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Showing posts with label Good News. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Good News. Show all posts

Monday

Antoine Dodson Renounces Homosexuality

While many are clamoring over a certain ball players "coming out". One well known public figure is getting it together. Antoine Dodson first caught public attention on local network news for speaking his mind boldly about crimes and issues surrounding his neighborhood specifically involving an incident that happened to his sister. His presence became a viral phenomenon. Dodson became a YouTube sensation, went on to make music as well as provide commentary for popular media networks.

Dodson Included in YouTube's April Fool's Joke

Dodson recently released several tweets on the Internet proclaiming that all he needed was the Most High...




“I want a wife and family, I want to multiply and raise and love my family that I create,” Dodson ranted to his 360k followers. “I could care less about the fame and fortune I’ve giving all that up to know the true history of the bible.”

In the midst of the chic-fil-a controversy in 2012 Dodson showed his support for the fast food chain. 
Dodson showing support for Chic-fil-a


Dodson definitely knows how to make the headlines. He continued in his twitter rant with a message to the world: “Hate me if you must, bash me if you must, I won’t break, do what you will, for this is my calling.”



Wednesday

Gov. Rick Perry Dedicates $130 Million Campus of Texas Church


Texas Gov. Rick Perry dedicated the new $130 million campus of First Baptist Church of Dallas, led by Pastor Robert Jeffress, on Sunday.


"Let me add my profound, 'Wow!'" Perry said. "This is quite a place, and the way we do it in Texas. It is a beacon – a place where our salt and our light can truly be seen."

While the new campus opened last weekend for services, it was officially dedicated Sunday.

 aerial image of the new campus of First Baptist Church of Dallas,
Mark Lovvorn, chair of the new campus Planning and Development Committee, announced that the Committee unanimously voted, unbeknownst to the First Baptist leadership, that the Fountain Plaza, a focal feature in the middle of the campus, will now officially be known as the "Jeffress Fountain Plaza."


Perry told Jeffress that "the fountain that will appropriately have your name on it" in downtown Dallas is "a beautiful place that will draw men and women who need Christ." He added that while people will come for its beauty, they will discover much more. "Thank you for sending a powerful message, not just to this city, state or nation – but to the world. First Baptist Church of Dallas is truly reaching the world with God's love."

In contrast to its splendid new building, First Baptist was once seen as a dying church. But Jeffress is credited for revitalizing the church, which has experienced growth under his leadership. However, some media recently described Jeffress as a "hate-spewing anti-gay, anti-Semitic" preacher. 

Perry spoke about the need to be gracious with "sinners," while not specifically referring to any group.

"I think of the woman [in the Bible] who met Jesus at the well," Perry said. "It is not our job to judge souls, but to point people to the One who is the Way, the Truth and the Life. We as fellow sinners will never condemn someone to salvation, but God can use us to show them grace and love them to it."


Honoring the church's past heritage and commitment to Dallas, the service began with an archival video of former First Baptist Pastor Dr. W.A. Criswell in 1974 saying, "It is our desire, under God and the presence of the Lord, to build in the heart of Dallas the most beautiful lighthouse for Christ on this earth."



Dr. David Jeremiah, senior pastor of Shadow Mountain Community Church and host of Turning Point radio and television ministries, was also among the guests.

"If the church is being ignored because we preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and Him crucified, that's one thing; but if we are deemed irrelevant because we aren't playing the world's game nearly as well as the world does, then that's a tragedy," Jeremiah said. "If we're going to be attacked or ignored by the world, let it be for turning the world upside down like the early apostles did. Not for trying to become so much like the world that you can't tell the difference between the two."

Located in the heart of downtown Dallas since 1868, First Baptist Dallas opened its state-of-the-art campus last weekend, adding three-quarters of an acre of green space to downtown. It includes the latest features and technological advances for any church.







-April D. Byrd

Article/Photo Credit courtesy of Christian Post



Friday

Mississippi Put Prayer Back In School

"MISSISSIPPI NOW HAS PRAYER BACK IN IT'S SCHOOLS!!!" the post going viral across Facebook, however, the thing about this news is, IT'S A MAJOR VICTORY!! (smile) America in it's current state of affairs could definitely use a lot more divine guidance. Pledging allegiance to a flag representing states united under God is a definite plus!!
Blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD, the people he chose for his inheritance. Psalm 33:12
Pray without Ceasing.
Mississippi lawmakers have passed legislation that would legalize student-led prayer in the state's public schools. Senate Bill 2633, which went to Gov. Phil Bryant March 6 for his signature, would also allow students to talk about their faith in the classroom and organize school Bible clubs, as well as pray at football games, graduation ceremonies, and during morning announcements.
Sponsors of the bill said that secular groups have intimidated and confused school administrators about the legality of religious expression in schools, and the law is meant to bring clarity. According to those on both sides of the issue, “Organized school prayer remains widespread in Mississippi, despite opponents’ efforts to curtail it,” reported the Associated Press. “In October, for example, the ACLU sent a letter to the Lincoln County school system demanding a halt to routine prayer at West Lincoln High School.”
The bill's proponents insist it will not force students to pray, but will enable them to do so voluntarily. But Bear Atwood, director of Mississippi's ACLU chapter, argued that students who do not wish to pray would still be a captive audience. Christianity Today quoted Atwood as saying that the new law could also lead to procedural issues and unwanted favoritism, such as with “school administrators selecting which students lead prayer in announcements or before a basketball game.”
One of the leaders in the campaign for school prayer over the past several years has been Republican State Rep. Mark Formby, who has introduced a school prayer bill every year since 2009. He said the measure is meant to dispel all confusion about what students can and cannot do in school relative to religious expression, including wearing religious-themed clothing, discussing their faith in the classroom, and voluntarily praying at school-sponsored events. “I'm not so much worried about what's allowed as what's disallowed,” Formby told Fox News. He added that he has had many conversations with parents concerned about the issue, and the bill is meant to clear the air. Formby explained that the measure “doesn't have to restore school prayer,” but it “will allow children, on a voluntary basis, to pray or not to pray.”


read more at: The New American
photo credits: the new american, the word network

Singer Rihanna Donates Millions to Hospital


Robyn Rihanna Fenty is truly "shining like a diamond". Her name is a most precious gem in mass media coverage about so many different aspects of her life. However, her light beamed extremely bright on the residents of  the country of Barbados last December.
The "Diamonds" singer, 24, donated $1.75 million to a Barbados hospital in memory of her late grandmother, Clara "Dolly" Braithwaite, who died in June. She visited the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Bridgetown along with her mother Monica Fenty and Dolly's husband Lionel during the Christmas season.
In a statement to E! News, Rihanna said, "This was my way of giving back to Barbados, in a form of philanthropy, by assisting the QEH in its continued modernization program ... I believe that this will have a huge impact on the people of Barbados. This was all done to save lives or at least extend them."
Her generous donation, which led to the radiotherapy department at the hospital to be renamed the Clara Braithwaite Centre for Oncology and Nuclear Medicine, has paid for vital pieces of medical equipment.
Rihanna broke the news of Gran Gran Dolly's death on Twitter in July,writing, "Goodbye #grangranDOLLY get your beauty rest until I see you."
Giving back is always the best way to truly shine!!!


Article Credit: Huffington Post
Photo Credit: Getty Images

Wednesday

Free Life Coaching Tele-Conference: How To Stop Self-Sabotage


Voice Of Wisdom Transformational Coaching firm will be hosting a LIVE Tele-Conference this evening February 13th at 8:30 p.m. EST. 
The telephone number to enter the Conference is 1-218-632-9333.

 The passcode is (430365#).  --Both Are Required

Voice Of Wisdom Inernational coaches Personal and Success Strategies by Reinventing Personal Stories. They inspire Businesses and Spiritual Leaders to transform,transition and engage authentic success in individuals.

Coach Jennifer in Action!!
It is founded by Coach/Pastor Jennifer Turner who Coaches successful "Navigation of Life Changes",and helps individuals to fully embrace their dream/purpose and live the life they envision.



Voice Of Wisdom is a firm that  equips and mentors Leaders, and helps them with the tools and resources required to intelligently navigate all of life's expected and unforeseen circumstances, empowering them to excel and achieve on a Personal,Professional, Financial, Spiritual, Physical, and Emotional level.


visit Voice Of Wisdom International's website for more information:




Also, feel free to "Like" them on Facebookhttps://www.facebook.com/pages/Voice-Of-Wisdom-Transformational-Coaching/286059674786892







See You There For The Empowerment!!!

Tuesday

Overcoming Addiction Through Faith


Ask any child of an alcoholic or drug abuser and they will tell you—addictions are ugly. As a firsthand witness of my mother’s struggle as a child, I will tell you the same. It was painful to see how addiction consumed her life and it was hard to be around her when she was in the thick of it. She fought hard, and sometimes her strength came through, but I never knew what type of mood or mindset she would be in. Her instability negatively affected not only her life, but the lives of those around her.
Immediately from birth, life is a shocker. We develop and grow, but there remains a natural human inclination to reach out to anything substantial, to stabilize us and lend us support. For some people, this innate need can turn into a full-blown addiction. In fact, 16 percent of the U.S. population is dependent on alcohol, nicotine, or other drugs.
Addiction has both a personal and national effect. It is a disease that runs its course in the brain, and a new report shows that substance abuse beat out obesity as the number one health problem in America. It is also America's number one healthcare cost, claiming approximately 30 percent of our federal and state healthcare spending.
Many of us do not even realize we suffer from addiction, or we live in denial, but an addiction can still consume and drain us even if we do not acknowledge it. Sadly, the very attempt to gain stability can actually tip our lives into a dangerous imbalance. The overly consuming nature of addiction can take over the minds of addicts, and destroy their lives.

A Surface Cure for a Deeper Problem
But not all addiction is chemically based. We also hold dependencies on things that might not necessarily be negative such as sex, food or social media. But for all the social media junkies out there, America has a bigger problem than our Facebook obsession. With new media and technology advancement, it’s now easier to become addicted to the approval of others. Addictions stem from the need to be satiated and to feel whole or complete, which can be superficially fulfilled with a simple Facebook “like” or admiring blog comment. No matter the substance, the root of addiction is the same: to fill or to meet personal inadequacies. Often an addiction is used as a substitute to avoid having to face a deeper issue.
GIVEN ALL THE STUDIES, THERE IS ONLY ONE “ADDICTION” THAT HAS NEVER PRODUCED ANY NEGATIVE RESULTS.
The obsessive tendency in America abounds, but what if there is such a thing as a good addiction? Is it possible that an addiction could be more productive than consumptive?
A Different Kind of Substance
Given all the studies, there is only one “addiction” that has never produced any negative results. The side effects are more beneficial than terminal, and it actually increases focus rather than inhibiting it.
Perhaps the most controversial dependency of all, the Bible calls faith “the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things unseen” (Hebrews 11:1). There may a stigma attached to it at times, but faith is the most captivating power on earth.
Faith is a stimulant, producing with the Holy Spirit the side effects of “love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control” (Galatians 5:22-23). Faith is grown by passing the word; it is more powerful when it is lit with passion. It is life-changing for those who receive it. It empowers us to overcome, instead of going under. And many of us can speak of the medicinal quality of joy and laughter.
Choosing Better Habits
Addictive tendencies can result from suppressed passion, so activate your faith and allow it to stimulate your life. Stay busy, and feed those activities that drive your passion. We are all given something that we’re good at and love. Choose something that creates a positive and productive effect in your life, and go for it. Keep your hands and your mind busy. Actively pursue your passion, instead of waiting for it to come to you.
Also, keep in mind that faith is based in trust. Just like the good force behind every AA meeting, support is essential, and you are never alone. There is someone in your corner you can always turn to. Even if our parents are not physically or even mentally there, we have a Father who loves us. He knows all, sees all and cares immensely.
When I was eighteen, my mother lost her life battling a drug addiction, and I will miss having her as an active part of my life because of it. I know all too well the toxic toll an addiction can take on a life, but I also know what it means to be whole because of faith. The greatest substance I know of is faith in Christ—the true remedy for any void we try to fill through an addiction.

Friday

Rising Above: Aisha Noelle Jones

The "Rise Above" Campaign


Anything Is Possible through Faith and persistence

Are You Rising Above?



Aisha Noelle Jones went from homeless to Higher education. She became the first college graduate in her family. 

From the outside her life looks like a story of disappointments from a lackluster father, to financial battles, being homeless, and getting robbed, Aisha wondered what was next.

However, her life serves as a powerful inspiration. Inspired by her hardworking mother, She worked through school, obtained her degree, got a new home and car and is still basking in the love of a wholesome relationship as well as the love of her family and friends. 

She charges all of her triumph to God and is grateful for the vision of success. 

Aisha is currently featured on the Yes Confess Success: "Rise Above Campaign", sharing her present aspiration of obtaining her Masters Degree in Educational Leadership and aiming for her Doctorate in the field. Aisha's Career goal is to become a Principle or a Head Of School.

Kudos and Congratulations to Aisha Noelle Jones!! She is the proof of God's glory and a shining example that we can all RISE ABOVE!!



For more information on Aisha, and the Rise Above Campaign visit:
Yes Confess Success on Facebook and Instagram.
https://www.facebook.com/YesConfessSuccess

Wednesday

Christianity IS The New Sexy!


As we approach February, the month American culture romances the idea of love, more spiritually relevant faces are shining in the lime light. Biblical scripture reads: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven."*  and that's exactly what a lot of spiritual leaders and innovators are doing. 

February's issues of Ebony and Essence

Bishop T.D Jakes and Iyanla Vanzant's faces blazing on the covers of popular magazines this month made the way, the truth, and the life much more appealing. It's Absolutely sexy to be Christian and American media needs more affirmation of the fact and more examples like this.  Despite earlier predictions Oprah Winfrey's Network (OWN) has taken has become a ratings success. 
Rick Warren, Author of "The Purpose Driven Life" was also recently in TIME magazine giving some fresh advice. With such great role models, it's definitely time for more Christians to unashamedly come out of the closet, and uncover the light for the world to see more of  God's glory.

"Why Being A Christian Is Hot"  by April D. Byrd


Heads turned as President Obama’s face shined on the cover of Newsweek, blatantly crowned in the glory of a colorful halo. Such an image makes it official that it’s never been more acceptable to take a stand for who you are and what you believe. The big announcement that shocked the world will undoubtedly make “coming out” more widespread, so instead of being judgmental, why don’t more Christians get on the fence with standing out and taking pride in and for what they believe? Despite all the pastoral turmoil, this year has been a proactive and reputable year for faith. Recently, a lot of heavy hitters have openly come out.
According to Jet Magazine, Bishop T.D. Jakes rise “from the pulpit to pop-culture” is what works. Recently Actress Meagan Good opened up to several Media outlets professing her faith, and controversial rapper Nicki Minaj expressed to “Nightline” that God was her hero. Even Mega-church Pastor Jamal Bryant jokingly proclaimed Tim Tebow the thirteenth disciple, as the Pro football player stunned the world with statistical signs and wonders. There was also surprisingly, much ado when Billionaire Media mogul Oprah Winfrey confessed Christ during one of her ‘Lifeclass’ tours in NYC. And after news of Rihanna “living her life for God” the string of events only further proclaim: It’s OK to “come out”.
Seventy Six  to eighty  percent of Americans consider themselves to be Christians. However, as the world, especially the United States is now in such a perpetual debate over what lifestyles are acceptable, regardless of what opinions will come and go; all those who stand unflinching for what they believe are winning. What truthfully works will stand, no matter who endorses it. However, the lifestyle of faith is making a major impact, not only in spiritual circuits, but now in mainstream media. Last year Gospel artists Mary Mary were truly “something big”. It seemed like every time we turned on the TV they were on it. Among other things they dominated major events like the Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Ceremony and now they have their own reality T.V. show, becoming the first Gospel artists to have a feature show on a non-faith based network.
Mary Mary’s unconventional, yet uplifting sound has opened the door for a new generation of Gospel artists to top the Billboard charts like Flame, Lecrae, and the family group Forever Jones. Beyond pop culture, Jesus culture will definitely always be hot in entertainment media. Overall it’s been a good year for faith, and faith is a good value for life. A sense of knowing who you are and standing firmly for your beliefs has never been more popular. Sex sells, but confidence sells better.

Article as appeared on Elev8.com

*Matthew 5:16

Tuesday

Testimony: Antonina L. Griffin

It's easy to feel that our validation comes from every outside source except God, We may at times of weakness feel that there is  a need to fulfill our souls with food, sex, or even drugs. God is the true fulfillment of our souls, establishing discipline and value are the most fulfilling habits of all.


This testimony is from a woman that has been through a lot of weak times through her life, yet with the strength of God she became stronger, better, and even more successful. When it is our season to succeed God provides all things, but we must seek Him first. Antonina L. Griffin's Testimony of how she rose from brokeness to healing through embracing Jesus Christ is powerful. Antonina lists the various trials she "overcame", and shares with the world how her faith in God made an impact on her life.

Watch Antonina's Amazing Testimony, and feel free to share how it blessed you.




Wednesday

A Can-Dough Spirit

It's the can-do spirit of others that makes life easier, makes living worthwhile, even if it's for no reason at all.


Some people will go to extremes to be nice and make things work in your favor. Even if the intent is really not for anything.

There are people set up who are so great at their jobs and just purposed to do what they do! One Krispy Kreme worker was happy to oblige a random donut request.

You tuber  Jia Jeng is on a quest to get rejected 100 times in 100 days (for whatever reason). On Day 3, he goes into his local Krispy Kreme with a request he's certain will get a big N-O — asking for doughnuts in the shape of the Olympic rings.

What he didn't count on was the incredible can-do powers of the store manager, Jackie.


Jackie Makes it Happen!



Krispy Kreme Jackie has the heart of an Olympian. It has a very happy ending, and in case you're wondering, Krispy Kreme is aware of their awesomest maker of deep-fried circles of dough.



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