50th Anniversary “I Have A Dream”

PBS is planning to air a film on August 27 called The March, which relays the story of the 1963 march in Washington DC where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. gave his “I Have a Dream” speech. It will mark the 50th anniversary of the speech, and coincides with a full week of programming that PBS will air in honor of the anniversary. There will also be a five-part web series called “The March”, and a show called NewsHour, among others. The film is directed by John Akomfrah, who stated “This is one of these events that I swore as a kid if I ever became a filmmaker I would do something with.” The film features interviews from those who knew Dr. King best, including Jack O’Dell, Clarence Jones, Norman Hill, and more. “History has a way of repeating itself,” says Laura Michalchyshyn, Redford’s partner at Sundance Productions and an executive producer on the film. “We’re telling the story of the March on Washington in a manner that is frankly very provocative. Our hope is to create something where you feel like you’re actually there.”

14 Years In Prison: Gospel Icon Is Tried And Convicted Of Ponzi Fraud

Michael Winans Jr. is speaking out after he was sentenced to 14 years in prison for running an $8 million Ponzi scheme that resulted in losses for over 1,000 people. Winans Jr. is the son of Michael Winans Sr. and part of the famous Winans family, known throughout the country for their Gospel roots. Winans Jr. said, “There are numerous stories out there that claim I stole millions of dollars from innocent people. That is not true.” The accusations against Winans Jr. claim that people turned over their money believing that they were investing in Arabian crude oil bonds. Winans Jr. goes on to say, “I’m not blameless, and I’m willing to take responsibility for my mistakes. But I am not willing to take responsibility for what others did in my name. Let it be clear: I did not start this investment. My name was used without my permission to solicit money by a lot of people, including Tim Hunt, the creator of the fraudulent oil investment.” Winans Jr. is a recording artist and producer, and the shock of his arrest was felt throughout the Gospel community. But Winans Jr. says not to believe everything you hear about his case – “My attorney failed to do his job for me. He told me not to comment at all on the case, even though I wanted to explain that I have paid back a lot of people. He failed to make an objection to the claim that I was responsible for the losses by people I didn’t know and money that I never even received.” Winans Jr. says he is only responsible for $1.2 million in losses, not the full amount, citing that he has already paid back three-quarters of the investors. The fraud didn’t just rob people of their money. Those who got involved and began selling the bonds, thinking this was a legitimate business, were later shunned by friends and family who they had defrauded unknowingly. Many families were broken by the fraud, both financially and emotionally. It will be interesting to follow further developments in this case. Until then, Winans Jr. says he has repented and is searching for peace. It may take a little time to find that peace, especially among those he hurt.

When He Cheats: Are some actions enough to justify breaking the sacred bond of marriage?

By now it’s no secret that Tina Campbell, better known as half of Mary Mary, is having some trouble in her marriage. Mary Mary fans were shocked to learn that Tina’s husband Teddy had an affair with a close friend. But people were even more shocked that she claims that she forgives him. “How dare she!?” came the cries from the gospel community. And “How dare he!?” was equally yelled from the masses of public opinion in regards to Teddy’s infidelity. It seems there is no shortage of commentary on the subject, and most of it isn’t fit to be whispered in the halls of your local church. Above all, Mary Mary fans should remember that they are Christians as well, and should try to find forgiveness in every situation, which should be much easier for them than it will be for Tina. If she is willing to search within herself and her marriage for forgiveness, looking toward prayer and God for answers, the Christian community should support her decision. It is, after all, the pillar of Christianity – forgiveness. However, if she is unable to find forgiveness in her heart, is it acceptable for her to get a divorce in the eyes of God? The rules of marriage and divorce, like many topics in the Bible, are up for interpretation. If you research the topic, you can find arguments on both sides, some that say divorce is acceptable in this situation, and some that say it is not. Many times both arguments will even use the same scriptures to justify their positions. With battle  lines drawn, how are we to know the true wishes of our God? Does He understand that in some cases, divorce is just inevitable? Especially with regard to infidelity, the Bible does seem to make an exception for divorce, for instance, in Matthew 19:19 (bottom left). However, some people still debate whether or not this scripture is truly referring to adultery or not. But this intense research is not necessary to understand God’s real views on marriage and divorce. You only need to look within yourself to understand what is right and what is wrong. You should, of course, read the scripture to help you make an informed decision, but in the end, God knows your heart and your intentions. If it is your true intention to abide by His wishes, He will provide you with peace and understanding no matter the circumstance. His forgiveness will rain down on you when you make a mistake, as long as you come to Him with a repentant heart. Every effort should always be taken to keep a marriage intact, but knowing our loving God, we must believe that He wouldn’t want us to be miserable. Through careful thought, reading, and prayer, God will provide us with the answers we need in our own lives. Just don’t forget, your situation is unique, We must not pass our own judgements on others; instead, we should strive to have a heart of forgiveness, and in all things look to Him for guidance. This is the advice we have for Tina in her trying time.

Apple Rhubarb Delight

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup unsalted butter, melted
• 6 ounces brioche, torn into 1/2 inch pieces
• 3 cups diced rhubarb
• 1 Granny Smith apple — peeled, cored and sliced into thin wedges
• 5/8 cup dark brown sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 pinch ground nutmeg
• 1/2 lemon, zested and juiced
• 1 tablespoon butter, diced
• 3/8 cup warm water

Directions:

Preheat oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Butter a shallow, 1-quart baking dish.

In a medium bowl, combine melted butter and brioche. Line the bottom of the baking dish with one-third of the mixture.

In another bowl, combine rhubarb, apple, brown sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, lemon juice and zest. Let rest until juices begin to run, 5 minutes. Then spread half of the mixture over the brioche in the dish. Top with half the remaining brioche. Spread the remaining rhubarb over that and top with the last of the brioche. Dot with 1 tablespoon butter. Spoon the warm water evenly over the top.

Cover and bake in preheated oven 25 to 35 minutes, until rhubarb is tender. Increase oven temperature to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C), uncover dish, and bake until top is crusty, rhubarb is soft, and bubbles form at the edges of the dish, 10 to 15 minutes. Serve warm.

Classic Macaroni Salad

Ingredients:

• 4 cups uncooked elbow macaroni
• 1 cup mayonnaise
• 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
• 2/3 cup white sugar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons prepared yellow mustard
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 2 stalks celery, chopped
• 1 green bell pepper, seeded and chopped
• 1/4 cup grated carrot (optional)
• 2 tablespoons chopped pimento peppers (optional)

Directions:

Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add the macaroni, and cook until tender, about 8 minutes. Rinse under cold water and drain.

In a large bowl, mix together the mayonnaise, vinegar, sugar, mustard, salt and pepper. Stir in the onion, celery, green pepper, carrot, pimentos and macaroni. Refrigerate for at least 4 hours before serving, but preferably overnight.

Juicy Marinated Chicken

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup distilled white vinegar
• 1/3 cup vegetable oil
• 1/3 cup soy sauce
• 1 lime, juiced
• 1/2 lemon, juiced
• 1/4 cup sherry
• 2 tablespoons ground mustard
• 2 teaspoons honey
• 4 cloves garlic, crushed
• 1/3 cup brown sugar
• 2 tablespoons lemon pepper
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon rosemary
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 6 skinless, boneless chicken breast halves

Directions:

In a large glass bowl, stir together the vinegar, oil, soy sauce, lime juice, lemon juice, sherry, mustard, and honey. Mix in the garlic, brown sugar, lemon pepper, oregano, rosemary, and salt. Place the chicken in the mixture. Cover, and marinate in the refrigerator 8 hours or overnight.

Preheat the grill for high heat.

Lightly oil the grill grate. Discard marinade, and place chicken on the grill. Cook 6 to 8 minutes per side, until juices run clear.

It Worked For Me: In Life And Leadership

As a four-star general and former Secretary of State, Colin Powell’s time in the spotlight might make you think you know all there is to know about this distinguished man. But you’d be wrong. It Worked for Me gives insight into Powell’s personal life, behind the political stories and into the past that we experience alongside him through his words. In one of his most powerful quotes, Powell says “Do your best – someone is watching.” And he certainly lived by that mantra. We can all learn something from this hero’s tale, and not just because of his military service, but because of his role as an everyday hero. A man’s man, a protector, and a considerate heart, Powell recounts tales that will make you feel like you intimately know the man you may have previously only seen on the television screen.

The Whiteney I Knew

There have been many things written about Whitney Houston, especially since her untimely passing, but one of the most true and personal accounts of Whitney’s life comes from Bebe Winans. Who better suited to write about Whitney than someone who knew her for years? From the day they met in 1985 to the very end, the two were extremely close. Bebe’s account relays many fond memories of the friend she so misses, and by reliving her experiences, we gain a deeper understanding of what made Whitney a unique and special person. Far beyond the headlines, this collection of memories takes us back in time to stand beside Whitney in some of her most honest moments. There were triumphs and heartache, but through it all, Bebe shows us that Whitney was not just a headline – she was someone to be remembered, and someone to be missed.

America The Beautiful: Rediscovering What Made This Nation Great

Dr. Ben Carson takes us on a journey to discover not only what we have been in the past, but what we will become in the future. His book is an exploration into what America is made of – or rather, what it used to be made of. Dr. Carson has experienced every walk of life in America through his service in the medical field, and his status as Professor of Neurosurgery, Plastic Surgery, Oncology, and Pediatrics, and the Director of Pediatric Neurosurgery at Johns Hopkins Medical Institutions gives him unique insight into what makes us human, and what makes us American. Dr. Carson touches on many subjects, including our origins, education, rise of capitalism, healthcare, and morals. Because as we all know, we must understand our past, lest we are doomed to repeat it.

The Walk Series: The Walk, Miles To Go, The Road To Grace, & A Step Of Faith

The Walk Series by Richard Paul Evans is a set of four books that are entertaining, inspiring, and simply wonderful. Consisting of The Walk, Miles to Go, The Road to Grace, and A Step of Faith, the Walk Series follows the journey of a man who has lost everything important to him – his wife, his job, and his home. He decides to embark on a journey of self exploration, and he starts by simply walking. The series is engaging and thought-provoking, and makes the reader take stock of what is really important to them. Through his journey, Alan, the main character, finds that he is stronger than he ever imagined,  and that there is hope and faith even when life seems hopeless. These books are for anyone who has ever lost hope, but also for anyone who is just looking for a good read. But be careful, because once you pick up the first book, you won’t be able to put it down! The Walk Series has enjoyed countless fans over the course of its printing, but now is the perfect time to start reading the collection if you haven’t already, because all four books are finally out. You can read  it from beginning to end without having to wait for the next book to come out; And trust us, you’ll want to!