Faithware Passages

The nominations for the 41st Dove Awards have been announced, you can see a complete list here.

Here are the Major Categories;

Artist of the Year
Francesca Battistelli
Casting Crowns
Jason Crabb
Jars of Clay
TobyMac
Mary Mary
Skillet

New Artist of the Year
Jonny Diaz
Kari Jobe
Revive
Sidewalk Prophets
Bluetree
Crystal Akin
Brian Courtney Wilson

Group of the Year
Casting Crowns
Gaither Vocal Band
Jars of Clay
NEEDTOBREATHE
Tenth Avenue North
Hezekiah Walker & LFC
Skillet

Female Vocalist of the Year
Francesca Battistelli
Natalie Grant
Mandisa
Dawn Michele
Laura Story
Karen Peck Gooch
Heather Headley

Male Vocalist of the Year
Jeremy Camp
Jason Crabb
Michael English
Brandon Heath
Bebo Norman
Mark Schultz
Donnie McClurkin
Smokie Norful

Song of the Year
“Born To Climb” by Jeff & Sherri Easter, Wayne Haun and Joel Lindsey
“By Your Side” by Tenth Avenue North
“Free To Be Me” by Francesca Battistelli
“God Is There” by Diamond Rio
“I Will Rise” by Chris Tomlin and Louie Giglio
“Let the Waters Rise” by MIKESCHAIR
“Revelation Song” by Jennie Lee Riddle
“Somebody Like Me” by Neil Thrasher, Michael Boggs
“Two Hands” by Jars of Clay
“Why Can’t All God’s Children Get Along” by Karen Peck & New River

The 41st Annual GMA Dove Awards will be shown only on the Gospel Music Channel on Sunday, April 25 at 8 pm et.

Today is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent, the 40 days before Easter. I forget that this is not an event that all Christian religions celebrate.  Click here to read a good explanation of what it is all about.

By the sweat of your brow
you will eat your food
until you return to the ground,
since from it you were taken;
for dust you are
and to dust you will return. - Genesis 3:19

I was first extremely shocked, then saddened, then angry after reading this story.

Quoting this Fox news story, Rebecca Garland, the chief academic officer for North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, told Fox News “We are certainly not trying to go away from American history, What we are trying to do is figure out a way to teach it where students are connected to it, where they see the big idea, where they are able to make connections and draw relationships between parts of our history and the present day.”

How can the students be connected to American history when they start in the middle of the time-line?  They state that they will have been taught North Carolina and US History in middle school, but you know it will not be as in depth or with a comprehension that will only come with age. If anything they should be concentrating on the birth of this great country with special emphasize on the Constitution and the Bill of Rights.

As Thomas Jefferson stated “I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of society but the people themselves, and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them but to inform their discretion.” But I guess if you go to school in North Carolina, after reading this statement, you might instead be asking who is Thomas Jefferson?

If you know me, you know that I am a soccer fanatic. So, I just had to pass this on. Eurosport has committed 100% of the proceeds of the sale of this shirt to the relief effort in Haiti.

If you had not heard, 30 members of the Haitian Soccer Federation died in the earthquake and many more are missing. It includes Administrators, Coaches, Officials, Medical Officials and Players. You can read more about it here

As Jack Warner stated in this article“The football community stands in solidarity with Haiti. As our brothers and sisters face their darkest hour, we must let them know that they are not alone,”

It just so happens the Haitian National motto is “Unity Makes Strength”

If you have been looking for a way to support the relief effort in Haiti and you just didn’t know which effort to support, here is another very good option. Lutheran World Relief LWR has made it easy to phone in a $10 Donation. LWR has committed an initial $1,000,000 to the relief effort and will reevaluate that commitment as new reports emerge.

WHO IS LWR? Lutheran World Relief, an international nonprofit organization, works to end poverty and injustice by empowering some of the world’s most impoverished communities to help themselves. With partners in 35 countries, LWR seeks to promote sustainable development with justice and dignity by helping communities bring about change for healthy, safe and secure lives; engage in Fair Trade; promote peace and reconciliation; and respond to emergencies. LWR is headquartered in Baltimore, Md. and has worked in international development and relief since 1945. Lutheran World Relief is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod (LCMS), individuals and parish groups in international relief, development, advocacy and social responsibility.

A Message from Lutheran World Relief:
The coming days are critical as teams dispatch to Haiti to conduct search and rescue efforts. Lutheran World Relief is working with partners on the ground to deliver aid. Every dollar donated is critical to this life-saving effort. Please give today.

There are several ways you can help:

* Pray: for all those affected and those who are there to help.

* Give: by making a donation to the Haiti Earthquake fund, you will help ensure that LWR is able to quickly provide the most effective assistance.

LWR accepts donations by phone at 800-LWR-LWR-2, online at
lwr.org or by mailing a check or money order to:

Lutheran World Relief
Haiti Earthquake
P.O. Box 17061
Baltimore, MD 21298-9832

Or Give Right Now - Starting today, January 17, you can also text gifts to LWR from your cell phone. It’s quick and easy. Just text LWR to 40579 to make a $10 donation. Remember to reply YES to the confirmation.

Messaging and data rates may apply.

Once immediate needs are met, further gifts will be used to help LWR respond where the need is greatest, in Haiti or elsewhere around the globe. Please also consider making an unrestricted donation which will enable LWR to respond quickly to the next emergency.

* Act: LWR hopes to send material aid, such as quilts and health kits, to Haiti. Help restore hope and health to people in Haiti and all around the world by making quilts or health kits – visit lwr.org/beinvolved to learn more.

* Connect: As we learn more about the needs of the people of Haiti, LWR will explore more ways to help. Keep up with our on-going efforts by visiting lwr.org/Haiti.

January 11th was “National Global Human Trafficking Awareness Day.” President Obama had declared January 2010 as National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month.    Many cities and states are creating events to help support the cause, but as one blog I read put it, “everyday should be National Global Human Trafficking Awareness Day.”

As a reminder,  two of our vendors are deeply involved in working with children and families to help combat human trafficking, Guardian Village & Threads Of Hope.  Please keep them in your prayers.

And if you think that this happens everywhere but the US, check out Not For Sale, they post a map showing where reported case are located, including the US.

Take the time and read “Terrify No More” a book written by Gary Haugen, the founder of International Justice Mission. It tells about several of their cases and how the IJM came about. You can find out more about them here.

To learn more and join this movement check out the following sites:

HumanTrafficking.org

Foreign Policy Association/Children’s Page - Not only human trafficking but other blogs on various global issues.

Justice For Women -The “Link” button on the left hand side sends you to a page that hosts various links on more global issues.