Word of the Day: Accept the Whole Body of Christ

Matthew 10:40 – He that receives you receives me, and he that receives me receives him that sent me. *God has developed certain inter-dependence throughout the Body of Christ. In other words, we have to rely on each other. You see no one person has all the anointing, all the revelation, all the gifts, or all the power.

Prayer can be rich when it's simple and spontaneous. In fact, we can pray anywhere, at any time. It doesn't require lofty language in a sacred space. All we need to do is see our ordinary moments as the perfect occasions for communicating with God, then speak from our heart.

10 Steps to Turning Your Life Around

Up is the movement and direction toward possibility--"with God nothing is impossible." Up is the movement of reaching. Up is where we're going. When you watch birds take off, they don't fly down, they fly up. They leave the ground after they've found their food. They leave the place where they have come for their nurturing and their nourishment, and then they fly up, they soar.

Moving up, you will begin to discover who you are. So make the decision right now to fly, to change your life by moving up toward God and toward moments filled with yeses and possibilities in life.

Religion

Gospel Singer Remembered
Said to Put Stamp on Genre During a 40-Year Career

By JAMES R. THURSTON
Special to the Chronicle

LOS ANGELES--Walter Hawkins, 61, who died last month at his Ripon, Calif., home, put a powerful stamp on contemporary gospel music during a career that spanned 40 years. 
As a singer, songwriter and producer, he helped bring the music to mainstream audiences and influenced a generation of singers.
Mr. Hawkins had battled pancreatic cancer for two years.
The gospel singer left an extensive legacy of songs that included “Oh Happy Day” (while he was part of the Edwin Hawkins Singers), and his own version of “Goin’ Up Yonder.” 
Reaction to his death was swift and heartfelt.
“When I was a teenager, I never missed a concert,” said gospel star Vickie Winans.  “Every time the Hawkins family came to Detroit, I was right there.  They were like the Jackson Five for me. 
“To get to actually know the Hawkins family and share stages with them was the dream of a lifetime.  I loved Walter and his music, and he knew that I did.” 
Miss Winans recorded two of Mr. Hawkins’ songs:  “Try Christ” and I Love You Lord.”
“We have lost a legend, one who changed the face of gospel music, the face of church music and whose masterpieces still inspire millions,” Miss Winans continued.
His third album, “Love Alive,” firmly established Mr. Hawkins as a force in contemporary music. 
With his then-wife, Tramaine Hawkins, taking the lead, “Goin’ Up Yonder” became one of gospel’s most enduring hits. 
She also appeared with him on the 1980 compilation, “The Lord’s Prayer,” which won a Grammy. 
Over the years, he would release several more hit-laden albums in the “Love Alive” series and was planning to release another this year. 
Also among the 116 of his gospel hits were “He’s That Kind of Friend,” “Be Grateful,” “What Is It?,” “When the Battle Is Over,” “Thank You” and “Never Alone.”
His music showed the influence of other genres as he infused pop and rhythm & blues flavors that made gospel music more accessible. 
His influence can be heard directly and indirectly in the music of such current gospel stars as Kirk Franklin, Yolanda Adams, John P. Kee, Donnie McClurkin, Kurt Carr and the Williams Bros.
But he didn’t limit his collaborations to gospel. 
He also worked with the likes of rock star Van Morrison, R&B’s Jeffrey Osborne, actress Diahann Carroll and the late disco singer, Sylvester.