Dream In Soul – Creativity for the Kingdom:

Blair Wingo of the Passion for Christ Movement, a youth and young adult church/movement located in Los Angeles, recites her powerful, original poem, “Don’t Add On,” and gives her testimony in the poem “All My Devotion Was Emotion.” In her poems, Wingo always tells it like it is, never tip-toeing around issues in the church, and conveying the meaning of a true relationship with God.

Picks & Clicks is a new series on Dream in Soul that features great selections of positive Christian media & resources. Check out the Picks & Clicks for this week which include Vessel Vibe Magazine, Gospel artist Kari Jobe, Gospel news site GospelPundit.com, the latest album fron Hillsong, and the urban Christian fiction novel Testing Relationships by Brittney Holmes.

Christian Fiction: Testing Relationships by Brittney Holmes

Testing Relationships chronicles the lives of young adults who face difficult everyday situations, like infidelity and temptation, while struggling to maintain their walks with God. This book provides a gripping story and is great alternative to all of the overly racy and graphic urban novels out there. What’s most impressive is that Holmes, now in college, wrote the book while a senior in high school, and her books (she has three books published) have become Essence Magazine bestsellers. Holmes says she’s inspired most by her mother, national bestselling author, Kendra Norman-Bellamy. You can read a sample of the book here and buy it online. Visit Brittney Holmes’ website to learn more.

Gospel Artist: Kari Jobe

Kari Jobe is an international worship leader and songwriter out of Dallas, Texas. Her devotion to bringing the hearts of people to the heart of God, and her candid perspective on worship allow her to connect to people through her beautiful music. Watch this interview of how she describes her role as a worship leader, and listen to clips from her self-titled worship album. (I especially love "Revelation Song" and "I’m Singing"). Visit Kari Jobe on Youtube, on Twitter, on Myspace, Facebook, or her official website www.karijobe.com.

Gospel News Site: Gospel Pundit

Gospelpundit.com is one of the premiere places to get your Gospel music news. The site’s founder, EJ Gaines, provides a candid and down-to-earth inside look at all things Gospel through interviews, industry guest bloggers, reviews, and more. The site recently launched a Gospel industry TwitterRoll, the Pundit Player with exclusive previews of artist albums, and is continually rolling out other innovative features and discussions. Check it all out at www.gospelpundit.com.

Magazine:VesselVibe.com

Vessel Vibe is an edgy urban Christian e-magazine with topics ranging from fashion, entertainment, ministry and lifestyle. The site also has real discussions that delve into various issues without sugarcoating them, and enlightening interviews with Christian rap artists such as The Ambassador, Da T.R.U.T.H., FLAME, and iroCc Williams. Head over to VesselVibe.com.

Music Album: [a_CROSS//the_EARTH] Tear Down The Walls by Hillsong United

Every album from Hillsong Church seems to be filled with worship music that speaks to the heart of people of every background and creed. The songs on this new album, their latest live recording since 2006, are sure to become classic anthems of faith as past ones from Hillsong. Some of the songs have more of a fast-paced rock flavor then on previous albums, but there’s still that intimate atmosphere about every track, making you feel as if you’re part of the worship experience. You can listen to samples of the tracks below. Visit Hillsong United at the website, www2.hillsong.com/united

There are many breeds of Christian t-shirts and apparel, and some that stand out among others because they are truly meaningful and unique. You can make a bold statement and represent your faith fashionably in the apparel of some of these Kingdom-minded entrepreneurs:

The show (formerly known as) 106 & Gospel had a segment a few months ago with the young founders of the AbsoluTruth clothing line. The clothing line is comprised of fashionable jeans with a scripture of wisdom stitched on the right back pocket. Each scripture (from the book of Proverbs) is aimed at enlightening and encouraging.

Some of the verses include Proverbs 11:30, The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise, and Proverbs 10:16 – The labor of the righteous leads to life, the wages of the wicked to sin.

The company states their purpose is "to help encourage Christians and help them boldly profess the gospel of Jesus Christ… Our vision is to be nationally known as a Christ based clothing line that helps progress the kingdom through influence and who gives Christians a clothing line that can match their life style. Our ultimate goal is to win souls for Christ."

To find out more about AbosoluTruth and to purchase the jeans, visit www.absolutruth.com.

Copyright 2009 JesusBranded

JesusBranded is a t-shirt company that unleashes artistic and profound apparel. The company has been around since 2005, and was founded by two young entrepreneurs and artists, Salil Jain and Sam Franada, while they were in college. Through the company’s thesis "Unpackaging Christianity," they hope to "become people branded not necessarily by a denomination, a modern church, or a new social movement, but instead branded by Jesus and our unique and personal relationships with him."

The designs at JesusBranded are far from being cookie-cutter – they are extremely unique and each is released with a deep story behind it. For example, the cool "Maverick" shirt with the bird above was inspired by a personal experience of one of the founders and the Bible passages Psalms 55 and Psalms 91.

The JesusBranded blog has creative features and ignites discussions about faith. The company has also designed shirts for other ministries and charities such as this shirt in gospel artist Steven Curtis Chapman’s estore.

Formerly an e-store full of several t-shirt designs, the unique company now releases new $10 shirts on Tuesdays and Thursdays, but they’re only available for less than 48 hours after they debut. On their site the founders say they function this way now to become more manageable and to make each of the designs and messages on their t-shirts more meaningful.

To find out more about JesusBranded and how you can purchase their shirts, visit their website at www.jesusbranded.com, join their Facebook group, or follow them on Twitter.

This song carries so much power, of the things God has done and what has yet to come. From Chris Tomlin’s album “Hello Love”. Video by Nick Lanciaux.

Here’s a conference that might interest those who want to utilize their creative abilities for the Kingdom.

The Merge Summit LA is a conference designed to inspire and empower men and women of faith desiring to do business in the areas of arts and media. The summit will take place from Thursday, August 20, 2009 to Saturday, August 22 in Los Angeles, CA. Conference attendees will learn from and network with leaders in the entertainment world. Some of the confirmed presenters from the website, www.themergesummit.com, include:

Suzanne DePasse, Felicia Henderson, DeVon Franklin, James DuBose, Regina King, Reina King, Tasha Smith, Vivica A. Fox, Mary Mary, Brad Siegel, Larry Blackwell, Vicki Mack-Lattillade, Rodney Jerkins, Warryn Campbell, Tara Griggs-Magee, Monica Bacon

As well as top executives from Columbia Pictures, Paramount Pictures, ABC Networks, Lionsgate, TV-One, BET Networks, EMI Gospel, Gospel Music Channel among many others.

The conference, hosted by Founder Dr. Holly Carter of Relevé Entertainment, and Co-Chairperson Robi Reed, is “designed to bring together talented Christians who desire to enter or those already actively involved in aspects of entertainment i.e. actors, directors, music producers, musicians, singers, television producers, filmmakers, writers, and executives in the entertainment industry. Conference attendees will interact in a thought provoking and career inspiring setting to glean from the well known entertainment executive roaster. Attendees will walk away with information that will empower them in their individual fields of pursuit.”

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