BarlowGirl To Retire After Release Of Final Song on October 30

14-time Dove Award nominated band BarlowGirl is retiring after the release of their final song, "Hope Will Lead Us On," on October 30. As their fans have been instrumental in their success, the sister trio want them to conduct their final interview. On October 29, live via Ustream, the band will perform a few of their hits acoustically, take questions from their fans and premiere their final song, "Hope Will Lead Us On," (Ustream link).

Since releasing their self-titled debut in 2004, BarlowGirl has sold over one million albums, received 14 Dove Award nominations and accumulated four No. 1 singles on the Christian radio. Their poignant 2005 hit, "I Need You To Love Me," topped the charts for 13 weeks in 2005 making it the longest No. 1 single in Christian Hit Radio chart history. With a wonderful run, the sisters are ready to leave on a high note.

"The last 10 years as BarlowGirl has been one of the most incredible adventures we have ever been on," said Alyssa, Lauren and Rebecca. "We could not have imagined this journey without our incredible supportive fans who waited in lines to get into shows, called radio stations to play our music, watched all of our ridiculous podcasts, bought or sent us hundreds of pounds of chocolate and encouraged us the entire way. We are so honored to have shared our dream with you. Thank you for being a part of it."

On October 29, fans can log on to Ustream to submit questions. In addition, the sisters will play a few acoustic songs and will premiere "Hope Will Lead Us On" via a lyric video. The following day, their final song will be available at all digital retailers. Alyssa, Lauren and Rebecca Barlow also personally wanted to be the ones to notify their fans of their retirement. To do so, they have drafted a letter that fans can read at barlowgirl.com.

John Schlitt to Appear on The Mike Huckabee Show

Multiple Grammy and Dove Award-winning recording artist John Schlitt will be a guest on Friday's edition of The Mike Huckabee Show, the popular radio talk show hosted by former Arkansas governor, Mike Huckabee.

Schlitt and Huckabee met when the two shared the stage at the Faith and Freedom Celebration in Tampa, Fla., in August. The the legendary rock singer performed at the event, which was hosted by the Florida Faith and Freedom Coalition and held in coordination with the Republican National Convention. During the event, Schlitt sang his song "Faith & Freedom" from his critically-acclaimed CD, The Greater Cause, and met with Republican Party dignitaries, including Huckabee. Following Schlitt's performance, as the singer and former governor chatted backstage, Huckabee invited Schlitt to be a guest on his radio show. "I believe Governor Huckabee is an example of a true patriot," Schlitt says. "I'm excited about the opportunity to have a conversation with someone I very much respect."

Mandisa to Appear on "The Doctors"

Three time GRAMMY® Nominated artist Mandisa will make an appearance on the highly-rated syndicated television show, "The Doctors" tomorrow, Thursday, Oct. 25. Mandisa will be on the show to discuss her remarkable 120lb weight loss and career success since American Idol. Since one of her favorite ways to exercise is through Zumba, Mandisa taught The Doctors audience the Zumba routine to her up-beat single, "Good Morning." The audience also received a complimentary copy of Mandisa's highest-selling record to date, What If We Were Real.

Mark Burnett Talks About Fear, Bible Miniseries

Mark Burnett, creator of such reality shows as Celebrity Apprentice, Survivor and The Voice, said one of his fears is that of not making a "meaningful contribution" in life. Burnett was interviewed by best-selling author and pastor Rick Warren for a taped segment shown during a business summit at Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., on Friday.

"I have had great fear, but my fear isn't of the failure of the project. It's looking back later having done nothing. It's a very serious fear. The fear of not making a meaningful contribution, of being insignificant, of looking back [and thinking] that I didn't step up. I am honestly petrified of that, or I was, and my pain of feeling like I let myself down, my family down, and not taking the risk to do it was far greater than the pleasure of being calm," said Burnett.

The reality television pioneer was one of five speakers featured at the O.C. Business Summit, spearheaded by Warren. The Saddleback Church founder said he felt that one way to tackle a struggling economy was to bring together the brightest minds in business to discuss how they achieved success. The day-long conference included sessions led by Steve Case, former CEO of America Online; Lynda Resnick, listed #634 on Forbes Billionaires list and #212 on Forbes 400; Michael E. Gerber, who is well known as a business guru and author of The E-Myth Revisited; and Warren.

In his discussion about fear, Burnett also talked about the making of "The Bible," a 10-hour miniseries, filmed in Morocco with his wife, Roma Downey, as co-producer and playing the part of Mary, the mother of Jesus. The series is scheduled to premiere on the History Channel early next year.

"In doing the Bible project with Roma, if I would have over-analyzed it and took too much advice. I would have never started. It's too enormous, too scary, but actually my fear was of looking back and feeling like a loser that I was called to do this and I didn't do it and I have massive regrets and I'm not going to have that happen," Burnett told Warren. "I don't know for a fact that the Bible project will be as big as I hope it is, but I know I did it well and that's what matters."

When asked to talk about his creative process, Burnett first talked about the opportunities that are unique to the United States.

"America is a country, which obviously from my accent I wasn't born here but moving here, it is the land of opportunity and what that means is that this country will allow you to have an idea, take a risk, make mistakes, and try again. This country celebrates ideas and action. I know that what I've succeeded to do in television here would have unlikely been done in Europe where I came from," he said.

Once someone has an idea they should rely on their instinct that it is a workable idea and not ridiculous, because "the first thing that usually happens is a hundred people will tell you how stupid you are," Burnett explained.

Read full article

Samsung 8GB Galaxy Tab 2 Wi-Fi Tablet - GT-P3113TSYXAR (Google Affiliate Ad)

Casting Crowns in Golden Wells

In August 2012, Christian music touring and sales leader Casting Crowns received a rare double Platinum certification by the RIAA for its 2005, self-titled debut. Earlier this month, the band received its sixth career Gold certification for its October 2011 project Come to the Well which has sold more than 500,000 units to date.

Flyleaf's New CD 'New Horizons' Will Be Last With Current Lead Singer

Flyleaf announced the departure of long time singer Lacey Sturm today. The band's final album with Lacey, New Horizons, will be out on October 30. Kristen May, formerly of the band Vedera, will be stepping in as the band's lead singer for tour dates in support of the new CD.

Lacey commented on her departure:

"I have been beyond blessed to be in Flyleaf for the past ten years, touring with 4 amazing men and the Flyleaf crew, whom I love like my flesh and blood family. They have all given so much. It took everyone on our team to make the beauty in Flyleaf possible. I am honored to have met so many wonderful people who love Flyleaf music all over the world. Your incredible stories continue to inspire me. I am very thankful to have recently become a mom to one of the greatest blessings of my life, my son Jack. You may have also heard that we recently lost our brilliant sound engineer, Rich Caldwell, in a devastating car accident. Now, more than ever, I understand the phrase Memento Mori. I understand that, for me, living life to the fullest in this season means to step down as the lead singer for Flyleaf. I wish the best to Jared, Pat, Sameer and James and I know that as I continue to pursue the highest heights of what I am created for, it will free them all to pursue that for themselves too. 

The guys will continue to tour and write music together. I'm so very grateful that they are able to do what they desire and that there is a beautiful and talented, warm hearted girl like Kristen May to sing for them. Because of this, you will all get a chance to see a new Flyleaf show and support the new album. 

As I take this first step on a new journey, I pray that each one of you would pursue your highest calling with reckless abandon as well, understanding that sometimes the fullness of life comes in doing things that are only understood by you, God, and the special people God has put in your life that truly love you for you… not for what you do, but for who you are. I love you guys so much and in many ways, I will stay in touch. May God bless you all with healthy hearts, full of courage to weather the journey to your own New Horizons."

Nicolas Cage Likely to Star in 'Left Behind' Series Remake

Academy Award–winning actor Nicolas Cage is reportedly in talks to star in "Left Behind," a mainstream remake of the Christian-themed movie trilogy about the End Times.

The reboot will mark the first film from Stoney Lake Entertainment, a new production company led by Paul Lalonde, a Canadian/American film producer and writer and co-founder of Cloud Ten Pictures, variety.com reported Friday.

"Left Behind" is the first installment of a 16-book series by Tim LaHaye and Jerry Jenkins about the adventures of the sinners left on earth after the Rapture. The series, first published 1995-2007, has sold more than 65 million copies around the world.

The series has already been adapted into three films starring Kirk Cameron, who plays the leader of the Tribulation Force against the Global Community and its leader Nicolae Carpathia, the Antichrist. The original movie series was launched in 2001.

The plot focuses on a group of survivors during the first few hours after the Rapture. The budget of the film is in the $15 million range, and its production is likely to begin in early spring for a late next year release.

Variety quoted Lalonde as saying that distributor Samuel Goldwyn Films had given a theatrical guarantee.

Lalonde and his brother, Peter, started up the production company Cloud Ten Pictures as a means of spreading the Gospel message and producing inspirational Christian films that would help to disband the general consensus that Christian movies are low quality," the company's website says.

Read full article

Logitech HD Pro Webcam C920 960-000764 (Google Affiliate Ad)

Candace Cameron Bure on Brother Kirk Cameron: 'We Have a Different Style of Saying Same Things'

Actress Candace Cameron Bure has opened up about her personal beliefs and her relationship with her equally famous, and openly Christian, brother Kirk Cameron. The interview comes at the same time as the release of "The Heart of Christmas" on DVD and a recent "Full House" reunion.

"Acting is my first passion-and my faith is incredibly important, which flows into every aspect of my life, which includes the decisions that I make on acting," Bure told Yahoo. "I want to focus on great family programming and good movies and the charitable organizations that I'm involved with."

When it comes to dealing with her brother, Kirk, an outspoken Christian advocate who has his own series focused exclusively on evangelism, Bure said she and Kirk "have a different style of saying some of those things. But he is much more in the world of ministry and does a lot of conferences…that's really his main focus."

Read full article 

Amy Grant: My Faith Has Enlarged

Amy Grant is a six-time GRAMMY winner and has sold more than 30 million albums over three decades. But after arriving home from touring in 2008 and seeing how frail her mother was, Amy cleared her calendar to take care of her. Her mother died last year and now she is focusing on caring for her father, who is still living with dementia.

Watch clips of Amy Grant on Katie.

Amy Grant To Appear on Katie

Multi-platinum selling, GRAMMY® winning superstar Amy Grant will make an appearance on the highly rated talk show, Katie, on Fri., Oct. 19. Katie is the No. 1 new talk show on television and is helmed and hosted by veteran TV personality Katie Couric.

Many know Grant her for her iconic 30-year career, but in recent years, she’s been caring for her father who is struggling with dementia. On this episode of Katie, she opens up about this intensely personal, challenging and rewarding experience, a situation 42 million other Americans are also in as they provide care for their aging loved ones. She will perform the world premiere of a new song she wrote, “How Mercy Looks From Here,” inspired by this experience.

Grant is wrapping her three-month weekend run with “Women of Faith” at the beginning of November, where she has headlined the tour also featuring Mandisa, Patsy Clairmont, Mark Lowry and others. Soon thereafter, she will embark on a holiday tour, including select dates featuring symphony-backed performances. In addition, Grant and husband Vince Gill will bring their popular “Twelve Days of Christmas” show to the Ryman stage for “Christmas at the Ryman” three nights this December. This marks the sixth year the couple—who celebrated their twelfth wedding anniversary this year—has performed the holiday special.

Currently at work on a new project, Grant will release her first studio album in three years in early 2013.

GMC Responds to Complaints for Cutting 'Pivotal' Pro-Life Scene From 'October Baby'

Family friendly channel GMC is drawing criticism for cutting out what some viewers consider the "most important pro-life scene" in the film "October Baby."

"October Baby" had its television premiere on Sunday with three showings on GMC. While the movie itself drew praise from TV viewers, those who already watched the film on the big screen are not happy that a pro-life scene was edited out.

GMCTV responded to the complaints Monday, saying it wasn't their intent to alter or dilute the impact of "October Baby."

"All movies on gmc are edited for length and for various types of content (graphic violence, sex, language, etc.). We always aim to ensure that the essence of the story is not altered by the editing process. Upon further reflection in light of your comments, we agree that some of these edits were not necessary. We will be re-editing the film to re-introduce these portions in all future airings," the network stated.

Read full article

Kevin James on Weight Loss, Faith, and 'Here Comes The Boom'

Starring in the new sports comedy "Here Comes The Boom," actor Kevin James has opened up about his weight, glorifying God, and becoming a better man.

James, 47, is best known for his role on the sitcom "The King of Queens" and has starred in several hit films including "Hitch" alongside Will Smith and "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" with Adam Sandler.

In theaters last Friday, "Here Comes The Boom" follows James as Scott Voss, a middle-aged biology teacher. When his school suffers financial crisis, Voss volunteers to train to become a mixed-martial arts fighter in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and raise money as an attempt to prevent extra-curricular activities from being cut.

Real-life MAA fighters inspired James, who co-wrote the screenplay for "Here Comes The Boom." "They aren't these brutal gladiators, they are guys with families and trying to put dinner on the table," explained James while speaking to The Christian Post.

James added that his recent weight loss was not intentional- he trained especially hard for 14 months after having received a "blessing from the UFC" for his role as a mixed martial artist in the film.

"I had to promise them I'm going to make this thing as real as possible," said the actor. "It's going to be something that [fans] haven't seen in me before."

The actor admitted that his weight fluctuates, and his work for "Here Comes The Boom" has since worn away.  "I'm back [to my pre-training] weight," James laughingly divulged.

 James credited his Christian faith for not just helping him in his career, but in all aspects of life.
"My faith helps me in everything, it shapes me and I always try to glorify Him in movies," said the actor. "We all make mistakes, and if I played an angel every time I'd be out of the business. There are faulted people and there is good and evil."

Moreover, James explained the film's title and that "Here Comes The Boom" refers to being the best person you can be.  "It means bringing the best of you to the table, in life, in whatever you're doing.  As an employee, as a father, and to not become complacent in your life because it effects those around you."

Read full article

Apple iPhone 5 Lightning Connector - MD818ZMA (Google Affiliate Ad)

Will New TV Series From 'Law & Order' Producer Be Anti-Christian?

Some commentators have voiced concern over the religious message of a recently announced series that "Law & Order" producer Dick Wolf will soon be making about a cult.

Presently titled "The Church," according to the Hollywood Reporter the series would be about a family who discovers that an upstanding group they belong to is actually a cult.

Jeff Field of the Catholic League for Religious and Civil Rights told The Christian Post that Wolf's television projects have a history of painting a negative picture of Christianity.

"We have had issues in the past of Wolf taking cheap shots at Christianity and Catholicism. So based on history, we wouldn't expect anything different in the new series," said Field. "Of course we will save final judgment until we see the final product."

Field added that he believed that these days primetime television "has become somewhat of a haven for Christian bashing."

In the past, Wolf has garnered controversy for his portrayal of Christians in his television work, including in both the flagship "Law & Order" program as well as the successful spinoff "Law & Order: Special Victims Unit."

Dan Gainor of Culture for the Media Research Center, a conservative media watchdog group, told The Christian Post that Law & Order is notably hostile towards religion and conservatives.

"Wolf's Law & Order franchise was one of the most notoriously anti-conservative on TV. Villains rarely were who they are in real life," said Gainor.

"Actual mobsters, terrorists and such were bypassed by businessmen, conservatives and people of faith. One 'Law & Order SVU' episode told of a murderous lay minister who left prayer cards on the bodies of the prostitutes he murdered."

Co-writing the script for "The Church" is Howard Franklin, a writer and director whose work includes "The Name of the Rose," a 1986 film starring Sean Connery and Christian Slater.

Read full article 

Comedy For a Cause Featuring Henry Cho Raises Money for Rocketown

Michael W. Smith, a multi-platinum, Grammy®, American Music Award and GMA Dove Winning artist partnered with Kroger, MobileSmartBid and several key sponsors to host Rocketown's annual fundraising dinner, auction and evening of entertainment to raise awareness and support for the non-profit outreach for teens. This year's event was themed "Comedy for a Cause" and featured comedian guests, Henry Cho and Jeff Allen.

The gathering took place at Rocketown's downtown Nashville venue, commencing with a VIP reception attended by more than 430 guests.  Notable attendees included Governor Bill Haslam, author Karen Kingsbury, American Idol contestant Scott MacIntyre, Tennessee Titans quarterback Matt Hasselbeck, several Tennessee Titan players, the entire coaching staff of the Nashville Predators and many others.

"This was a great night -- and certainly a great cause. So many kids have been helped by the ministry at Rocketown," shares founder, Michael W. Smith. "The money from this event will help us do more and serve more kids."

Combined sponsorships, generous donations, live auction and new MobileSmartBid online auction generated much needed proceeds that impact day-to-day efforts of Rocketown's staff. Auction items included two trips to perform with Michael W. Smith in New York City at Carnegie Hall, an all-exclusive Yacht trip, a Charlie Daniels autographed fiddle, Tennessee Titans and Nashville Predators sports packages and more.

Rocketown's mission is to offer hope to the next generation through Christ's love. In the coming year, it will continue to provide that outlet for the community through weekly gatherings, special events and its concerts.

Philippa Hanna To Tour With Lionel Richie

Philippa Hanna is arguably British Christian music's best known female singer. But what may have escaped some fans' attention is that in recent times Philippa has started to attract more and more attention from the mainstream music industry. Her future may be even brighter as of October 26 Philippa will be kicking off a tour as support act for megastar Lionel Richie. So how has a singer moved from the rather insular confines of Christian music to the attention of the pop industry big time? Explained Philippa, "Things have been progressing steadily for me over the last couple of years, particularly since I started working with the Grammy Award winning songwriter and producer Eliot Kennedy. I've been able to do a few gigs with mainstream artists and at one of those a guy called Nathan, who works in the industry as a tour manager, saw me perform. He was very enthusiastic and one thing led to another and I was invited to do the Lionel Richie Tuskegee Tour."

Philippa will be singing six songs acoustically. She is already familiar with the challenges of being a support act working before an audience where the majority of the people have never heard of you. "I'm aware of the support act dynamic," she said. "I've already done gigs with Laura White (of X Factor fame) and Graham Kendrick. I know that my role is to support Lionel and help people get in a positive frame of mind."

Although Philippa's final set list is still to be finalised, one song she will be singing will be "I Am Amazing", the singer's powerful antidote to the fake tan, crash diet, skin deep beauty obsessions of our modern world. "I am really looking forward to singing that song to the audience," she commented. "We're going to be offering the song as a free download so that people who hear it can text a number we'll be giving them and get it. It's an important message that people need to hear - that we are wonderfully and amazingly made by God."

Philippa concluded our interview by reminiscing about her father, "When I was growing up I remember my dad singing 'Three Times A Lady' around the house. Now I'm touring with the great singer who recorded that song. God moves in mysterious ways!"

Read full article here.

BET May Pick Up TD Jakes Talk Show

BET may feature programming with Christian themes on Sundays, but now the television station is reportedly looking to broaden its faith-based programs to be broadcast on weekdays and may be considering a new talk show hosted by Bishop T.D. Jakes.

Charlie Jordan Brookins, BET's SVP of original programming, spoke to Variety magazine about moving faith-based programming into the network's general schedule.
"We are trying to bring (spiritual themes) into the fabric of our programming in general," Brookins said.

Still, Brookins said the new faith-based featured on the network is not looking to be "overtly preachy."

While BET let it be known that it planned to turn author Reshonda Tate Billingsley's novel, Let the Church Say Amen, into a film for the network, the channel will also broadcast three other Billingsley novels that will be turned into small screen pictures.

In the past, BET has featured the gospel singing competition "Sunday's Best" along with the reality show focused on a Christian family in the entertainment industry called "The Family Crews." However, future shows may include additional docu-series and a talk show.

T.D. Jakes reportedly shot a pilot for the network last month. The bishop of the Dallas, Texas-based megachurch The Potter's House finished up a pilot for a talk show that he will be hosting, according to Variety.

In addition to the televised films and potential Jakes' talk show, a reality television show is also reportedly in the works featuring the multi-generational gospel singing family from Detroit, the Sheards. Brookins said the network is not aiming to document the family's religion. "It's not about their faith," Brookins said in a Variety report. "It's about them as a family of faith."

Read full article 

Apple Lightning To 30-Pin Adapter - MD823ZMA (Google Affiliate Ad)

Steven Spielberg to Direct Moses Epic?

Deadline is reporting that Steven Spielberg is near to etching in stone with Warner Bros on a movie portraying the Jewish leader as the warrior to beat all warriors. With a working title of "Gods And Kings," what’s envisioned is “a movie like a Braveheart-ish version of the Moses story,” an insider tells Deadline.  And despite the awesome screen possibilities of the parting of the Red Sea, the movie isn’t being contemplated in 3D.  In 1956, Paramount released "The Ten Commandments" in VistaVision to give moviegoers a more spectacular experience of scenes like that. But this film is as far from a remake of the Cecile B. DeMille-directed epic as you can get even though they cover similar ground. Instead Warner Bros wants Spielberg to direct it with the gritty reality of Saving Private Ryan, which is considered a masterpiece redefining battle movies. ”There have been glossy versions of the Moses story but this would be a real warrior story,” an insider tells Deadline.

The studio has wanted Spielberg on the project since last September when he first read the script. Talks intensified, and now insiders tell us the dialogue should consummate by the end of the month. Warner Bros wants to start production sometime in March or April of 2013.

Spielberg just finished directing "Lincoln" and is already working on Robopocalypse. Spielberg wants a big film next and this is it: "Ten Commandments" was one of the most profitable films of its era, grossing $65 million in 1956 — which in today’s dollars is equivalent to close to $1 Billion theatrical. Spielberg helmed another seminal Jewish movie, "Schindler’s List" which won seven Oscars including Best Picture and Best Director.

Meanwhile this marks the second high-profile film Warner Bros is developing on a seminal Jewish hero. Mel Gibson and Joe Eszterhas are collaborating on their pitch to tell the story of Jewish warrior Judah Maccabee, who teamed with his father and four brothers to lead the Jewish revolt against the Greek-Syrian armies that had conquered Judea in the 2nd century B.C. Gibson has the first option to direct, and he will produce the film through his Icon Productions banner.

Mira Sorvino's Latest Film Defends the 'Innocents'

The thriller, "Trade of Innocents," is a compelling story about child trafficking and the people working tirelessly to end it.

The independent film by Bill and Laurie Bolthouse and director Christopher Bessette was inspired by trips to Cambodia.

Jim Schmidt, a Los Angeles-based film producer and award-winning actor who has been in films such as Billy Graham's "The Climb," signed on to co-produce "Trade of Innocents" after being approached by the Bolthouses.

The film stars Dermot Mulroney as Alex Becker and Academy Award Winning actress Mira Sorvino as Claire Becker; a married couple dedicated to human rights work in Cambodia after suffering the loss of their own child.

Sorvino, whose character still struggles with the pain of losing her young daughter, spoke directly with The Christian Post about how her role as a U.N. Goodwill Ambassador helped her prepare for the role in the film. The mother of four also went on to explain why human trafficking is not foreign to her.