The Signal Vol. VI - CrossCultureMedia

Summer 2005
Volume VI
ANTONIO NEAL
Newly signed to
EMI Gospel…
ARE YOU
CONNECTED
TO THE SOURCE?
10
IDEAS
for carefree
living
CCMtv.org
CONTENTS
Pr
esident / Founder
Damian Cox
Editor / Design Coordinator
Sheila Grady
Promotions / Publicity Manager
Paula Cox
3
SPIRITUAL CUTBACKS
by Damian Cox
5
Creative Design
Linda Hack
WHAT'S THE WORD? /
DE-STRESS OUTSIDE THE BOX
Web Design
Gary Gogis / Damian Cox
CCM Special
Contributors
Bonnie Love / EMI Gospel
CCM's Mission: Providing a media platform for the
purpose of presenting innovative, Christian programming
and wholesome entertainment for the advancement of
the Kingdom of God.
Cross Culture Media
PO Box 68127
Indianapolis, IN 46268
317 / 710-9566
www.CCMtv.org
7
ANTONIO NEAL
EMI Gospel Special
Special Thanks
W
e're so excited to see what God is doing with Cross
Culture Media and with our new magazine format of "The
Signal".
Keep your eyes peeled in the future for much growth and
spiritual breakthrough as CCM continues to be led from
glory to glory into a deeper understanding of the
expansive work God would have us to do! Also, remember
to keep us in your prayers, for this work cannot be done
by a few, but many prayers and resources are required in
order to fulfill this extensive of a ministry. "...THE
HARVEST TRULY IS GREAT, BUT THE LABORERS ARE
FEW..." (Luke 10:2)
INTERVIEW:
EMBARKING ON NEW TERRITORY
by Sheila Grady
8
10
A MATTER OF THE HEART
by Bonnie Love
Many thanks to this month's contributing writer, Bonnie
Love, and to our CCM partners.
For those who would like to contribute by way of
partnership, please either fill out the last page of this
edition or visit our "Partner" page online.
Please send letters and
comments to DearCCM@
CrossCultureMedia.org.
God bless you all!
Sheila Grady
Editor / Design Coordinator
The Signal
Summer 2005
Page 2
CCMtv.org
Spiritual Cutbacks
God's Plan for Personal Growth
by Damian Cox
Personal growth is not always easy when God is involved. When God challenges us to grow,
there is usually a series of tests that lead us through a process.
One of the most challenging things about growing with God is understanding the
process of cutting and pruning. When there is something in your life that keeps you
from growing to the next level in God, most of the time it is not obvious. We may
justify certain behaviors or habits, or just think that because of our zeal and
service to His Kingdom, it may entitle us to allow certain things in our lives to
remain unchanged.
With confidence I can say that when there is a total surrender of our life to God,
there will be certain things in us that require deliverance in order to reach new levels
and experience the fullness of God's blessings. There are many Christians who truly
love God and serve him whole-heartedly that miss out on experiencing new levels of
relationship and blessings.
In John 15:1-6 of the Amplified Bible, Jesus says:
1
" I AM the True Vine, and My Father is the Vinedresser.
2
Any branch in Me that does not bear fruit [that stops bearing] He cuts away (trims off, takes
away); and He cleanses and repeatedly prunes every branch that continues to bear fruit, to make it
bear more and richer and more excellent fruit.
3
You are cleansed and pruned already, because of the word which I have given you [the teachings
I have discussed with you].
4
Dwell in Me, and I will dwell in you. [Live in Me, and I will live in you.] Just as no branch can bear
fruit of itself without abiding in (being vitally united to) the vine, neither can you bear fruit unless
you abide in Me.
5
I am the Vine; you are the branches. Whoever lives in Me and I in him bears much (abundant) fruit.
However, apart from Me [cut off from vital union with Me] you can do nothing.
6
If a person does not dwell in Me, he is thrown out like a [broken-off] branch, and withers; such
branches are gathered up and thrown into the fire, and they are burned.
"
continued
The Signal
Summer 2005
Page 3
Humility
In verse 2 we see that when God is working
with us in order for us to grow to new and
healthier levels in him, he cuts away and
prunes the dead areas in our lives that do not
glorify Him, so that we may also bear fruit.
Most often this process is painful and comes
at times when we don't expect to be worked
on. What areas in your life do you believe
are keeping you from going to the next level
in God? It could be an unfruitful habit such
as smoking, drinking, or lying. Maybe it could
also be unwise use of your money,
overeating, or flirting with others outside of
your marriage. Whatever branches need to
be pruned in your life probably cannot be done by your own
strength.
If you are looking to go to new levels in God, one of the first
things you should do is make sure that you are humble
before the Lord. Know that you are a continuous work-inprogress during your Christian walk. One of the things that I
have learned and practiced throughout my relationship with
God is humility. More specifically, I have learned to humble
myself daily before Him with the intent of not letting a
prideful spirit rise up that would soon cause me to fall. I've
learned through experience that it's always a little easier to
humble yourself rather than to have God do the humbling
for you!
CCMtv.org
You may notice from time-to-time a large bucket truck
operated by the local power company traveling throughout
the city for the purpose of cutting off and pruning overgrown
branches. The reason that many power companies are also
in the tree trimming business is because they must monitor,
cut off and prune many of the branches that directly
threaten the flow of power in the lines. If these branches
are allowed to overgrow, they can actually disrupt the flow
of power through the lines or can create an extremely
h a z a r d o u s
environment.
This is very similar to
how God works
when He trims and
prunes us. There
are some things that
God notices about us
that need to be cut
off to keep from
interfering with the
flow of God's power
in our lives. The
power that keeps us connected to Him and elevates us to
new levels, will deepen our relationship with God and will
allow us to effectively operate in our purpose.
In 1 Peter 5:6 the scripture reads:
humble yourselves [demote,
" Therefore
lower yourselves in your own
estimation] under the mighty hand of
God, that in due time He may exalt
you.
"
We learn that God expects us to humble ourselves so that
he may exalt us in our due season. Even as you are
reading this message, I believe that the Holy Spirit could be
speaking to you right now about something in your life that
is keeping you from growing to the next level in your walk
with God - keeping you from an increased anointing, an
enlarged territory, a promotion, a ministry, a mate, or even
conceiving a child. What do you believe God is showing
you in your life that could be hindering you from growing to
the next level? Even if you believe there's nothing
noticeable in your life, I challenge you to humble yourself at
this very moment and ask God to cut off the dead branches
in your life. Ask him to prune the branches that have the
potential to bear healthier fruit so that he may encourage
you to continue to grow into the fullness of life with God.
Prayer
"Heavenly Father, thank you for caring so much
about us that you desire us to be complete. I
understand God that there is always room for
improvement in my walk with you, so right now I
humble myself before you and ask you to cut off
the dead areas in my life and to prune the areas
that could bear healthier fruit. I believe Lord that
as these areas are cut off and cut back, your
glorious power will continue to flow and elevate
me to new levels in You. Thank you God and I
am expecting to Grow. In Jesus' name."
Amen
The Signal
Summer 2005
Page 4
CCMtv.org
What's the Word?
Officially Launched
CrossCultureMedia.org OR CCMtv.org for short!
DE-STRESS
OUTSIDE the box
Check us out…
"Tune In" -
Featuring such ministries as:
Joel Osteen
Barnabas Christian Church
New Life Worship Center
Ready for a change from your
normal routine? CCM put its
thinking cap on and came up
with 10 ways to put some flavor
into your life.
1. Take an entire day to do the
enjoyable activities from your
"Featured Movie" - Joyful Day
Joshua, a young, urban man learns about respect, fatherhood, and
second chances. This short film brings to life destiny that cannot be
avoided. Watch Joyful Day on CCMtv.org and you're sure to be
touched by this hopeful story of a real life drama.
to-do list
2. Watch a sunrise
3. Take a trip to another country
4. Treat yourself to a day of
relaxation (ie: the spa or golf
course)
"Featured Media" New Artist: Antonio Neal
5. Go horseback riding…down
the beach!
6. Write a song called, "I'm
Thankful For…"
7. Break out a yearbook, look up
NASHVILLE, TN-----EMI Gospel has entered into an exclusive
recording agreement with Antonio Neal. (See Cover Story for
more details.)
Also Featuring Hip Hop Artist: Fiti Futuristic
New Artist: Micah Stampley
old friends and start calling
8. Eat right, drink plenty of
liquids and get adequate sleep
9. Remember that God has not
given you more than you can
bear
10. Take life one day at a time!
And Much, Much More!
Continue logging onto CCMtv.org for fresh & exciting media…
The Signal
Summer 2005
Page 5
"About My Father's Business"
All Roads are Leading to Indianapolis, Indiana
August 25 - 27, 2005
The first annual
"About My Father's Business" Conference
will take the Gospel world by storm.
Don't miss this exciting, educational and enjoyable time in the Lord. Join authors Max Siegel,
president of Verity Records, and his co-author, Pastor John Ramsey, Sr. of New Life Worship
Center, as they instruct how to merge "industry and ministry." Joining these two dynamic
men of God will be:
Kirk Franklin, Dr. Marvin Sapp, Bishop Paul Morton,
Fred Hammond, Vicki Winans and
a host of other legendary Gospel artists.
Contact Information
TASEIS Publishing, Inc.
1311 West 96th Street, Suite120
Indianapolis, IN 46260
Phone: 317.705.0723
Fax: 317.705.1538
www.taseispublishing.com
CCMtv.org
EMI Gospel Signs Songwriter Antonio Neal
to Exclusive Recording Agreement
NASHVILLE, TN ----EMI Gospel has entered into an exclusive
recording agreement with Antonio Neal. The songwriter and
musician hit the streets August 2nd, 2005, releasing his solo
debut "Days of My Life".
Neal has written songs for Stacie Orrico, DJ Maj, Jody Mc Brayer
(of Avalon), Darlene McCoy and many others. He's also
featured on EMI Gospel multi-artist CD "Great Men of Gospel"
and "Lift Every Voice in Worship". More recently, Neal wrote
and co-produced "Fallen In Love" performed by Darlene McCoy
on the "Diary of a Mad Black Woman" soundtrack, which
debuted #19 on Billboard's Top 200 and #6 on the Billboard's
R&B chart.
After eight years of writing and preparation Neal is ready to
share his music with the world. "It all grew into singing my
original songs at church to hitting the studio with high hopes
to sing to the world", says Neal. "This has been an up and
down journey with many disappointments and victories."
Originally from the St Louis area, Neal now resides in Nashville
with his family. Crediting The Winans, The Isley Brothers, and
Al Green with his "soulful inspirational" sound, Neal's debut
album introduces his smooth acoustic, neo-soul music into the
market place.
Consumers had a first listen of Antonio Neal this May, as his
single was available for digital download on popular DSPs,
iTunes and Napster. In addition, visitors logging on to
AntonioNeal.org can access updated tour information, photos,
bios, and interviews. The site will also link visitors to various
websites within the music community.
"Antonio Neal's music deals directly with the issues young
adults face every day," says EMI Gospel President Ken Pennell.
"His songs give guidance and encouragement to those that are
looking for a deeper, more meaningful way of life, a life that is
driven by the spiritual, not the material. We appreciate
Antonio's pursuit of a purposeful life and we welcome him to
the EMI Gospel family of artists."
Brentwood, Tennessee-based EMI Christian Music Group is the
world's largest Christian music organization and includes EMI
Gospel, EMI CMG Label Group, EMI CMG
Distribution and EMI CMG Publishing. It is
part of EMI Group, the world's largest
independent music company whose other
U.S. labels include Angel, Astralwerks, Blue
Note, Capitol, Capitol Nashville, EMI Latin,
Narada and Virgin Records.
To hear the sounds of Antonio Neal, log on
to www.EMIGOSPEL.COM.
The Signal
Summer 2005
Page 7
CCMtv.org
EMBARKING ON NEW TERRITORY
Barnabas Christian Church - Atlanta, GA
S
by Sheila Grady
aying "goodbye" to the North and "hello" to the South, Pastor
Joseph Jones gets ready to embark on new territory - Atlanta,
Georgia. Faith overrides fear as this pastor revs up for
opportunities unseen and challenges
unheard. His rich background in
- How long have you been a preacher and what got you started?
ministry and education has greatly
prepared him for this giant metropolitan
- 20 some years. 1982 I was called into the ministry. I was a senior in high
leap! Join CCM as we speak with Pastor
school, so my senior year God called me into the ministry…I graduated from
Jones in this interview learning about
Weslyan with a B.S.M. degree and am currently working on my Master's Degree.
And if the Lord says the same, I'll be working on my PHD programming in Atlanta
his vision and passion for Barnabas
somewhere in the future.
Christian Church.
Q
A
Q - What has made you want to go to Atlanta?
A - Vision. God had put it on my heart to move to another area. According
to the statistics, there are about 6.8 million unchurched in Georgia…So, I
believe God allowed me to pastor in Indianapolis for five years to get some
pastoral experience, to live and learn, if you will, then to move on to
Atlanta; planting a new church - Barnabas Christian Church.
Pastor Jones sharing his vision "on air"
Q - What are some of the goals you have for the church?
A - One of the things that a lot of pastors have not been exposed to is
something called the "multigenerational church" or the "trigenerational church".
I understand now that you have to be genrationally sensitive. So, my target
audience will be the Generation X/Generation Y, but also being sensitive to other
generations, transforming the thought process of how to minister to each
generation effectively.
"People believe in
your vision based on
your character."
Q - What is your mission statement?
A - The Barnabas Church is "a House of Encouragement". So, what we
want to do is educate and encourage people to fulfill their dreams
whatever their dream would be…I think it's the church's responsibility to
reach deep down in your disciples so that they can discover the dream
that God has incorporated into their lives in order to impact other people.
The Signal
Summer 2005
Page 8
CCMtv.org
"Take the tools that you have...and use
them to the best of your ability."
Q - How have others been involved in your vision?
A - People will give to your character and not your vision. If
you have good character, then people will invest. So, when you
have vision, they give according to your character. Churches
have already invested money into the Barnabas Christian Church,
although BCC is not in existence yet; it's just a vision that's been
shared with others...
Q - In three words, describe yourself?
A - People person, down-to-earth & giving.
Q - I also hear you're a very humorous guy.
A - Yes, I have a sense of humor. I think one of the biggest mistakes
churches or even pastors make is that the people don't know their
pastor's character. What I mean by that is there is another side to the
pastor that needs to be known…the joking side. A lot of pastors are
actually comedians. They want to be themselves as long as the church is
not judgmental or critical…The bottom line is that I am a man who
happens to be a pastor.
Q - Anything else on your heart?
"It's important that whatever
God has inside of you, you have to
discover it and use it."
A - I think it's important that whatever God has inside of you, you
have to discover it and use it. Don't let life pass you by. Take the
tools that you have, whatever the tools may be, and use them to
the best of your ability. Never, ever think that you can't do it. You
can because it's in you. All you have to do is reach deep down in
your spirit and your soul and go for it. Take a risk, or if you want to
use Biblical words, take that faith step to discover other things that
God has for you. You will never discover it if you stay in the rocking
chair just rocking your life away. Get up and do it! God is waiting on
you.
The Signal
Summer 2005
Page 9
CCMtv.org
A Matter of The Heart
3) In between meals drink 8-10 8oz. glasses of pure water every
day. Drinking with meals causes digestive problems.
By Bonnie Love
"W
hat a strange statement," I
thought as I repeated the
sentence over in my mind. "Good
nutrition starts in the heart." As I
continued to ponder the phrase, I
had to admit it really is true. After
all, God does say in 1 Corinthians 10:31, "Whether therefore ye
eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God."1
Webster defines the word "glory" as "honour and praise rendered
in worship".2 This shows that wanting God to be honoured and
praised by one's eating and drinking is, in deed, a matter of the
heart.
So, how can one glorify God by eating and drinking? Take a tip
from Solomon, the wisest man who ever lived. "Blessed art thou, O
land, when...thy princes eat in due season, for strength, and not for
drunkenness."3
I challenge you to incorporate these three simple rules into your
daily lifestyle for three weeks. At the end of three weeks you will
have formed a new habit, and you'll be eating and drinking "to the
glory of God"!
Bonnie Love is a Medical Missionary living in Cloverdale, Indiana.
Endnote
1. KJV
2. The New Merriam-Webster Dictionary, 1983
3. Ecclesiastes 10:17, KJV
"The Everyday Guide To…"
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The Signal
Summer 2005
Page 10