Source: Sonshine Communications

Sometimes our circumstances seem to come about by chance. We think, If I had made this decision instead of that decision, my life would be different. Or, If I’d been here instead of there, this wouldn’t have happened. While we cannot use this as an excuse for making poor decisions, we can have the confidence that nothing happens by chance. Take care of your responsibilities in a way that honors God, and He will work out His plan through you.

If you are struggling with the “what ifs” of life, put them aside. Be assured that God is working out His plan for you, and it won’t be by chance.

Since God is in charge, nothing is by chance.
-Woodrow Kroll

To participate in the competition, churches nationwide are being asked to teach their choir to sing Belle’s Gospel radio hit “God Is Good,” have the choir perform the song during a Sunday morning worship service and then upload the digital video of that performance to www.GospelTube.com (a Christian online media property to watch and share original Christian and Gospel videos worldwide). Finally, the choir will need to email a link of their performance to Pendulum Records at www.pendulumrecords.biz/contact.htm no later than August 1, 2008 for a chance to win a track performance from Regina Belle at their church this fall where the choir will have the opportunity to perform “God Is Good” with the award winning artist.

READ MORE AT GOSPELCITY.COM

“Gospel Music is a cornerstone of the American musical tradition and has grown beyond its established audience to achieve pop-culture and historical relevance across the globe,” said Lincoln. “My home state of Arkansas has a rich history in gospel music and I am proud to honor this tradition that has touched audiences around the world.”

“In addition to its contribution to American music, gospel music has provided the cultural and musical backdrop across all of mainstream media, including art, books, television and motion pictures. It is infused in the DNA of our entire society and a month to recognize its importance and vast contributions to our country is long overdue,” commented Hutchison.

“Gospel music is an important American legacy and continues to play a significant role of the lives of millions. It is appropriate to honor the countless contributions Gospel music has made to our society,” said Leahy.

“Gospel music is an historical American art form that has spanned hundreds of generations and both inspires and entertains across racial, ethnic, religious, and geographic boundaries. We must officially recognize the great contributions to American culture that have derived from the rich heritage of gospel music and its artists,” said Jackson-Lee.

“By surpassing culturally constructed boundaries, gospel music has emerged as the musical thread uniting the fabric of America and is more popular than ever. It is important that we recognize and celebrate the vital role that gospel music and all its many styles have played in shaping music history,” commented Bono Mack.

“This is the opportunity for the millions of gospel/Christian music fans to have their own national month to honor and celebrate the rich heritage of their music,” said Charles Humbard, Founder and President of the Gospel Music Channel. “We thank Senators Lincoln, Hutchison and Leahy, and Representatives Jackson-Lee and Bono Mack, for their efforts and The Recording Academy for its partnership. We look forward to celebrating ‘Gospel Music Heritage Month’ in September.”

“A key mission of The Recording Academy is recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. “To have gospel music nationally recognized in the month of September pays great homage to this influential and inspirational genre. It’s an honor to make this announcement at our GRAMMYs on the Hill event in our nation’s capital.”

Those interested in “Gospel Music Heritage Month” resolution should visit:
www.GospelMusicChannel.com

Gospel Music Channel (GMC) is the nation’s first and only 24/7 television network devoted to the uplifting, inspiring and diverse music that is Gospel/Christian music. Gospel Music Channel is the fastest-growing network in television today and can be seen in nearly 40 million homes on various cable systems around the country and on DIRECTV.

Established in 1957, The Recording Academy is an organization of musicians, producers, engineers and recording professionals that is dedicated to improving the cultural condition and quality of life for music and its makers. Internationally known for the GRAMMY Awards — the preeminent peer-recognized award for musical excellence and the most credible brand in music — The Recording Academy is responsible for groundbreaking professional development, cultural enrichment, advocacy, education and human services programs. In its 50th year, The Academy continues to focus on its mission of recognizing musical excellence, advocating for the well-being of music makers and ensuring music remains an indelible part of our culture. For more information about The Academy, please visit www.grammy.com.

See performances by Vickie Winans, CeCe Winans and Martha Munizzi. For more information on the conference, visit www.godsglamorousgirls.com .

Many people are seeking others to follow them, but they’re headed in the wrong direction. When we cut through all their assurances and promises, we discover that what they’re really offering is to lead us back to enslavement to the world. The apostle Paul urged the Corinthians, “Imitate me, just as I also imitate Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1). The same applies to us today. Choose to follow only those who have chosen to follow Christ.

Be careful whom you allow to be your leader. Take time today to make sure you’re following someone who honors the Lord. Anyone who is not headed in the same direction as Christ is not headed in a direction you want to go.

Before you follow, know where you’re being led.

-Woodrow Kroll

Raleigh, NC-Legendary first lady of gospel, Pastor Shirley Caesar and her Outreach Ministry continues to serve the community with the June 13th Feed The Children Campaign at The Mount Calvary Word of Faith Church, 3100 Sanderford Road, Raleigh, N. C. At 2:00p.m there will be distribution of food and personal care boxes that will reach over 400 families. The evening will conclude with a free live TV taping concert that begins at 7:30pm and will feature Pastor Shirley Caesar and the Caesar Singers.

After 40 years, not only is Pastor Caesar committed to providing quality gospel music, she is also devoted to the work of the ministry; to serve and edify the body of Christ by reaching out to the people. Gaining her love for helping others from her mother, Pastor Caesar has spent 36 years following right in her footsteps, developing the Shirley Caesar Outreach Ministry.

Recipients were pre-identified by Feed The Children partner agencies, Shirley Caesar Outreach Ministry and Mount Calvary Word of Faith, and each family will receive a 25 pound box of food and a box of personal care items. The box will include food and personal items and will contain some of the following: cereal, popcorn, boxed dinners, peanut butter, bbq sauce/salad dressing, canned vegetables, and juice to name a few. The box will also enclose a consort of personal care items including: deodorant, toothbrushes, toilet paper, paper towels, cleaning supplies, washcloths, toothpaste, soap, and lotion.

During Feed The Children’s 29-year history, the organization has grown into one of the world’s largest private organizations dedicated to helping hungry and hurting people. Last year, Feed The Children shipped 129 million pounds of food and other essentials to children and families in all 50 states and in 43 foreign countries, supplementing more than 730,000 meals a day worldwide.

Pastor Caesar also donates a portion of each of her CD and DVD sales to the Outreach Ministry. With the impending June 24 release of her CD/DVD combo for “After 40 Years…Still Sweeping Through The City” Caesar is bound to support many individuals who can benefit from assistance.

For more information about the Pastor Shirley Caesar Outreach Ministries please visit, www.shirleycaesar.com. You may also contact Carolyn Sanders at 919-683-1161 or csanders3775@aol.com. To obtain media access for the Campaign, please call or email Kia Jarmon, 615.277.1855 or kjarmon@lightrecords.com.

When you experience the grief of losing a loved one—a husband, a wife, a child—it’s easy to become bitter and lash out at God. You think it’s all His fault. He allowed it to happen. Yet the God who loves you is also the God who sees the end from the beginning. He knows what He is doing. Trust Him. What has begun as a heartache for you will ultimately result in overwhelming blessings.

Sorrow is the garden in which God grows our blessings.
-Woodrow Kroll

With an amazing string of successes with her 2006 debut, Gotee Records’ GRAMMY- nominated singer/songwriter Ayiesha Woods is poised to release her next musical installment with Love Like This, set to street late Summer 2008.

Love Like This features 11 songs produced by Chris Stevens (TobyMac, Mandisa) and Jamie Moore (CeCe Winans, TobyMac). Song titles include “Love Can’t Wait,” “Because of You,” “Love Like This,” “New Beginnings,” and “One Day,” as well as “Transparent,” “Fight,” “Never Give Up,” “Refine Me,” “Take Me There,” and “Love Is Alive.”

Read more at: http://www.lightvox.com