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Win Fred Hammond new album ‘Life In The Word’

CoCo Brother — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:36:57 +0000

We are giving away the newest CD from Fred Hammond called ‘Life in the Word.’ This CD is not even released yet. It will hit the stores this summer. Register here to win.

DEVOTIONAL: Freedom Isn’t Free

CoCo Brother — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 15:14:06 +0000

By Milan Ford
This week’s topic: Freedom In Christ

About a year or so ago, I had the opportunity to hear Ravi Zacharias, a renown Christian apologist, speak at an event located right outside of Atlanta, Georgia. The purpose of the event was to discuss the power and influence today’s media has on popular culture. During his 30-40 minute presentation, he made this one incredible statement; one that will remain with me for quite a while:

“…without TRUTH, education is moved to the skeptical, spirituality is moved to the mystical, and art is moved to the sensual.”

Now more than ever before, we are living in an age where matters of faith and morality differ from person to person. What has long been considered true is now (in the eyes of many) debatable, while those things that we have always believed to be false or in contrast to our faith, are now being adopted and accepted as cultural norms.

This reversal of truth unfortunately exists within today’s Body of Christ as well.

As a result of our individual and collective life pursuits (money, relationships, position, etc.), many of us at times have thrown aside the principles of our faith to pursue a sense of FREEDOM that is completely void of His truth. For some odd reason, we have bought into the lie that the freedoms we want to experience in Christ as believers, can come about without certain rules and boundaries.

We have created a generation of believers who now have a longing for the mystical to occur in their life, rather than embracing the truths behind sowing and reaping. We want to gain, but refuse any pain associated with it. We want to earn, but refuse to learn what is necessary to do so.

As believers, we really have this FREEDOM thing all messed up.

Isn’t it interesting that the very first time the word “free” is mentioned in the Bible, God follows it up with a boundary for that freedom to occur:

Then the LORD God took the man and put him in the garden of Eden to tend and keep it. And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, “Of every tree of the garden you may freely eat; but of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat of it you shall surely die. –Genesis 2:15-17.

Here we see God from the very beginning, providing mankind with instructions on how he can flourishFREELY within the garden He provided, along with the BOUNDARIES he needed to observe in order to live and succeed. While the Bible is full of these kinds of examples, we can learn even more about how God wants us to properly balance our freedoms as believers by looking at His creation.

Take a river for example.

A river is a body of water that is in constant movement, capable of sustaining life because of a flow of fresh water. Isn’t it ironic that free flowing rivers are typically surrounding by a variety of boundaries.Whether they consist of rocks or dry land, these boundaries help keep the water focused and flowing productively. However, whenever a river exists without any boundaries, it is no longer a river.

It becomes a swamp.

Today, if you are confused or at times find yourself upset with God because your life has begun to look like a swampland, rather than a river of living water, remember this one undeniable TRUTH:

God will never answer prayers that would enable us to live more independently of Him.

The freedom God provides us as believers to walk in is in fact not free at all. It requires boundaries.
May we all commit to establishing some today.

Scripture Of The Day: “I will walk about in freedom, for I have sought out your precepts.” – Psalm 119:45 (NIV)

Milan Ford has been a leader (and survivor) of ministry within the local church for most of his life. The author of the brand new book, 83 Things I Wish The Black Church Would Stop Doing, you can find Milan rambling and writing at http://www.thepewview.com.…

The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but living as if he doesn’t exist

CoCo Brother — Tue, 20 Jul 2010 16:32:04 +0000

The Christian Atheist: Believing in God but living as if he doesn’t exist
by Craig Groeschel
Zondervan, March 2010

Charles Blondin was a world-renowned tightrope artist and acrobat. On June 30, 1859, before a stunned crowd of 100,000 excited onlookers, Blondin was the first person to cross Niagara Falls by tightrope. He crossed 1,100 feet on a single three-inch hemp cord, strung from 160 feet above the falls on one side to a spot 270 feet above the falls on the other. The breathless assembly watched him accomplish, step by slow step, a feat most believed impossible.

But Blondin was just getting started. In the years to come, the daring entertainer crossed again and again: on stilts, in a sack, even pushing a wheelbarrow! The story goes that an exuberant onlooker called out, “You could cross with a man in that wheelbarrow!” Blondin agreed and invited the man to climb in. The spectator nervously declined.

My dysfunctional relationship with God was often like that. I’ve always believed in God, just not enough to trust him with my whole life in his wheelbarrow. I knew God could fulfill his promises, but I was never sure he’d do it for me. My selfish Christian Atheist view was that God existed for me, rather than I for him. If he’d do what I thought he should, I’d trust him more. If he’d come through for me, I’d give him more of my life.

Click here to continue reading.

Devotional: God Will Use Your Test To Create Your Testimony!

CoCo Brother — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:18:51 +0000

By Pastor Paula White
This week’s topic: Your Testimony

God’s purposes cannot miscarry. God will never fail; He will never falter. And He will be revealed through a remnant that will rise up – that is, in fact, already rising up – to reveal His image, His glory, and His will on earth.

But that remnant will go through things. That remnant will be tested. That remnant will experience loss, trial, shake-up, chaos, and confusion…as God brings changes to our world. That remnant will have a testimony of God’s power of transformation, salvation, and redemption.

If you are being tested today…it’s because God will be using your testimony tomorrow!

We are in a very strategic, critical time in the body of Christ. Anyone and everyone with any spiritual discernment at all can see that we are in transition – that it’s not like it used to be. We’ve are in a different place.

God is raising up a remnant out of the crevices, the darkness. If you are being tested…going through changes…experiencing a shake-up…and through it all, you are still hungrily seeking what it is He has to say – following His Word… and standing (– or kneeling — or laid out on the floor in prayer!) in the face of every attack of the enemy of your soul…then you are part of that remnant.

And right now He is positioning you for destiny…because He is about to have His grandest display of glory on the earth – and you are it! He has chosen you! And your test will become part of the testimony He will use so that others might see His glory… His faithfulness…His sovereignty…His grace – in your life.

God is taking us through a process where those who will rise up to the test will be purified and perfected…they will have persevered – and come forth very powerful.

God is raising up a people – His People – and they will represent His company. It is a heavenly summons…this is not the beckon or the call of a man. This is a moment in God that He chose, He observed, and He reserved. He placed and He planted you in the earth, and heaven has now summoned you: it is an upward drawing by the Holy Spirit to the top of Mount Zion. Zion is a place…and Zion is a people! And the people of Zion will remain steadfast to share the glory of God and His will — through their wisdom… …their love…their forgiveness …their testimony.

So, as part of His remnant of Zion, begin today, to accept your test as part of walking in the destiny He has summoned you for. And no matter what these days, times or seasons look like, continue to stand firm on His Word and His promise…and you will see God use your test to create your testimony…to bring forth His purposes and His will in your life and on our earth!

Scripture Of The Day: “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner, but share with me in the sufferings for the gospel according to the power of God.” - 2 Timothy 1:8v

A life coach, author, and highly sought after motivational speaker, Pastor Paula White is the host of her own television program—Paula Today, which reaches an audience of 2.3 billion people worldwide, spearheading a number of global humanitarian efforts. Her mission in life is to Transform Lives, Heal Hearts and Win Souls. Visit http://www.paulawhite.org.…

Source: Streaming Faith

Intercede for Darwin Hobbs in The Hospital

CoCo Brother — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 17:50:31 +0000

Today’s industry insider report involves one of our own as national gospel recording artist and Cincinnati, Ohio native Darwin Hobbs has reportedly been hospitalized at an undisclosed location.

As you might recall, gospel music fans of Darwin Hobbs and saints abroad recently witnessed yet another testimony worth rejoicing about back on April 23rd with the news that Hobbs was “doing well” and recovering from a successful midday medical procedure that occurred the same day. No word on whether or not his current health issues are directly or indirectly related to this same previous medical procedure.

I don’t know how often you all pray, but this cannot be the third major loss in the gospel music industry this season as people have been using that old pseudo-African American/urban legend “…they come in threes.”

Let’s begin to pray and intercede on behalf of Darwin Hobbs, his family and the entire gospel music industry while we pray that God restores him to complete health today. Keep your eyes and ears open as bit by bit more details on Darwin Hobbs‘ current conditions are unfolding.

Remember that God can and He surely will show up on time!

Cincinnati Native Darwin Hobbs is an Overcomer

Darwin Hobbs Talks to Larry Jones about I Hear Music

Darwin Hobbs Readies New Gospel Album

Family Fun And Fair Day At Cleveland Metroparks Zoo

CoCo Brother — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 20:53:35 +0000

Join Radio One for the Annual Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, Family, Fun and Fair Day! Hang out with Karen Vaughn & 93.1 WZAK, broadcasting live at the Zoo! It’s time for back to school! Monday July 26th from 10am-3pm! Bring the entire family for a fun filled day! There will be free health screenings on site to get your children prepared for the school year. The zoo is free on mondays to Cuyahoga County and Hinckley residents! Sponsored in part by, Anthem Blue Cross, Cleveland Department of Public Health’s H1N1 prevention campaign and Ford Fiesta! Monday July 26th 10am-3pm. Cleveland Metroparks Zoo. It’s amazing what you’ll discover!

Visit the Cleveland Metroparks Zoo at http://www.clemetzoo.com

Florida Atheists Sue Over Prayers at City Meetings

CoCo Brother — Wed, 14 Jul 2010 16:58:45 +0000

A Central Florida atheist organization has filed a federal lawsuit against the City of Lakeland over opening city commission meetings with prayer.

The lawsuit comes after the Atheists of Florida voiced specific outrage over the use of the name “Jesus Christ.” An April 5 meeting became heated after a citizen got into a yelling match with the atheists, prompting commissioners to recess the meeting.

Courts have ruled invocations at meetings of government bodies are constitutional under some conditions. Lakeland’s policy has been ruled constitutional by the 11^th Circuit U.S. Court of Appeals, which stipulated that governments must make a reasonable effort to incorporate all religious faiths.

But Atheists of Florida argues the city isn’t following the court’s guidelines.

“Lakeland clearly has Christian-based prayers. They’ve designated this city as a Christian city. They’ve totally excluded any other types of religious or nonreligious views,” EllenBeth Wachs, director of its Lakeland chapter told TheLedger.com.

The lawsuit contends that the Lakeland policy violates the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. The group also alleges that while attending commission meetings that they were made to feel uncomfortable because they did not stand during the invocation and omitted the “under God” phrase in the Pledge of Allegiance.

SOURCE

VIDEO: Jesse Jackson Blasts Cavs Owner’s as a “Slave Owner”

CoCo Brother — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:14:56 +0000

CHICAGO, Il. — The Rev. Jesse Jackson said Cavaliers owner Dan Gilbert sees LeBron James as a “runaway slave” and that his comments after the forward decided to join the Miami Heat put the player in danger.

Shortly after James announced his decision Thursday night, Gilbert fired off an incendiary letter to Cleveland’s fans, ripping the 25-year-old and promising to deliver a title before James wins one.

He called James’ decision “cowardly” and later told The Associated Press he believes James quit during a handful of Cavaliers playoff games.

Jackson said Gilbert’s comments “personify a slave master mentality” and the owner should face a “challenge” from the league.

“If a player or coach were to demean a referee in that way, they’d be fined or suspended,” Jackson told Local 4 on Monday.

“There should be an apology, No. 1. No. 2, there should be some fine for it,” Jackson said.

Messages were left Sunday night seeking comment from Gilbert, the Cavaliers, James and the NBA. SOURCE

To stay updated on all Labron News News click here…

Breaking News: Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner Dead at 80

CoCo Brother — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 17:14:56 +0000

Famed New York Yankees Owner George Steinbrenner died around 6:30 A.M. after suffering a massive heart attack.

Steinbrenner, who relinquished his duties as the Yankees day-to-day chief operator due to poor health, was rushed to a hospital according to WABC-TV late last night in Tampa, Florida.

“The Boss,” as the press coined him for his colorful comments, intimidating aura, and aggressive pursuit of free agents, was one of the most storied owners in sports history. He led the Yankees to 11 American League Pennants and seven World Series titles in his 35 year tenure. When he purchased the franchise for $8.8 million in 1973, many believed the franchise was destined to go nowhere. But the kid from Ohio launched the Yankees into a national powerhouse whose franchise value is now in the billions.

This is a breaking news story. Please refresh for further updates.

read full story

article courtesy NewsOne.com

Majority Of Americans Losing Faith In Obama

CoCo Brother — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 16:11:23 +0000

From WashingtonPost.com:

Public confidence in President Obama has hit a new low, according to the latest Washington Post-ABC News poll. Four months before midterm elections that will define the second half of his term, nearly six in 10 voters say they lack faith in the president to make the right decisions for the country, and a clear majority once again disapproves of how he is dealing with the economy.

Regard for Obama is still higher than it is for members of Congress, but the gap has narrowed. About seven in 10 registered voters say they lack confidence in Democratic lawmakers and a similar proportion say so of Republican lawmakers.

Continued.…

Stay updated on all Obama News and White House Updates here…