Each day life hands us a series of challenges. How we face those challenges is what allows us to go on. Some of us give in and allow life to beat us down. Others of us rely on our higher spirit and keep moving.

Father,
I pray for courage as I begin this day, for I understand there is work to be done, burdens to be carried, feelings to be shared and joys to be celebrated.
Grant me the courage to be silent that I may hear Thy voice; to persevere, that I may share Thy victory; and to remember, lest I forget the way by which Thou has led me.
And when this day is done, O Lord, may I have the courage to see Thy guiding hand in the friendships that have been made, in the hurts that have been healed, and in the strength that has been given.
Amen.

Courage is not something that comes from flying to your heart in moments of need or in emergencies. Courage is not something that can be handed over to you through lessons either. Courage is a way of life. It is as much a habit as anything else. The sign of a courageous person, then, is someone who is feels, fear, recognizes fear and still goes on to do what he or she believes is right.

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Allstate Gospel Superfest’ twelfth annual TV recording was held on February 4 and 5^th 2011. The honorees were Vickie Mack and Claude Lataillade were honored for lifetime achievement were responsible for cultivating the careers of Kirk Franklin, Trin-i-tee 5:7, Natalie Wilson & SOP and others, the Lataillades are credited with pioneering a new age of contemporary music in the gospel industry.

“Vicki and Claude have truly shaped modern gospel music like no other husband and wife team that I know,  They were also very instrumental in our show’s development by blessing us with many artists in our early years.  We are very proud to salute them this year, as our first industry executive-honorees.” says Gospel Superfest Show executive producer and founder Bobby Cartwright, Jr.

Hosted by actress Wendy Raquel Robinson (The Game) and featuring performances by a star-studded lineup of gospel music’s best, that includes David and Tamela Mann, Dorinda Clark Cole,  Hezekiah Walker, Richard Smallwood, Deitrick Haddon, LeCrae and the Neville Sisters. New comers The Pastor’s Gloryland Choir, GLO, The Nevell Sisters, Lacrae, Donte Everhart & the End Time, The Soul Messengerz (The allstate GSF Battle of the Bands Winners), Kevin Jarido and others are slated to perform.

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Each year this event grows bigger and bigger. This year is no exception. The Gospel Brunch recognizes Pastors and their various churches   for their work, sacrifice’s and strides made in the ministry.

Here are the 2011 All-Star Gospel Slam Dunk honorees:

Apostle Frederick Price, Fellowship of International Christian Word of Faith Ministries/ Crenshaw Christian Center founded the Fellowship of Inner City Word of Faith Ministries (FICWFM, which has since been renamed to the Fellowship of International Christian Word of Faith Ministries due to its growth and global reach,).  Members of FICWFM include churches from all over the United States and various countries.  The Fellowship, which meets regionally throughout the year and hosts an annual convention, is not a denomination. In January 2010 the establishment of an East Coast church in Manhattan, New York and a new ministry training school slated to begin in January 2010.
Bishop Charles E. Blake, West Angeles Church of God in Christ  is the fifth Presiding Bishop (and seventh leader) of the historically African-American denomination. From 1985 until 2009, he was the Jurisdictional Prelate of the First Ecclesiastical Jurisdiction of Southern California, overseeing more than 250 churches that make up the jurisdiction.

Dr. John J. Hunter, FAME Church of Los Angeles , since his arrival at FAME more than 3,000 souls have united with the Church and confessed Jesus as their Lord and Savior. FAME has renowned  counseling center which provides services to thousands of low-income residents in the greater Los Angeles area on a non-discriminatory basis.

Pastors Mark & Desiree Jackson, True Love Worship Center International- True Love Worship Center, International was founded in Southern California when ordained Ministers, Mark and Desiree Jackson, a husband and wife team of 17 years hearkened to the call of God to serve as laborers and feed His sheep the truth of His word. They have since served fed and ministered to thousands

Pastor Dudley Rutherford, Shepherd of the Hills Church- Dudley C. Rutherford is the senior pastor of the 10,000-member Shepherd of the Hills Church in Porter Ranch (Los Angeles), California. He has been blessed with the ability to convey God’s truth dynamically, passionately and clearly. Dudley’s published works are Proverbs in a Haystack, Romancing Royalty, and Keeping a Smile on Your Faith. He is also the founder of www.callonjesus.com. Dudley and his wife, Renee, have three children and reside in Porter Ranch.

The luncheon is followed by a charity fashion show each year. All proceeds from the 6th Annual All-Star Gospel Brunch will go once again to The HELPPPPing Hands Foundation Scholarship Fund as well as highlighting a Los Angeles Based Organization.

The following morning  there will be NBA  All Star Chapel servicese held Marriott Los Angeles at 8:30am. Services will be led by Pastors  Mark and Desiree Jackson.

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EverydayHealth.com has a list of legendary, edible “aphrodisiacs” that are safe (and healthy!) for you and your partner to enjoy. So give them a try — it can’t hurt!

1.Oysters are among the world’s oldest reputed aphrodisiacs. Try some fresh oysters on the half shell with a squirt of lemon and some spicy sauce, and see where the night takes the two of you.

2. Chocolate is now considered a super food with potential health benefits. But through the ages, it’s been linked to love and romance thanks to its effect on neurotransmitters and endorphins (the “feel good” chemicals) in the brain.

3. Red Wine, drinking a small amount of wine (especially red wine) daily may increase your HDL, or good, cholesterol and reduce your risk of blood clots. Red wine, in particular, also contains powerful antioxidants. Cheers to that!

4. Ginsing,  studies have shown that ginseng may sexually stimulate animals, but there is no conclusive evidence that it has any effect on a human’s sexual response. Feel free to give it a try though!

Click here for tips 5 – 9 and full article.

Sending positve vibes toward unconditional love– Robin

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Each year the Grammy Awards  shifts the live presentation portion of their categories. This year Gospel was one of the categories announced off camera. This year’s  winners were as follows:

The complete list of winners in the Gospel category are as follows:

Best Gospel Song-“It’s What I Do” by Jerry Peters & Kirk Whalum, songwriters (Kirk Whalum & Lalah Hathaway)/The Gospel According To Jazz Chapter III

Best Gospel Performance-”Grace” by BeBe and CeCe Winans/Still

Best Rock or Rap Gospel Album-Hello Huricane/Switchfoot

Pop/Contemporary Gospel Album-Love God, Love People/Israel Houghton

Southern/Country/Bluegrass Gospel-The Reason/Diamond Rio

Contemporary R&B Gospel Album-Still/BeBe and CeCe Winans

Traditional Gospel Album-Downtown Church/Patty Griffin

This year’s  Grammy Awards was also unique in that a the Soweto Gospel Choir was included in nominations. The song they were nominated and won for Best Instrumental Arrangement Accompanying Vocalists.

This nomination is  special for gamers  as it was the first time music from a videogame had ever cracked the nod for such recognition. The song ‘Baba Yetu,’ composed by musician Christopher Tin, features the mighty vocal performances of South Africa’s Soweto Gospel Choir.

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When President Ronald Reagan signed the national remembrance holiday into law in 1983, I was a grade school student attending Catholic School. I recall vividly that that sisters wanted to explain the concept of dignity being a God-given  right.

Learning about King’s speech and our American Civil War history, I remember thinking, “These people must have been not only dumb but selfish.” Whenever we were taught about the Civil War, I always gravitated to the issue of slavery. Many argue, with historic confirmations, that slavery was not the issue of that war. However, slavery still remains a horrid mark on the legacy of young America (Though slavery was prominent in the South when it was abolished, it was not limited to the southern states. In fact, New York has its own troubling slave history.)

As a TV-watching kid, I saw quite a few shows dealing with race growing up. It was pro black Michael on Good Times and smart  mouth Dee on what’s happening.The fact of the matter is that I have always had  a multitude of friends with different backgrounds. I never thought about their history. I recall in my teens one sitcom in particular tackled the issue in such a way that its clear message has stayed with me ever since.

Saved by the Bell, an early ’90s popular teen show, aired an episode in its second season called “Running Zack”. Zack Morris and his Bayside High School friends realize their roots as they complete a family tree project for class. During the episode, Jessie realizes her family owned slaves. Upon discovering her friend, Lisa, had ancestors who were slaves, Jessie does everything humanly possible to make up for the guilt she feels. Lisa reassures Jessie that the faults of her ancestors aren’t hers to bear. Have we moved beyond looking at each other in color?

Their conversation hit home. God can bless generations despite the sins of their fathers. All we can be eternally responsible for is what we believe, say, and do. From a young age, my parents taught me to show love and kindness to all people. Times when I’ve heard people use ‘racial’ slurs have made me cringe. God does not approve of hatefulness. Though King’s dream is more a reality today than ever before, we still have a way to go. In agreement with his dream, I share part of his visionary speech.

What right have we to judge a man by the color of his skin? What right do we have to laugh at “humor” that belittles a man? What rights have we to look down on anyone?

God does not prefer one over the other. In fact, the Bible contains at least four references that show our Lord does not play favorites (Deuteronomy 10:17, Acts 10:34, Romans 2:11, Ephesians 6:9). Beyond knowing this, we are commanded by Jesus himself to love others.

We are created by One and are made in His image (Genesis 1:26-27). Each of us is connected through Creation and our Redemption, according to God’s Word.

{For more from Oretha Winston follow her on Twitter}

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Every man must decide whether he will walk in the light of creative altruism or in the darkness of destructive selfishness.-

Dr Martin Luther King Jr.

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Pastor Rudy Rasmus is an author, pastor, street ethicist, and global humanitarian with a passion for outreach to our world’s most impoverished citizens. Pastor Rudy co-pastors the St. John’s United Methodist Church located in Downtown Houston with his wife Juanita. During these trying times Pastor Rudy is imparting words of hope  and love. Particularly to  reminding us that our Elders should be the ones helping us  choose or paths.

“Elders,  you should watch over these young men. They need you to help them on their road. Don’t fall into line  and think that our young brothers are just going to know what to do. We are failing in that.”

Beginning with 9 existing members in 1992, over 12,000 people (4,000 of the total were homeless or formerly homeless) have walked down the aisle and joined St. John’s making it one of the most culturally diverse congregations in the country where every week people of every social and economic background share the same pew. He attributes the success of the ministry to a compassionate congregation who has embraced the vision of tearing down the walls of classism, sexism, and racism and building bridges of unconditional love, universal recovery, and unprecedented hope.

I had the opportunity to speak with him just before the holidays and asked him why did he start the ministry and why is it flourishing?

He laughed, “Jesus would help you out if you were lost on the street why shouldn’t we reach out to our brother and pick him up when he needs it. I learned that lesson. I took hold of the hands that helped me. I want to teach others to help others. Then others learn he is real and they teach others. It’s what we are called to do.”

Pastor Rudy truly believes in helping by hiring those who need a helping hand The current intake counselor at St. John’s Bread of Life ministry was, herself, in the long line of the homeless and hungry. Over  7,000 meals served there each month. The receptionist, was a victim of  Hurricane Katrina, A former addict and victim of childhood incest and abuse now oversees HIV testing and education to the homeless.

Not one to rest on his laurels Pastor  Rudy has written  a book “Pressing Against the Wounds of a Broken World” Touch- Pressing Against the Wounds of a Broken World.”, recorded an album  “Pastor Rudy Rasmus – Touch: Pastor Rudy Experience, Vol. 1″ and  runs his ministry T.O.U.C.H.

This is what TOUCH really means:

T (truth and transparency)

O (others focused)

U (unconditional love and acceptance)

C (compassion for one’s community)

H (unprecedented HOPE)

He left me the following words of wisdom when I asked him how to strengthen my prayers.

He looked at me in a fatherly way and smiled,  “Remember there is life-altering power in seeking first to understand then to be understood. Then you use that for  Him.”

{For more from Oretha Winston follow her on Twitter}

Presidemt Obama took time to discuss this matter by  citing “the bankrupt vision of those who carry out these attacks” and vowing to help those countries bring the attackers to justice.
The full statement:

I strongly condemn the separate and outrageous terrorist bombing attacks in Egypt and Nigeria. The attack on a church in Alexandria, Egypt caused 21 reported deaths and dozens of injured from both the Christian and Muslim communities.
The perpetrators of this attack were clearly targeting Christian worshipers, and have no respect for human life and dignity. They must be brought to justice for this barbaric and heinous act. We are continuing to gather information regarding this terrible event, and are prepared to offer any necessary assistance to the Government of Egypt in responding to it.
The attack near an army barracks in Abuja also reportedly killed more than 20 people and wounded many more. Killing innocent civilians who were simply gathering — like so many people around the world — to celebrate the beginning of a New Year further demonstrates the bankrupt vision of those who carry out these attacks, and we are similarly prepared to offer assistance to the Government of Nigeria as it works to bring the perpetrators to justice.
The United States extends its deepest condolences to the families of those killed and to the wounded in both of these attacks, and we stand with the Nigerian and Egyptian people at this difficult time.