tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-23608463465724797792024-03-13T20:27:47.284-07:00Power:Pearls of Wisdom for Everyday ReviewBishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360846346572479779.post-24220333234004483562010-04-23T11:54:00.000-07:002010-04-23T13:34:10.273-07:00Blogging Etiquette<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Trebuchet MS', serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(64, 70, 75); line-height: 18px; "><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; ">As Christians it is always important for us to consider the things we say, how we say them, and what message is being portrayed. So to keep with that, Here are some <a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2010/04/21/on-blogging/">questions </a>to keep in mind before you comment and hit "post" on a blog. </p><ul style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 15px; margin-left: 35px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; "><li style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; ">Is this comment gracious? (<a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/esv/Col.%204.6" class="lbsBibleRef" target="_blank" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; color: rgb(150, 20, 2); text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer; ">Col. 4:6</a>)</li><li style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; ">Is this comment seasoned with salt? (<a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/esv/Col.%204.6" class="lbsBibleRef" target="_blank" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; color: rgb(150, 20, 2); text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer; ">Col. 4:6</a>)</li><li style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; ">Is this comment corrupting? (<a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/esv/Eph.%204.29" class="lbsBibleRef" target="_blank" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; color: rgb(150, 20, 2); text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer; ">Eph. 4:29</a>)</li><li style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; ">Is this comment seeking to build up the church for good? (<a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/esv/Eph.%204.29" class="lbsBibleRef" target="_blank" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; color: rgb(150, 20, 2); text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer; ">Eph. 4:29</a>)</li><li style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; ">Is this comment intended to give grace to those who read it? (<a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/esv/Eph.%204.29" class="lbsBibleRef" target="_blank" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; color: rgb(150, 20, 2); text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer; ">Eph. 4:29</a>)</li><li style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; ">Is this comment fitting and appropriate? (<a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/esv/Eph.%204.29" class="lbsBibleRef" target="_blank" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; color: rgb(150, 20, 2); text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer; ">Eph. 4:29</a>)</li><li style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; ">Is this comment true? Is this comment written in love? (<a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/esv/Eph.%204.15" class="lbsBibleRef" target="_blank" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; color: rgb(150, 20, 2); text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer; ">Eph. 4:15</a>, <a href="http://bible.logos.com/passage/esv/Eph%204.25" class="lbsBibleRef" target="_blank" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; color: rgb(150, 20, 2); text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer; ">25</a>)</li></ul><blockquote style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 50px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 50px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 10px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; "></blockquote><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; ">2) Speaking of blogging: the Band of Bloggers gathering at T4G was captured on <a href="http://timmybrister.com/2010/04/17/2010-band-of-bloggers-rewind-youtube-clips/" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; color: rgb(150, 20, 2); text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer; ">video</a> and<a href="http://timmybrister.files.wordpress.com/2010/04/band-of-blog-2010.mp3" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; color: rgb(150, 20, 2); text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer; ">audio</a>.</p><p style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 13px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; ">3) Still speaking of blogging, Dan Phillips has some good advice on <a href="http://bibchr.blogspot.com/2010/04/on-blogging-philosophy-etiquette.html" style="padding-top: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; margin-top: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; outline-width: 0px; outline-style: initial; outline-color: initial; color: rgb(150, 20, 2); text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer; ">blogging philosophy, etiquette, and strategery</a>.</p></span>Bishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360846346572479779.post-57009149413437270692010-03-30T11:31:00.000-07:002010-03-30T14:22:26.371-07:00His Last Seven Words--Antoinette R. Banks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/S7JPNrB2bpI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/H3NdlyBe31U/s1600/crown-of-thorns-in-a-corner1.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 400px; height: 300px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/S7JPNrB2bpI/AAAAAAAAAFQ/H3NdlyBe31U/s400/crown-of-thorns-in-a-corner1.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454509195006471826" /></a><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="color:#0000EE;"><u><br /></u></span></div><br /><br /><br /><p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:13px;"></span></span></p><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;font-size:100%;"><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal"><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman"; font-family:";font-size:10.0pt;color:black;">Here are the:</span><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;color:black;"> </span><b><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:10.0pt;color:black;">Seven Last Words of Jesus</span></b><span style="font-size:10.0pt;mso-bidi-font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:11.0pt;color:black;"> </span><span style="font-family:"Trebuchet MS","sans-serif";mso-fareast-font-family: "Times New Roman";mso-bidi-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:10.0pt;color:black;">as recorded in the Gospel from Luke to John.</span><span style=" font-family:"Georgia","serif";mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:30.0pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;"><o:p> </o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:30.0pt;margin-bottom: 0in;margin-left:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">1. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2023:34&version=NIV"><span style="color:blue;">Luke 23:34 (New International Version)</span></a></span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in;line-height:normal;mso-outline-level:2"><span style=" font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">Jesus said, "<i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing.”</i><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-outline-level:2"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">2. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2023:43&version=NIV"><span style="color:blue;">Luke 23:43 (New International Version)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;text-indent: .5in;line-height:normal;mso-outline-level:2"><span style=" font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">Jesus answered him, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">"I tell you the truth, today you will be with me in paradise."</i><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-outline-level:2;tab-stops:390.0pt"><b><span style=" font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman"; font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;"><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span><br />3. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2019:26-27&version=NIV"><span style="color:blue;">John 19:26-27 (New International Version)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;mso-outline-level: 2"><b><sup><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">26</span></sup></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">When Jesus saw his mother there, and the disciple whom he loved standing nearby, he said to his mother, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">"Dear woman, here is your son,"</i> <b><sup>27</sup></b>and to the disciple, <i style="mso-bidi-font-style:normal">"Here is your mother."</i> From that time on, this disciple took her into his home.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-outline-level:2"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;"><br />4.a <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Matthew%2027:46&version=NIV"><span style="color:blue;">Matthew 27:46 (New International Version)</span></a><o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;mso-outline-level: 2"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">About the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "<i>Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani?</i>"—which means, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-outline-level:2"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;"><br />4. b <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=mark%2015:34&version=NIV"><span style="color:blue;">Mark 15:34 (New International Version</span></a> <o:p></o:p></span></b></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;mso-outline-level: 2"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">And at the ninth hour Jesus cried out in a loud voice, "<i>Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani</i>?"—which means, "<i>My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"</i><b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-outline-level:2"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">5. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2019:28&version=NIV"><span style="color:blue;">John 19:28 (New International Version)</span></a></span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif";mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;"><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;mso-outline-level: 2"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">Later, knowing that all was now completed, and so that the Scripture would be fulfilled, Jesus said, "<i>I am thirsty</i>.”<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-outline-level:2"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;"><br />6. <a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=John%2019:30&version=NIV"><span style="color:blue;">John 19:30 (New International Version)</span></a><br /></span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><span style="mso-tab-count:1"> </span>When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "<i>It is finished</i>." With that, he bowed his head <span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-outline-level:2"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;"><span style="mso-spacerun:yes"> </span>and gave up his spirit.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-outline-level:2"><b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;"><br />7</span></b><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">.<sup> </sup><b><a href="http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Luke%2023:46&version=NIV"><span style="color:blue;">Luke 23:46 (New International Version)</span></a><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-top:0in;margin-right:0in;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:.5in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height:normal;mso-outline-level: 2"><span style="font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-Times New Roman";font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;color:black;">Jesus called out with a loud voice, "<i>Father, into your hands I commit my spirit.</i>" When he had said this, he breathed his last.<b><o:p></o:p></b></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style="line-height:115%;Times New Roman","serif"font-family:";font-size:12.0pt;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p></span><p></p> <p class="bquote" style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:30.0pt;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:30.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><o:p></o:p></p>Bishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360846346572479779.post-87420512523658501522010-03-30T10:50:00.001-07:002010-03-30T14:22:51.336-07:00Holy Week--Antoinette R. Banks<div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:0in;margin-bottom:.0001pt;line-height: normal;mso-outline-level:2"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">This week marks Holy Week that was kicked off with an amazing sermon by Bishop Charles E. Blake titled, </span></span><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><i>When You Have to Do What You Don’t Want to Do</i>. </span></span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">M</span></span><span class="apple-style-span"><span style="line-height: 115%; "><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">any Christian churches observe Holy Week as time to commemorate and reenact the suffering and death of Our Savior leading up to His resurrection through various observances and services of worship.</span></span></span></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;"><o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:9.75pt;line-height:13.5pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">Something you might find useful </span></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">while reflecting God’s love and the ultimate sacrifice so that we might have life are Google Earth’s attempt to show the locations of the major events (to the best of their knowledge) along with descriptions and biblical passages describing those events. <o:p></o:p></span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-bottom:9.75pt;line-height:13.5pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:arial;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:medium;">The image is from Google Map. <a href="http://maps.google.com/maps?q=http://www.esv.org/assets/blog/2008.03.passion.week.kml&t=k">Click here</a>, and then click on each letter to the left to see a summary of the events for each day.</span></span><o:p></o:p></p> <p class="bquote" style="margin-top:5.0pt;margin-right:30.0pt;margin-bottom:0in; margin-left:30.0pt;margin-bottom:.0001pt"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family:'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;font-size:100%;color:#800080;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size:12px;"><br /></span></span></p></div><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 175px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/S7I9DAFGyGI/AAAAAAAAAEw/JFSslC-XRVA/s320/2008.03.passion.week.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5454489220469409890" /><div><p class="MsoNormal">To keep in conjunction with Holy Week, we will be streaming our Good Friday service at 12:00PM on <a href="http://webtv.westa.org/live">WebTV</a>.</p></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Bishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360846346572479779.post-36008622261928045342010-02-11T17:45:00.000-08:002010-03-30T11:13:18.735-07:00Is the Internet the Devil?!?!? --Antoinette R. Banks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/S3Sy_90nsfI/AAAAAAAAAEA/-xE4w8pBj8Q/s1600-h/Pray_To_The_Above.jpg"><img style="float:left; margin:0 10px 10px 0;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/S3Sy_90nsfI/AAAAAAAAAEA/-xE4w8pBj8Q/s320/Pray_To_The_Above.jpg" border="0" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5437167462139802098" /></a><br /><div>With the web team hitting 74 countries and and all 50 states while utilizing the tools of technology as a means to evangelize, edify, and equip the world, it is safe to say that the internet is not the devil!!You’d be surprised at the many comments we receive on a continuous basis on how technology is evil. </div><div><br /></div><div>Here are a few of our received comments:</div><div><br /></div><div>Statement: “The internet takes time away from my bible reading”</div><div><br /></div><div>Answer: “We can introduce to an online bible that gives you the advantages of reading or listening to the bible while taking and sharing notes at the same time. That online bible is called <a herf="“http://www.youversion.com/”">youversion</a></div><div><br /></div><div>Statement: “There are too many pornographic sites that inhibit me from communicating with other saints. </div><div><br /></div><div>Answer: “Let us introduce you to our <a herf="“http://webtv.westa.org/live/”">WebTv page Live</a> </div><div>Where saints can chat live from all over the world while watching the stream of our Bishop, Charles E. Blake using a service called <a herf="“http://www.coveritlive.com/”">Coveritlive</a>.</div><div><br /></div><div>Statement: "The internet takes away from my praying time."</div><div><br /></div><div>Answer: "We always encourage you to seek God and build your personal relationship! If you would like to utilize technology, let us introduce you to our <a herf="https://ww2.micahtek.com/nexolive/nPrayer.cfm?&VISIBLE=false&CFID=23383427&CFTOKEN=9046186">prayer requests page</a> where you have access to saints all over to join you in your prayer." <i>For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.</i> Matthew 18:20 (KJV)</div><div><br /></div><div>Keep us in your prayers as we continue to push the limits of technology for our evangelistic goals. If you'd like more technology tips visit our tech blog: <a herf="http://webtv.westa.org/blog/"> "The Tip Top of Tech Talk"</a> with our Web Master, Evan.</div>Bishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360846346572479779.post-426044671061539772010-02-09T18:04:00.000-08:002010-02-09T18:16:44.648-08:00Are You A Proverbs 31 Woman?--Antoinette R. Banks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/S3IWEuDVigI/AAAAAAAAAD4/R0AQyJNKWB4/s1600-h/prov31_10brown.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 304px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/S3IWEuDVigI/AAAAAAAAAD4/R0AQyJNKWB4/s320/prov31_10brown.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5436431970526923266" border="0" /></a><span style="">Women today have so many expectations placed on them! Some woman go to school, hold down a have a professional job, or stay home and take care of the family, but above all…the question remains, are you a woman after God’s own heart? Perhaps an insight is given in Proverbs 31.<span style=""> </span>Let's look at the verses of this scripture and see what we can glean from it.<o:p></o:p></span> <ol start="1" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><i style=""><span style="">Proverbs 31:10-12 "A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life." </span></i><span style=""><o:p></o:p></span><span style="">This woman is the wife of an elder in the city. She has a good reputation herself, bringing a good reputation to her family. She keeps her husband in mind for good things, and will not cause him problems.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ol> <ol start="2" type="1"><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="">Proverbs 31:13-16 "<i style="">She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard</i>." </span><span style="">She is a very capable and confident woman. She supplies the needs of her family, including food and clothes. She also has servant girls that help with the load. She treats them well. She has a good sense for business and makes her own money, and makes all investments.<br /><br /></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="">Proverbs 31:17-19 <i style="">"She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers."</i><br /><o:p></o:p></span><span style="">She is not lazy, and keeps in </span><span style="">good shape. She makes time to do things for her family.<br /><o:p></o:p></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="">Proverbs 31:20-25 <i style="">"She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come."</i> <o:p></o:p></span><span style=""><br />She is a caring person in that she helps those who are less fortunate. She cares for her family and makes sure that all their needs are met. She is a respected business woman. She has inner strength that gives her confidence in the days to come.<br /><br /></span></li><li class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><!--[if !supportLists]--><!--[endif]--><span style="">Proverbs 31:31<i style="">--"She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her </i></span><a style="font-style: italic;" href="http://www.ehow.com/children/"><span style="">children</span></a><span style="font-style: italic;"> </span><i style=""><span style="">arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.' Charm is deceptive, anis fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate."</span></i><span style=""> </span><span style=""><br />She is a wise woman and an encouraging word for anyone. Her wisdom comes from the Lord, whom she seeks continuously. She is encouraged by both her children and her husband.<o:p></o:p></span></li></ol> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle"><span style="line-height: 115%;"><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="line-height: normal;"><span style=""><o:p> </o:p></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="line-height: normal;"><span style="">Do you consider yourself a proverbs 31 woman? <o:p></o:p></span></p>Bishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360846346572479779.post-87432487208248727912010-02-05T11:34:00.001-08:002010-02-05T11:37:02.099-08:00Martial Arts as a Means to promote the Gospel<div>Take a look at what top pro blogger, Justin Taylor shares from Mike McKinley's view of using martial arts to draw people to the gospel:</div><div><br /></div><a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2010/02/05/jesus-didnt-come-to-help-you-get-in-touch-with-your-inner-mma-fighter/">Jesus Didn’t Come to Help You Get In Touch with Your Inner MMA Fighter</a><br /><br />Posted using <a href="http://sharethis.com/">ShareThis</a>Bishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360846346572479779.post-36620835542896433142010-01-21T22:23:00.000-08:002010-01-21T22:24:07.028-08:0037th Anniversary of Roe v. WadeToday is the 37th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s infamous decision, <em>Roe v. Wade</em>. See top blogger's Justin Taylor's interview with <a href="http://www.aul.org/Clarke_D_Forsythe">Clarke D. Forsythe</a>, J. D., Valparaiso University; M.A., bioethics, Trinity International University.<br /><br /><a href="http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2010/01/22/overturning-and-undermining-roe-v-wade-an-interview-with-clarke-forsythe/#comment-57050">Overturning and Undermining Roe v. Wade: An Interview with Clarke Forsythe – Justin Taylor</a>Bishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360846346572479779.post-86421266862384936852010-01-19T23:55:00.000-08:002010-01-19T23:56:20.241-08:00Bishop Blake Says: "Haiti, You Are Not Cursed"--Antoinette R. BanksThe Rev. Pat Robertson, on his CBN broadcast, offered his own explanation of the earthquake in Haiti:<br /><br /><object width="400" height="300"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/S5nraknWoes&hl=en_US&fs=1&"><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/S5nraknWoes&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="400" height="300"></embed></object><br /><br />"Something happened a long time ago in Haiti, and people might not want to talk about it," he said. "They were under the heel of the French ... and they got together and swore a pact to the devil. They said, 'We will serve you if you'll get us free from the French.'<br />"True story. And the devil said, 'OK, it's a deal,'" Robertson said. "Ever since, they have been cursed by one thing after another."<br /><br />If a televangelist comes on national television, with a following in the thousands, he or she ought to not offer insidious terminology about a country after a catastrophic natural disaster. How Pat Robertson knows such concrete terms of a demonic pack unless he had access to some ancient scroll in some private society somewhere is beyond me. (I’m not saying, I’m just saying).<br /><br />When Robertson, with all genius, chose to describe a country blighted by devastation, “cursed” what images come to mind? The word “cursed” invokes images of voodoo and magic deified by an ethnic group. Language in itself can be confusing—what is the purpose of using misguided words? Did the “curse” take effect by a post-Colonial debt that no Western nation ever had to endure?<br /><br />A free Haiti was hobbled economically from the start after not paying off their “independence debt” from France until 1947. After being defeated by Toussaint L’Ouverture, the French colonial powers who held Haiti demanded reparations in the form of 90 million gold francs for their freedom, (over $20 billion currently!) This ominous debt is what set the foundation for the massive poverty of the nation.<br /><br />The recycling of Haitian francs between the French and the US is what paved the way for the Louisiana Purchase—otherwise known as the Vente de la Louisiane. The purchase included 14 states and 2 Canadian provinces which astoundingly expanded and enriched the United States. On the other hand, if the money was kept in Haitian hands instead of being thrown away as “reparation” I envision a more prosperous land.<br /><br />What might have happened had the billions of dollars in gold not been exported out of Haiti but helped to build its infrastructure and education? What if the fallen buildings where built more sturdily, with earthquake defiant buildings, schools, and homes? What if Haiti was a country side with its forests intact ignorant to the term of deforestation? The current Haiti would have a substitute built on its hard-earned resources. A natural disaster could still strike, but the country would be equipped to survive nature’s blows and remain a land blessed by the fruits of the hard work of its people.<br /><br />The most encouraging phrase I could hear was Bishop Charles E. Blake’s heartening words, “HAITI YOU ARE NOT CURSED.”<br /><br />HT: FARAI!Bishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360846346572479779.post-16667382211505164932010-01-18T15:37:00.000-08:002010-01-18T15:40:45.300-08:00The Book of Eli<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/S1Txd-0faLI/AAAAAAAAACo/yOOYHPoWKBI/s1600-h/The+Book+of+Eli+movie+image+Denzel+Washington+%281%29a.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/S1Txd-0faLI/AAAAAAAAACo/yOOYHPoWKBI/s320/The+Book+of+Eli+movie+image+Denzel+Washington+%281%29a.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5428228948269951154" border="0" /></a><br />The first $80 million dollar budgetary movie, based on a Christian apocalyptic type themes was the first movie I ever heard Bishop Charles E. Blake say, “Go see this movie.” Since its release on January 15th the movie has grossed $38,020,000.<br /><br />Here’s the synopsis on <a href="http://us.vdc.imdb.com/title/tt1037705/">IMBD</a>:<br /><br />Eli (Denzel Washington) has been on a journey for 30 years, walking west across America after a cataclysmic war that turned the earth into a total wasteland. The world has become a lawless civilization where people must kill or be killed. The barren roads belong to gangs of cutthroats who rob and kill for water, a pair of shoes, a lighter, or just for fun. Eli is a peaceful man who only acts in self defense, and becomes a warrior with unbelievable killing skills when he is challenged. After the war and the "Big Flash,” Eli was guided by a higher power to a hidden book and given the task of protecting the book and taking it to its final destination. Eli guards the book with his life, because he knows that the book is the only hope that humanity has for its future.<br /><br />If you’ve seen the movie, write your review and tell us what you think.Bishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360846346572479779.post-66254085272180290312010-01-17T19:10:00.001-08:002010-01-17T19:10:56.166-08:00AtypicalAnecdote<a href=http://atypicalanecdote.blogspot.com/>AtypicalAnecdote</a><br /><br />Posted using <a href="http://sharethis.com">ShareThis</a>Bishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360846346572479779.post-68639283213159399772010-01-13T20:01:00.000-08:002010-01-13T20:44:06.464-08:00Bishop's Response to Haiti--Antoinette R. BanksOverwhelmed by the devastation that has hit the town and people of Haiti, our Bishop, Charles E. Blake has released a video statement and appeal:<br /><br /><object width="240" height="280"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/JME-_z4gXSU&hl=en_US&fs=1&"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><param name="allowscriptaccess" value="always"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/JME-_z4gXSU&hl=en_US&fs=1&" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowscriptaccess="always" allowfullscreen="true" width="240" height="280"></embed></object><br /><br />While President Obama has dispatched military troops and an air and sea flotilla, United Nation's financial contributions, Iraq's medical specialists, China's pledge, and a military reconnaissance team from Canada are collecting together, we want you to be a part and wield an impressive movement in the effort as well.<br /><br /><br />It is our desire to see relief sent to our brothers and sisters in Haiti and we, in agreement with Bishop, ask for you to <a href= "http://cogic.net/cogiccms/charities/events/">contribute</a> whatever amount God has put on your heart. Within each ripple of donation from the body of Christ, we will ultimately make a wave of an effect.<br /><br /><br />Please continue to uplift the people of Haiti for recovery in their bodies and minds from this incomprehensible tragedy.Bishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360846346572479779.post-14485661888423522522010-01-12T22:37:00.001-08:002010-01-12T22:52:07.489-08:00How to Argue Like Jesus--Antoinette R. BanksRevelant Magazine, a magazine geared towards, <i>"God. Life. And Progressive Culture"</i> often offer thought provoking reads. Contributors, John Coleman and Joe Carter, present an interesting write up on how stop your debates from becoming fights from a Christian perspective.<br /><br />Take a quick look and let us know what you think!<br /><br /><a href="http://www.relevantmag.com/life/relationship/features/19787-how-to-argue-like-jesus">RELEVANT Magazine - How to Argue Like Jesus</a>Bishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360846346572479779.post-22211337495169900852010-01-11T17:11:00.001-08:002010-01-11T17:14:11.369-08:00Great Online Bible! --Antoinette R. Banks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/S0vKgG6HvlI/AAAAAAAAACg/zLfo0MfXJtk/s1600-h/youversion.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/S0vKgG6HvlI/AAAAAAAAACg/zLfo0MfXJtk/s320/youversion.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5425652829056908882" /></a><br />Online Bible<br /><br />Looking for an exciting online Bible? The West Angeles Web Team recommends youversion, an innovative online Bible that enables community and collaboration like never before. As we are in a Web 2.0 world and embracing its ideologies, it’s safe to say that all we really want to do is connect, collaborate, and communicate. <br />YouVersion.com and YouVersion Mobile currently have 31 Bible Translations in 16 different languages!<br />Try it out and let us know what you think! We are always fascinated by technology and how believers can use it has an effective tool for growth and development in Christ. <br /><br /><br /><a href=http://www.youversion.com/>Genesis 1:1 ASV - YouVersion.com: Online Bible</a><br /><br />Posted using <a href="http://sharethis.com">ShareThis</a>Bishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360846346572479779.post-3057630920687800522010-01-11T15:09:00.001-08:002010-01-11T15:13:38.591-08:00He: Increase // Me: DecreaseJustin Taylor, one of the top Christian Blogger's, references a few brilliant quotes by Tullian Tchividjian. Take a moment to review. <br /><br /><br /><a href=http://thegospelcoalition.org/blogs/justintaylor/2010/01/09/he-increase-me-decrease/>He: Increase // Me: Decrease</a><br /><br />Posted using <a href="http://sharethis.com">ShareThis</a><br /><br /><br />HT: Taylor!Bishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360846346572479779.post-72544511930558613062010-01-08T22:03:00.000-08:002010-01-08T22:11:10.629-08:00Britt Hume Says, "Tiger Woods Needs Jesus Christ"<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/S0gd70z5NCI/AAAAAAAAACY/S3Q8e8DIvaE/s1600-h/oreilly_hume.jpg"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 313px; height: 200px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/S0gd70z5NCI/AAAAAAAAACY/S3Q8e8DIvaE/s320/oreilly_hume.jpg" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5424618664793551906" /></a><br />In an interview with Bill O'Reiley, Britt Hume expounds on his comment, "Tiger, turn to the Christian faith and you can be a great example for the world."<br /><br />After serving as managing editor at Fox New for over 30 years, Britt Hume retired over a year ago because he wanted to pursue his faith. Here's an excerpt from an interview he did with <i>The Hollywood Reporter </i> <br /><blockquote>I certainly want to pursue my faith more ardently than I have done. I’m not claiming it’s impossible to do when you work in this business. I was kind of a nominal Christian for the longest time. When my son died (by suicide in 1998), I came to Christ in a way that was very meaningful to me. If a person is a Christian and tries to face up to the implications of what you say you believe, it’s a pretty big thing. If you do it part time, you’re not really living it.</blockquote><br /><br />Although Hume has retired, he still serves as a Political Analyst. While many believe he isn't at the top of his game anymore, one thing is for sure--he's doing his job! Political analysts offer their insight, opinion and views on the topics at hand. As Deion Sanders once said on an NFL pregame show, “This game doesn’t matter. Both teams will be in the playoffs at the end of the season. But we will analyze it anyway. We are analysts. It’s what we do.” In Hume analysis, he encourages Tiger to step away from Buddhism and find true forgiveness in Jesus Christ. <br /><br />In Buddhism there is no God and personal mortality is followed by reincarnations after better or worse "rebirths" depending upon merit attained in previous lives. Buddhism's goal in the attainment of Nirvana or enlightenment. In Christianity, you do seek forgiveness and redemption from a higher being, something not offered in Buddhism.<br /><br />Some may disagree with what Britt Hume said, but those who seem to think he was falling off his game overall, Hume's analysis is much on point. <br /><br />Check out Britt Hume's commentary in an interview on the O'Reiley Factor! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_dCB-XUwocBishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360846346572479779.post-19095563708418739862010-01-04T00:38:00.000-08:002010-01-04T00:40:06.712-08:00Consecration--Antoinette Banks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/S0GpU1Amq5I/AAAAAAAAACQ/kk4zCVkMdXM/s1600-h/Concecration+blog.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 146px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/S0GpU1Amq5I/AAAAAAAAACQ/kk4zCVkMdXM/s320/Concecration+blog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5422801601622879122" border="0" /></a>
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Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin-top:0in; mso-para-margin-right:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">We invite you to partake with us in our consecration for the month of January.<span style=""> </span>We have an updated version of the consecration calendar with new scriptures and prayer focus geared to lead you to a successful consecration.<span style=""> </span><i><i>Consecrate yourselves, therefore, and be holy, for I am the Lord your God. Keep my statutes and do them; I am the Lord who sanctifies you. </i> (Leviticus 20:7-8)</i></p> <p class="MsoNormal">What I find so interesting about the above scripture is the sentence structure.<span style=""> </span>The adverb “therefore” modifies the transitive verb “consecrate” which is essentially telling the reader that if you consecrate yourself, if you dedicate yourself for a sacred purpose, if you irrevocably devout yourself to God, you will <i> therefore be ye holy, </i> in pleasing God, <i>for ‘He’ is holy</i>. (Leviticus<span style=""> </span>11:45)<span style=""> </span>It is our duty to consecrate! </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Please click the link below on West A’s website for the consecration calendar.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><a href="http://www.westa.org/images/2010consecrationcalendar.pdf">http://www.westa.org/images/2010consecrationcalendar.pdf</a></p> Bishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360846346572479779.post-34584042357256537302009-12-28T17:25:00.001-08:002009-12-28T17:26:40.158-08:00Christmas at the Cathedral---Antoinette R. Banks, Web Team<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/Szlau6WnuII/AAAAAAAAACI/loSla8eL0cg/s1600-h/WestAngeles.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 224px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/Szlau6WnuII/AAAAAAAAACI/loSla8eL0cg/s320/WestAngeles.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420463388501719170" border="0" /></a><br />On December 24th, The Sentinel released an article written by their Religion Editor, Niele Anderson, on the spiritually inspiring events here at West Angeles Church. Big props to our music department, director <b>Jason White</b>, and manager, <b>Jonathan E. Coleman </b>as they put on a momentous musical titled, “The Gift” about a father being reminded of what Christmas really is despite the drawbacks and downfalls of the harsh economic times.<br /><br />The <b>web team </b> also tips their hats to Mr. Anderson as he writes,<br /><blockquote> “Technology played a big role in this year’s celebration. With the east coast being snowed in, a lot of pastors and churches tuned into West Angeles’ weekly live broadcast of the 8AM and 11AM services at www.webtv.westa.org/live. The broadcast also gave viewers the opportunity to chat while watching service with believers from all over the world.”</blockquote><br /><br />As a member of the web team we strive to bring in the word of God through any and all technological means. If you are not in the Los Angeles area or unable to make it to our amazing and awe inspiring services, please tune into our <a href="http://webtv.westa.org/live/">live stream</a><br /><br />Don’t forget to pick up the article as the editorial piece is not available online. Please continue to keep us in your prayers as we strive to make movements in His name for His Kingdom!!Bishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360846346572479779.post-53586674069975307082009-12-28T00:33:00.000-08:002009-12-28T00:35:22.001-08:00How to Save Money--Antoinette R. Banks, web team<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/SzhtvnypPXI/AAAAAAAAACA/07byxmPqzaE/s1600-h/moneyblog.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/SzhtvnypPXI/AAAAAAAAACA/07byxmPqzaE/s320/moneyblog.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5420202816443071858" border="0" /></a><br />Many of us have completely broken the bank around this Holiday season. But if you are like me and you are looking for a few easy money saving tips for the new year, take a look below!<br /><br />1. Start Holiday Shopping Now!<br /><br />Now that the season is coming to an end, look for most of the décor in all of your favorite shops for half the price now! Put all of your new fabulous items in a climate controlled box till next season.<br /><br />2. Work off Extra Pounds from your grandmother’s Red Velvet Cake off the Smart Way!<br /><br />Instead of buying a membership, why not enroll into a junior college? While most are paying $20-$35 a month, you’ll be the smartie paying $20-$35 a year for a fitness class and all access to their student gym.<br /><br />3. Ghost Energy Wasters<br /><br />Many American’s turn their electronic devices off, however many forget that the flashing lights that come with the radio, or time clock in the dvd player actually use energy. A smart way to cut down on costs for the upcoming year would be to purchase a surge protector for less than $35 at your local hardware store—disabling the flow of power with on switch in the surge protector.<br /><br />4. Light up the Smart Way<br /><br />Compact fluorescent lights, (the ones that look all twisted up) can generally save a family $350 on their lighting bill by cutting down on the energy intake. It’s worth a try! <br /><br />5. Save Water<br /><br />Regular shower heads can release as much as 6 gallons per minute and some of the showerhead manufacturers have figured out how to let much less water through, but still feel like a lot. We encourage you to shop around at your local hardware stores to find a water saving showerhead. You could wind up reducing your energy costs of heating water and water consumption by 50 percent!<br /><br />6. Be Smart with Your Wardrobe<br /><br />Spend less money on the trendy items that won’t be in style long, and instead buy classic items that will last a long time. We encourage you not to buy clothes that only work for one outfit, but plan for several.<br /><br />7. Clean out the Clutter of 2009<br /><br />Instead of having a garage sale, try putting your items on eBay. Don’t be afraid, starting an account on eBay is simple! Take a few pictures and upload, you’ll be surprised by how many may think your trash is their treasure.<br /><br />8. Shop Around for Insurance<br /><br />Don’t stay in the same car insurance year after year. Do your research and look into what different car companies have to offer. You will be surprised how your insurance company competitor’s would be willing to offer you a less monthly premium.<br /><br />9. Shop Around in the Winter<br /><br />Most people who are in the market to buy homes tend to do so when the weather is nice for traveling and taking a look at various properties. Instead, try looking in the dead of winter! More likely you will be able to get a property for even less without too much competition.<br /><br />Proverbs 21:5 says: <i>The plans of the diligent lead to profit<br /> as surely as haste leads to poverty.</i><br /><br />We encourage you to post your easy saving money tips!Bishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360846346572479779.post-58389856388199003942009-12-14T18:14:00.000-08:002009-12-14T18:16:11.861-08:00What Are Your New Year's Resolutions? Antoinette Banks, Web Team<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/SybxWR_Ru3I/AAAAAAAAAB4/KHmUNg5IwFA/s1600-h/happy_new_year_fireworks.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 0pt 10px 10px; float: right; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/SybxWR_Ru3I/AAAAAAAAAB4/KHmUNg5IwFA/s320/happy_new_year_fireworks.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5415280967047822194" border="0" /></a><br />To most Americans, the beginning of a New Year is equivalent a new hope, a new vision, and a new beginning. From the Jewish perspective, a New Year represents man’s birth. We encourage you to focus on your motivation behind each of your goals.<br />The top five New Year’s Resolution are:<br /><br />1. Exercise More<br />2. Stop Drinking<br />3. Manage Money Better<br />4. Spend More Time with the Family<br />5. Quit Smoking<br /><br />In conjunction to the top five, many of us as Believers make resolutions to:<br /><br />1. Pray More<br />2. Read the Bible More<br />3. Consecrate<br />4. Attend Church on a Regular<br />5. Get Involved in Ministry<br /><br />These are all fantastic resolutions, but why is it that many resolutions, both spiritual and non-spiritual, <b>fail? </b> The answer is whether or not we have the right motivation and determination behind our goals.<br /><br />Try setting short term and long term goals. With each short term goal you reach, it becomes easier to achieve your long term goals. And if for some reason your goals are not reached, it is important not to sit in an obscure haze of frustration but to understand that every man <i>falls short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23)</i>. The vital action that supersedes all forms of self reflecting doubt is whether or not you will dust the cloud of guilt off and continue towards your aspirations. Isaiah 41:10 says <i> So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God, I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. </i> Also meditate on this verse, James 1:3 <i> because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. </i><br /><br />As this year is coming to an end, we want to know, what are your New Year’s Resolutions?Bishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360846346572479779.post-551795319021126902009-11-13T13:20:00.000-08:002009-11-13T13:24:42.724-08:00Beauty of Darkness--Antoinette R. Banks<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/Sv3ORKY4caI/AAAAAAAAABw/d3TQItEsQso/s1600-h/Planting.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 239px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/Sv3ORKY4caI/AAAAAAAAABw/d3TQItEsQso/s320/Planting.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403701922156278178" border="0" /></a><br /><br />What Paul writes to the Church of Corinthin 2 Corinthians 5:7 <i>“For we walk by faith and not by sight,”</i> is an example of a poetic paradox. For the unbeliever, Faith seems to be an absurd “idea,” but to the Believers Faith is essential; it is, in fact, poetic. As Believers we clutch onto our faith walking into the dark; as seeds to soil.<br /><br />In order for a seed to grow it must be plunged into the earth, covered in darkness. It is there, in the opaque since of isolation, where the seed begins to expand and roots form. Because Faith in its self is somewhat of a dark mystery, we must not be afraid of the dark, but meditate on the growth potential.<br />Within our quiet times at home when our best friend is unreachable, when you can’t turn on your computer to get on Facebook, when our neighbors won’t answer the door and after the dust has settled, it’s just you…in the dark, contemplating your situations--know that your Faith is what pulls you through.<br /><br /><i>Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen</i> (Hebrews 11:1). At the extremes we find truth and unlock the secrets of paradox. At the extremes we find our faith.Bishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360846346572479779.post-45792949595760393222009-11-11T22:00:00.000-08:002009-11-11T22:06:17.829-08:00God in Me---Antoinette R. Banks, member of the Web Team<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/SvulJbbgQ1I/AAAAAAAAABg/YcWE8auBOI0/s1600-h/knees.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 240px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/SvulJbbgQ1I/AAAAAAAAABg/YcWE8auBOI0/s320/knees.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403093759361565522" border="0" /></a>
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mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt; mso-para-margin-left:0in; line-height:115%; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>Many of us have heard the Gospel duo Mary Mary’s single, “It’s the God in Me.”<span style=""> </span>For some particular reason that song stayed wedged in my thoughts not because of the impressive beat, but because of the lyrics: </p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin-left: 0.5in;">But what they don't know is when you go home
<br />And get behind closed doors man you hit the floor
<br />And what they can't see is on your knees
<br />So the next time you get it just tell em—it’s the God in me. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">I began to remember what I was thankful for.<span style=""> </span>I began to remember what I battled against. I began to remember I served a living God that dwells on the inside of me. </p> <p class="MsoNormal">Elijah stood up against 400 prophets—but it wasn’t him, it was the God in him. Mary, a teenager chosen to birth a savior, but it wasn’t her, it was the God in her. Nehemiah rebuilt the walls of Israel—but it wasn’t him it was the God in him. Esther, called to be a wife and save her people from annihilation—but it wasn’t her, it was the God in her. Peter threw down his fisherman’s license to follow a savior—but it wasn’t him it was the God in him. Jesus, the begotten son, birthed so that we might have life—but it wasn’t him, it was the God in him.</p> <p class="MsoNormal">Most people do not know what you are going through.<span style=""> </span>They do not know that just last week you went to war against depression.<span style=""> </span>They didn’t know that you almost lost your job and didn’t know where your next meal was coming from.<span style=""> </span>They didn’t know that you a have loved in the hospital. That your spirit was grieved because you didn’t know if your child’s insurance covered her medical expenses.<span style=""> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal">But the next time someone knows your situation and they ask you, “why are you smiling, how can you laugh, how did you make it through the day?!?!?”<span style=""> </span>Let your spirit man rise up on the inside of you and say, IT’S THE GOD IN ME.</p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Be encouraged, stay blessed…rest assured that joy ALWAYS comes in the morning!<span style=""> </span></p> <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Bishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360846346572479779.post-77873686887593451602009-11-11T21:11:00.000-08:002009-11-11T21:13:18.215-08:00Praise!! Antoinette R. Banks, member of the Web Team<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/SvuZP-Pg-dI/AAAAAAAAABY/sqX_kmC-qFI/s1600-h/praise.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 286px; height: 320px;" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/SvuZP-Pg-dI/AAAAAAAAABY/sqX_kmC-qFI/s320/praise.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5403080677646203346" border="0" /></a><br />200-300 young adults religiously flock to West Angeles’ Theater every Tuesday night for bible study. In the theater, an intimate atmosphere is created specifically to worship and learn from Leaders Elder Manuel Thomas and Pastor Benjamin Stephens. Last night, Elder Manuel Thomas, affectionately called Elder Manny Fresh, ministered on the magnetic topic of praise.<br /><br />The foundational scripture of the evening was: Psalm 22:3 <i>“But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.</i><br /><br />Praising God allows us as Christians to magnify God from the inside. We, children created in His own image and likeness, were specifically made to honor Him; therefore, we must know that the inner instruments of our beings were specifically wired to praise God.<br /><br />Hebrews 13:15<i> By him therefore let us offer the sacrifice of praise to God continually, that is, the fruit of our lips giving thanks to his name.</i> A sacrifice means to give an offering. In the Old Testament when they gave their burnt offerings, the offering had to die. Its death was seen as a satisfactory gift and was acceptable to God. As Christians, in order for us to bring a sacrifice of praise our flesh has to die so that it may be suitable unto God. We must worship Him in Spirit and in truth. (John 4:24).<br /><br />Versus the design of Lucifer who did not just sing a song—he was a song. From Lucifer’s very being he created music that praised God. Isaiah 14:12 <i>how art thou fallen from heaven, O Lucifer, son of the morning! how art thou cut down to the ground, which didst weaken the nations!</i><br /><br />Psalm 34:3 <i>O magnify the LORD with me, and let us exalt his name together. </i> Magnify means to enlarge or to make bigger. Know that praise is a part of who you are! When you magnify God you are literally saying to God what he says about Himself. He becomes bigger than you! He becomes bigger than your circumstance!<br /><br />It did not matter to David what the perception of him was in 2 Samuel 6:22 <i>And I will yet be more vile than thus, and will be base in mine own sight: and of the maidservants which thou hast spoken of, of them shall I be had in honor.</i> He praised God out of a special relationship, out of a special assignment.<br /><br />The idea is this: praise is built in from the very side of us. When we praise God, we minister unto him. We must offer a true, and hope filled praise that comes from a place of honesty within us.<br /><br />Praise is to the spirit what oxygen is to the body. When you praise Him, He reminds you of His promise. He reminds you of what you have cried for. He reminds you of what you were delivered from. He reminds you of what he will provide and restore for you!<br /><br /><i>Lean not to thine own understanding, but in all ways acknowledge Him!!!!!</i> (Proverbs 3:5)<br /><br /><input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Bishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360846346572479779.post-79212345497766221922009-11-07T14:35:00.001-08:002009-11-07T14:52:58.049-08:00Transformers: More than Meets the Eye---Antoinette R. Banks, member of the Web Team
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name="Bibliography"> <w:lsdexception locked="false" priority="39" qformat="true" name="TOC Heading"> </w:LatentStyles> </xml><![endif]--><style> <!-- /* Font Definitions */ @font-face {font-family:"Cambria Math"; panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4; mso-font-charset:0; mso-generic-font-family:roman; mso-font-pitch:variable; mso-font-signature:-1610611985 1107304683 0 0 159 0;} /* Style Definitions */ p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal {mso-style-unhide:no; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; margin:0in; margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:12.0pt; font-family:"Times New Roman","serif"; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman";} .MsoChpDefault {mso-style-type:export-only; mso-default-props:yes; font-size:10.0pt; mso-ansi-font-size:10.0pt; mso-bidi-font-size:10.0pt;} @page Section1 {size:8.5in 11.0in; margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in; mso-header-margin:.5in; mso-footer-margin:.5in; mso-paper-source:0;} div.Section1 {page:Section1;} --> </style><!--[if gte mso 10]> <style> /* Style Definitions */ table.MsoNormalTable {mso-style-name:"Table Normal"; mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0; mso-tstyle-colband-size:0; mso-style-noshow:yes; mso-style-priority:99; mso-style-qformat:yes; mso-style-parent:""; mso-padding-alt:0in 5.4pt 0in 5.4pt; mso-para-margin:0in; mso-para-margin-bottom:.0001pt; mso-pagination:widow-orphan; font-size:11.0pt; font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri; mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-fareast-theme-font:minor-fareast; mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri; mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family:"Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-theme-font:minor-bidi;} </style> <![endif]--> <p class="MsoNormal">In school, math always fascinated me.<span style=""> </span>Not because I wasn’t particularly good at it, but because there was always different solutions to any problem. In Geometry there is a fundamental term called congruency where there is a sequence of transformations involving rotations and reflections. As Christians should not try approach our given situations as a mathematical equation? <span style=""> </span>How can we transform from within?<span style=""> </span>How can we reflect on that process?
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><span style=""> </span>Roman 12:2 says<i style=""> Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be ye <b style="">transformed</b> by the renewing of your mind.
<br /></i></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /><i style=""><o:p></o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><i style=""><o:p> </o:p></i></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Once we accept God into our lives, an inward supernatural somewhat mathematical transformation takes place, <i style="">therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new</i> (2 Corinthians 5:17).
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Be confident to keep pressing through.<span style=""> </span>Know that some decisions we make subtract from the Godly outcome that was intended for us. However movements and choices that are a direct reflection of God’s will for us add to the sum of our result.</p><p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">Do not douse the flame within, do not deny the gentle voice leading you…instead transform the thought process behind the action. Reflect on the fundamentals of your process…become congruent. </p> <p class="MsoNormal"><o:p> </o:p></p> <p class="MsoNormal">
<br /></p><p class="MsoNormal">There is more to us than meets the eye. </p> <input id="gwProxy" type="hidden"><!--Session data--><input onclick="jsCall();" id="jsProxy" type="hidden"><div id="refHTML"></div>Bishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360846346572479779.post-20102019288554247032009-11-06T16:57:00.000-08:002009-11-06T16:59:18.535-08:00The "Gateway Arch City" Welcomes 2010 Cogic Convocation<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/SvTGW99-uII/AAAAAAAAAAU/MYbGNOcpPXY/s1600-h/stlouis.jpg"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 213px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/SvTGW99-uII/AAAAAAAAAAU/MYbGNOcpPXY/s320/stlouis.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401159951018014850" border="0" /></a><br />For years the Holy Convocation has been held in Memphis, Tennessee. Seems only right since COGIC history is rooted in Memphis, headquarters resides there, and convocation in Memphis has simply grown to be an expected tradition. The Convocation has also brought the city of Memphis a whopping $35 Million to the town on an annual basis. You would think that they would cut us some slack on the hotel fees!<br /><br />The initial decision to move the Convocation for 2010 from Memphis, Tennessee to St. Louis, Missouri was initiated by our very own, Presiding Bishop, Charles E. Blake, Sr. Pastor, because of hotel fees and other accumulated associated costs.<br /><br />Although the overall goal of the COGIC Convocation, according to Superintendent Dickerson Wells is to, “continue to be spiritual renewal, education and training of its delegates,” many of our delegates gave a sigh of relief when it came to the advantage of hosting the Convocation at the renowned America Center. At the America Center all of COGIC’s activities will be held in one centralized location instead of having to use Memphis’ the Temple of Deliverance COGIC, FedEx Forum, Pentecostal Temple, and the Cook Convention Center. St. Louis has also offered hotels at $120 per night, discounted parking at the hotels, as well as discounted meals in the hotels and the America Center.<br /><br />Even though there has been a wide array of rumors and speculations on whether or not headquarters would make a pioneering leap to Los Angeles, headquarters will still remain in Memphis.<br /><br />For coverage of the event visit cogic.orgBishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2360846346572479779.post-64312500803152456122009-11-06T15:44:00.000-08:002009-11-06T16:01:20.848-08:00Shout it from the Rooftops--Antoinette R. Banks, member of Web Team<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/SvS4yPLIWQI/AAAAAAAAAAM/0Z47jwuiXx4/s1600-h/th_bullhorn.jpg"><img style="margin: 0pt 10px 10px 0pt; float: left; cursor: pointer; width: 160px; height: 160px;" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_A97HhbPnV1M/SvS4yPLIWQI/AAAAAAAAAAM/0Z47jwuiXx4/s320/th_bullhorn.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5401145026330253570" border="0" /></a><br />Why are we so afraid to speak about our own gifts? Not to the point of being arrogant, but to the point of understanding and knowing what we possess within our own well of greatness.<br /><br />Matthew 10:27 <i> Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.</i><br /><br />It is the parallel idea of humble vs. confidence. Christians, do not be alarmed, being confident in your talents is OK! If you have a God given ability, you do not have to hide it out of fear that you are not being humble. This, however, does not give you a voucher to be arrogant or boastful, but to acknowledge and take comfort in the ability that what you have is special and awe inspiring.<br /><br />However God revealed your gift to you, whether it was in the dark, or a whisper, we encourage you SHOUT IT FROM THE ROOFTOPS!Bishop Charles E. Blakehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/16269529930920732457noreply@blogger.com0