If I walk into my 14 yr old niece’s bedroom, first thing in the morning while she is still lying in bed, and she is listening to her favorite CD, why not Thirsty?  If a song is destined to remain on the charts week after week after week, why not be a spirit lifting, help me make it through, encouraging gospel powerhouse Never Would Have Made It?  If a singer of epic proportions is going to delight the airwaves and be one of the most played gospel artists of 2008, why not Pastor Marvin Sapp!

Marvin Sapp was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan and began singing in church at age four. He spent his teenage years singing with a number of Gospel groups and ensembles before being invited by Gospel singer Fred Hammond to sing with Commissioned.  Sapp debuted with Commissioned in the early ’90s after Keith Staten left for solo work.  He recorded the Commissioned albums Number 7 and Matters of the Heart with members Fred Hammond, Mitchell Jones, Mike Williams and Karl Reid.  After Hammond and Williams left as well, Sapp recorded the group’s final album, 1996’s Irreplaceable Love.  By that time Sapp had signed a solo contract too, and March 1996 saw the release of his self-titled debut on Word Records.  The album reunited him with former Commissioned mate Fred Hammond (who produced the LP), and featured the gospel hits “Calling Me” and “In His Presence.” Sapp’s sophomore effort, Grace & Mercy, appeared in May 1997, followed two years later by Nothing Else Matters. After a short absence from the music scene, he reappeared under contract at Versity Records and released the song “I Believe” on the Wow Gospel 2002 album. ~ John Bush, All Music

Marvin Sapp is Founder and Senior pastor of Lighthouse Full Life Center Church, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  According to marvinsapp.com, as senior pastor and leader, Pastor Sapp is a passionate orator and biblical teacher, whose desire is to be a living epistle glorifying our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ both in word and in deed.  Many say his voice is instantly recognizable.  Characteristically raspy ringing with power and authority as he masterfully illustrates with excellence the word of God.  Not only is his delivery exemplary, his knowledge of the historical text brings to life the message of hope and healing.  Pastor Sapp has been described as:  Not a singer that happens to preach but a Preacher called by God who is gifted to sing.

Pastor Sapp has shared the stage with many gospel notables and his gift is celebrated across music genres.  While he has enjoyed a decorated music ministry receiving Stellar Awards, Gospel Music Excellence Award, as well as Grammy, Soul Train Music and Dove Award nominations, he has also been honored in his hometown of Grand Rapids Michigan.

Recognized for his professional and philanthropic efforts, he has received the city’s highest African American honor, a Giants Award, as well as the Frederick Douglas award from the National Association of Negro and Professional Women’s Club.

Not  complacent, yet pressing towards the mark, Sapp pastors one of the fastest growing churches in Western Michigan:  Lighthouse Full Life Center Church.  He is innovative in his approach to winning the lost and edifying the believer.  As a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Pastor Marvin is committed to his community and enjoys taking the message to the masses.  In his inaugural year, the ministry has initiated a Full Life approach with an emphasis of addressing the spiritual, physical, and mental needs of the body.

Sapp is married to Malinda Sapp, a local college professor, psychologist, and who serves as the Administrative Pastor at Lighthouse Full Life Center Church. They have three children: Marvin II, Mikaila, and Madisson.

Pastor Sapp’s solo albums include:
• 1996: Marvin Sapp
• 1997: Grace and Mercy
• 1999: Nothing Else Matter
• 2001: I Believe
• 2003: Diary of Psalmist
• 2005: Be Exalted
• 2007: Thirsty

Sapp has recorded seven albums. Recently, Sapp has achieved crossover fame with the release of “Never Would Have Made It” from the album Thirsty. It has peaked at #14 on the on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and #82 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

I don’t know about you, but I feel blessed every time I hear so many of Pastor Sapp’s songs.  Although I have only heard him deliver brief words of encourage and testimony, I have heard his preaching is as awesome as his singing!  I must admit, until Thirsty, I haven’t been as addicted to Pastor Sapp as others I know.  My sisters are avid Marvin Sapp junkies.  I think they own every album he has recorded.  As I close, I implore you, if you don’t own any of Pastor Sapp’s CDs, please run quick and at least buy Thirsty.  My favorites songs are (in this order):  Never Would Have Made It, Thirsty, Rivers Flow, Worshipper In Me, Place of Worship, Praise Him in Advance.  Shoot!  I love ‘em all!  Tell me your favorites and what you think about Pastor Marvin Sapp!

Some days it is best to give thanks, a way to give a verbal testimony about the good things in your life. We all know we hear about the bad things in the world as well as the troubles of our friends and family - sometimes we are the ones talking about the bad things.

In all things, we should give thanks.  It is just that simple.  I would like to hear from you and what you have to give thanks for.  It isn’t about what you need, but about what you already have.

I will speak first.

In the other room I have a healthy wife and little girl.  For the first time, I have a family (I’m not discounting my wife, but now there are three of us).  What an emotional couple of days this has been.  I miss my mother and wish she could have been here to share in this time, but two of my sisters were here and I know if not for distance my other sister and brother would have been here.  I’m thankful for them as well.

I will speak for O - he writes the great sports articles that seem to go un-noticed.  He lives in Texas and he is enjoying a new addition to his family as well.  His wife recently had a little boy and as far as I know everyone is doing well.

Now it is your turn.

What, and I mean what, would our Sundays be without Bobby Jones Gospel? It doesn’t matter where you are, or who you are, if you have ever turned on your TV on Sundays, you gotta know Dr. Bobby Jones! There are times when I turn on my TV on Sundays with every intention of not watching Dr. Bobby Jones, and lo and behold, I get stuck there! There is something about the way he talks that makes you keep listening, and there is always the chance he will be showcasing somebody really good this Sunday. Bobby Jones Gospel is the first and only nationally syndicated black gospel television show; and Video Gospel, which debuted in 1989, is the only national television outlet gospel artists have to show their videos. But who is Dr. Bobby Jones and how did he make his way to our TV every Sunday?

Dr. Jones was born in Henry County, Tenn., and always dreamt of a career in music. He excelled academically throughout school, graduating from high school at 15 and Tennessee State University at 19 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Jones continued his education by pursuing a master’s degree at Tennessee State and a doctorate from Vanderbilt. While pursuing his master’s, Jones taught elementary school in the Missouri and Tennessee education systems.

In his teaching days, Jones helped develop the idea for a Black Expo in Nashville, Tenn. (Black Expo is a fair held in cities across the country which focuses on the contributions African Americans have made to their communities.) During the effort, Jones introduced the pilot for what is now Bobby Jones Gospel to WSMV-TV in Nashville. WSMV-TV picked up the show that Jones created, produced and hosted. It ran in Nashville from 1976 until it was picked up by BET for national syndication in 1980.

During this period, Jones also created, produced and hosted Bobby Jones World, a magazine-style show that incorporated gospel music with world-renowned authors, entertainers and national leaders. Bobby Jones World ran from 1978-1984. Jones has extended his talents into the television and movie arena. In 1982, Jones made his television movie debut in NBC’s Sisters, Sisters starring Diahann Carroll, Paul Winfield and Irene Cara. In 1980 he wrote and performed in Make A Joyful Noise, a black gospel opera which aired on PBS; and in 1983, he was a guest on country music star Ronnie Milsap’s television special, In Celebration.

In 1980, Jones received The Gabriel Award and an International Film Festival Award for writing and performing Make A Joyful Noise. He and his group, New Life, were nominated for a Grammy Award in 1982 for “Best Performance by a Black Contemporary Gospel Group” for the album Soul Set Free. In 1984, he received the Gospel Music Association’s (GMA) Dove Award for Black Contemporary Album of the Year, a Grammy Award for “Best Vocal Duo for a Soul/Gospel Performance” for the single, I’m So Glad I’m Standing Here Today performed with country music star Barbara Mandrell, and an NAACP Image Award. In 1990 he received the GMA’s Commonwealth Award for Outstanding Contribution to Gospel Music. In 1994, Jones was nominated for the CableACE Award. He resides in Nashville, Tenn. http://www.bobbyjonesgospel.com/About.asp

One thing that warms my heart when I watch Bobby Jones is knowing, many, many years ago, when I was a member of the Indiana State Mass Choir, I too sang on that very stage and experienced the joy of being part of Bobby Jones Gospel. Whether you like him or not, we gotta give props where props are due! I must admit, Dr. Jones has kept us entertained on Sundays for the last 28 years he has been in our homes. I can sit here and visualize the countless Sunday mornings I have gotten dressed to Bobby Jones Gospel. And how many times have I been running late for church because, when I should have been putting on my pantyhose, I was standing there watching Shirley Caesar singing and walking across that stage, or Fred Hammond saying “put your hands together one time!” all courtesy of Bobby Jones Gospel! Wouldn’t you agree, he is a staple of our Sunday morning viewing pleasure?

Hey, what time is it right now wherever you are reading this? If it is not too late, hurry, go turn on your television and enjoy the incomparable, Dr. Bobby Jones!

Today is the day to share your stories, trials, tribulations, and victories of taking one full week and asking yourself What Would Jesus Do before you thought, spoke, acted, and reacted!  Wasn’t it challenging?  Wasn’t it mind boggling when you stop and thought about how many things we say and do without giving any thought to pleasing God before we did them?  How many good deeds did you do?  How many things didn’t you say this week that you normally would have said?  How many positive and encouraging things did you give to people and say to people?  How many lives did you change?  Did your life change?  

Please tell us how this challenge impacted your life and if you believe you can continue your daily Christianity asking yourself everyday What Would Jesus Do?  I looking forward to hearing what you have to say!

The phrase “What would Jesus do?” (often abbreviated to WWJD) became popular in the United States in the 1890s, and again in 1990s, as a personal motto for thousands of Christians who used the phrase as a reminder of their belief that Jesus is the example to be followed in daily life, and to act in a manner of which Jesus would approve.

Is that true for you and me?  You do claim to be a Christian don’t you?  You do want Christ to be pleased with your actions, reactions, deeds, etc. don’t you?  Let’s see if we can’t make Him just as proud of us, as we are of Him!

Let’s take one week and change our thinking.  Let’s take one week and try as Christians to get in the mind of Christ.  We have read the scriptures and heard the sermons; we know the difference between our actions and those of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  Aren’t we as “Christ”ians supposedly striving to be Christ-like?  Aren’t we taking the Christ in Christianity and trying to identify with it and be like Him?  Well let’s do it together and then let’s talk about the change it made in our lives spiritually and naturally.  Stopping and asking What Would Jesus Do before everything we do, will certainly have an impact on EVERYTHING concerning our lives.  If we can promote Pay It Forward challenges, and weight lost challenges, and all kinds of reality challenges, let’s doubly promote this challenge!   It is the: 7daybuzz.com WWJD 7 Day Challenge!

Tell everybody you know what you are doing and invite them to join in the 7daybuzz.com WWJD challenge!  This challenge won’t cost you.  This challenge won’t hurt you. (well maybe your pride if you have to turn the other cheek or something flesh defying)  I can truthfully say, if done properly, the only thing this challenge can do and will do is make you more conscious of who you are and Whose you are.  This might be just the thing you need and I need to expose us to us!  We really don’t know who we are.  Fact:  we never see ourselves the same way others see us!  Maybe living this lifestyle for a week (hopefully it will be one we will choose to adopt forever) will close the gap between who we think we are, and who we really are.  So starting today, let’s do this!

Hopefully you have prayed for the last week and have programmed your mind to begin questioning yourself and asking, What Would Jesus Do?  Now let’s put it into action. 

Next Sunday I anxiously look forward to hearing the stories and life changing experiences the WWJD challenge brought about.  I think we will surprise ourselves, each and every one of us, when we realize how far we were from true Christ like actions and our own fleshly actions.  Don’t make this a burden but make it a joyful occasion for a renewal within your spirit.  There will be times when you/I fail.  WE will think about WWJD and then do the opposite because our flesh is geared toward self satisfaction.  Okay.  Get up.  Brush off, but don’t stop!  Get back on the horse and continue with the challenge.  If at first you don’t succeed, keep trying!  That’s what Jesus would do, right? 

Just remember, before you do it, ask yourself WWJD?  Before you say it, ask yourself WWJD?  Before you think it, ask yourself WWJD?  We’ll talk soon!

Don’t forget, Sunday begins our first 7daybuzz.com WWJD 7 day challenge! 

WWJD (What Would Jesus Do) 7 day challenge is going to challenge your conscious, strengthen your spirit, and call you to a new level of Christianity!  Join us Sunday for all the details and an exciting invitation to share with us your 7 journey as you ask yourself time and time again, What Would Jesus Do in this same situation!  I’m in!  Are you?  I’ll be there sharing my stories and experiences.  I look forward to hearing from you too!

7daybuzz.com is announcing our first 7daybuzz challenge!  We’re calling all Christians, non-Christians, black, white, young, old, rich, poor, etc.!  We’re calling everybody to come and take part in our 7daybuzz.com, WWJD, 7 day challenge!

Let me slow down.  For those of you not familiar with the acronym WWJD let me spell it out, what that stands for is a simple question:  What Would Jesus Do?  I’m sure many of you are familiar with this phrase as it rose to popularity some years back.  You could go into stores and buy WWJD jewelry, bandanas, t-shirts, rubber bands, etc.  It swept the country!  And it was good!  However, as with most new things, it has since faded into the background.  In my opinion, it shouldn’t have.  Every Christian should constantly ask ourselves, WWJD?  And live accordingly, but we don’t do we?  But let’s try!

This week is the unveiling of our challenge and next Sunday we will begin!  All challenges worth participating in, take some time and preparation.  You have 7 Days!  Converting our minds to the mind of our Lord and Jesus Christ isn’t easy for me and probably not you.  Let’s be honest, we live life in a mode to do all we can to satisfy our selves/our flesh.  And that is not bad all the time and in every circumstance, but many times, it is not Christianly.  Let’s see if we can’t remove ourselves from the equation and make Jesus front and center in all of our thoughts, actions, reactions, deeds, etc. for 7 Days.  One week.  168 hours.  10080 minutes.  Can we do it?  The bottom line is, if we actually lived that way on a day-to-day basis, how different would we be?  I believe Jesus would be pleased with us if we made this a practice in all that we do.

So here are the fours steps of training for the 7daybuzz.com WWJD 7 day challenge.  For the next 7 days:

1. Pray a prayer asking for the reformation of your mind.
2. Read your bible as a way to begin taking on the mind, attitude, and spirit of Jesus.
3. Declare yourself a challenge winner and conqueror!
4. Pray.

This challenge won’t cost you.  This challenge won’t hurt you. (well maybe your pride if you have to turn the other cheek or something flesh defying as Jesus would do!)  I can truthfully say, if done properly, the only thing this challenge can do, and will do, is make you more conscious of who you are and Whose you are.  This might be just the thing you need and I need to expose us to us!  We really don’t know who we are.  Fact:  we never see ourselves the same way others see us!  Maybe living this lifestyle for 7 Days (hopefully it will be one we will choose to adopt forever) will close the gap between who we think we are, and who we really are.  The goal of this challenge is simply to ignite our conscious of doing the right thing and being the best we can be.  The objective is to learn/grow from each other by sharing our experiences.  So starting today, let’s do this!  Tell everybody you know what you are preparing to do and invite them to join in the 7daybuzz.com WWJD 7 Day challenge!

I’m excited!  I hope you are too!

So we have a teen daughter who is at the stage and age where she is starting to, as the old schoolers say, smell herself.  She has a little boyfriend.  No matter what you do or say, you can’t be with her 24/7 nor can you monitor her every move.  As Christians we know that sex outside of marriage is wrong.  As Christians we teach our children that sex outside of marriage is wrong.  That is clear and there are no gray areas.  But what do we as Christians do when we suspect our daughter of engaging in sex before marriage?  One of the mother’s in my church used to say, if they really want to do it, they’ll do it behind a broomstick.  In other words, no matter how well you think you are monitoring her, if that hormonal young woman is determine to do it, she will find a place and a way to do it!  My question is, do we become proactive and put her on birth control or not?

Reality is, human nature can take the purest of intentions and twist them into something totally different.  I think twisting parents’ words and intentions is a teenager’s duty!  So do we put our daughters on birth control and possibly have them assuming that is our way of saying we condone premarital sex, or do we stick to Christian principals, ignore what we feel might be happening and pray and trust God for the best?

If you are like me, I didn’t want to raise a grandchild, yet I didn’t want to hand my daughter license to do something I told her was wrong and something I believed God’s word told me was wrong.  At some point and time, all of us have faced situations where once the fear of getting caught was removed, we did what we knew was wrong.  Well once the fear of getting pregnant is eliminated, what will she do?  On one hand you could be a sin enabler and life proceeds as is.  No worries of an unwanted pregnancy.  On the other hand you could be awaiting an unwanted pregnancy or worse!  What do you think?  Talk back to me.

Those who know me - really know me - should have known this was coming.  If I’m ever going to write something about a music artist that I like, someone that can really move me, it has got to be about Fred Hammond.  I will make every attempt to remain calm and hide my excitement, but if you are one of Fred Hammond’s fans you know that he is quite simply the truth!

Many people who’ve followed Fred (just saying Fred is enough for his fans) over the years may think the beginning of his career started in 1985 with the gospel group Commissioned.  What many may not know is Fred is one of the best bass guitar players in gospel (my opinion although I know there is always someone better) and his career actually began as a bass player for the legendary Winans.  Fortunately, his destiny was to become more.

Fred was an original member of Commissioned and participated on 10 of the group’s 12 albums.  During this time, (I think) history was made in addition to spreading the gospel through song.  Classics like “Running Back to You” (Fred sang lead), “Love isn’t Love”, “Victory” and “‘Tis So Sweet” may not have the newest studio wizardry, but they still minister to the heart like they did the day they were released.  Commissioned has been nominated for 6 Stellar and 4 Grammy awards including two nominations for the reunion album released in 2002.  To sum it up, Commissioned was bad (bad meaning good)!  A new Commissioned album wouldn’t hurt my feelings one bit, but I’m sure that is easier said than done.

Fred’s first solo album was “I Am Persuaded” released in 1991, the same year Commissioned released the “Number 7″ album.  The rest, as they say, is history - history that is still being written.

For me, Fred has a knack for making three kinds of songs.  First he makes songs that are just great songs to listen to whenever.  Songs that come to mind are “L.O.U.D. L.O.U.D.” (Free To Worship),  “We’re Blessed” (Inner Court) and “When The Spirit Of The Lord” (The Spirit Of David).  Those songs just make you nod your head and sing along.

The second type of song I like from Fred are the remakes.  Yes, you know what I’m talking about!  Fred does a great job making the old classics new again with songs like “Jesus Is All” (Pages Of Life Chapter 1), “Jesus Be A Fence” (somebody help me with the album name) and “This Is The Day” (Free To Worship).  There is nothing wrong with wrapping an old, still relevant, message in a new package and Fred knows how to do it and make it work.

The third type of song Fred is genius at making is that song you lean on when you need stability.  When your boss has you upset before you even get to work and things are a little rough on the home front you need something to go along with your daily scripture reading.  When the bills are getting a little heavy and the school just called to tell you your child is at it again a good song to go along with fasting and praying is a necessity.  If none of those things have ever happened to you, and you seem to be leading a charmed life, you may still need a nudge in the right direction from time to time.  Fred makes those songs.  You may have your own favorites because this is a personal thing, but I will just name a few that come to mind.  “No Weapon” (The Spirit Of David) is a song that I used as a tool at one point years ago.  I can almost remember the exact spot on my drive to work where I would start this song!  “I Will Find A Way” (Something Bout Love) is a song that is saying through whatever, I will find a way to lift up my hands, I will find a way to worship…I will find a way to give you praise, I will find a way to love you more.  Powerful.  Your mileage may vary, but songs like these can help you make it through.

I would like to note something interesting about the album, The Spirit of David - I think my sister Karen told me this years ago.  Somebody correct me if I’m wrong, but I think every one of the songs on that album is based on a scripture.  When I first thought about it that wouldn’t be so difficult, but there is more to it than just putting the Lord’s prayer to music (I’m not criticizing that or saying it was easy).  It would be pretty hard to write an album full of songs based on scriptures when many artists write (relevant) songs based on what they are going through or what is going on around them.  This just goes to show what kind of song writer Fred is.

I think it is noteworthy to say that Fred hasn’t become as popular as other gospel artists although he is respected by the industry - he has won 6 Dove awards, 4 Stellar awards and one Grammy.  With Fred is it more about the message than the performance and when I say that I’m not taking anything away from artists.  He just may not do as well on an awards show as some, but his body of work speaks for itself.

In conclusion, we are due!  Free To Worship, the album, came out in 2006 so it would seem like it is about time for Fred to come out with a new album.  He does have a website called fHAMMOND Family Entertainment which includes video footage of something called the Warehouse among other things.  I thought this was something free at first, but it asked me for credit card information when I tried to create an account, but it didn’t tell me how much it would cost me.  Hmmmmm, I’ll wait on that one.  If anyone out there knows how much this costs, leave a comment and let us know.  Until a new project is released, we have more than enough music from Fred to make it through.

NOTABLE QUOTE -
“ If I could Hear Christ praying for me in the next room, I would not fear a million enemies. Yet distance makes no difference. He is praying for me”…Robert Murray McCheyne

As I sit here in my truck in Columbus, GA and wait for my husband, I have the radio tuned to 100.7, a continuous gospel station. They are playing Marvin Sapp singing, Never Would Have Made It. I didn’t have to tell you that, did I? EVERYday if I am in the truck for more than 30 mins, I will invariably hear this song. I love the song. But one station playing the same song two to three times a day??? Is that fair to all the other artists longing to hear their song played just once a week?

Why is it that Pastor Marvin Sapp gets so much play and air time? What is it about Pastor Marvin Sapp that offers him the privilege of singing on the much publicized award shows? And why did the audience respond to him more than all the other guests? Well, as much as I love him, I can’t say it is because he is the best singer. Let’s be honest, the song begins with him literally screaming: Never Would Have Made It. But guess what? I have walked through my house screaming the same thing! I believe the reason this particular song is what it is, is because Pastor Sapp speaks for us all!

Life is soooooo hard. Relationships are hard. Jobs are hard. Finances are lean. People are losing homes. Friends and loved ones are dying. Life is rough and every truthful Christian must admit to hard times, at least every now and then.

And honestly, there are times when, by no fault of our own, the hard times definitely outweigh the good times. And just when you think it can’t get worse, it does! The question of how you are going to make it through becomes ongoing. There seems to be no way out. Instead of having a breather between crises, they just keep coming. Back to back issues, one right after another. It’s painful and exhausting.

Then one day, without notice, you realize, the struggle is over! The pain has subsided. The issue glaring you in the face has faded into the background. You can breath. Funny thing, you did nothing to lessen the problem. You just gritted your teeth, held on, and went through it. There is no logical explanation as to how you made it through it. But you did and now you feel great! You feel stronger. You feel wiser. You feel better… so much better. When you look back you have to realize the only one that could have brought you through it was God. Ding, ding, ding! The reality is, you never would have made it without Him. Pastor Sapp knew that and sings to the very core of humanity and Christianity when he declares; he never would have made it without God.

Might I admit, every time I get in my truck and tune in to 100.7, continuous gospel, I not only look forward to hearing Pastor Sapp serenade me, I feel like my day is incomplete without it. I am sorry for all the other artists who don’t’ get their fair share of air time but right now, this day, this time, in this world, we need to hear somebody speak for us all and tell our sweet Lord, we Never Would Have Made It Without Him!