Dream In Soul – Creativity for the Kingdom:

God’s Love Letter to Us and Inspiration From Kirk Franklin and CeCe Winans

"Love" by Kirk Franklin and CeCe Winans

I love the song above, and how it delves into the meaning of love, and how God loves us. What is love and how does God call us to love? Here are some notes from the Bible about what is more than just a four-letter word:

Let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. Whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love. This is how God showed his love among us: He sent his one and only Son into the world that we might live through him. This is love: not that we loved God, but that he loved us and sent his Son as an atoning sacrifice for our sins. Dear friends, since God so loved us, we also ought to love one another. No one has ever seen God; but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us.

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Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 1 Corinthians 13
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"A new command I give you: Love one another, As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." — John 13:34
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“There is no fear in love. But perfect love drives out fear, because fear has to do with punishment. The one who fears is not made perfect in love.”- 1 John 4:18 
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I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine." Song of Solomon 6:3

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God shows His love to us all throughout the Bible. The video below called The Father ‘s Love Letter shows us just how much God loves us. It is a love letter from God, created from verses in the Bible, and tells the truth of how much God loves us. I first saw it TBN a few years ago, and a while back when one of my professors had us read a spiritual piece we enjoyed to the class, I shared it with my classmates.

The video was narrated by Roy Lamont and written by Barry Adams. Visit author’s site Fathersloveletter.com for more information.

 

Prayer: Lord, I love you! Let me learn the true meaning of love and let me bask in Your presence and Love each day. Allow me to focus on You, so You can show me how I am to love others.

Da T.R.U.T.H. and Kirk Franklin on 106 & Park Presents Generation Gospel.

Don’t miss 106 & Park Presents Generation Gospel on Sunday, January 25th, at 12:00pm ET. The guests will include Da Truth, Kirk Franklin as well as JJ Hairston and Youthful Praise.

Also, in the evening is the big premiere of Celebration of Gospel, at 8:00pm ET. Hosted by veteran comedian, actor and radio personality Steve Harvey, who has hosted all 9 celebrations in the past, it will feature appearances by Mary Mary, Kirk Franklin, Dr. Bobby Jones, Vickie Winans, Pastor Shirley, LL Cool J, Trin-i-tee 5:7, 21:03, and more! Visit the Celebration of Gospel website for behind the scenes photos and more!

The Bible says in Matthew 5:16: “Even so let your light shine before men; that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”

One of the features of DreaminSoul.com will be special “Spotlights” of artists, especially young artists, who are using their talents to glorify God and to motivate people of all ages. These artists aren’t focused on placing the spotlight on themselves, but they use their gifts to shine a light upward to put the focus on God.

As a prelude of the “Spotlights” feature this post is dedicated to the contemporary gospel group 21:03. The group consists of three talented young men, Torrence Greene, Evin Martin, and Jor’el Quinn, who minister to the world through a combination of soulful singing, energetic dance and unique life experiences. The group was brought together by the hit-producing team PAJAM (Paul “pda” Allen, J. Moss, and Walter Kearney), on January 21, 2003, and that date is the inspiration the name 21:03 arose from. Since today is the anniversary of their founding, let’s go down the list of why 21:03 shines:

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21. 21:03TV

The group’s online “reality tv” show is entertaining and inspiring! They take us into their world of rehearsals, photo shoots, and Gospel events, and each episode lets us get to know the guys a little more.

Watch their latest episodes at the 2009 Stellar Awards, that took place on January 17:

 

 

20. They Are REALLY Talented – and Anointed!

From delivering velvety and moving harmonies that draw others to God, to getting crowds hype and moving with their high-energy dancing – these guys are really blessed and bless others through their unique ministry. Talent is plenty in the world, but talent and anointing is priceless.

 

19. “Total Attention” Is Hot!

Every track on 21:03’s sophomore album is unique, memorable, and enjoyable. Featuring a blend of smooth meaningful melodies, and high-energy beats, with an indescribable combination of R&B and hip-hop with a dash of traditional Gospel, these guys are paving a distinctive path in Gospel music. They give an alternative to all the negativity we are bombarded with each day. The album was also listed as one of the Top 10 Albums of 2008 on the Gospel Music Channel. You can listen to clips of the songs below!

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Not Easily Broken, the movie based on Bishop T.D. Jakes‘ book of the same title, comes to theaters on January 9th, 2009. The uplifting drama stars Morris Chestnut and Taraji P. Henson, and tells the story of a husband and wife’s struggle to keep their marriage together when life’s situations press upon them. I’m really excited to see the film, and am sure anything produced by Bishop Jakes will be inspiring and moving!

Here’s part of the plot summary from the movie’s website:

Chronicling the story of one couple’s love, loss and ultimate faith in one another, “Not Easily Broken” follows the lives of Dave (Morris Chestnut) and Claire (Taraji P. Henson) Johnson in their second decade of marriage. Dave’s dreams of major league baseball success were dashed by an injury in college, leading him to a steady but unfulfilling career as the head of a small construction firm. Clarice is basking in the glow of real estate stardom, creating a life that revolves around her rise to the top. She has become blind to Dave’s needs, the most important being his desire to become a father and start a family with her.

They face a total disruption in their lives when a car crash seriously injures Clarice, whose meddling
mother, Mary (Jennifer Lewis), blames Dave for her daughter’s leg injuries and derailed career. Help comes in the form of kind-hearted physical therapist and single morn Julie Sawyer (Maeve Quinlan), whose son Bryson (Cannon Jay) is coached by Dave and his pals Brock (Eddie Cibrian) and Tree (Kevin Hart) in Little League baseball. Though Clarice is helped by Julie’s care, she becomes concerned that her constant criticism of Dave has pushed her husband away possibly into the arms of the empathetic Julie. Soon Dave and Clarice must face a married couple’s most serious questions: are we really meant to be together, and if we are, how do we fight to keep what we have built as man and wife?

To learn more about the movie, cast, and more, click here to visit the website.

Pam Perry, president of Ministry Marketing Solutions and founder of the Chocolate Pages Show and Network, did an interesting interview with Morris Chestnut about his role in the movie. You can see the video of the interview below:

“Not Easily Broken” Interview with Morris Chestnut – Host Pam Perry, Chocolate Pages

Stellar Gospel Music Awards – Saturday, Jan 17, 2009,
Grand Ole Opry House, Nashville, TN

This year’s Stellar Awards will be hosted by comedian Sinbad and Dorinda Clark-Cole. Also announced are some of the confirmed performers for the star-studded awards show, which include Deitrick Haddon, Heather Headley, Mary Mary, Tye Tribbett, Dionne Warwick, and gospel rapper Da’ T.R.U.T.H..

The Stellar Awards will be honoring the following artists with special awards this year. The James Cleveland Lifetime Achievement Award will be given to Daryl Coley, the Thomas Dorsey Most Notable Achievement will be awarded to Vickie Winans, and the Ambassador Dr. Bobby Jones Award will be given to The Rance Allen Group. Each of these artists will recieve a special tribute during the Stellar Awards celebrations in January 2009.
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