sign of Bad News.


'I thought that it would be pleasant to be with you,'
I responded. 'Just the two of us'


She thought about it for a moment, and then said,
'I would like that very much.'


That Friday after work, as I drove over to pick her up I was a bit Nervous.
When I arrived at her House, I noticed that she too seemed to be Nervous about our Date.

She waited in the Door with her Shawl on.

She had set her Hair and was wearing the Dress that she had worn to Celebrate her last Wedding Anniversary.


She smiled from a face that was as Radiant as an Angel's.


'I told my Friends that I was going to go out with My Son, and they were impressed, '
She said, as she got into the Car.

'They can't wait to hear about our meeting'.

We went to a Restaurant that, although not Elegant, was very Nice and Cozy.

My Mother took my Arm as if She were the First Lady.


After we sat down, I had to read the Menu. Large Print.
Half way through the entries, I lifted my eyes and saw Mom sitting
there staring at me.
A Nostalgic Smile was on her Lips.

'It was I who used to have to Read the Menu when you were young,'

She said.

'Then it's Time that you Relax and let me Return the Favor,'

I responded.

During the Dinner, we had an Agreeable Conversation, nothing
Extra-ordinary, but catching up on recent Events of each others Life.

We talked so much that we missed the Movie.

As we arrived at her House later,

She said, 'I'll go out with you again, but only if you let me invite you.'

I agreed.

'How was your Dinner Date?' asked My Wife when I got Home.

'Very Nice. Much more so than I could have Imagined,' I answered.

A few days later, my Mother died of a Massive Heart Attack.

It happened so suddenly that I didn't have Time to do anything for her.
Some time later, I received an Envelope with a Copy of a Restaurant Receipt
From the same place Mother and I had dined.


An Attached Note Said:

'I paid this Bill in Advance.

I wasn't sure that I could be there;

But nevertheless, I paid for Two Plates
One for You and the Other for Your Wife.

You will never know what that night meant to Me.

I Love You, My Son.'

At that moment, I understood the Importance of saying in Time:
'I LOVE YOU!'

and to give our Loved Ones the Time that they Deserve.

Nothing in Life is more important than God, your Family and friends.

Give them the Time they Deserve, because these Things cannot be
Put Off till 'Some Other Time.'

THE WORD FROM THE TOP

The Word For Today

'I have talked with you from heaven.' Exodus 20:22

When God gave the Ten Commandments to His people, He said, 'I have talked with you from heaven.' In other words, you have 'the Word from the top'. End of discussion. Just do it! That being said, let's spend the next few days looking at how the Ten Commandments apply to you.

1) 'You shall have no other gods before me' (v. 3 NIV). Have you seen the new all-purpose greeting card? The front says, 'Generic card' and the inside reads, 'Happy whatever!' The first commandment was designed to stop us from going through life doing whatever we feel like. It grabs us by the collar and says, 'Hold on, Jesus is supposed to be Lord of your life, so put Him first!'

2) 'You shall not make for yourself an idol' (v. 4 NLT). Now, most of us wouldn't dream of worshiping an idol. But how about your loyalty to things that have no eternal value, like pleasure, power, position and possessions? Isn't that idolatry too? Anything that comes before God is an idol.

3) 'You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God' (v. 7 NIV). But just because you don't use profanity doesn't mean you honour the name of the Lord. As a believer you must honour God in your speech, your conduct and your attitude. The truth is, you are the only Bible many people will ever read.

Paul writes, 'Clearly, you are a letter from Christ showing the result of our ministry among you. This "letter" is written not with pen and ink, but with the Spirit of the living God' (2 Corinthians 3:3 NLT).

Sammie Okposo Nominated in SABC Crown Gospel Awards 2014 | @sammieokposo |

Gospel music maestro and Globacom Ambassador Sammie Okposo has been nominated for the SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards in Best Africa Gospel Category. Also nominated in that category are FRANK CHIMPANZI I FEEL JESUS SHONGWE AND KHUPHUKA SAVED GROUP KUNGOMUSA KAJESU SEAPOUR N. SIPHAKAMISA WENA, and SAMMIE OKPOSO

The Wellu Wellu Master, Sammie Okposo will be performing at the Crown Gospel Awards which is billed for the ICC Arena, Durban on the 23rd of November 2014. Tickets will go on sale from the 1st of September.

7th SABC Crown Gospel Music Awards are sponsored by the KZN Government, SABC, Ethekwini Municipality, Sowetan / Sunday World, Isolezwe and Drum. The prestigious cars are provided by Infiniti, Pinetown.

If you are around Durban South Africa on the 23rd of November, please come out and support you one and only wellu wellu master!
No wahala, Only Halleluyah!

David Keigh Nominated for a BEFFTA Award 2014 | @DavidKeigh |

David Keigh Nominated for a BEFFTA Award 2014 | @DavidKeigh |

After the successful release of his debut EP "Something Different", David Keigh has been nominated for "Best Gospel Act" at this years BEFFTA Awards in the UK. This is now his 3rd nomination, 3 years in the row!

The BEFFTA Awards is a distinctly special awards ceremony honouring the best showbiz and entertainment personalities in the black and ethnic communities in the UK, USA, Africa, Caribbean, Canada and globally. BEFFTA Awards is the first of its kind rewarding under one roof outstanding achievements and contributions from Africans, Caribbeans and Asians in entertainment, film, fashion, television and arts. This international prestigious ceremony celebrates an all round accomplishments of a hard working community within entertainment and showbiz especially the unknown talent that need exposure. The awards ceremony founded by Pauline Long also aims to inspire black and ethnic personalities worldwide to achieve at the highest levels. It provides a networking platform for industry personalities.

David Keigh tweeted earlier, "S/O to the @BEFFTAAWARDS for recognising my work. I've been nominated for an award #BestGospelAct #NotAFanOfTitles #SomethingDifferentTheEP".

You can Vote for David Keigh in BEST GOSPEL ACT category here: http://www.beffta.com/voting (voting ends Wednesday 22nd October)

HOW TO PREVENT CRACK POINTS IN YOUR RELATIONSHIP,MARRIAGE AND LIFE.

There are a few things that can lead to cracks in a relationship or marriage. Once the devil sees a crack, he can capitalize on it and gain an entrance. Once the devil sees an inch, he takes a mile.This morning, we will be looking at some sensitive spots that can easily lead to cracks. We are to consciously prevent this from happening. Life is all about deliberate and strict adherence to godly principles, which you allow to guide your life.

1. When communication is reduced or stopped both in courtship and marriage, it is not always a good sign when the communication reduces or is stopped. You have to consciously work at it. Even when you have some quarrel, or there is a disagreement, you need to know that you are still married or you are still going to get married. Remember this, when you lose communication between each other, assumptions will become the order of the day. Assumptions are the lowest forms of knowledge because they are mostly untrue and exaggerated. A relationship or marriage that feeds from assumption will soon crack. Communicate deliberately. Never say you are too busy. Life is all about value. If you value that relationship or marriage, you will find time and invest communication in it. Someone was once asked what the three most important ingredients of marriage are. He said the first is communication, the second is communication and the third is communication. I agree with him.

2. When friendship is not pursued.
In courtship or marriage, when friendship is not pursued, it will not really last. Friends may disagree but they always settle. Real friends will not kill each other. Real friends watch out for each other’s back. Real friends will forgive each other easily. So I tell people, marry your friend, and you would have minimized conflicts, hate and bickering. There is a difference between marrying a friend and marrying your acquaintance.

3. When sincerity and transparency is zero.
A relationship or marriage founded on falsehood and deception will leave the crack wide for the devil to explore and plunder. Be sincere to each other. Sincerity will ensure trust. Without trust, your relationship or marriage will be full of too many suspicions, which are not healthy for a good union. If your fiancé lies, then he will do more after marriage. Marriage rarely changes anybody. He that worketh deceit shall not dwell within my house: he that telleth lies shall not tarry in my sight. (Psalms 101:7 KJV)Let’s take a look at Message Translation:But no one who traffics in lies gets a job with me; I have no patience with liars. I've rounded up all the wicked like cattle and herded them right out of the country. (Psalms 101:7 Message)

4. When the wife is muted and expression is not allowed.
When you don’t allow your wife to express herself, you are building up molten magma within, and the day there would be an eruption, you might not be able to handle it. For a lady, expressing herself regularly is not just a hobby but a need. There are some courtships where the lady is not allowed to say anything, well, that is a defective relationship. That need of free expression must be met. If you really want the ‘helper’ in her to come forth, you should learn to let her express herself.

5. When the man is sexually starved.
You don’t ever use Jeru Trips as a reward or punishment for your husband. It is a legitimate need that every man has. During courtship, pre-marital relation is not allowed for several obvious reasons. You cannot use Jericho trap to secure a relationship. It will never work that way, and it is not about to work in your own time. What will make your relationship work and successfully lead to marriage are firstly, your relationship with God coupled with your obedience and secondly working together at forgiving each other and treating each other tenderly.

May God grant more understanding!

Culled from KHC Kisses&Huggs.(DUNAMIS & SOPHIA)

BE FLEXIBLE

The Word For Today

'The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord.' Psalms 37:23

The Psalmist writes, 'The steps of a good man are ordered by the Lord, and He delights in his way. Though he fall, he shall not be utterly cast down; for the Lord upholds him with His hand' (vv. 23-24 NKJV). Observe:

1) God delights in the fact that you're willing to step out in faith and try.

2) He doesn't guarantee that you won't stumble, but that ultimately He won't let you fail.

3) When you feel like you can't go on, He will uphold and strengthen you. What more could you ask for? Now, God never changes, but life does. So you must be ready to adapt to unforeseen circumstances.

Sam Walton, the founder of Walmart, is credited with having been a visionary leader. His dream was to provide value to customers in order to improve their lives. But he was notorious for changing plans and abandoning strategies that didn't work. Sam's son Jim Walton admitted, 'We all sniggered at some writers who viewed Dad as a grand strategist who intuitively developed complex plans and implemented them with precision. Dad thrived on change, and no decision was ever sacred.'

What good is a well-planned strategy if it doesn't yield good results? To quote Winston Churchill: 'However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results.' God is more committed to the vision He's given you than you are. But when He leads you in a new direction, you must be ready to follow Him. Like Israel in the wilderness, when the guiding cloud moved they had to move with it. The same goes for you. So, be flexible.

Sonya Mcguire To Host ‘Sing for a Cure’ Concert | October 26, 2014 |

It is likely you know someone who has been diagnosed with breast cancer – perhaps you or your spouse; relative, coworker, neighbor or friend – someone in your life’s circle who has heard the words, “You have breast cancer.” A diagnosis of breast cancer doesn't affect only the patient. When someone we love is diagnosed, we all are affected.

Sonya Mcguire said 'God has impressed upon my heart the importance to do everything within my power to lend a helping hand to the unending fight to find a cure for cancer'.

On Sunday, October 26, 2014 @ 6:00 p.m., We will be hosting "Sing For A Cure," a concert to not only raise awareness, but to also raise funding for two (2) local partnering Atlanta based cancer organizations who will receive proceeds from this concert. The host church for this event is the Cathedral of Faith C.O.G.I.C. located at 1137 Avon Avenue SW, Atlanta, GA. 30310, under the anointed leadership of Pastor Arthur F. Mosley.

This is no ordinary concert, so please come expecting the presence, the healing virtue, and the power of God to be prevalent! I look forward to worshiping with you!

A Virtuous Woman, Who Can Find?

In Smith Wigglesworth's life story, he said that he owed his ministry to his wife. Before he started preaching, he was in business as a plumber. He grew cold and didnt go to church much. He became quite cantankerous. He said to his wife one day, "You're up there at that church all the time. You might as well move your bed up there."
She said, "No, Smith, I'm not up there all the time. I'm up there about three times a week. I do not neglect you, and I do not neglect the children. You know that."

He said, "The Bible says that the man is the head of the house and that wives are to obey their husbands. So I'm telling you not to go to that church anymore."
She said, "You are my husband. Whatever you say here in the house goes. But you're not my Lord. Jesus is my Lord, and He said to go, so I'm going to church. Goodbye."
"I'm going to lock you out so you can't get back in!" He said. Evidently, she didnt have a key to the house. So he locked her out.

When she returned, she sat out on the back steps all night. He came downstairs the next morning and unlocked the door. It must have been cool because he found her all huddled up. She was leaning against the door, and when he opened it, she almost fell into the kitchen.
She got up smiling and laughing and said, "Dear, what would you like for breakfast?" She acted as if nothing had happened. She just loved him. Then he felt convicted.
Smith Wigglesworth said that if it hadn't been for his wife (used by God, of course), he would have never made it.

He became a great man of God. He was mightily used. And his wife had a big part in all of it. What if his wife had listened to him and quit going to church? They both would have backslid. Who knows where they would have ended up.

It Smells Like...God

A cold March wind danced around the dead of night in Dallas as the doctor walked into the small hospital room of Diana Blessing. She was still groggy from surgery. Her husband, David, held her hand as they braced themselves for the latest news. That afternoon of March 10, 1991, complications had forced Diana, only 24-weeks pregnant, to undergo an emergency Cesarean to deliver couple's new daughter, Dana Lu Blessing.
At 12 inches long and weighing only one pound nine ounces, they already knew she was perilously premature. Still, the doctor's soft words dropped like bombs. "I don't think she's going to make it," he said, as kindly as he could. "There's only a 10-percent chance she will live through the night, and even then, if by some slim chance she does make it, her future could be a very cruel one" Numb with disbelief, David and Diana listened as the doctor described the devastating problems Dana would likely face if she survived. She would never walk, she would never talk, she would probably be blind, and she would certainly be prone to other catastrophic conditions from cerebral palsy to complete mental retardation, and on and on.

"No! No!" was all Diana could say. She and David, with their 5-year-old son Dustin, had long dreamed of the day they would have a daughter to become a family of four. Now, within a matter of hours, that dream was slipping away. But as those first days passed, a new agony set in for David and Diana. Because Dana's underdeveloped nervous system was essentially 'raw', the lightest kiss or caress only intensified her discomfort, so they couldn't even cradle their tiny baby girl against their chests to offer the strength of their love.

All they could do, as Dana struggled alone beneath the ultraviolet light in the tangle of tubes and wires, was to pray that God would stay close to their precious little girl. There was never a moment when Dana suddenly grew stronger. But as the weeks went by, she did slowly gain an ounce of weight here and an ounce of strength there.

At last, when Dana turned two months old. her parents were able to hold her in their arms for the very first time. And two months later, though doctors continued to gently but grimly warn that her chances of surviving, much less living any kind of normal life, were next to zero, Dana went home from the hospital, just as her mother had predicted.

Five years later, when Dana was a petite but feisty young girl with glittering gray eyes and an unquenchable zest for life. She showed no signs whatsoever of any mental or physical impairment. Simply, she was everything a little girl can be and more. But that happy ending is far from the end of her story.

One blistering afternoon in the summer of 1996 near her home in Irving, Texas, Dana was sitting in her mother's lap in the bleachers of a local ball park where her brother Dustin's baseball team was practicing.

As always, Dana was chattering nonstop with her mother and several other adults sitting nearby when she suddenly fell silent. Hugging her arms across her chest, little Dana asked, "Do you smell that?"

Smelling the air and detecting the approach of a thunderstorm, Diana replied, "Yes, it smells like rain." Dana closed her eyes and again asked, "Do you smell that?"

Once again, her mother replied, "Yes, I think we're about to get wet. It smells like rain." Still caught in the moment, Dana shook her head, patted her thin shoulders with her small hands and loudly announced, "No, it smells like Him. It smells like God when you lay your head on His chest."

Tears blurred Diana's eyes as Dana happily hopped down to play with the other children. Before the rains came, her daughter's words confirmed what Diana and all the members of the extended Blessing family had known, at least in their hearts, all along. During those long days and nights of her first two months of her life, when her nerves were too sensitive for them to touch her, God was holding Dana on His chest and it is His loving scent that she remembers so well.

Happy Sunday

Did you get God's mail????

One day, God was looking down at Earth and saw all of the rascally behavior that was going on. He decided to send an angel down to Earth to check it out. So, he called one of His angels and sent the angel to Earth for a time.
When he returned, he told God, "Yes, it is bad on Earth; 95% are misbehaving and 5% are not."

God thought for a moment and said, "Maybe I had better send down a second angel to get another opinion." So God called another angel and sent him to Earth for a time too.

When the angel returned he went to God and said, "Yes, it's true. The Earth is in decline; 95% are misbehaving and 5% are being good."

God was not pleased. So, He decided to e-mail the 5% that were good, because He wanted to encourage them, give them a little something to help them keep going.

Do you know what that e-mail said?

No?

Oh, so you didn't get one either?

THE LIFE GOD WANTS YOU TO LIVE

The Word For Today

'We can make our plans, but the Lord determines our steps.' Proverbs 16:9

Here are three important truths to help you enjoy the life God wants you to live:

1) Believe God wants you to succeed. Give up the unscriptural notion that this life has no value. God has a special work for you to do-here and now (Jeremiah 29:11). You ask, 'What defines success?' Answer: the progressive achievement of a God-given goal resulting in feeling good about yourself. 'Carefully follow the terms of this covenant, so that you may prosper in everything you do' (Deuteronomy 29:9 NIV).

2) Consult God before you set your goals. The Bible says, 'We should make plans-counting on God to direct us' (Proverbs 16:9 TLB-). If you're constantly stressed out and confused, you may be on the wrong track. Go back and check with God; what has He told you to do? It's His will for you to succeed in these six areas:
a) spiritual;
B-) relational;
c) physical;
d) mental;
e) social;
f) financial. 'Whatever he does shall prosper' (Psalms 1:3 NKJV).

3) Invest in yourself. 'Though it cost all you have, get understanding' (Proverbs 4:7 NIV). If you're willing to spend money at fine restaurants but not on good books, your future is already determined. And the first book you need to invest in is a Bible. John writes, 'And the Word was God' (John 1:1 NIV). That means each time you read God's Word, you're depositing more of God into you.

Wow! Think how that affects your life! Cultivate a teachable spirit. 'Let the wise listen and add to their learning' (Proverbs 1:5 NIV). This is the life God wants you to live!

Humorous Biblical Shorts

Who was the greatest financier in the Bible? Noah, because he was floating his stock while everyone else was in liquidation.

What kind of motor vehicles are mentioned in the Bible?
    a) Jehovah drove Adam and Eve out of the Garden in a Fury.
    b) David's Triumph was heard throughout the land.
    c) A Honda, because the apostles were all in one Accord.

Who was the greatest comedian in the Bible?  Samson because he brought the house down.

Where is the first tennis match mentioned in the Bible?  When Joseph served in Pharaoh's court

Craig and Palm Sunday

It was Palm Sunday but because of a sore throat, 5 year old Craig stayed home from church with a babysitter. When the family returned home, they were carrying several palm fronds.

Craig inquired as to what they were for.

'People held them over Jesus' head as he walked by,' his father responded.

'Wouldn't you just know it?' Craig complained, 'the one Sunday I don't go and he shows up.'

TAKING COMMUNION

The Word For Today

'He took bread, blessed and broke it.' Luke 24:30

Taking communion can be a meaningless ritual, or an intimate time spent in the presence of Jesus. Read the story of Cleopas and his companion, they were travelling home to Emmaus when Jesus suddenly appeared and walked along with them. First He opened their eyes to see that the crucifixion wasn't the tragedy they thought, but a fulfilment of prophecy and God's way to redeem a lost world; something to celebrate and not be sad about.

Later, as He sat in their home and ate supper with them, 'He took bread, gave thanks, broke it and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they [knew] Him' (vv. 30-31 NIV).

Are you battling fear and doubt today? Are you wondering if God will keep His promise to you? He will! Earlier that day, Cleopas and his companion met some women who had just been to the empty tomb and reported that Jesus was alive. But try as they might, they couldn't believe it. This story proves that Jesus loves doubters enough to walk with them, take away their fears, and strengthen their faith. And guess when He did it?

As they broke bread. So next time you're taking communion, stop and pray, 'Lord, speak to me. Show me Your will and Your way.' That's a prayer He will answer. Your mind may be confused and your anxiety great, but if you're spiritually hungry He will show up and meet you at the point of your need.

News: Benita Bellamy To Receive Honor For Service and Entrepreneurship In Gospel Music at 2014 I.M.A.C. Conference In Las Vegas, NV October 11

Over the past 15 years, Benita Bellamy has quietly established herself as a preeminent Marketing and Public Relations executive within the arts and entertainment industry. Her track record of experience includes key management and leadership roles at EMI Christian Music Group/EMI Gospel, Sanctuary Records, Light Records and Imagination Stage Performing Arts Center, and working with Grammy, Stellar and Dove Award winning artists.

In 2008 Benita established The Bellamy Group, a full service entertainment marketing agency which has become one of the most trusted and respected brands in the industry. Benita’s hard work and dedication to her craft has resulted in such accolades as being named a GMWA/GAG Radio Promotions Person of the Year, a 2012 Rhythm of Gospel Award for Marketing and Radio Promotions of the Year, a 2013 Gospel Blue Mic Achievement Award and the Bellamy Group being repeatedly named a Top 10 Independent Marketing and Promotions company by The Gospel Industry Roundup Publication.

Benita Bellamy’s integrity, her standard for excellence, and her tireless devotion to her clients is second to none and in 2014, the industry and her peers alike continue to take notice. This year alone, Benita has been blessed to receive a 2014 Stellar Gospel Music Award Nomination for CD Packaging of the Year – Bishop K.W. Brown Presents Earl Bynum and The Mount Unity Choir (Creative Direction). She also was honored with The 2014 Unity Day Ambassador Award for her impact in her local Middle Tennessee community, and a personal invitation from the National Academy of Recording Arts & Sciences to serve as a member of the Grammy Awards Submission & Screening committee for the Christian/Gospel music genre.

On October 11, Benita is being honored at the I.M.A.C. Conference in Las Vegas, NV for her tireless service to the Gospel music industry. Her commitment to helping not only National Artists, but Independent Artists as well has earned Benita Bellamy the 2014 I.M.A.C. Gospel Honors Award in the area of ”Entrepreneurship”.



"To be 'honored' is amazing to me! I'm still learning, growing and 'emerging'. I'm just blessed to be able to call this job my career," Benita shares. "It's been years of hard work, laughing, crying, praying and meeting wonderful people all over the world. And, as with all the good, I've taken so many hurtful punches in this business, but it has made me stronger and more compassionate." She continues, "This is what God Designed for and Allows me to do every day, and I try my best to represent HIM with all of my ability and with the integrity and kind spirit HE requires."
Beyond the awards, honors, and accolades some of the most impressive and endearing traits about Benita are her humble and jovial spirit, her infectious smile, her willingness to share her experience and wisdom to mentor others, and her genuine love for her family, friends, and clients.

"I never want to be a hoarder of anything, especially of myself," explains Benita. "I'm nothing without God and my family. We all need support systems through this journey of life and it is our duty and should be our privilege to help others and share what we know and what we have."

Benita travels extensively with her clients and frequently appears as a guest speaker and conference facilitator. She recently was a guest for the third year in Trinidad and Tobago at the annual AMMBCON (Artiste Management Music Business Conference) for Caribbean Music sponsored by Ask Promotions and The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago Ministry of Trade, Industry and Investments and Ministry of Arts and Multiculturalism. Benita will be sharing her music industry knowledge at the upcoming THE EVOLUTION OF QUARTET Annual conference on Oct 18 in Memphis, TN and at NIGMA Gospel Industry Summit in Dallas, TX March 12-15, 2015.

News: 45th Annual GMA Dove Awards 2014 Winners ||¤ Full List

The 2014 GMA Dove Awards may have come and gone but to the artiste/Ministers that were honored on the night, it is going to be an evergreen experience for them. The aim of the GMA is to TO EXPOSE, PROMOTE AND CELEBRATE THE GOSPEL THROUGH MUSIC, and that the organizers did on the night,

Below is the full list of winners. Check them out and tell us what you think.

Song of the Year - Cat 1

“Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” - Hillsong UNITED,
(writers) Matt Crocker, Joel Houston, Salomon Ligthelm
(publisher) Hillsong Music
Publishing/EMICMGPublishing.com

Songwriter of the Year - Cat 2

Chris Tomlin

Contemporary Christian Performance of the Year - Cat 3

“Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” - Hillsong UNITED,
Hillsong Music/Sparrow Records,
(producer) Michael Guy Chislett

Southern Gospel Performance of the Year - Cat 4

“Say Amen” - Brian Free & Assurance
Daywind Records,
(producer) Ricky Free

Gospel Performance of the Year - Cat 5

“I Can Only Imagine” - Tamela Mann,
TillyMann Music Group,
(producer) Myron Butler

Artist of the Year - Cat 6

Hillsong UNITED,
Hillsong Music

New Artist of the Year - Cat 7

Ellie Holcomb, Full Heart

Producer of the Year - Cat 8

         Ed Cash

Rap/Hip Hop Song of the Year - Cat 9

“100” - KB (ft. Andy Mineo),
(writers) Kevin Burgess, Andy Mineo, Lasanna "ACE" Harris, Joseph Prielozny

Rock Song of the Year - Cat 10

Not Gonna Die” - Skillet,
(writers) John Cooper, Korey Cooper

Rock/Contemporary Song of the Year - Cat 11

“Love Alone Is Worth The Fight” - Switchfoot,
(writers) Jon Foreman, Tim Foreman
 

Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year - Cat 12

“Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” -Hillsong UNITED,
(writers) Matt Crocker, Joel Houston, Salomon
Ligthelm

Inspirational Song of the Year - Cat 13

“You Amaze Us” - Selah,
(writers) Jordan Mohilowski, Matthew Adcox, Douglas Fowler

Southern Gospel Song of the Year - Cat 14

“Revival” - Karen Peck & New River,
(writers) Kenna Turner West, Karen Peck Gooch, Don Poythress

Bluegrass Song of the Year - Cat 15

“Won't It Be Wonderful There” - Dailey & Vincent,
(writer) Mildred Johnson

Country Song of the Year - Cat 16

“Love With Open Arms” - Doug Anderson
(writers) Jeff Bumgardner, Wayne Haun, Joel Lindsey

Contemporary Gospel/Urban Song of the Year - Cat 17

“Every Praise” - Hezekiah Walker,
(writer) David Bratton, Hezekiah Walker

Traditional Gospel Song of the Year - Cat 18

“A Little More Jesus” - Erica Campbell,
(writers) Erica Campbell, Tina Campbell, Warryn Campbell
Worship Song of the Year - Cat 19

“Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)” - Hillsong UNITED,
(writers) Matt Crocker, Joel Houston, Salomon Ligthelm
(publisher) Hillsong Music
Publishing/EMICMGPublishing.com

Rap/Hip Hop Album of the Year - Cat 20

Never Land - Andy Mineo,
(producers) Joseph Prielozny, Alex Medina,
Tyshane Thompson, Gabriel Azucena,
Ray Castro, Dre Garcia, Alex Hitchens, Courtney Peebles
Rock Album of the Year - Cat 21

Rise - Skillet,
(producer) Howard Benson

Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year - Cat 22

Fading West - Switchfoot,
(producers) Neal Avron, the Foreman Brothers

Pop/Contemporary Album of the Year - Cat 23

Overcomer - Mandisa,
(producers) David Garcia, Christopher Stevens,
Chuck Butler, Ronald Rawls

Inspirational Album of the Year - Cat 24

Hymns - Michael W. Smith,
(producers) Kyle Lee, Jim Daneker
Southern Gospel Album of the Year - Cat 25

Oh What a Savior - Ernie Haase & Signature Sound,
(producer) Wayne Haun
Bluegrass Album of the Year - Cat 26

Every Mile - Nathan Stanley,
(producers) Terry Thompson, Nathan Stanley, Rhonda Thompson

Country Album of the Year - Cat 27

Drive - Doug Anderson,
(producer) Wayne Haun

Contemporary/Gospel Urban Album of the Year - Cat 28

Greater Than - Tye Tribbett,
(producers) Tye Tribbett, Brandon Jones

Traditional Gospel Album of the Year - Cat 29

Duets - Donnie McClurkin,
(producers) Donnie McClurkin, Asaph A. Ward,
Aaron W. Lindsey, Trent Phillips, Justin Savage, Israel Houghton

Instrumental Album of the Year - Cat 30

...to kids from 1 to 92 - Tracey Phillips,
(producer) Tracey Phillips

Children’s Music Album of the Year - Cat 31

25 Favorite Bible Songs - Veggie Tales,
(producers) Mike Nawrocki, Kurt Heinecke,
Christopher Davis, Steven V. Taylor
Spanish Language Album of the Year - Cat 32

Aviva - Soulfire Revolution,
(producers) Jeremy Edwardson, Jonathan Berlin

Special Event Album of the Year - Cat 33

Cathedrals Family Reunion - Gerald Wolfe, Ernie Haase, Danny Funderburk, Scott Fowler, Mark Trammell,
(producers) Wayne Haun, Landon
Beene, Gerald Wolfe and Ernie Haase
 Christmas Album of the Year - Cat 34

Christmas Is Here - Brandon Heath,
(producer) Ben Shive

Praise and Worship Album of the Year - Cat 35

Majestic - Kari Jobe,
(producer) Jeremy Edwardson

Musical of the Year - Cat 3

Highest Glory,
(creator) Marty Funderburk

Youth/Children’s Musical of the Year - Cat 37

God Made You Special - A Musical about God's Love...and You!
(creators) Cherry Garasi, Pamela Vandewalker

Choral Collection of the Year - Cat 38

Everlasting Praise 4,
(creators) Mike Speck, Stan Whitmire

Recorded Music Packaging of the Year - Cat 39

The Extremist - Demon Hunter,
(art director) Invisible Creature, Inc.,
(design) Ryan Clark
(photography) Cale Glendening, Ryan Clark

Short Form Video of the Year - Cat 40

Shake - Mercy Me,
(director) Joel Banta,
(producer) Joel Banta, Bilby Films

Long Form Video of the Year - Cat 41

Fading West - Switchfoot,
(director) Matt Katsolis,
(producers) Chad Butler, Paul Kerby, Interpret Studios,
Lowercase People

 Inspirational Film of the Year - Cat 42 

God's Not Dead,
(director) Harold Cronk,
(producer) Pure Flix Entertainment
Congratulations to all the winners