February 22, 2024

In This Issue 

Elevation Worship

Grammy Award-winning group Elevation Worship has released a new song, “Another One,” featuring Elevation Worship’s Chris Brown. It entered this week's Billboard Contemporary Christian Music charts at #14.

Written by Pastor Steven Furtick, Brandon Lake, Pat Barrett and Chris Davenport, the song harkens back to the many miracles God has performed over time reminding us he will do it again. Lake has been dominating the charts as a solo artist for the past few years. His "Gratitude" has been #1 for 26 weeks. You'll also find him at #1 with his "Praise You Anywhere" from his "Coat of Many Colors" album and at #5 as part of Elevation Worship's "Praise."

"Another One' is a prophetic song for anyone who’s been sowing, praying, and waiting on God," Brown said. "He has an abundance of ways to meet all of our needs, and he’s promised to work all things for our good. We hope this song inspires you to believe that miracles are still ahead for you and open doors are in front of you." 

The new song comes on the heels of the unmatched viral success of the group’s song, “Praise,” which averages more than 5 million streams each week as one of the current top viral songs from the group’s 2023 album “Can You Imagine?” (which also produced the group’s fourth No. 1 radio single, “Trust in God”).

Listen to “Another One” here and watch the live video,.

Click Here To Watch The Live Video

Billboard Magazine's Current Top Contemporary Christian Music Chart

#1 (LW1) - Brandon Lake

“Gratitude”

(from Christmas With The Chosen)

(#1 for 26 weeks)

#2 (LW3) - Chris Tomlin

“Holy Forever”

(from Always)

#3 (LW4) - Brandon Lake

“Praise You Anywhere”

(from Coat Of Many Colors)

#4 (LW3) - Elevation Worship

“Trust In God“

(from Can You Imagine)

#5 (LW5) - Elevation Worship

“Praise“

(from Can You Imagine)

Click Here For This Week's Top 25

Contemporary Christian Music Songs

JAMES FORTUNE & MONICA "Trusting God"

R&B’s Monica and gospel artist James Fortune have teamed up for a an inspirational track, “Trusting God,” that has reached the #1 spot on this week's Billboard Gospel Music charts.

  The song is on his latest album, "Worth It."

  Now living in Birmingham, AL, Fortune’s strength is in understanding how to put gospel and praise songs over to a millennial audience, and with his featured choir, FIYA (which stands for Free in Yahweh’s Abundance), he freely incorporates hip-hop arrangements and urban beats into his recordings. His recordings include: "The Transformation" (2007) – which featured the single “I Trust You”, charted at No. 1 on Gospel radio for 25 weeks. He also hit #1 in 2019 with "I Am."

 The collaboration with Monica comes over a decade after their Grammy-nominated song “Hold On” alongside Fred Hammond. “Trusting God” is described as a simple declaration of hope, with both artists sharing personal testimony of how they have trusted God throughout their lives.

“I gotta be honest, I don’t know...this time, I don’t have the answers, this time, I’m just out here trusting God,” reveals James as the song begins. “Sing Monica.” The College Park, Ga. native follows his words with a warming vocal performance.

“I’m just out here holding on,” sings the 42-year-old songbird. A choir later joins the two artists on the soul-stirring anthem.

“10 years after the release of our Grammy Nominated song ‘Hold On’ Monica and myself begin talking about doing another song together," says Fortune. "I told her I would start working on some ideas and send them to her. At the time, I had no idea what I would write about, but, with everything that had been going on the last few years around me and within me, I said to myself, ‘I’m just out here trusting God.’ Once I heard that phrase the lyrics just started to flow.”

He continued, “I wasn’t necessarily writing it as a song for others I was writing from my own experience. I didn’t have the answers and my faith was really being tested. I called one of my lead singers Minon Bolton to demo the vocals for me. I sent Monica the demo and she said, ‘This is the one; the world needs this song right now.'”

Fortune says the song powerfully spoke to them. So much so that, after the music and background vocals were complete, Monica called on five-time Grammy Award-winning producer Kuk Harrell to record her vocals.

“I was completely blown away, not only by her vocal performance, but, also by the heartfelt passion in which she communicated the song,” he explained. “It all came together so beautifully and I’m truly grateful that God would trust us with this encouraging and uplifting message to share with the world. Because, whether we realize it or not, we are all just out here trusting God.”

Billboard Magazine's Current Top Gospel Music Chart

#1 (LW3) - James Fortune & Monica

"Trusting God"

(from Worth It)

#2 (LW1) - Bri Babineaux

"I Will Wait"

(Single)

#3 (LW2) - JJ Hairston Feat. Deon Kipping

"Reminder" 

(from Believe Again Vol. II)

#4 (LW5) - Kelontae Gavin

"Live Again"

(from Testify)

#5 (LW4) - Tye Tribbett

"Only One Night Tho"

(from All Things New: Live In Orlando)

Click Here For This Week's Top 25

Gospel Music Songs

Metro Atlanta Christian Concerts & Family Events

Sunday, February 25

The King’s Singers,

Illuminated Voices

At Georgia State University’s

Rialto Center for the Arts,

80 Forsyth Street, NW,

Atlanta, GA 30303

A Rialto Series Performance

3:00 p.m. (404) 413-9TIX (9849)

www.events.rialtocenter.gsu.edu

Sunday, February 25

Matthew West, Cochren & Co.

Don't Stop Praying 2024 Tour

At Glen Haven Baptist Church

345 East Lake Road,

McDonough, GA 30252

7:00 p.m. (678) 432-5138

www.itickets.com

Sunday, February 25

Brandon Heath,

Josh Wilson, Natalie Layne

God Is Good Acoustic Tour

At Cornerstone Church of God

4680 Lexington Road

Athens, GA 30605

7:00 p.m. 706-549-0000

www.itickets.com

Friday, Saturday, March 8,9

Jason Crabb, David Phelps,

The Whisnants, Jonathan Wilburn, Mickey Bell

God & Country Concert Series

At Homer J Walker Civic Center,

700 Watson Boulevard,

Warner Robins, GA 31093

(800) 965-9324

www.itickets.com

Click Here For All Upcoming Concerts and Links For More Information

Rob Schneider shares how newfound faith will impact his Hollywood career

Since emerging on the comedy scene many years ago, comedian Rob Schneider has become a household name, typically associated with a raunchy and absurdist brand of humor, from “Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo” to “Hot Chick.”

However, since converting to Catholicism, an announcement he made on his 60th birthday in October, Schneider says he feels called to leave behind the type of comedy he’s performed in the past, and he doesn’t care what Hollywood thinks about the decision. He told The Christian Post, “I know I can’t do the same stuff I used to do. Not because I have anything against what I did; I did what I did, and I felt fine about it at the time. I’m not going to judge myself. But I won’t do the same stuff I’ve done. I don’t know what I’m going to do. I want to come to it from a place of faith, a place of something good in my heart.”

Schneider added, “I have an act I’m doing now; I don’t know if I’ll do it again next year. Just some of the bad words, I go, ‘Maybe I don’t want to say those words anymore.’ I don’t know. I also think it’s important to not only talk to the converted but to bring people in, and the best form is to show by example. People talk all the time; that doesn’t mean anything. So I hope that me standing up for what I believe in — God, family country — I’m OK with whatever comes my way, positive or negative. When you have faith, nothing can really rock you.”

Click Here To Read Interview

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Author JOHN MARK COMER Talks About His #1 Book, "Practicing The Way: Be with Jesus. Become like Him. Do as He did"

How do we practice the way of Jesus when our lives are riddled with pain and suffering? What does it look like to grow spiritually when we are hurting?

Author and Bible teacher John Mark Comer has been leading others towards what he calls an apprenticeship with Jesus, teaching how we can learn the intended rhythms and practices God wants us to engage in by simply looking to how Jesus walked and talked in this world.

His new book, "Practicing the Way: Be with Jesus. Become like him. Do as he did," entered the Christian Booksellers' Top 50 list this month at #1. His previous book “The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry,” from 2019 is at #9.

We are all being spiritually formed by something, he argues, and if we want it to be a formation in the likeness of Christ then we need to learn to sit with Him, become like Him and do the things Jesus did. This is the very message of "Practicing the Way," which can help Christians learn the spiritual disciplines that Jesus taught and modeled for all believers. 

In this deeply insightful conversation, Davey and Aubrey from the "Nothing is Wasted" podcast chat with John Mark about what spiritual formation is, what types of spiritual disciplines we should be doing in our seasons of pain and suffering, and the important impact of community when we are hurting.

They go on to talk about the dark night of the soul, a spiritual experience often described by theologians but rarely discussed in churches, in which God removes the felt sense of his presence while remaining as near as He ever was. It can be one of the most disorienting experiences for those who encounter it and yet as John Mark shares, there is a richness offered in the spiritual life of the one who walks through it.

Click Here To Watch

The Full Conversation

Best Selling Christian Author COLLEEN COBLE

Conversation About Her New Book, "Fragile Designs"

Bestselling author Colleen Coble‘s novels have won or been a finalist in awards ranging from the Best Books of Indiana, the ACFW Carol Award, the Romance Writers of America RITA, the Holt Medallion, the Daphne du Maurier, National Readers’ Choice, and the Booksellers Best.

She has over 5 million books in print and her books have been on the USA Today bestseller list, the ECPA, CBA, Publishers Weekly, and Amazon bestseller lists. She writes romantic mysteries because she loves to see justice prevail. Colleen is CEO of American Christian Fiction Writers.

If you enjoy romantic suspense, mysteries, or novels with fascinating historical tidbits, reunited family, or home renovations, you may be among the many who are reading Colleen's latest book, "Fragile Designs," which is #2 on this month's Best Selling Christian Fiction Books list. 

Colleen talked about the book and her writing process on the Rebecca and Rebecca podcast.

CC: I usually do not know who the villain is. I lay down about three possibilities and I just see where it takes me. Then, when I figure out who it is, I have to go back and make sure it all fits. But, that doesn't take very long.

Q: That's why we couldn't. We each had picked a character who we thought was the bad guy...and, then he wasn't.

CC: Usually, about three quarters of the way through, I figure it out.

Click Here To Watch

The Full Podcast Conversation

#1 - John Mark Comer

"“Practicing The Way"

Be with Jesus. Become like him. Do as he did

(1st Month at #1)

#2 - Lysa TerKeurst

“Forgiving What You Can’t Forget”

How to Move On, Make Peace

with Painful Memories, and Create

a Life That's Beautiful Again

#3 - Gary Chapman

“The 5 Love Languages”

The Secret To Love That Lasts

(New Edition)

#4 - Sarah Young

“Jesus Calling”

Enjoying Peace In His Presence

#5 - Paul David Tripp

“New Morning Mercies”

A Daily Gospel Devotional

Click Here For The Full List of This Month's Best Selling Christian Books

ORDINARY ANGELS

Plugged In Review:

Ordinary Angels is due out on February 23.

Directed by Jon Gunn (whom we had a chance to interview on our podcast), it is based on a real story—one that indeed featured ordinary angels all around. Anchored by two-time Oscar winner Hilary Swank and featuring a powerful performance by Alan Ritchson (best known as the mountain-like Reacher on Amazon Prime).

While rooted in a sense of faith and meaning—holding hope in the midst of unanswerable questions and unimaginable difficulty—the story’s not preachy. The faith we see here feels utterly organic, utterly true.

Ordinary Angels comes with a few rougher edges than you might find in some Christian films. Sharon’s alcoholism isn’t glossed over. Michelle’s failing liver comes with sometimes frightening symptoms, and the fact that such a little girl can be so sick might scare children and grieve adults.

But that’s life too, right? Kids get scared, no matter how we try to protect them. Bad things happen. And even if we keep them off our screens, they can force their way into our lives. Ordinary Angels reminds us, though, that when disaster strikes, we can find hope in the brokenness.

As Ed Schmitt’s pastor would say, we have God. And we have each other.

Click Here For The Full Review

1 - The Bible in a Year Podcast

(with Pastor Jack Graham)

2 - The Bible in a Year

(with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

3 - The Bible Recap

(with Tara Leigh-Cobble)

4 - Girls Gone Bible

(with Angela Halili

and Arielle Reitsma)

5 - Follow Him:

A Come, Follow Me Podcast

(with Hank Smith & John Bytheway)

6 - The Bible Project Podcast

(In-depth conversations

about the Bible and theology)

7 - The Salty Podcast

with (Devin Cordle)

8 - WHOA That's Good Podcast

(with Sadie Robertson)

9 - The Catechism In A Year

(with Fr. Mike Schmitz)

10 - Christ With Coffee On Ice

(with Ally Yost)

Click Here For The Current Top 100

Christian Podcasts

SGN Scoops Magazine Top 100 Southern Gospel Music Charts

#1 (LM8) - Southbound - “Somebody Testify”

(from Lost and Found)

#2 (LM25) - The Whisnants - “Privilege of Prayer”

(from Been Blessed)

#3 (LM6) - The Perrys -

“I Think I'll Just Go On"

(from John 3:16)

#5 (LM29) -

The Mylon Hayes Family -

"Carry The Glorious Gospel”

(from Steady & Sure)

#5 (LM9) - The Inspirations - “Come To The Well”

(from The Legacy Continues)

Click Here For This Week's Top Southern Gospel Songs

US Supreme Court declines to decide legality of excluding jurors based on religion

- Click Here

Plugged In Movie Awards: Best Christian Movies (2024)

- Click Here

‘The Chosen’ Season 4 Continues Theater Launch With Gripping Trailer

- Click Here

Eric Metaxas' film 'Letter to the American Church' issues sobering warning to Christians amid

rising evil (review) - Click Here

Rob Reiner's 'God and Country' is a schizophrenic, partisan broadside against conservative Christians (review) - Click Here

Great American Family’s "

County Rescue" Continues New Trend of Faith-Based TV Series - Click Here

'I Could Be Wrong, But I Doubt It' -

Phil Robertson Offers Ideas To Share Hope & Reconciliation - Click Here



ESPN football analyst Kirk Herbstreit tells church audience,

'That answer is Jesus' - Click Here

'Follower of Christ' William Byron

wins his 1st Daytona 500: 'I'm just extremely blessed' - Click Here

SBC disfellowships 4 more churches, including 2 that support women pastors - Click Here

Black Churches in Georgia Unite to Mobilize Voters in a Key Battleground

- Click Here

Darryl Strawberry tells Georgia congregation: 'You can pick your sins, but you can’t pick your consequences'  -Click Here



Joel Osteen Chokes Back Tears, Declares ‘Fear Is Not Going to Win’ After Shooter Attacked Church

- Click Here

Savannah Guthrie gets emotional on Today Show talking about her new book, "Mosly What God Does"

- Click Here

Jeremy Camp Announces 14th Studio Album ‘Deeper Waters’ Will Release May 17 - Click Here

Toby Keith said faith led him through 'dark hallways' of cancer battle

before death - Click Here

Brandon Lake and Sadie Robertson Huff to Host 11th Annual K-LOVE Fan Awards - Click Here

104.7 The Fish's Taylor Scott "Should this be our Goal for 2024?" - Click Here

The Legendary Dorinda Clark-Cole of The Clark Sisters to be Honored

at the 2024 BMI Trailblazers of Gospel Music Awards - Click Here

Zach Williams & Dolly Parton Are Releasing Another Song Together

- Click Here

'There Was Jesus': Singer on 'American Idol' Surprised on Stage by Her Birth Family - Click Here

Erica Campbell Performs on

Good Morning America - Click Here

Natalie Grant Performs on

Fox & Friends - Click Here

Chris Tomlin Celebrates 20 Years of Greatest Hits in New Book - Click Here



Reba McEntire Stuns With ‘Seven Minutes In Heaven’ Performance

On "The Voice" - Click Here

5 Questions for Matthew West

about Music, Songwriting,

and the Power of Prayer - Click Here

Blessing Offor Talks About Seeing His Parents For The First Time

In Over 25 Years - Click Here

Top Worship Songs For Lent

- Click Here

Gospel Singer Melvin Crispell, III Releases New Single “He’s Never Failed Me Yet” - Click Here

Anne Wilson Takes Her Jesus to Country Music Fans - Click Here

Tenth Avenue North Returns with New Members and a New Song - Click Here

Christian/Gospel Music - This Month's New Releases - Click Here