Cynthia Wilson, affectionately dubbed “Chaplain of Pop” is a public theologian who has built a bridge between theology and popular culture as a blogger for twenty years providing inspirational messages on faith, commentary and reviews on art, politics and music with a big help from friends. Thank you all!
After serving as Administrator and Author of this and related blogs for nearly 20 years (Heavier Octaves, Creativesselministries, HO High Notes and more recently Cheering Obama On (circa 2012-2015) I am "slowing my roll" to the more passive role of Founder, Chief Editor, Writer, fundraiser and artist.
I will remain in the background as a 'mentor-administrator' though. This will allow me to keep my hand in things, focus more on educating our youth about the intersection of theology, music and art while maintaining some say about the publications' funding administratively. It will also give me the opportunity to focus on the recapture and capitalization of related enterprises that have blossomed or sprouted from my blogs going forward.
I will remain active via newsletter, podcasts, online classes, email and phone calls. Please direct any questions or concerns to me at creativessel@gmail.com.
You may also make donations to my Cash app, Buy Me a Coffee(above), Zelle,etc., so I can pay my bills on time while also traveling the world(😉).
Hopefully, I will get the donations THIS TIME!
Use the QR Codes above for Buymeacoffee and Cash App
My corresponding fundraising links are set forth below:
For donations via Zelle just dial my phone number 313-495-2888 and enter the amount in the blank provided if you have a Zelle account with your bank.
It's been some long hot summers. But I'm making it by the grace of god! Also listen to my podcast "God's Riches in Glory" here or at the link provided in the lower righthand column of the web version of this blog. Find the web version link near the bottom of this page located just above my profile.
I watched former Vice President Kamala Harris on the Late Show last night as she was being interviewed by host Steven Colbert. It was good to see her apparently reassured, rested and forward thinking. Even though she did announce she was not running for governor of California. To paraphrase her response. I just think our Democracy is in a fragile
condition and it's broken. She said Oh no, I'm not giving up. I'm still
in the fight."
At one point in the interview he asked her about her political predictions and touched on those predictions she had made about her political challenger then and what she viewed on the horizon for our country if he was elected. How they all seemed to come true.There was one word she emphasized and which stuck with me as she responded to his question about what is going on now with the current administration and the political mood of congress. She responded--the capitulation. She just couldn't have predicted that.
Check out her new book--107 Days- in which she shares her experiences during last year's history making campaign to become the first woman and first black woman to be elected President of the United States.
We all love Stevie Wonder, his legendary contribution to the Motown sound and his driven,humanitarian and artistic approach to voicing concerns about social ills using his music. He is a visionary artist who has had a tremendous impact upon our culture throughout the years and has spread huge doses of peace, love and great music along the way.
Wonder who played an instrumental role in the struggle to make Martin Luther King Jr. holiday a reality with the help of activist attorney Theresa Cropper has a development deal on track for a documentary that tells the story on the screen. His iconic hit "Happy Birthday to You" which was written and composed to promote the King holiday has become over the decades a standard birthday song celebrating birthdays internationally across various cultures and musical genres.
For more information about the documentary check out Time magazine's article and take a listen to an excerpt from one of my podcast audios with brief mention of the back story below:
Malcolm Jamal Warner'srecent and surprising death at the age of 54 was as much a shock as it was very saddening to many who grew up with the positive images of a successful professional and stable black family portrayed on the Cosby Show that was viewed by millions worldwide. Images of his endearing portrayal of the lovable adolescent son of the iconic Bill Cosby, prominent physician Dr. Cliff Huxtable and his mother Phylicia Rashad, the ever clever attorney mom Claire Huxtable was a real psychological boost for black audiences. The Cosby show was a triumph and laid the foundation for future Black family oriented sitcoms and dramas alike. Flashbacks of the show quickly came to mind as I heard the news broadcasting over the radio. One scene came to mind almost immediately. The scene where Cosby goes into Theo's room and they go back and forth about spending money and budgeting.
Warner was one of the cast who made the transition from a child star to a successful adult actor, landing television sitcom roles and serious dramatic roles along the way. While his role as the formative years Theo remains in the psyche and consciousness of many Blacks, he had his hand in a number of cultural activities as he grew into adulthood, including movies and being a member of a band that was involved in a music project that won a Grammy along with Laylah Hathaway for their version of Stevie Wonder's " Jesus Children of America". See Stevie's thoughtful reflection about his passing captured by TMZ.
He was also a podcast host and involved in efforts to portray positive images of Blacks in the media. He struck gold for sure in his role as AJ in the Resident.
Of all the roles that I viewed him playing throughout the years, I really was impressed, almost transfixed by his intensely eccentric portrayal of acclaimed and in demand Neuro-surgeon Dr. AJ Austin on the network television show that became a Netflix series, "The Resident". I binged on all the episodes in that series and particularly enjoyed those that involved him dealing with the pressures of being a premiere class surgeon juggling his personal life with the professional one. It was a great show. I was hoping to see it being revived.
Rest in peace and power Malcolm. Prayers of comfort,healing and love go out to your family and friends.
Office of Management and Budget Director Russ Vought told reporters after meeting with Senate Republicans Tuesday that the White House is on board with a substitute amendment to the rescissions package that would exempt PEPFAR, the global anti-AIDS initiative from cuts.
This development today will certainly inspire hope along with much needed financial fire power to continue the fight against AIDS in Africa, especially in light of the weakening of the federal USAID agency. The Trump administration has agreed in cooperation with the Senate to reverse or exempt the earlier cuts made to the Pepfar program. The cuts were made last week in the Big Beautiful Bill. The special program to combat AIDS was initiated two decades ago by Republican President George Bush. Thumbs up to the President on this one. I'm sure former President Bush is pleased along with the millions of children and adults who have dire need for the medical treatments and medicines that will save their lives as a result of the restored funding due to the exemption.
In the meanwhile, keep hope alive and pray that those in need of vital services discontinued due to cut backs to USAID will have their needs met in some miraculous way or manner. We know God is able and in control.
See related blog articles on Pepfar, the AIDS crisis and what some notable celebrities like Alicia Keys, Bono and Oprah have done to raise funds and awareness in helping out in the past and continuing on today. Check out the related blog articles at the links below:
Obama discusses our values as Americans as we face threats to our fundamental freedoms under the present administration. He poses hard questions to Americans about our willingness to stand up as citizens and fight for democracy currently threatened in our country, during recent talk at Hamilton College in New York.
I have been faced with physical challenges that cause severe pain daily and difficulty walking. I extend my deepest gratitude for your care, concern and prayers.
In case you didn't know. Sometimes I can make it to church and sometimes I can't and rely on video streaming on Wednesdays to share the word and prayer with you. Likewise, sometimes I feel I can make that trip and sometimes I can't. I'm keeping hope alive though. If you're in the vicinity let me know and I'll hitch a ride with you.😉🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
I feel your prayers and appreciate you for taking the time to pray for me.
Please continue to pray for me and I am continuing to pray for you as well. Keep sending in those prayer requests using my email, creativessel@gmail.com
I read an article this morning by New York Times Opinion Columnist Nikolas Christof which sends a strong message and ignites a reciprocal need to weigh in and respond to the reality that children have died and are dying as a result cutbacks in humanitarian relief once provided by US AID. Clinics that have supplied life saving Aids medication to children in Africa in the past have been systematically shuttered. One such program affected, Prepfar, was established by a Republican president George Bush and has in the past saved millions of lives. See blog post written about it in 2007.
Above is a You Tube video excerpt of an audio version of a sermonette/devotion I led this morning at church. It is an inspirational message aimed to motivate constructive action with God's word. The scripture guidance provided by Luke 9:16:
Jesus took the five loaves and two fish, looked up towards heaven, and blessed them. Then, breaking the loaves into pieces, he kept giving the bread and fish to the disciples so they could distribute it to the people.
Once during a class I attended at Harvard Divinity School Summer Leadership Institute(SLI), founded by late Pastor Emeritus, Dr. Charles G. Adams, a respected and renown pastor, Rev. Dr. Floyd Flake who was also an instructor, said to students that when you meet the needs of church members, the community, the public, people whose needs are being met will respond, begin participating more actively in church programs and you will witness an increase in attendance,and, eventually giving. I have seen this happen and I am a living testament to its truth.
I often associate this dynamic with the line in the movie "Field of Dreams", "if you build the field the players will come. If folks are hungry and without food, you need to find ways to feed them. Start a hunger program, install a food pantry. If people are homeless, build a housing project or until that project is completed and they have immediate needs for shelter, find them safe, clean and affordable shelter in the interim.
If members are jobless, and without gainful means of income, start a jobs program, something that will tide them over and connect them with tangible and productive channels of income so they can feed themselves, pay for homes and lead prosperous lives. If they are lacking in health care, not able to pay for services not covered by insurance, start a program that will serve as a bridge between what they don't have and what the insurance carrier will provide until they can find more substantial health coverage(note: this message was originally written in 2016 before the passage of the ACA).
Often the response to requests for jobs, for higher wages, for higher standards of living, etc., is that there is no money...it's just not in the budget barring cutting through any bureaucratic and administrative red tape. But if you dig deep enough and search hearts profoundly and thoroughly there may be a surprising discovery. It usually boils down to individual ideologies and opinions about just how money should be allocated and spent. Just look at congress and the budget deficits and wars governments go through in efforts to distribute resources to the public fairly, equitably and economically. Trillions of dollars are in play.
But, there are always resources. In the words of the 23rd Psalm, "He anointed my head with oil, my cup runneth over..." "Give and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over will be poured into your lap. For the measure you give, it will be given to you." Luke 6:38.
God is an infinite supply. God is the initial and ultimate source. The alpha, the omega, the first, the last, the everything god! People are still wondering to this day how Jesus fed the crowd of over 5,000 with five loaves and two fish. Well...
Children are starving in far away lands in Gaza, in Sudan and other hot spots of conflict across the globe and even here at home. Federal workers are out of work, government services have been curtailed, cut back or completely shut down. People here and allies abroad are seriously worried about the fate of our economy. One false move and we could end up like Humpty Dumpty. Time to start a movement of love, sharing, giving, political understanding and hugs. Hold that thought.
All we need is love. If only it were that simple. Yet after all is said and done and the proverbial dust has settled maybe that is the one ingredient--a main one at that--which has gone missing far too long from our communities and the political arena much too often filled with political correctness, pride filled leaders, overly harsh public debate and inadequate man made budgets. Perhaps all we could use about now is a love transfusion, infusion and ingestion of it as medicine in a heavy dose.
With love and compassion filled hearts and conscientious sharing maybe everyone's needs would be met. The hungry would be fed, the homeless would be housed and those unemployed and without adequate material resources would gain jobs and money to meet their primary needs of food, shelter and clothing.
"Now, ignited by God's ever present,omniscient, omnipotent love. Love is a blessing from God, the true currency of the universe. Love can not be bought unless you love what you buy, because love is the currency. Let it flow..."*
Amen.
Peace and blessings,
Rev. Cynthia Wilson, Blog Founder & Chief Editor
*Excerpt from Cynthia Wilson's poem entitled "Love is the Currency"
Pope Leo XIV the first American Pope, native of Chicago, Illinois advocating for unity and inclusivity draws world leaders and conducts Mass for 250,000 at his official inauguration in St. Peter's Square at the Vatican in Rome, Italy.
Some US dignitaries greeted and shook hands with the Pope.
Congratulations to our newly appointed first ever American Pope. Happy for all of the Catholic parishioners and friends who are rejoicing and celebrating this milestone today.
I particularly want to extend my appreciation to the wonderful Pastor and parishioners of St. Mary's Catholic Church in Detroit's Greektown where I occasionally visit and attended a warm and spirit filled Swahili Mass.
In a moral moment that lasted a record-breaking 25 hours, Senator Corey Booker gave an inspiring and profoundly moving historic marathon speech on the Senate floor condemning Trump's policies. His speech broke Senator Strom Thurmond's then record made on the Senate floor in 1957 to prevent the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1957. Senator Booker's speech received an estimated 350
million likes on Tik Tok and earned him high regard among his congressional peers, his constituents and the public at large.
Today, I have been moved to share a quote by one of my Seminary teachers, the late Dr. James H. Cone because there is an effluvia(heavy) if not a patina(light)--depending on how you view it-- of oppression and suppression that still permeates and is evident in our society. Yes, in our workplaces, our houses of worship in our personal relationships and in our less intimate corporate relationships. I pray and I pray and God answers prayer either immediately or eventually. But, there is more needed. Have to give those prayers feet.
"To sing about freedom and to pray for its coming is not enough. Freedom must be actualized in history by oppressed peoples who accept the intellectual challenge to analyze the world for the purpose of changing it." ~ James H. Cone
Change must be on the horizon,prayed and striven for. We still need social security, ACA- Medicaid and Medicare and end to war and senseless gun violence. Keep praying,keep watching what is happening on Capitol Hill and in the highest seats of government. I will continue to pray,ask God's direction and ask you to do the same.
Happy to post and thankful to God that Federal workers on probationary status were reinstated by a Federal judge just today.
You can read more about it at the Hill a congressional publication.
To all the attorneys who have been vigorously fighting for justice in the legal system and to those supporters of fairness, constitutional rights and the just enforcement of the rule of law who have also been praying this is good news.
Lifting up an archived podcast episode on intercessory prayer that I recorded several years ago, and it is still relevant for praying today. Listen to the episode at this link:
I have been praying this prayer, and modified versions of it to fit particular circumstances for years. I know many of you faithful prayer warriors out there have been doing the same.
God continue to bless you and yours. Keep hope alive and the prayer wheel turning for our leaders,including our president, our congressional leaders, our courts and our federal workers. God continue to bless and guide you in all of your endeavors.
Cynthia Wilson at left pictured in pink Martha’s Vineyard cap sporting VIP Media Access lanyard in the audience. She chose to view concert from the audience with other fans at special benefit music concert to support and heal traumatized Virginia Tech community as they re-start the Fall school term. Circa September 2007. More about that concert at this link.
Dear Blog Readers:
Thank you so kindly for making this blog a success. I appreciate your readership of this blog over the past 16 years and both the Heavier Octaves High Notes E-Zine and Heavier Octaves.Org blogs for 21 years. In addition to providing a well of past coverage and reviews of benefit concerts and humantarian projects of musicians for music fans and the general public over certain years, they are also good sources for research and education now that are planned to be located soon, barring any unforseen delays at the Internet Archive. I also hope to have some of the missing links to articles and other related reference media including videos and photos restored.
However, I will still be posting to this blog “Cynthia D. Wilson Speaks and Writes” occasionally.
In the past invitations have been extended for you to subscribe and also to contribute to this blog. Requests for prayer are always welcome. I only ask that you email them at the email address provided.
I am requesting that you leave your email address and other valid contact info so I can follow up with you if you would like to blog as a guest blogger or participate in a future podcast episode. In the past I have also made an effort to attend concerts and reach out that way. You can contact me via my webpage at http://Aboutme.thecynthiawilson.com.
Updates will also be provided via You Tube, IG( when I get it re-published) and Twitter/X @speakingcynthia or Threads. But contact me first to arrange agreements so I will be clear that we are on the same page. Please contact me by email if you would like to contribute.
You can also send messages via my website on the social media links provided on that web page as well.
Past cultural/non-religious podcast episodes containing reviews of concerts, movies and political commentary will be made available periodically for download on my website, in a book or at the Internet Archive (working on it). (Edited 3.30.24)(Most recent edits 2.9.25, 2.11.25 and 2.12.25.)
Listen to Cynthia D. Wilson Speaks podcast archives at the following link:
Creativessel@gmail.com has been my email for nearly 20 years. So, that's a stable one to use. I’m making an effort to consolidate and keep things very clear and straight forward amidst significant communication challenges I have experienced over the years.
I am praying mightily for the safety and well-being of every musician, every first res p onder every fireman every public safety officer,every volunteer, every worker, every organizer,every logistics personnel, every security person and every concert attendee this evening who will be there in person at both venues this evening for this beautiful humanitarian act of outreach to restore the Los Angeles families and first responders who lost and gave so much in the recent fire disasters.
I regret that due to health challenges I can't be there in person to cover by live blogging, podcast and participate in this music benefit as I have in the past at other benefit concerts like Live Aid, Virginia Tech, Tsunami Aid, etc., to comfort with music, to raise awareness, to raise funds, to educate and to uplift and encourage communities that have been devastated by unexpected events such as the wild fires in L.A.
I will be watching the live stream.
God bless you and keep you safe from all hurt, harm and danger as you lift your voices to help your neighbors in need.
Note: This post was first written on December 7,2024 and edited on January 7, 2025.
Today, FBI staff given termination notices. What next? Excuse me, you say appropriate...okay. Let me check with the US Constitution, federal statutes, government regulations,etc., and other law fare.
Since the election of our current President and the swift nominations of some controversial cabinet picks to put it mildly, many law abiding citizens may be feeling a bit insecure about the nation's safety. The group may also include those citizens who are also borderline rule breakers and may occasionally straddle the fence, those fine line, close call situations in their efforts to genuinely help individuals or larger segments of the population for the greater common good.
They may be feeling a bit overwhelmed by the swarm of billionaires cloistering it seems our President elect. That from all appearances seem intent on turning the government of "We the people,for the people and by the people" upside down, inside and out to suit their own political interests and their multi-million or billion dollar business interests. Law abiding citizens may be sensing they may be in danger of becoming extinct, fading out rapidly into a forgotten silent and disregarded majority or worse yet, potential and ripe targets of a looming lawlessness of the kind that stormed the capitol on January 6 and were later pardoned or the kind that are akin to those science fiction movies--displaying and where characters act out purges in which any crime committed is okay for a season---no penalties, punishment or retributions will be sought or result from their illegal behavior.
Where over the next four years a signal is sent out that it's a free for all and open season for getting over, getting rich or maintaining that wealth attained however you can and by any means necessary. Where go for it! Is the credo and astonishingly both law enforcement and law makers will look the other way. Transgressions will either be thrown into the hopper of a court system that can be readily neutralized by delays or politically allied judges.
There may be increased need to hang on to possessions and other properties that could easily or cleverly be seized pursuant to plots and orchestrations by those with disregard for authority, disrespect for ethical codes as they condescend, feed their egos and cavalierly if not cunningly thumb their noses at those less fortunate---financially, that is---and, the rule of law. Even those pillars of society who conveniently or indifferently look the other way, insulating themselves sometimes protectively behind layers of apathy.
They may be getting paranoid or on the other hand, justifiably apprehensive about just what is going on with all those hints at making government more efficient. And while it is indeed a lofty and applaudable goal, the question becomes, how is it really going to improve their standard of living? Is it just another crock of confidence gaming hooey?
Will all the hoopla it has generated be synthesized and forged into ground breaking government policies and programs that will not by just a mere scintilla, but instead that will sizeably increase their wages health care, social security, significantly lower inflation and the cost of living while making more realistic the pursuit of happiness and the attainment of the American Dream?
Maybe someone should put their minds at ease. It is a huge task of course. Perhaps our President elect is up for it. From all accounts he certainly has the wherewithal and the brain power in the Doge-Executive branch alliance. Especially if all those billionaires attending the inauguration really get on board, pool their enormous resources and do the math.
Maybe they could come up with a goodwill fund where each citizen is awarded a million dollar check--I know this is incredible,but you have to start somewhere--like the one by lottery that Musk conducted during the time of last year's Presidential elections encouraging folks to get out and vote. But this would not be a lottery. Instead, this million would be a sound stimulus with substantial or "beautiful", as you might say, potential to put every citizen on a level playing field or at least at a remarkable starting point. It might even transform society as we know it and maintain our beloved democracy in the process.
And, if not a million, as it may be judged as too "pie-in-the-sky-esque", unrealistic or even too fantastic, by finance wizes and Masters of the Universe, maybe some kind of alternative economic boost or commensurate incentive sincerely aimed at improving our great American quality of life nationally as well as America's global humanitarian objectives. Those that have been the mission of currently walking wounded agencies such as USAid and others.
With a million dollars a person could donate a sizeable amount to charity while getting a decent tax write off. There may be other creative ways they could use such a resource to assist those who have been the target of lay-offs from their jobs due to down sizing of staff.
I will be praying along with others who value our democracy, for our country--"We the People"...our leaders in congress, in the judiciary and those at our executive branch--and Doge. All working together to keep our country great.
