The Awakening Of Le’Andria Johnson from Le’Andria Johnson remains atop the Billboard Top Gospel Charts this week, holding this position for seven of the last nine weeks. The album also enters at #14 on the Independent Albums Charts and #86 on the Billboard Top 200 Charts. Jessica Reedy’s From The Heart moves to the #2 position on this week’s charts.

Kierra Sheard’s latest release, Free, comes in at the #3 spot followed by Kirk Franklin’s Hello Fear which enters at the #4 position.  Rapper Shai Linne’s new release The Attributes of God rounds out the week’s top five albums. In other chart news, Vashawn Mitchell’s Triumphant jumps six places to #9 while Living On The Lord’s Side, the new release from Lee Williams & The Spiritual QCs debuts at #10. Trin-i-tee 5:7’s Angel & Chanelle jumps seven places to #23 and Under An Open Heaven from Wess Morgan leaps twenty-six spots to #25.

The Rest of the Top 10:

6 | Isaac Carree – Uncommon Me
7 | Lecrae – Rehab
8 | WOW Gospel 2011
9 | VaShawn Mitchell – Triumphant
10 | Lee Williams & The Spiritual QC’s – Living On The Lord’s Side

In the world of radio, “I Need Your Glory” from Earnest Pugh spends its seventh consecutive week at the top of the radio charts. Isaac Carree’s “In The Middle” moves to the #2 spot while “Spiritual” from Donald Lawrence & Company takes the #3 position. Yolanda Adams “Be Still” moves to the #4 spot while “I Smile” from Kirk Franklin rounds out the week’s top five songs.

Rapper DMX is out of jail and performing Gospel music.  We have heard for sometime that DMX was recording Gospel, but not many people had heard or seen him perform it.    

Fresh out of Jail DMX interviews with Dr. Drew about his criminal rap sheet that goes all the way back to when he was a teenager.  

DMX often talks about his Christ-driven motivations, but he always seems to find his way back to the slammer.  His latest parole violation from a drug charge landed him in jail for a year.  

I was surprised to see that DMX still had skills behind the mic.  His raspy voice that became the staple of his platinum selling secular songs can be easily identified.  

Now lets see if DMX can walk the walk of a Christian and continue to perform the Gospel on big stages.   

In the first video you will see the performance of his new single “Keep Your Head Up,” and in the second one you will see the interview.

After learning Penn State’s 46-season head coach Joe Paterno was fired Wednesday, students reacted in riot, which left leading Christian rapper Lecrae surprised by their reaction to the news.

“So there’s a riot because a coach is fired and not over a 10 yr old being molested? God save us,” the rapper shared via social media.

Joe Paterno, also referred to as JoePa, was fired from the school after failing to do all that he could to report the alleged abusive behavior of former assistant coach Jerry Sandusky, who has been charged with 40 counts of child sexual abuse.

Sandusky, the former Penn State defensive coordinator, had founded a charity to help at-risk children and was working with young boys. He has been accused of molesting eight of them.

Mike McQueary, assistant coach, allegedly witnessed Sandusky’s abuse firsthand.

According to the Chicago Tribune, McQueary told a grand jury that while still a graduate assistant, he walked into the locker room and was “surprised to find the lights and showers on … He saw a naked boy, Victim 2, whose age he estimated to be 10 years old, with his hands up against the wall.”

After witnessing the event, McQueary left immediately and called his father. He did not try to stop the abuse that he was witnessing but left distraughtly. The next morning he reported what he had seen to Paterno.

Paterno failed to inform the police but reported the incident to two other university officials.

Paterno, along with the Penn State football program have been accused of looking the other way while the abuse continued.

With the incident being uncovered, grabbing media attention and Paterno facing much criticism for what some view as his help to cover the abuse, in an attempt to handle it in house, students along with Penn State fans acted in rage tipping over a lamppost and a news van when they found out about the firing of the head coach.

Expressing support for the coach, one supporter told CNN, “They’re going after the wrong guy.”

READ MORE HERE

Get ready for the new compilation CD featuring MEGA-Star Chris Tomlin.  According to TIME magazine over 40 million people sing the songs of Chris Tomlin each week, suggesting he is “likely the most often sung artist anywhere.” As a result, church congregations worldwide feel a connection with the lyrics and music Tomlin writes. On November 15th, sixstepsrecords will release a collection featuring many of Tomlin’s most defining songs to date on How Great Is Our God: The Essential Collection.

How Great Is Our God: The Essential Collection will feature 14 tracks; seven of which went to #1 at Christian AC Radio, 4 are currently in the Top 10 of most sung songs at Churches, and all 14 songs are in the top 120. Accolades aside, these are songs that not only have defined Tomlin, but have given a voice to the Church and millions of people around the world as they worship Jesus. Most notably, the record will also include new renditions of “Forever,” “We Fall Down” and a new version of the title track and current #1 CCLI song newly entitled “How Great Is Our God (The World Sings)” featuring the voices of influential worship leaders from around the world.

Below is one of my favorite Chris Tomlin songs.  Enjoy!

The first holiday music from Jamie Grace will debut digitally November 29. Just two months after the release of her successful, first album One Song At A Time, Jamie Grace will include four holiday songs in Christmas Together (e.p.): the original “Christmas Together,” “O Come, O Come Emmanuel,” “The Chipmunk Song (Christmas Don’t Be Late)” and “What Child Is This?” The EP finds Jamie Grace working with a mix of talent, under the creative direction of tobyMac, including fellow Gotee Records’ act Abandon Kansas, producer David Garcia (Mandisa, Group 1 Crew) and even co-writing with producer Jamie Moore (tobyMac, Nicole C. Mullen).

“O Come, O Come Emmanuel” will be a featured AmazonMp3.com during the month of December where the song will be only $0.69

After wrapping up dates with multiple GRAMMY ® winner tobyMac, Jamie Grace will join Newsong’s “Very Merry Christmas Tour” with Newsong, Chris August and Kutless. Stay tuned to www.JamieGrace.com for the latest tour information. Christmas Together (e.p.) will be bundled with One Song At A Time on the “Very Merry Christmas Tour.”

Jamie Grace’s current radio single “You Lead” cracked the Top 10 this week at No. 8 on the Christian CHR chart. The song is also on sale at iTunes for only $0.69. 

About Jamie Grace:
Hailing from outside of Atlanta in Lithonia, Georgia, Jamie Grace is a 19-year-old-college student who aside from her career and touring as a singer-songwriter, is also studying children’s ministry. At age 11, Jamie Grace was diagnosed with Tourettes Syndrome, and has since traveled the country sharing her story and faith through music and speaking. Upon signing Jamie Grace, multiple GRAMMY ® winner tobyMac remarked “I have not been this excited to work with an artist in a long, long time.” Though just releasing her first, full length record, Jamie Grace has been a part of the well-known Revolve tour, scored a No. 1 radio hit and a highly successful EP.

Contact: Catherine Knowles

Phone: (832) 533-0029/713-261-3254

www.churchplates.info

“Experience the taste of sunday dinner everyday!!”

November 10, 2011 — Houston, TX – I’m sure you can remember a time (back in the day) where after Sunday service the church would sell plates. Good ol’ home cooked meals at a reasonable price.  Karlton and Catherine Knowles have brought that concept back.  Originally the husband and wife team were catering to their own local churches, but have decided to open up to the public. 

Based in Houston, TX “Church Plates,” has taken the time to gather recipes from the elders of the church and they cook in a style that you don’t find today.  It’s their goal to raise enough money to open up a location where they can accommodate more customers and daily orders. 

HOW DO I GET A CHURCH PLATE?

A Church Plate is only $8 and to order one is very simple.  If you’re in the Houston area, you can call in your order to 832-533-0029 or 713-261-3254.  If you aren’t familiar with the menu, you can visit the website at www.churchplates.info.  You can click a link to place an order directly from the website or email them at churchplates@yahoo.com. 

Currently, orders are placed a day in advance or you can pre-order your plate(s) for a specific date.  Church Plates will deliver to you anywhere within the Houston area surrounding areas.  As an added bonus, Church Plates provides catering services.  They can put together a buffet of anything off their menu and will come out to your event and serve.  

Don’t want to cook for the holidays?  Don’t sweat it, they have you covered.  You can visit the website and view the holiday menu.  If you want holiday food but don’t have a large party of guests, Church Plates also provides “holiday plates.” Their prices are very reasonable for the service and great food they provide. 

So if you’re in Houston or surrounding areas be sure to try a Church Plate!  Open daily.

Hadar is first used in Lev 23:40 as the nation of Israel were receiving instructions concerning Holy Convocations or Feast Days, especially the Feast of Tabernacles.  “And ye shall take you on the first day the boughs of goodly trees, branches of palm trees, and the boughs of thick trees, and willows of the brook; and ye shall rejoice before the LORD your God seven days.” KJV

The word “boughs” in the above scripture is the Hebrew word perı̂y and means fruit. The word “goodly” is the word hadar and means beautiful.  The instructions in Leviticus 23:40 actually refer to what the Jews call, “the fruit of the beautiful tree,” which is the etrog or yellow citron.

The etrog is a symbol of beauty to the Jews because the etrog tree or “beautiful tree” is one that bears fruit continually throughout the year and blooms several times a season.  It is this enduring factor, this ability to weather the seasons of life and still remain constant and productive that is seen as “true beauty.”

Etrog are said to dwell upon the tree.  Dwelling is permanent and continuous, not temporary or intermittent, but perseverance throughout regardless of situations, circumstances or time. The Hebrew word for dwell is hador and is similar to hadar and is oft times substituted for it so that true beauty is depicted as that which dwells permanently and is consistent in its nature and productivity.

Thus, the hadar is a glory that ornaments and empowers one with the honor of majestic beauty.  This beauty is not the vain surface beauty associated with Western Hellenistic thinking, philosophy or theology.  Rather, it is deeper, substantial and long lasting.

The church must return to the “beauty of holiness.”  Psalms 96:9 commands us: “O worship the LORD in the beauty of holiness: fear before him, all the earth.” KJV  We are commanded to live our lives in a consistent and permanent state of holiness that does not waver, change or cease with the seasons of life, the moral fluctuations of society or the various circumstances we may encounter.

Understanding the depth of hadar means that we not only permanently set our lives aside for God’s consistent use but that we remain productive throughout; producing seed bearing fruit that in turn will do the same and cause perpetuation.

John 15:16  –  “Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit, and that your fruit should remain: that whatsoever ye shall ask of the Father in my name, he may give it you.” KJV

The word remain in the above scripture is the Greek word menō and means – to stay, to dwell, to continue and to endure.  Consistency in God is seen here as a precursor to answered prayer.

Where is the Hadar of God in the lives of His people?  Why is it that the church appears to flicker in and out like bad reception on an old black and white TV? How can those in darkness follow and emulate a light that shines randomly on an irregular path?  How can we ask sinners and the world at large to place their trust in something and someone that seems so unreliable?  Most of all, how can we go on misrepresenting God in this way?

Everyone clamors for the kavod, the weighty glory of God that brings increase and wealth.  However, I put to you that the kavod will be your destruction if there is no hadar.  We must grow in maturity to display a consistent life-style of faith, endurance, perseverance and productivity over an extended period of time. We must age.

To age in Jewish culture is a most beautiful thing as it speaks of someone who has lived with determined faith through every difficulty and still remains triumphant.  Western culture portrays the aging as deteriorating, unattractive and declining and tends to only associate what it calls beauty with the young.

However, the hadar speaks of a wealth of glory that only rests upon and in the lives of those who dwell permanently and consistently in God and who are positively productive on a regular and ongoing basis.

It is time for the hadar to return.  We cannot be blown about with every wind of doctrine or by every circumstance. We are the “beautiful trees” of the Lord.  The glory of the Lord, the hadar, is a divine beauty that is so powerful, pure, majestic and excellent that to behold it is to see the goodness and eternal faithfulness of God revealed.  This inspires others to place their confidence and trust in Him as well.  Don’t you want to be one of the “beautiful people?”

About Dr. Anya Hall:Dr. Anya M. Hall is an anointed vessel used to teach and preach the word of God with apostolic wisdom, strength and prophetic insight.  She serves as an ordained Apostle and consecrated Bishop in the Body of Christ and the Kingdom of God at large; reaching the lost and teaching, training and raising up strong leaders with godly character who will go forth fulfilling divine purpose and destiny.  Dr. Hall is the founder of TeKton Ministries Int’l and the author of over 30 self-published books.  For more information log onto: www.tektonministries.com or email: apostle@tektonministries.com  or call 1-866-95-SHIFT.

Did you know that one word from God can change your entire life? When God sent Abraham into a foreign land it was all by a word and through obedience, he contacted his destiny as a father of faith. Born and raised in Kenya, Pastor Phinehas Kinuthia is no stranger to such instruction from God. 10 Years ago, he received a mandate from God to move to the United States as a missionary. He left his family and his country to come to the U.S. not in search of a better life only, but to share the love of God with America; a country that has done so much to spread the gospel in Africa.

We caught up with Pastor Phinehas who believes that men are treasures hidden in ordinariness, but only valuable when discovered. It is through this quest that he has launched a platform to discover and awaken greatness in believers at Global Enlightenment Center, (GEC). According to Pastor Phinehas, GEC was birthed on May 30, 2010 with a vision of “Raising a new breed of believers that will transform our generation.”The mission here as he said is kingdom oriented with a goal to ignite passion for self-discovery, through a renewed relationship with God. So each one of us will discover and live a life of purpose through the wisdom of God.  We believe in a practical gospel that appeals to the spiritual, psychological, social and human needs. 

Today, GEC is reaching the Katy, TX community with various projects. Such most recent projects include a Back-to-School Block Party, with donations for school supplies to hundreds of kids and also teachers’ supplies. GEC has also adopted a local Tier 1 elementary school where they are engaged in mentorship and volunteer services. GEC is also partnering with other local organizations to meet the social needs of the community and other justice programs. GEC, being Global oriented, has worldwide impact by supporting missions, church plant organizations, Bible schools and orphanages in Kenya and South Africa. 

Looking to be a small part of a big thing? GEC is looking for Kingdom minded, God loving, purpose oriented people that want to make a difference through serving God. There are several effective places to plug, connect and serve. Maybe it’s working with children at their renowned Transformers or New Breed Children’s Ministry, or maybe it’s through their young adults program “The Lounge” or The Women’s Connect Group. Those with a heart and gift for music, can also connect through the “Hazardous Praise or Night of Worship” occasionally hosted by Local Christian Radio DJ’s of Praise 92.1FM. 

Regardless of your education, race or social-economical background there is a place for everyone at GEC. Do not go through life one more day uncertain about what on earth you are here for?  Or what God’s will and plan for your life is? Be a part of this great movement where no followers are made but leaders are born. Visit GEC gathering on Sundays at 10:30 am or Fridays at 7pm at 1718 Fry Rd. Suite 260, Houston, TX 77084 for interactive question and answer discourse geared towards self development and personal growth. You may also visit them online at www.gecus.org for upcoming events and to purchase any of their life changing messages on CD or DVD. Call their church office at 832-209-2109 for more information and directions to their beautiful facility.

Budding Gospel star Mali Music is taking heat for signing with Rap Star Akon.  

Akon’s label Konvict Music is traditionally a secular rap label, but Akon promises his attentions with Mali are pure.  “This kid is incredible, the world needs to hear him…I don’t want to change him, just want to take his message to the masses,” says Akon. 

Akon was in somewhat of a bidding war with labels interested in signing him.  So emotions ran high when Mali Music’s camp announced that he will be signing with Akon.  

Mali Music who’s real name is Jamaal Polard, caught the eye of Akon during the 2011 BET Awards.  Mali Music feels that the signing with Konvict Music will allow him to reach people that don’t know the Lord.  

In the interview featured below Mali Music was asked about the criticism that some feel is an unequally yoked partnership. 

“I know exactly what it looks like,” says Mali Music. “But at the same time the Lord said to go into the places where the Gospel hasn’t reached.”  Mali emphasizes that he’s not going to throw around scripture defending his decision.  He just wants people to trust what he’s doing.  Mali wrote a song called “GO” that illustrates his feelings on the issue.  That song can be heard in the video below.  

To understand the conflict you don’t have to look far to find the controversy.  Akon’s label is called “Konvict” Music for a lack of better names.  Non-the-less the majority of Mali Music’s followers trust that he is sold out for Christ, even with Mali doing a song called “New Life” with Akon.  The song will be featured on Akon’s upcoming album. 

Mali Music’s’s powerful poetic style has captivated legions of fans, who’ve shared their passion worldwide and made him an internet sensation with over 2 million views on YouTube and over 1.3 million plays on MySpace.

Rapper Akon will collaborate with Relevé Entertainment and SoundWalk Music Group in managerial duties on Mali Music’s promotions.

Singer/songwriter Isaiah D. Thomas and group Elements of Praise are preparing to return with the release of their new project titled I Dare You. Now signed to Bronx Bridge Entertainment in association with F. Hammond Family Entertainment, the 12-track release will feature the radio singles “I Dare You” and “Ain’t No Harm” along with a cover of the previously released “Jesus Is” and the David Frazier-penned “Touch And Agree”.

Thomas is a 2-time Stellar award winner, winning the honors for “Song of the Year” for “I Will Bless The Lord”, made popular by Byron Cage. Thomas is also known for the foot stomping church tune “Said He Would Be with Me.”

Look for the new CD release ‘I Dare You’ to hit stores Nov. 15.