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‘A Season of Hope’ to Usher in Holiday Season

with Salute to Military, Spirituals and Sacred Music
Posted: 11/2/2011

Congregants of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Orangevale and Citrus Heights will perform a choir concert titled “A Season of Hope” on Nov. 4 and 5.

Carmichael/Fair Oaks – The Carmichael Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will perform a musical concert titled “A Season of Hope,” featuring patriotic numbers, sacred music and spirituals, at 7 p.m. both Friday, Nov. 4, and Saturday, Nov. 5, inside the chapel located at 8267 Deseret Ave., Fair Oaks. “A Season of Hope,” which is free and open to the public, features an 80-voice choir, soloists and instrumentalists from congregations in Carmichael, Fair Oaks, Orangevale and Citrus Heights.

“The theme of ‘A Season of Hope’ has been carried over each year with the purpose of ushering in the holiday season with music of hope and inspiration,” said Scott Seamons, co-director of the concert and choir.

The program this year includes patriotic selections, including “America the Beautiful,” “Heal Our Land” and “An Armed Forces Salute”; religious and sacred music, such as “Count Your Blessings,” “Miracles,” “Amazing Grace” and “Did You Think to Pray?”; American Heritage spirituals, including “Joyful, Joyful” and “Ain’t Got Time to Die”; and favorite selections from years past – “The Battle Hymn of the Republic,” “You Raise Me Up” and “When the Saints Go Marching In.”

‘A Season of Hope’ will be a joyful experience for those who attend,” said co-director Beverly Tracy. “The music will move you as we sing in gratitude for our blessings and for those who make sacrifices to protect our freedom.”

In addition to the concerts on Friday and Saturday, a dress rehearsal will be performed at 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 3. Admission is free for each concert, including the dress rehearsal, and all seating is first-come, first-served. The event is most appropriate for adults and children 8 years and up, and Sunday dress is encouraged but not mandatory.

For more information, please email seasonofhopecarm@gmail.com.The Carmichael Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints consists of eight congregations in eastern Sacramento County, including one specifically for single adults in their 20s and another for the deaf community throughout the greater Sacramento region. To find the congregation in your neighborhood, go to www.lds.org/maps.

In Times of Turmoil, Religious Struggles Fan Confusion and Thwart Solutions

Posted: 9/29/2011

In the global struggle for political harmony, economic viability and cultural happiness, religion has become the weapon of choice. But if the pursuit of happiness and prosperity is the goal, then using religion as the means to achieve that ideal will do anything but, says businessman philosopher James W. Peterson.

Nonetheless, that’s exactly the road societies are traveling as our economic and political problems deepen. Noting the fundamentalist tone taken as America moves toward the 2012 election and secular nations continue to clash with religious extremists, Peterson advises that adhering to any religious ideology will only bring more of the problems nations are trying to overcome.

"The more we use religion and its supernatural interpretation of the punitive power of God as an emotional wedge to secure HIS future, the less likely we’ll reach the real world solutions WE are seeking," says Peterson, author of the book God and the Philosophy of Explanation (www.jwpeterson.com). "If we want to return to the Founding Fathers’ original ideals – life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness – then using religion as the vehicle is entirely the wrong way to go."

Instead, what’s needed is a focus on intellectual development thus empowering people to see their own happiness – economic, personal and spiritual – on their own terms, Peterson argues. But the current climate of both American religious conservatives, Islamic extremism and a deepening worldwide spiritual morass is providing anything but a greater understanding as to what real world human happiness is and depends upon.

Peterson, a retired engineer, has pursued an examination of religious and spiritual thought that comes from his own personal struggles to make sense of a deep, personal tragedy. The death of his daughter Kristin at the age of 10 ½ from heart failure set him on a 20-year long journey to understand the interplay of religious beliefs in the face of loss and tragedy.

Through a dissecting of religious thought, philosophical theories and thus gaining a deeper understanding of what motivates people to embrace religion, Peterson has come to understand that it’s the ability to intellectually cope with downturns and solve real world problems that leads people to feeling empowered, happy and productive.

"Intellectual happiness is the fundamental consequence of personal production," Peterson says. "It is the understood existence of one’s self that is the standard of one’s happiness."

"Think of how we gauge our well-being as a people: consumer confidence, social stability and political harmony," Peterson adds. "It’s all right here in our grasp, yet we continue to dissolve into these religious and cultural beliefs that only exacerbate our dissatisfaction with the world and each other. We need to stop believing long enough to understand we have the tools to return to happiness; we just have to put our rational, intellectual minds to work."

James W. Peterson’s, a mechanical engineer for GMC and real estate executive, journey as an everyman philosopher began with the death of his daughter and a 20-year quest to understand the depths of his grief and anger. Now retired with his wife of 45 years, JoAnn, in Okemos, Michigan, Peterson has two grown children and two grandchildren.

The Little Church that Could

By Julie Parker
Posted: 9/20/2011

"We’re just a typical, simple, fundamental, Bible preaching church.” Photo by Julie Parker.

“This has been the greatest pastorate I’ve ever had,” says Pastor Charles Carter of the Grace Baptist Church. “You know you hear about the honeymoon period for a pastor in a church? My honeymoon period has never ended. I’ve been here a full eight years and have never had a cross word with any of my folks. It’s been marvelous; an absolute joy.”

Hailing from Texas, the silver-haired pastor was raised by a single mother, his father having died before he was born. Although it was not “a Christian home,” he joined the church at age 16. Carter could no longer tolerate watching his mother’s abusive relationship and was afraid of what he might do to the abuser. “He beat her so bad, almost killed her, dumped her in the emergency room and left, never to be seen again. She became a Christian two years after I did, living in Idaho. She remarried and has been with him ever since. Nice guy.”

Carter attended Pacific Coast Baptist Bible College in San Dimas, and became an associate in a church in Colorado. “The pastor had a tremendous heart for missions in Mexico, so we built churches for the locals down there; had a ball with that. That was a lot of fun.” He took a break from the ministry to begin a delivery service. “It got the best of me, so, in 2001, I felt moved to go back into fulltime ministry, and came to this church in 2003.”

His biggest challenge at the Grace Baptist Church was the August, 2006 arson fire, which burned down the main section of the building. The subsequent four year battle with the insurance company to pay up the claim upped the challenge ante. The ministry persevered, however, and ultimately received an insurance settlement.

“It was good for me, because it expanded my faith and trust; I had to learn how to study all over again. I lost about half of my library in the fire, and the other half was packed in boxes. It actually got me to a point where I think pastors ought to be; the basics. That’s what our church is about. We’re a traditional church. We don’t have contemporary services or contemporary music. We’re just a typical, simple, fundamental, Bible preaching church.”

Happily, their youth programs are returning. “This fall, on Wednesday evenings, they’ll be starting the King’s Kids Program, teaching grades first through sixth.”

The church supports the Sacramento Rescue Mission, and with their Fourteen Missions Project, assists missionaries in other places in this country and others. For instance, in the Philippines, a motorcycle tricycle was needed, and in Joplin, a missionary needed financial assistance to rebuild a church lost in a recent tornado. The Project has had a hand in establishing anywhere from 180 to 200 churches. “I love missionaries.” They also offer their support in the building of orphanages.

Grace Baptist Church is not associated with the Southern Baptist Fellowship. “We are an independent, autonomous, local New Testament Church. Everything we do is in-house. We don’t owe anybody, other than our monthly bills. I don’t believe in creating debt for churches. We pay as we go. If we don’t have it, I guess we just don’t need it.”

His wife is the church pianist and Sunday School teacher. She is also working a full-time job. Carter would like to offer her some relief.

Because the church only works with people within its membership, they are looking for new members that may be able to fill some of its needs. “I’ve been praying for three things: someone who plays piano, the organ and someone who will take a Web ministry.”

His vision also includes building a Sunday School wing on the back part of the church, and to take down the small building and build a new auditorium. “I’d like to see the church start what’s called Reformers Unanimous. It’s not a 12-step program, but a complete church-run program. They deal with all forms of addiction, and they’ve had a huge success ratio.

“I’ve had a ball here. This has been an absolute dream for a pastor. I don’t make the most money, but I’ve got the greatest people in the world. We have diverse ethnicity – Mexican-Americans, African-Americans. And then you have the Texan.”

Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church Kicks Off Fourth Upward Sports Season

Posted: 9/20/2011

Upward Sports enters a new Youth Basketball Season. Photo courtesy Upwards Basketball.

Fair Oaks - Upward Basketball started at Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church three seasons ago with 39 children. The next season they had 155 children and last season 280. This season they expect 400 children to be playing basketball and cheerleading has now been added.

Why has this sports activity grown so fast? The reason is that the children and the parents love it. The time commitment is one hour of practice a week and one hour of game a week. It also is done in a healthy competitive environment. The program features the child and not the game. Learning the difference between winning and losing is learning about consequences. Upward believes each child should learn that they are special and also learn to love each other.

While many sports leagues are into winning at all cost, Upward is designed for the kids to learn fundamentals and have fun doing it. “It is the best sports experience.” We believe that every child is a winner.

Early registration started on September 12th and will go until October 16th. Final registration will go until October 22nd.

For more information go to www.fopc.org and click on Upward Sports. You can also call Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church during office hours, Monday through Friday, 9:00 to 5:00 at (916) 967-4784.

International Peacemaker Speaker, Majd Lahham to Speak

Posted: 9/20/2011

Northminster is honored to host the Presbyterian Church (USA) International Peacemaker of the Year, Majd Lahham, who will speak on the Christian presence in the Middle East. Majd is a member of the Greek Orthodox Church in Damascus and serves as assistant director of the program for Iraqi refugees with International Orthodox Christian Charities, which provide education, vocational training, community service projects, relief items and psychosocial support.

Majd is a timely voice in understanding the areas of conflict in Syria and the Christian presence that seeks peace and reconciliation. Please join us as we share a luncheon with our honored guest speaker.

For more information, call (916) 487-5192 or visit www.northminsteronline.org.

Event Info: Northminster Presbyterian Church, Sunday, September 25, 11:00 a.m., 3235 Pope Avenue, Sacramento.

Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church Grief Recovery Workshop

Posted: 9/20/2011

Grief is real and powerful. It has a devastating impact on our ability to function. Even Jesus wasn’t exempt when he lost his friend, Lazarus. “Jesus wept.” (John 11:35).

But there is help and hope. If you are ready to move beyond the death of someone you love, this workshop is for you.

Topics include: What Is Normal Grief?, Staying Healthy, Family Dynamics, Being Alone, Returning to the Mainstream, Spiritual Concerns, Church and Community Resources. Class is closed after the first session. To register, contact Mary Rigney at (916) 967-4784, ext. 876. Website: www.fopc.org

Tuesdays, through October 18, 2011, from 7-9 PM. Free to the public.

Fair Oaks Presbyterian Church Wells Chapel
11427 Fair Oaks Blvd.
Fair Oaks, CA 95628

Is America the Home of Religious Freedom?

Not So Much, According to Poll
Posted: 8/13/2011

According to a new survey from the First Amendment Center, roughly one-third of Americans believe that religious liberty should not apply to all religions.

The survey, which polled 1,006 Americans on a variety of questions about their take on the role of religion and government, also revealed that more than a quarter of Americans believe there should be no separation between church and state. When asked whether “the freedom to worship as one chooses applies to all religious groups, regardless of how extreme their views are, or whether it was never meant to apply to religious groups that most people would consider extreme or fringe?” 28 percent agreed with the second statement.

“When so many Americans believe that religion should play a role in government and that the government shouldn’t allow some people to even practice their religion, I see it as a crisis of reason,” said James Peterson, author of God and the Philosophy of Explanation (www.jwpeterson.com). “Moreover, the idea that more than a quarter of Americans think that there should be no separation between church and state means that there are a lot of people out there who need a history lesson as well.”

Peterson, a mechanical engineer and father of three, lost his daughter to heart failure when she was only 10 ½-years old. It was then that the longtime GM employee and member in good standing of his local Methodist church began to reexamine the role of religion, not only in his life, but in the lives of Americans.

“Those who identify as religious people do so because they have a faith in something that cannot be measured by scientific principles or conclusive physical evidence” Peterson said. “That’s why they call it faith. While none of us can empirically prove we have seen or spoken to God, or that any of the figures in their religions have actually been messiahs, they still believe in their existence and their power. While that is perfectly valid for them and their lives, our government was set up to provide for the people of our country, based on the power and philosophy of reason. Congress would not likely dedicate a significant amount of tax dollars to build a new weapons system to defend our country, unless there was sufficient research and evidence to prove that the system would be effective in defending our nation. Embedding an element of faith in that matrix would subvert our government and the services and protections it provides us.”

Further, Peterson believes that America would get into more trouble when it delved into the question of which religion would have purview in our government.

“For the sake of argument, let’s say that Congress decided to abolish any separation of church and state,” Peterson added. “Which religion do we let in? There are dozens of religions practiced in America. The Christians will argue that since they represent the majority of the faithful in America, they should take the lead, because in a democracy, the majority rules. However, the majority of Americans in this survey, 67 percent of them, declared that there should be a separation of church and state. I’m sure the majority of those people were Christians, statistically, so we know that even the majority of the faithful believe government should be free from the influence of faith. At the end of the day, mixing faith and government is a bad formula for America and Americans.”

About James Peterson

James Peterson is a retired manufacturing engineer for GMC in Lansing, MI, prior to his retirement. He is the father of three children, one of whom died of heart failure in August of 1980 at the age of 10 ½. Experiencing her death changed his outlook on life and faith. He is the author of God and the Philosophy of Explanation.

The secret to a great marriage

Rev. James L. Snyder
Posted: 8/13/2011

This week the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and Yours Truly, celebrate our 40th wedding anniversary. This week as I pondered our life together it occurred to me, I might be taking some things for granted. Doing this, especially when it involves another person, is dangerous. I decided to take a little stock of myself and my relationship with the Mistress of the parsonage. What makes our marriage so great?

The first thing I had to do was check with her to make sure our marriage was indeed great. Much to my relief, she too agreed with my conclusion. This borders on the miraculous. Whenever we agree 100 percent on anything, watch out!

A recent Hollywood wedding got me thinking. According to the reports I have seen, that wedding cost more than one million dollars! Only in Hollywood! Given the way such things go in the west coast marital Mecca, it amounts to about $100,000 a month of married life.

Our wedding, 40 years ago, cost $97.73. It took us all summer to scrape and save for our nuptial extravaganza.

So far, our marriage has cost us 20 cents per month. The best 20 cents we ever invested. The amazing thing about this is, each month the cost goes down but the value goes up.

The question I wanted to answer, at least in my own mind was what made our marriage so great? What is the secret of our marriage?

As far as I can assess, there are four things about our marriage that has made it the great success it is today.

The first is FORGIVE AND FORGET. She forgives me my mistakes and I never forget to thank her for it.

Some couples carry grudges for years. Thanks to my memory-challenged mind, I cannot remember what I had for lunch yesterday much less a disagreement several years old. It takes an enormous amount of energy to REMEMBER things that happened years ago. I prefer spending that energy creating new memories.

Another key to our marital bliss is TOSS AND TURN. She tosses everything out and I turn the house upside down trying to find it. This has been the most difficult for me.

I would not admit being a pack-rat, but each year they invite me to be their keynote speaker at their convention. I would go but each year my good wife tosses the letter out before I can respond.

My wife believes that tossing away yesterday’s baggage and turning over a new leaf each day is crucial. As my wife is fond of saying, “Today it the first day of the rest of your life.” Sometimes she says it with a twinkle of menace in her left eye.

There is also, GIVE AND TAKE. This has proven beneficial over the years. She gives me a piece of her mind and I usually take it. My concern is, of all the pieces of her mind she has given me throughout the years, how can she have anything left?

Decision-making is not a one-way street in a marriage relationship. Thank God it isn’t. In every dilemma at least two sides need considering. When you find yourself in a dilemma, do what my wife does, go for de lemonade.

When only one person makes the decision in the marriage, the whole relationship takes on a lopsided demeanor. There is nothing meaner than a one-sided decision.

One last thing that makes our marriage great is PROFIT AND LOSS. This has taken a little more time to take root in my mind. Taking root in a vacuum is hard for anything.

I have discovered that a marriage runs in decades. For instance, the first 10-year period focuses on establishing the relationship. This is discovering who you are as a couple, but by the time this happens, tiny footsteps are heard in the hallway at night coming toward your bedroom.

The second decade centers on trying to raise those children and keep from going insane in the process. If I have any insanity, it is because I have inherited it from my children.

The third decade is the most important. Not many couples get this far. The third decade is devoted to rediscovering who you are as a couple.

No longer are we Rachael’s mom or Jason’s dad or Sarah’s parents. We are discovering our own identity as a couple. And let me say, it sure is the best part of the wedding cake and we are eating it up.

The fourth decade, where we are right now, is relishing all those memories made in the first three decades.

In this PROFIT AND LOSS stage, I have discovered that I profit greatly if I cause my significant other no loss of face. It is amazing how many single people are married and even live in the same house but go in separate directions and lead separate lives. Becoming a couple is a marvelous process taking years to mature.

My wife and I have found the key to all of this. It is simply SUBMISSION. The Bible plainly states, “Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God” (Ephesians 5:21 KJV).

We can do this because we independently anchor our lives to that “rock that is higher than I” (Psalms 61:2 KJV). As a couple, we build our lives upon a common foundation — Jesus Christ.

To my wife: A happy anniversary to the best Mistress to adorn my parsonage.

The Rev. James L. Snyder is pastor of the Family of God Fellowship, 1471 Pine Road, Ocala, FL 34472. He lives with his wife, Martha, in Silver Springs Shores. Call him at 352-687-4240 or e-mail jamessnyder2@att.net. The church web site is www.whatafellowship.com.

Is The Human Spirit Essential in Business Strategic Planning?

Corporate Coach Reveals How Spirit Drives Creativity, Innovation and Success
Posted: 7/6/2011

Terry Murray thinks the difference between a company that’s surviving to one that’s thriving isn’t buried in their bottom line, but rather, it’s hidden in their hearts.

Murray, an executive coach for Fortune 1000 companies, entrepreneurs and startups believes that companies that are driven by inspiration and positive emotions become inherently more successful than companies that focus exclusively on the profit-loss statements.

"Business and the human spirit are not mutually exclusive,” said Murray, author of The Transformational Entrepreneur – Engaging the Mind, Heart, & Spirit For Breakthrough Business Success (www.yourbizstartup.com). “In fact, the integration and alignment of taking a mindful approach to business is an accelerant towards success in today’s volatile marketplace. It cultivates authentic presence, positive communication, full engagement, adaptability, and taps into the creativity of human beings.”

Murray’s view is that the human element is oftentimes the spark that separates good companies from great companies.

“The competitive dynamics of business have changed,” he said. “Today and in the future, the source of value creation for companies is, and will continue to be, the efficient commercialization of intellectual property. Because of this, human beings, and their creative input and adaptability, are more important than ever. Fully cultivating and leveraging human talent requires engagement on an entirely new level – of engaging the mind, heart, and spirit. Research from Applied Behavioral Economics also reveals the importance of engaging customers emotionally and cognitively. Doing so requires a new level of consciousness to emerge in business, one that authentically aligns and integrates leadership, strategy, and culture.”

Moreover, research is showing more and more that creativity in corporations – where the next big ideas come from – is linked to how good employees and managers feel about working there.

“The competitive parameters of global markets are also changing rapidly and in unprecedented ways,” he added. “This demands adaptive change and creative solutions to maintain competitive advantage. As an example, the 2010 IBM CEO survey indicated the single most important attribute CEOs are looking for in future leaders is creativity and the ability to cultivate creativity throughout the organization. Yet they continue to lead and manage in very traditional ways that disengage associates. Gallup’s study on employee disengagement showed that 73 percent of employees are disengaged or activity disengaged with their employers and only 27 percent show up with any passion or excitement. Some managers might say, ‘So what?’ Well, in a study conducted by Gallup and published in the Harvard Business Review, companies that engage both their employees and their customers on an emotional level enjoy a 240 percent improvement in financial performance. So, making your staff feel good about their work is clearly very good for your bottom line.”

About Terry Murray

Terry Murray is an author, speaker, professional coach, and business executive with more than 20 years of progressive experience in real-world strategic development, leadership, and business execution. His leadership in strategic development and execution for Fortune 1000 and start-up companies has directly contributed more than $1 billion in market capitalization growth throughout his career.

He is Definitely On His Way

By Julie Parker
Posted: 6/28/2011

Rev. Kevin Kitrell Ross designs his life with wife Anita.

Reverend Kevin Kitrell Ross aka “Rev Kev” has written three books, created “Teen Camps” in four states, has been honored at Tufts University and the Smithsonian Institute, met the Dalai Lama and Nelson Mandela, has been featured in Black Enterprise Magazine, Upscale Magazine, Chicago Sun Times, The Miami Herald, was honored as the 1998 Outstanding Young Man of America, named by Ebony Magazine as one of America’s Young Leaders 30 and Under, hosts a radio show “Design Your Life,” has traveled to Canada, Africa, South America and the Caribbean, and recently appeared as a guest on one of Oprah’s last televisions shows.

He’s only 37.

Reverend Ross’ office is a sanctuary of subdued, grounding colors and soothing aromas. A candle on the corner of his desk emits a gentle glow into the room. “Metaphysically and symbolically,” says Ross, “it keeps me holding the light for this community and people in this community.”

Ross grew up in three-story in the south side of Chicago in “Roseland/Pullman,” a unification of two historical towns. In the 1840’s, Roseland was settled by Dutch immigrants, and Pullman was an industrial city created by George F. Pullman, the inventor of the famous Pullman “palace” railway coaches. “It was one of those communities where everybody watched out for each other. My aunt ended up marrying the boy next door.”

In the summer, he and his friends would ride their bicycles and swim at Pullman Park. In the winter they would ice skate on the grass. “It would be that frozen.”

His father, a well-known jazz guitarist in Chicago, performed around the country in Broadway plays. “Part of the summers as a kid, I grew up in the orchestra pit of these wonderful productions. ‘The Wiz’ had such a profound impact on how I see I see the world, because of the messages, ‘Believe in yourself,’ and ‘You’re always home.’”

My all-time favorite person in the world was my grandpapa, John Houston Tayborn. His favorite saying when cooking was, ‘Always put a little love in it.’ He was my best friend; a larger-than-life, yet very down-to-earth individual, who was a conglomerate of a southern preacher/Archie Bunker/Homer Simpson. He was reverent and irreverent all at the same time.”

Walking the mile to school was a “migration,” with waves of children merging with each block. “In the winters in Chicago, snow would be as high as this table. They did not cancel school. Unless a pipe burst, you were going to school.”

He competed in his first speech contest at age four. “I learned Itsby Bitsy Spider and won a trophy, and recited it around the school.” More speech essays followed. “I have a bunch of trophies at home from those years of speaking and writing.”

One of his favorite teachers was Barbara Powell, with whom he keeps in touch. “She was funny and personable. She would come to your house and say, ‘Hey, Kevin’s not doing well’ or ‘Kevin’s doing great.’ She was very in your business.There was no getting around Miss Powell.” At his wedding, around 20 years later, Ms. Powell presented to him a letter he had written to her. “It said something like, ‘Dear Miss Powell, I know I’ve not been doing the best in my grades and I’ve been acting up in class, but I promise to do better. You can count on it.’ She had saved it for maybe 20 years. That was really sweet.”

She took his class on a college tour, which included Morehouse College, which Dr. Martin Luther King attended. “That’s when I made up my mind that that is where I was going.”

“I remember going through the application process for Morehouse. They denied me. My grades by comparison to some of the other students from around the country weren’t good. They were stellar scholars, and I just wasn’t, I was always kind of a B student. They got the cream of the crop at Morehouse. Fortunately for me, I had a lot of extracurricular activities, community service and leadership abilities from high school that really helped my cause.” He was accepted on a probationary status. His minister, Dr. Johnnie Coleman, lent him $3,500 to supplement his Pell Grant. “She asked me if I was going to graduate. I said, ‘Yes.’ ‘Will you make me proud?’ ‘Yes.’ I did, and she was at that graduation.”

When then President Jimmy Carter partnered with the Atlanta Project to help children receive immunizations, they produced a concert which included Gladys Knight and Michael Jackson, free to all children who received immunizations. “My mentor at the time, Les Brown, was married to Gladys Knight, and she got me VIP tickets. It was really cool. I was about 20 years old. Jackson was sitting down front. I was a couple of rows back. People were literally passing their children to him from the upper bleaches; an assembly line of passing their children down to Michael to hug. He’d kiss them, then send them back up.

As he was making his entrance, I was walking around, and there was this narrow corridor. He and his entourage were coming into the area, and somebody stepped on my foot. I looked up, and there was Michael Jackson. I got out of the way. When I was finally able to walk up and talk to him, it was very brief, because they had security on that front row. But, I did get to say, ‘Hi.’ He was magical.”

Oprah visited his church. “It happened to be a church that Oprah was a favorite of. One of her colleagues, Dr. Barbara King, was a minster there and one of Oprah’s spiritual mothers. She took our whole church to go see the movie, ‘Beloved.’ Afterward, there was a post-talk with the cast and the church staff and congregation. I got a chance to have a little dialogue with her.”

Meanwhile, he and childhood friend David Montgomery, who also attended Morehouse, paid for their college tuition by forming a youth motivational speaking duo called “The Brothers of Thunder.” “We motivated our peers to stay off of drugs, go to school, to live their dreams.” They spoke at colleges, churches and anywhere else people would have them. Eventually, they spoke at Dr. Colemon’s church. “That church was the largest in the City of Chicago; 5,000 people attending. That launched us.”

“Dr. Johnnie Colemon taught us that we could create the world we desire to live in, by the way we thought. She became a spiritual mother to me. She christened me from birth, was at my high school graduation, came to see me while I was in college, and attended my college graduation. She was there when I became ordained as a minister, and when I got married. I was very privileged to have her in my life, because she taught me so much about who I really am and what my possibilities are.”

In 1999, he read an article about the Parliament of the World’s Religions that would be taking place in Cape Town, South Africa. Nelson Mandela and the Dali Lama would be attending. “I said, ‘I’m there.’ I circled the dates on my calendar.” When he discovered Dr. Colemon was too busy to host a prayer breakfast for the Chicago delegation of the Parliament, he offered to host it for her. He gave the closing prayer. “It turned out that Dirk Ficca, the President of the Parliament of the World’s Religions, was there and he says, ‘Young man, you are so impressive. We need people like you at the Parliament. Would you be interested in going?’ I said, ‘Absolutely I’d be interested.’ He says, ‘Well, I’d like to sponsor your trip, and if you have some other friends like you, introduce them to me. I may be willing to send them as well.’ So, I got an all expense paid trip to Cape Town, South Africa. Ela Ghandi, Ghandi’s granddaughter, and some other incredible luminaries were there.

For me, the Parliament was life changing, because of the friends I made. There were over 101 religious traditions represented there. Not people. Traditions. We young adults were called the ‘next generation.’ We created our own conference, called “Spirit Into Action,” which we hosted for about five years. All of us have continued to work together, do great things in the world and support each other’s work consistently.”

He met his wife, Anita, via an on-line dating service. They moved to Kansas City, where he led a Unity Church, and then resumed his coaching practice and itinerant speaking career from the Brothers of Thunder days. Subsequently, he has been working with the Christ Unity Church in Sacramento a little over a year.

Meanwhile, Ross sat in the audience during a couple of tapings of Oprah’s show. “The audience gets to talk, and one time she really liked what I had to say. She says, ‘Why didn’t you say that when we were filming? Now we’re on the commercial break. Can you say it as well as you said it during the commercial break?’ I said, ‘I can say it better!’ She says, ‘Okay, when we come back from the break, I’m going to point to you and I’m going to ask you to repeat yourself.’ I said, ‘Okay, no problem.’

In one instance after that, she sees me and says, ‘Weren’t you here before?’ I said, ‘Yes.’ ‘Didn’t you say something profound then? Weren’t you sitting there with a gray suit on and a silver tie?’ She described me to my teeth. I said, ‘Yes.’ She says, ‘What’s your name?’ I said, ‘Kevin Ross.’ My dad was sitting there. She said, ‘Watch out for this guy. He’s gonna be sharp. That’s Kevin Ross, y’all.’ So, she kind of flagged me at the time.

It was always a dream to be an invited guest on the show. I had her on the vision board. They asked for ‘ultimate male viewers.’ I said, ‘That’s me! They asked ladies to write in about the men in their lives who loved Oprah Winfrey. So, my wife wrote in. Essentially, she said, ‘Kevin is your ultimate male viewer and you are the other woman in our lives.’ We heard nothing back, it was almost over, and I gave up. Maybe it wasn’t meant to be.

On May 5th or so, my wife comes screaming upstairs, ‘The Oprah Winfrey Show is on the phone!’ I said, ‘Stop it, Anita.’ ‘No, they are, and they’re going to call you on your cell phone.’ I’m on the treadmill working out, and sure enough they contact me. I’m huffing and puffing, and was kind of delirious there for a minute. ‘Your wife outed you, that you’re Oprah’s ultimate male viewer. We were wondering if you would be willing to come to Chicago to tape a surprise tribute to Oprah Winfrey.’.

I get another phone call. ‘We would love for you and your wife to come back for Oprah’s Surprise Spectacular. We’re going to reveal two shows that we’re taping – all surprises to Oprah. Your tribute will be among them.’ Anita and I flew back to the United Center in, where 13,000 people were gathered for this huge surprise. All of Hollywood, was there it seemed like. They just dumped Hollywood upside down.

The greatest part of this whole experience wasn’t even that my dream was coming true, but to witness what one person can do with his or her life. I witnessed her witness her own impact. Oprah has sent 65,000 people to school, and there were thank you’s from the people. Among those, she put 414 Morehouse men through college, through her Oprah Winfrey scholarship. They came back to say thank you. So, that was really the greatest take-away for me. That’s what has me on fire right now. I get to use my life, not to get that effect, but to lead such a life like that.”

He is definitely on his way.

He and Anita are the driving forces behind Teen Dream Camp (teendreamcamp.org). “It’s committed to interrupting teen patterns of self-sabotage and suicide by launching the dreams and hearts of teenagers, starting at the ages of 13 through 19. We help them identify, awaken, develop their dreams, and teach them the principles of manifestation, so they can actually see some of their dreams coming true. It’s a series of intensive weekend camps over the summer. We have them in Florida, Kansas City, Chicago, but they originally started in Atlanta in 1994, when I was a student in Morehouse. We’ve started exploratory work for Sacramento.“

Two of his books are on backorder, and he’s working on another. “It’s semi-autographical and self-help in nature. We extrapolated principles that I use to create these amazing stories - stories that excite, but then help you to do it. It will help you become the person it takes to live your boldest dreams. You’ll blow yourself way. It will always be better than you think it could be.”

Anita has also authored a book, “Mean Time Love; A Woman’s Journey From Self-Loathe to Self-Love”. “She’s helping women to reconnect with their authenticity and to break through cycles of abuse and to chart their own path.” (anitaross.net)

And speaking of books, he carries Deepak Chopra’s “Seven Spiritual Laws of Success” with him. “I just love it. It’s raggedy. It’s a good friend.”

He hosts the radio show “Design Your Life” on the Unity Church’s online radio network Unity.Fm. “I interview experts and everyday people for their success principles on how they have achieved certain things in life and how we can design and live the lives of our dreams. Sometimes you can design it, but you’re not living it. I’m urging people to become people of purpose, passion, peace and prosperity.” The show airs every Wednesday at 10:00 PST (unity.fm/),

Some of his parishioners may be surprised to learn he loves to dance Salsa and Maranga, roller skate and is an interior design buff. “When I was in college, at the time I was with my former fiancé, we had a business called, ‘Almost Home,’ and we would decorate college dormitories to make them feel a little more like home. If you notice in my office, you have a blend of wood, steel, glass; the different elements.”

He recently played a small cameo role Sacramento State University’s production of one of his favorites – “The Wiz.” “That was so huge, because I was again living my dream.

I feel like the Wiz. He inspired me to take the journey. When people say, ‘I love coming to your church. I love hearing you.’ I inspired you to get here, and get to a place where you wake up to who you truly are.”

Midtown Church Hosts Escape to Tranquility Monthly Spa Retreats Starting June 18, 2011

Posted: 6/8/2011

Sacramento, CA.- The House Christian Church and Zeal Fitness Ministry is hosting a series of monthly spa retreats to help relieve the stresses and anxiety of daily living. The series titled, Escape to Tranquility will kick off its first morning retreat on Saturday, June 18, 2011 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at The House Christian Church, 1901 Broadway, 18th and X street entrance, in Midtown Sacramento.

Attendees will experience a time of relaxation and renewal that includes Christian meditation, Christian yoga, relaxation techniques, and self care topics to pamper the spirit and nurture the soul. The June 18th theme, “Creating Greater Space for God,” taught by Rhonda Jones, will teach participants how quieting the mind and becoming still will help them to build intimacy with God and enhance their spiritual awareness. Jones is the local author of Detox Your Life and Awaken Your Inner Spirit and creator of a series of Christ-centered meditation CDs.

Subsequent retreats will be held the first Saturday of each month beginning in July 2nd through December 3, 2011. Upcoming topics include “Eating for Health,” “Detox Your Mind,” “Releasing the Past,” “Surrendering All to God,” “Too Busy to Live,” and “Clearing Away Clutter.”

Cost of the event is $15.00 in advance and $20.00 at the door and includes a smoothie from the smoothie bar and prizes. For additional information or to register online visit, http://www.secretplacemeditation.com or email mail2kimmpb@yahoo.com.

The House Christian Church Zeal Fitness Program also offers weekly low cost Zumba, Yoga, and other fitness classes, Zumba from 7:00-8:00 p.m every Tuesday and Yoga from 6:30-7:30p.m. every Thursday. Cost is $2.00 per class and $2.00 for childcare. Please use the 19th and X street location at 1901 Broadway.

Thunder Road Church Launch

By Johnny Lujan
Posted: 6/1/2011

Well its here. The launch of Thunder Road Church is taking place on Thursday June 2nd 2011 at 7pm. Yup that's this Thursday. We have been meeting and praying for direction and discernment for 8 months. We have counseled with local pastors and leaders for about the same amount of time. We have held two bike night gatherings with good support and encouragement. We are eager to serve the community in what ever capacity we are led to serve.

Our intentions are to reach the unreachable. Our focused community of people we will be reaching is the motorcycle community. In the motorcycle community and the lifestyle it brings we are eager to reach out to lost and downtrodden. We will be a vital resource for the local community and set up referrals to other churches, programs and centers where physical, emotional and economical help can be found. We are focused on their spiritual help and direction.

As most of you know, the biker community is rarely seen in "church" because of many reasons. Until the see the real purpose in their life and the reasons to actually come and give of themselves i am not sure they will ever step foot in. We have decided to reach them where they are. We will be there for the one or for the thousand. We believe they will come to listen in a comfortable atmosphere they are used to. Our prayers is they leave changed and in time transformed to be followers of the king.

Please join us in our quest to "Reach the Unreachable". We appreciate your prayer support as well as your financial support. If you are wondering how you can support the church and help us build Gods church to this community of people, we are holding our very first "Flapjack Fundraiser" on Saturday June 18th 2011 at Applebees in Gold River (Rancho Cordova). For a $10.00 dollar donation you will receive a full pancake breakfast with bacon, potato's, coffee or juice and all the fixins. I will be more than happy to come buy your home, office, group or organization and share the vision and deliver tickets in advance. There will be a limited number of tickets available at the door but they are going fast so please call and be a part of this monumental event...... You will see some really cool choppers and be a part of something unique in the area.

Please go to our web site www.thunderroadchurch.com and check out our bike nights and service times.

Luke 4:18 - Jesus goes to Nazareth and is handed a scroll that reads "The spirit of the lord is upon me, for he has anointed me to bring Good News to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim that captives will be released, that the blind will see, that oppressed will be set free, and that the time of the Lord's favor has come". He sat down and said "The scripture you've just heard has been fulfilled this very day!" (NLT)

We are compelled to share this message with a lost world of bikers. Yes it is dark, Yes it is scary at times, Yes is is humbling and Yes it is unpredictable, but we realize there are a few million people (Bikers) not being strategically reached for the gospel and Thunder Road Church will be a place where they will feel welcomed and encouraged to hear the good news and have the opportunity to be set free from their bondage.

Marlys Johnsen Norris (Life Message Workshops) Marlys Johnsen Norris believes strongly that every person has a Legacy worthy of writing and she has held workshops during 2006 to help people write them. Marlys is a published author of five books, one of which won Best Christian book from Northern California Publishers and Authors for 2003-2004.

Jesus is Coming Again

The prophetic words of the Scriptures are recorded in Isaiah 53 telling mankind about the first coming of Jesus Christ. These now fulfilled, we are now awaiting the events of recorded Scriptures pertaining to His second coming. Many Biblical scholars tell us all indications suggest that it can happen at any time. Is the bride/church ready?

The question remains for each individual, are we ready? Our focus and affections should be so much on Christ and his sacrifice and provision for us--we can easily let loose of all earthly possessions. But can we? Have we become so materialistic we have also lost sight of our “first love” and our personal relationship with Him

We mistakenly live in the scope of the temporal and rarely think about the things that are eternal. As we approach the near time when Christ will return, we need to be diligent and ready ourselves for His coming and think more about the eternal. God’s word clearly tells us the “build-up our treasures in heaven” and that certainly does not mean the material things of this world. We build up treasures in heaven by the good deeds done to help and build-up others in their journey to know and love God with their heart and soul. We do not brag about our efforts but give God all the glory for what-ever happens.

Jesus can return at any time. In fact the Word of God tells us-- it will be “in a twinkling of an eye”--but in the meantime, we are to persevere and wait patiently. It is important to know exactly what we believe and live by those convictions with expectations, ready for His Second Coming.

Let Joy, Peace and Freedom Reign

When one lives without overcoming past hurts of an offended heart, every relationship they have is affected, including their personal relationship with God. Reliving and working up those offenses by gossiping about them add stress to ones life. Until a person has worked through them, reactions to those closest are often handled with angry attitudes that are off-base. It is important to put these hurts to rest. Scripture says “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.” (Proverb 18:21)

When we are offended by someone and they know it, the words we desperately want to hear is, “I am sorry”. However it is often omitted from the offender’s vocabulary or possibly they do not know how to humbly implement this attitude. Holding on to these hurts opens ones heart for attacks of the enemy of our souls. He causes resentment to grow and give one a critical spirit when one has not yielded hurts into the care of Almighty God and let them go. So then, how can we overcome feelings and put these things in proper prospective in our lives?

If we desire to experience relief, renewed joy, peace and freedom; God’s Word tells us “to the measure we forgive others, we also will be forgiven”. Another place it says, “A man’s wisdom give him patience; it is to his glory to overlook an offense” (Proverb 19:ll). Oh yes, this is a huge recipe for anyone and forgiveness is always a decision we must make to be in right relationship with God. And isn’t it a better way and more important to have our relationship with God restored by following the precepts He has set before us, than to hold onto those hurts? Let joy, peace and freedom reign in your heart!

Marlys Johnsen Norris LIFE MESSAGE WORKSHOPS “Intimacy Begins Going God’s Way” Marlysj@sbcglobal.net

Calvin and Lisa Wulf

Idol Time

Do not run until your feet are bare and your throat is dry.  But you said, "It's no use!  I love foreign gods, and I must go after them."  Jeremiah 2:25 (NIV)
The alarm clock rings, "Time to get up."
The grandfather clock chimes, "Time to go to work."
The computer beeps, "Time for your next appointment."
The time clock punches, "Time to go home."
The microwave dings, "Time for dinner."
The cuckoo clock sings, "Time for bed."

We live on the clock.  It tells us when to go out and when to come in. We either try to beat the clock or kill time. So the pressure mounts. We juggle our lives to keep as many clocks in the air as possible. If one should fall, the whole system shatters

Ever notice that the clock is often the focal point of a room? It's given an honored place on the mantel.  Even churches aren't immune.  The cross used to be center stage. Today many sanctuaries have no cross but there's a clock in the back so the preacher can get us out on time.

Jesus never said, "Hurriest thou for we are late!" We don't see him rushing around. Yet he accomplished everything that was necessary. That's because he fixed his eyes on the Father, his compass, and not on the clock. Let's get real. Time consciousness fuels our modern world so we can’t eliminate clock tyranny altogether. But we can make better use of our compass. God gives us all the time we need to do what he has for us. Want to stop dividing life into seconds and minutes?  Here's how:

• Try an experiment.  Take off your watch for a bit.
• Evaluate your schedule.  Do you need so many timetables?
• Follow God's clock.  It runs on eternal time.

Does your wristwatch have you by the throat? Perhaps now is the time to stop juggling and let your timepieces fall to the ground. Don't let clock worship eclipse God's plan for your life. Free up your hands and eyes to follow the one true compass.

Living for God (TM) offers resources on Christian living.  Check them out at www.livingforgod.net or call (719) 578-8837.

© 2008 Calvin R. Wulf and Lisa Are Wulf