During a week shrouded in controversy over charges of child sexual assault and cover-up at Penn State University, at least one thing became clear for the college’s football program and its opponent Nebraska on Saturday before the game started – it was a time for prayer.

Shortly after the coin toss and just moments before kickoff, players and coaches from both teams, including former Penn State players at the game for Senior Day, and a throng of those credentialed with sideline passes, met in the middle of the field.

In a somewhat surreal setting, more than 100,000 fans in attendance became silent as those on the field dropped to one knee to listen to Nebraska running back coach Ron Brown lead the teams in prayer.

The action was part of a college community trying to heal in the wake of child sexual assault charges against Jerry Sandusky, the former defensive coordinators for Penn State University’s football team, and the subsequent firing of both head coach Joe Paterno and the university’s president last week.

Brown, who is a co-founder of a ministry called Mission Nebraska, was approached by the Fellowship of Christian Athletes during the week, reported PennLive.com. He then talked to a representative of Athletes in Action, also a Christian organization, for Penn State Friday night.

The assistant coach also talked to Nebraska’s director of football operations, who had talked to Penn State’s director. He was told that both head coaches thought it was a great idea. Brown also spoke to the interim defensive coach and friend Larry Johnson and the pre-game prayer was set.

“We knew we were going to go into a battle against each other because it was a big game for both teams,” said Brown, as reported by PennLive.com. “But there was something bigger. We know there are jobs being lost and all kinds of things and who knows what is going to happen at Penn State particularly in the upcoming months here. But there was a humility and a sincerity and a vulnerability as all the players took their hats off and knelt before God.”

Read the full story by the Christian Post

GRAMMY Award-winning, Multi-Platinum-selling band Jars of Clay re-joins MercyMe, Matt Maher, Disciple, Group 1 Crew and others on the fall leg of “The Rock & Worship Roadshow” this month. In keeping with tour tradition, Jars of Clay is offering fans an exclusive “Sing & Tell” VIP event prior to each show.

Kicking off last Thursday, Nov. 3, in Saginaw, Mich., the tour reconvenes after a successful initial run last spring. This month it will visit 12 additional markets, including major cities Cleveland, Atlanta and Oklahoma City before wrapping Nov. 20 in Memphis, Tenn. Admission prices will be $10 at-the-door, making it an affordable event for the whole family. Compassion International, a Christian child advocacy ministry that releases children from spiritual, economic, social and physical poverty, will once again serve as a tour sponsor.

Jars of Clay will reprise its “Sing & Tell” pre-show gathering, a time for fans to interact face-to-face with the band. Those who purchase VIP tickets will have access to a private meet and greet, which includes an acoustic set and a Question & Answers session with the group. Participants are invited to request songs ahead of time when they purchase VIP tickets. This special offer additionally includes admission to the Roadshow as well as a VIP laminate and signed copy of Jars of Clay’s new acoustic EP, Reinvent, Remember, Replay, only available on the tour.

VIP tickets are limited. To reserve your ticket, visit www.JarsofClay.com/tour. For additional information on the “Rock & Worship Roadshow” tour and a current list of tour dates, visit: www.rockandworshiproadshow.com.

About Jars of Clay
Jars of Clay, made up of members Dan Haseltine (vocals), Charlie Lowell (keyboards), Steve Mason (guitars), and Matt Odmark (guitars), launched its career with the multi-format hit “Flood” in 1995. Since then, it has amassed more than six million in career sales (five Gold, two Platinum and one Multi-Platinum certification), three GRAMMY Awards (from eight nominations), an American Music Award nod, three GMA Dove Awards (12 GMA Dove Award Nominations), and BMI honors for songwriting as well as performing. The group also claims 17 No. 1 radio hits, numerous film credits, and has headlined thousands of sold-out shows and festivals. The band’s GRAMMY-nominated tenth album, The Long Fall Back to Earth, was recently followed by its compelling, community-minded project, Jars of Clay Presents The Shelter.

While celebrated for its music and writing, Jars of Clay is most concerned with the needs in Africa. Compelled to make a difference, the group successfully launched the Blood: Water Mission, a non-profit organization promoting clean blood and water in Africa. Since the band’s debut, Jars of Clay has built an extraordinary career based on the uncompromising integrity of its music, worldview and humanitarianism.

For more information on Jars of Clay and The Shelter, please visit: www.jarsofclay.com, www.facebook.com/jarsofclay or www.providentpress.com.

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.