He gives hip-hop a good name

Hip-hop music has typically been known to glorify drugs, prostitution and money -- in general worshipping the secular lifestyle. Now there's a new genre of music known as holy hip-hop that is getting street cred while conveying positive messages.

The Star Tribune recently profiled Xross, a Twin Cities-based holy hip-hop artist who has been nominated for a Grammy. He gave his life to Jesus Christ after hearing the voice of God in a strip club in Orange County, Calif.:

'I was just doing the usual: tipping dollar bills to the strippers, hanging out, getting high,' he remembered. 'God just kind of came to me and said, 'Hey, man, are you really happy?'

'The power of God is really strong when he speaks to you, and you know it's him. Of course, my partners just thought I was high. I didn't really realize it was the full power of God, but the full emotion started to take over, tears were streaming down my face. I knew I wasn't really happy. I wasn't fulfilled. That night, I gave my life to Christ.'

Xross' music is filled with hard-hitting beats, but has no profanities and is clean enough for churches. His CD, "Tell 'em the Truth", is available on Amazon.com.

It only took me four years, but. . .

I finally read the entire Bible! I know that God's Word is tremendously important, so I like to spend time in the Word. I always got bored when I tried to read the entire book, though. (Some of the Old Testament can be really slow.) So I figured that I would try reading one page a day, starting with the New Testament, then on to the Old Testament. After four years, I have completed the entire book. Now, I'm off to read it over again. . .

I'm scared. . .

I'm scared. . .really scared. I'm starting this program through my church called Christ-Life Solution. Phase One of this program will take me through a journey of looking at my hurts, horrors, humiliations, hungers and hatreds. I will explore what has caused me to be stuck in various parts of life.

I'll be delving into my personal history. . .sounds about as fun as a root canal, right? I'm sure that it will be worth it and that Christ will be with me every step of the way.

Further clarification from God

If we listen, often God guides us to what we should be doing with our lives. I find it really amazing when He gives us an even clearer focus beyond just a general direction.

Such is the case with Matt Johnston, a native of Alto, N.M. Johnston felt called to be in ministry. While participating in a mission term in England, Johnston felt God clarifying the focus from youth ministry to a higher level of ministry.

The Baptist Standard has the story.

In love with God's creation

Experiencing God's creation humbles me and helps me to take a step back and contemplate my place in the universe. I enjoy visiting and seeing waterfalls, lakes, mountains and. . .caves.

The Union of Catholic Asian News recently wrote about how Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park, an underground river cave, is inspiring its visitors:

In (Ronces Paragoso's) mind, she said, the magnificent rock formations of the cave resemble religious images in cathedral-like caverns and domes, and the 45-minute tour was a conversation with God. 'God spoke to me through the cave,' Paragoso said. Besides leaving her feeling refreshed, she said the tour reminded her that 'God is really awesome.'

Alex Marcaida calls the river of the Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park a 'spectacular creation' of God. 'Every time I'm inside the cave, I think I'm on another planet,' the 45-year-old frequent visitor told UCA News. 'How great a creator God is.'

Just seeing photos of Puerto Princesa Subterranean River National Park is inspiring me, and I want to visit there someday.

Pastor saves his city from drunk drivers

Living in a metropolitan area, I take for granted the opportunity to take a cab if necessary. For residents of small towns, like Morris, Ill., people need to rely on their own transportation -- even if that means driving home drunk.

Fortunately for those of Morris, they had a free ride home on New Year's Eve. They just had to call Pastor Shaun Ettinger of LifeChurch.

The Morris Daily Herald shared the story:

When figuring out how to spend New Year's Eve with his wife, Ettinger said God spoke to him. He told him he needed to provide rides.

So that's what Ettinger did. People who had a few too many on New Year's Eve could call him and his wife, and get a free ride home -- no questions asked.

Kidney from a stranger

They say not to take candy from a stranger -- but taking a kidney from a stranger just may save your life.

For Paul Olearnick, who waited four years for a new kidney, an extension of his life came from a complete stranger who recently joined his church.

Connecticut's WTNH-TV shared the story of Olearnick and his donor, Jake Jandreau:

Paul found a match at his church, Valley Shore Assembly of God in Old Saybrook. A new member heard his story and knew he could help.

'It was his faith, believing that God was gonna bring somebody to help him. And it was the faith I had that God spoke to me that I was gonna help this man in this way,' said Jake Jandreau of Clinton.

Jake was a perfect match.

Talk about amazing generosity.