VIA NEWSONE.COM

Soon after a BP wellhead exploded in the Gulf of Mexico spewing a jillion gallons in to the waters off the coast of Louisiana, the British company started the business of cleaning up the worst oil spill United States’ history.

Within days, cleanup workers were spotted on beaches, wearing T-shirts with the words “Inmate Labor” printed in large red block letters (pictured). Coastal residents, many of whom had just seen their livelihoods disappear, took to town hall meetings to express their outrage. The community wanted to know why BP was using cheap or free prison labor when so many people were unemployed? READ MORE

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VIA GOSPEL.COM

Despite their close association with Jesus, the twelve disciples were not models of spiritual maturity. On the contrary—it’s hard to read many New Testament passages without rolling our eyes at their short-sightedness or wondering how they could possibly have failed to grasp Jesus’ teachings.

It is, of course, unfair to judge the disciples from our vantage point two thousand years later. If we were in their position, following a radical teacher whose teachings routinely overturned their long-held religious beliefs, we’d make the same mistakes they did. But it’s still instructive to examine the disciples’ weaknesses, and to ask ourselves if we are doing any better today. That’s what this devotional from Today does:

Perhaps more than anything, the disciples were lacking in prayer. They often were not able to act wisely when there was a crisis. When Jesus needed them to keep watch and pray while he searched out the Father’s will that night on the Mount of Olives, he found them asleep. How frustrating this must have been for Jesus when he was in anguish!

Jesus has shown us how important a life of prayer is. In prayer he connected with his Father in heaven, finding renewed energy and courage to keep on with his mission. And on this night, as Jesus prayed before his arrest and crucifixion, he needed the Father’s assurance that his death on the cross was the only way to save us from our sins. We needed Jesus to do this for us, and he found the strength and the will to do it by connecting with God through prayer.

Many of the disciples’ stumbling points can be traced back to this one thing: a lack of prayer. How about you—is prayer a central part of your everyday life, informing your decisions and guiding your actions? If you had been on the Mount of Olives that night, would Jesus have found you deep in prayer… or dozing off with the disciples?

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VIA ELEV8

Award winner Fred Hammond and business partner Roy Campbell recently entered an exclusive distribution deal with Universal Music Christian Group (UMCG) for their new label venture, fHammond Family Entertainment. “The opportunity to form my label couldn’t come at a better time,” said Hammond, President and CEO of fHammond Family Entertainment. “Out of the box thinking and creativity is what we are producing here. The projects that we have in development will further my artistic expression and expose my devoted music fans and beyond to another dimension of the Fred Hammond brand.” he says.

The first project entitled, Life in the Word is in stores and available online today, Tuesday, July 27th.

Hammond has been a strong force in the gospel industry for nearly three decades through his music and ministry. His new project offers a different approach. “”It’s easy for my audience to know where I’m coming from as an artist. They don’t want a lot of tricks, they don’t want to just listen-they want to participate. “This is the other side of my style” he says.

The album opener and first single, “You Do Great Things” is a great intro for those longtime Hammond fans. The track is a rhythmic praise jam featuring Faith Anderson on lead and an impassioned vocal coda from Men of Standard founder Lowell Pye, who later gets a second chance to shine in the celebratory “Walkin’ in Victory.” READ MORE

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Sometimes, life just doesn’t go your way. The situation might not be detrimental to your life, but for most people, the first instinct might be to think a lot about it and try to understand what happened. However, in reality, if the issue is out of your control, it’s best to let it go and move on. That’s not easy, though, is it? While everyone could be telling you not to worry and that everything’s going to be alright, if you’re like me and live for structure, that can be a hard thing to deal with. What do you do when you just need to relax and let it be? I’ve been reading a book (which is coming out as a movie next month) called Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert and it deals a lot with just freeing your mind and accepting your life as it is. A line from the book best summarizes what I’m trying to say: “Try dropping it…sit quietly for now and cease your relentless participation. Watch what happens.” Letting your mind wander when the going gets tough can be hard, but what if regaining control means releasing your hold on the negative? Here are five steps to helping with that process:

1. Reorganizing your thoughts. It can be hard to see things the way they really are if your mind is focused on the “what ifs” and “should haves.” Letting go of the negative energy and focusing on what the upside of the situation is can really be a strong asset to your mind. Only you can take control of who you are, what you do, and what you think. So, keep your optimism up and shuck the negative, as focusing on something you can’t control just relinquishes your hold on life. Worrying doesn’t change a thing – so why not take control of your thoughts?

2. Staying on schedule. Getting back into your daily routine can help you regain some of the control you have lost. If you’ve been feeling like everything has been changing, keep yourself in check by going about life as normal. It might just give you the confidence you need to move forward!

3. Giving yourself a positive mantra. Maybe you have a favorite song that you find uplifting or there’s a quote that just gets to you. All you need sometimes is a positive reinforcement of the good things in your life to keep you going. A cliche line that I’ve heard thousands of times that never changes is “Life goes on.” Remembering that line or anything else that seems to ring true with you – it’s important to make sure you’re always keeping the faith.

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4. Surrounding yourself with positive influences. If there are some people who are not being understanding of what you’re going through, they’re not worth it! There are a ton of others who will listen or help you regain your hold on life. Life is too short to let others bring you down or keep the negative in your life. You’re never alone, so embrace who and what you have – it’s never too late to ask for help!

5. Being yourself. Never forget who you are and where you came from. If being in control of yourself has always been your mantra and stronghold, get yourself back to where you came from with the past four steps. It’s important to see yourself for who you are than to think that the one in control isn’t you. You’re always in control of your own destiny, so sister, keep it up!

Retaking control of your life can be a process, but it’s not hard if you have a positive attitude and strong people around you to help – keep the faith and never let yourself go! You only have one life, so don’t waste it worrying or keeping your feelings inside. Take control of what you have and ask for help if you need it. The first step may be the hardest, but also the most fulfilling – don’t ever give up and the power is yours!

How To Embrace Your Nervousness & Just Be Yourself

Comedian/actor Bruce Bruce stopped by Majic 107.5 / 97.5 earlier and spoke with Carol Blackmon about broken hearts, stand-up comedy, cleanliness, crazy relatives and going to Africa.

The Atlanta-based comic also talked about his weekly Tuesday night gig across the street from Greenbriar Mall.

Check it out:

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They will never, I repeat never let this man rest in peace. There will always be some Michael Jackson rumor or some person surfacing that claimed that he had sex with them or he slapped them and now they want to get paid.  The foolishness will never end for him even in death. According to TMZ, A woman who claims to be Michael Jackson’s illegitimate love child — conceived when MJ was a minor — has filed legal documents claiming there was a diabolical plot to cover up her existence … involving murder, abduction and Diana Ross’ sister.

PHOTOS: The Jackson Family Remembers Michael

The alleged MJ spawn — Mocienne Petit Jackson — has filed documents with L.A. County Superior Court claiming she will surely be in line for a serious inheritance check … if a judge will give the go-ahead on a DNA test. MPJ claims back in 1975, 17-year-old Michael Jackson secretly impregnated her mother Barbara … who happens to be Diana Ross’ sister.

MPJ claims when she was 9 years old, Katherine Jackson hatched a plan to “abduct” MPJ and send her to Belgium to protect Michael’s “reputation.” She claims all 7 of her abductors were later murdered. Now MPJ who currently lives in the Netherlands has decided to come forward with her story … so she can “formally claim my part of my father’s inheritance.” She also wants custody of MJ’s kids so she can give them a “more normal life.” MPJ also claims she was diagnosed with Vitiligo.

Michael Jackson was a cash cow when he was alive. He spent his life being used by his Father and sometimes other members of his family. In death he is still that same vessel for fame and opportunity. How many times is someone going to come forth claiming to be the love child of MJ and some other unknown woman? Do these people have any shame? What happens when the blood test is done and it turns out you were lying? The boldness of these people who not only want to tarnish a dead man’s name but also further confuse his children who I’m sure have seen and gone through enough madness for two lifetimes.

GALLERY: The Life Of Michael Jackson

MJ could very well have had some secrets that the general public was not aware of. I do not think he was a Saint. However some of the stories that have developed since his passing are becoming more and more unrealistic. The idea that Katherine Jackson hired a hit man of sorts to prevent the truth from being revealed is ridiculous in itself. Honestly, I want us all to let the man rest in peace. Everyone from his family to strangers should stop trying to think of ways to make money from a famous dead man. I realize that this will probably never happen.

What do you think? Does this woman story have any validity? Could Michael Jackson have any deep dark secrets that the fans or family are not privy to?

Via: TMZ

For More LJ Knight Visit YeahSheSaidIt

Should there be a separation between church and state or is the pastor’s political views a positive influence on the church? Read this and participate in the faithful forum. Leave us your thoughts in the comments section.

VIA GOSPEL.COM

I’ve yet to go to a church in which someone hasn’t made a political statement from the pulpit. Usually, it comes out around election time, and usually the person isn’t trying to push an agenda. Political thought is just a part of being a human, and sometimes those feelings come out.

But sometimes, mixing politics and religion can be very distracting. Possibly the most egregious personal example I’ve seen happened last year. We had a guest speaker at our church who was formerly steeped in the civil rights movement. His message was extraordinarily politically charged, and he made no bones about what party he supported. Needless to say, many people in the audience disagreed with him. A man in front of me who had been fidgeting the entire time at one point audibly said “I’m leaving if he keeps this up!”

In that case, politics did nothing but distract the majority of the congregation from the message the speaker had. Even those who agreed with him felt the tension in the room rising.

Occasional guest speakers aside, has your pastor ever engaged in political statements from the pulpit? When it does happen, how does it make you feel?

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VIA GOSPEL.COM

It shouldn’t come as a surprise to find that our world is hostile to the Gospel. In fact, Jesus told us during his earthly ministry to expect this hostility. Sometimes, however, this opposition to the Gospel can make it difficult or impossible for Christians to do anything in a society, let alone share the Gospel.

Take the scenario described in this Our Daily Bread devotional, for example: Christians in a particularly anti-Gospel city struggled to make their message heard, running into opposition not just from competing religious trends but from the city council itself. But then they decided to shift tactics… and the results were incredible:

It was such a challenging environment for churches that they struggled to get building permits from the city council. And there was a lot of “woe is me” talk among church leaders. Until a group of pastors began to meet to pray regularly and then decided to take the love of Jesus into their city. They started a ministry to the homeless, to those suffering with AIDS, to teens at risk. Faithfully and intentionally they brought the love of Jesus to the needs of hurting people. Before long, the city agencies started calling on them for help. Better yet, the churches started growing as people responded to the gospel in action.

Which proves the point: Sometimes you’ve got to “show up” before you speak up. No one really wants to hear what we have to say about the love of Jesus until they’ve seen it in our lives.

It’s easy for self-pity and bitterness to set in when we run into obstacles in our neighborhoods and communities. But the appropriate response is incredibly simple: live a Jesus-shaped life.

Are you running into a wall right now in your city or community? Is it possible that the answer is to simply go forth and live out Christlike love and grace, and trust that the rest will follow?

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Former Ohio State defensive back Jack Tatum died of a heart attack on Tuesday, 10TV Sports reported. He was 61.

His death was confirmed by legendary Ohio State tackle John Hicks, a former teammate of Tatum.

Tatum played under coach Woody Hayes at Ohio State, where he was recruited as a running back.  He later switched to defense, where he played linebacker and defensive back.

He was a first-team All-Big Ten player in 1968, 1969 and 1970 and was a unanimous All-American in 1969-70.

In 1970, he was selected as the nation’s best defensive player and was among the top vote getters for the Heisman Trophy.

Nicknamed “The Assassin,” Tatum played professionally for the Oakland Raiders.

In his nine-year career, he was named to the Pro Bowl three times and was a member of the 1976 Super Bowl champion Raiders. He was inducted into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 1981 and the College Football Hall of Fame in 2004.

Perhaps the play he was recognized the most was a 1978 hit that paralyzed New England Patriots wide receiver Darryl Stingly.

Tatum retired from the NFL in 1980 and suffered diabetes-related issues the rest of his life.  He had all five toes on left foot amputated.  He later had his right leg amputated.

Ohio State coach Jim Tressel later instituted the “Jack Tatum Hit of the Week Award,” given to the Buckeye player who had the best defensive hit of the game.

“We have lost one of our greatest Buckeyes,” Tressel said in a statement that was issued Tuesday.  “When you think of Ohio State defense, the first name that comes to mind is Jack Tatum. His loss touches every era of Ohio State players and fans.”

Tatum served as a co-chair for the Central Ohio Diabetes Association.

He is survived by his wife and three children.

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Does trying to live in the “What would Jesus do” lifestyle sometimes you can be giving too much of yourself. Check out this article from The Chosen Chick about Tough Christian Love.

VIA THE CHOSEN CHICK

Growing up, I was such a pushover. It’s not that I was scared of people. I just was never really taught how to say no. I went through middle school, high school, college and my early 20s before I was comfortable enough to say no to my associates and those I love. Many of us are plagued with being too nice. And as Christians, it is even harder! Who can tell Mother Johnson no when she asked can you help her tend her garden…every Saturday…for the next three months. Sure, you are not interested and you do have things to do. But will God look at us funny for telling people?

Once I learned how to say no, I was like a baby who learned her first word. I told everybody no! I went through a period where I was “doing me” and felt the power of no. And though it was hard to tell people I love that I couldn’t help them, I did it for me, and for them. There is truly a difference between being mean and helping people to make their own decisions. I have balanced my decisions with discernment and prayer, but even though I have moved passed being a people pleaser, I still sometimes, almost, kinda feel bad when I have to tell people no. And then sometimes, I think people need a dose of tough love.

Sometimes when we begin to learn about the love of God, we confuse that with being pitifully meek and turning the other cheek at every incident so that we don’t look like a “bad Christian.” Many of us over extend ourselves tirelessly helping people who choose not to help themselves, because we want to show them the meaning of Christian love. Of course, God wants you to overextend yourself to help those who need help, as Luke 14:13 says, “But when you give a banquet, invite the poor, the crippled, the lame, the blind.” Are really helping those who are really in need, or helping those who are afraid to help themselves? READ MORE

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