Dream In Soul – Creativity for the Kingdom:

To Save A Life is a powerful film from New Song Pictures that recently premiered in select theaters around the nation, and is getting positive reviews. The movie’s tagline is “Some People Are Just Dying to Be Heard,” and the plot is based around the social lives of teens, mainly the primary character Jake, and how prevalent and real the issues of depression and suicide are today. The story has a great message of faith that shows the impact of spreading compassion to others who are hurting. Check out the trailer below:

Plot Summary: Jake Taylor has it all: friends, fame, a basketball scholarship and the hottest girl in school. What could be better?

Enter Roger Dawson. Roger has nothing. No friends. No hope. Nothing but putdowns and getting pushed aside. Things couldn’t get worse…could they? Jake and Roger were best friends when they were kids. But the politics of high school quickly pulled them apart. Now Roger doesn’t fit in Jake’s—or anyone’s circle—and he’s had enough. He walks onto campus with a gun in his pocket and pain in his heart and makes a tragic move.

Jake’s last-ditch effort can’t stop Roger, and the sudden tragedy rocks Jake’s world. Something breaks loose inside and sends him questioning everything. Most of all, he can’t shake the question, Could I have saved Roger? In a quest for answers, Jake finds himself looking for the next Roger and reaching out to the outcasts and lonely. But he quickly finds that crossing class castes threatens all his world is built on. And it could cost him his own friends, his girl, his dreams and even his reputation. Is it worth the price to find the answer to his ultimate question: What do I want my life to be about? (Summary from Tosavealifemovie.com)

To Save a Life looks like a heart-moving film for everyone to be inspired by. Not only has it been getting great reviews for it’s content and quality, the movie’s website also shares testimonies of people who were changed after watching it- one even of a person who had once attempted suicide. To learn more about the film and to find theaters near you where it is playing visit www.ToSaveALifeMovie.com.

Below Randy Wayne, the actor who plays Jake the main character of the film, shares his thoughts on what he hopes the movie portrays:

The David Crowder*Band recently spoke to the philanthropy organization Causecast about some of their views on the mechanics of social change and leveraging the arts to address the current climate of the world. In the interview they also touched on challenges music artists face today, and of course Twitter. The interview is really candid and interesting, and was part of Causecast’s series with influential musicians, aimed at asking them questions about relevant issues that might not come up in other interviews, and to inspire others to take steps of change. You can read the entire article on Causecast.org: The David Crowder* Band On The Mechanics Of Change.

Some highlights from the interview:

“…Because as artists, you’re shaped and moved by the culture you’re breathing in and out, so it naturally pops into your art you’re making, but at the same time, if we could think critically about where we are, and about the platforms that we’ve been given, then there’s an opportunity to say a whole lot to people who listen to you and who care about what you think about, what you believe in…”

Thanks to Marina from Causecast for sharing this link.

As those in Haiti cry out for help, it’s amazing to see the outpouring of love and unity to come to their aid. Recently the Gospel music community came together to record a tribute song, “Are You Listening.” Kirk Franklin rallied up artists such as CeCe Winans, BeBe Winans, Yolanda Adams, Mary Mary, Donnie McClurkin, Shirley Caesar, Fred Hammond, Smokie Norful, Marvin Sapp, Karen Clark Sheard, Natalie Grant, Jeremy Camp and many others, to record the song he wrote for Haiti eight years ago.

The proceeds of the song will be donated to Unicef and other charities to help with relief efforts in the rebuilding of communities.

The Gospel Music Channel premiered the video in a one hour special presentation on Friday before the airing of the global “Hope for Haiti Now” telethon. If you missed it you can watch the encore of the special on Saturday, Jan. 23 at 6:00 p.m. (ET). There will also be an exclusive “A Love Song for Haiti: The Making of ‘Are You Listening’” behind-the-scenes special in February.

“Are You Listening” is now available for purchase at www.verityrecords.com. The single will also be available next week on iTunes after January 30 at Wal-Mart and other major retailers. Do your part in sending love to Haiti with your continued donations and prayers.

Below is the music video for the song, (it is really beautiful and moving):

“All the artists associated with the project donated their talent and gifts for this project. This initiative is so important because while we are asking America to give we know that many are giving sacrificially. The people of Haiti are very spiritual people with an unwavering faith and belief in God and still count The Lord as the main source and provider. We will continue to pray and stand with them. We hope this song will bring much needed support and awareness in an effort to raise funds in the near and long-term future.”
– Kirk Franklin, who produced the song “Are You Listening.”

Dr. Martin Luther King: Continuing the Legacy and the Dream

He dreamed of unity, of communities of people – of every color and creed – working, living and serving together. Today as we celebrate the birthday of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., let’s not forget what he stood for, what he walked and fought for – and how we can continue the dream today.

As brothers and sisters in Haiti are in holding on to what ribbons of hope they have left, let’s paint strokes of that dream, and show them the brotherhood and service that God calls us to, the kind Dr. King spoke of in several of his speeches.

Visit CNN to learn more ways to help Haiti today. Here’s another way to contribute to supplies for rescue teams, via @ShaunKing.

Everybody can be great, because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.”
– Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

Continue reading for a tribute to Dr. King
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This week thousands of lives were lost, buildings destroyed and many injured and in desperate need of aid. As we’re all hearing of and seeing the devastation in Haiti after a 7.0 magnitude earthquake, I want to encourage you to both pray and send your support to help those affected. This news is very close to my heart, as I have several family members there and I know many others that are trying to find and contact love ones and make sense out of confusion. Let’s pray for peace in the hearts that are hurting and put action and love behind our faith.

How You Can Help:

Donate by texting “HAITI” to 90999. A $10 donation will be charged to your cell phone bill that will go to the Red Cross. It’s quick and easy, every bit helps. Or text “YELE” to 501501 to donate $5 to the Yele Foundation, founded by music artist Wyclef Jean. You can also visit www.redcross.org or www.yele.org to donate larger amounts. Other reputable organizations you can donate to include: Samaritan’s Purse, World Vision, Compassion International, Unicef.

“I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.” Matthew 25:36