On Forgiveness: The Heart of the Matter

 From an Earlier Post Dated

Thought about digging up this forgiveness blog from the archives for the Memorial Weekend Inspiration. I also re-posted India Arie's version of "Heart of the Matter",as the Heavier Octaves "Profile Song of the Week" on our My Space page. It's usually done every Monday. So, what? I'm a little early. It's for a good cause. I've been trying to figure out a solution ,or should I say, a series of solutions for a matter that has been perplexing me for a couple of weeks now.Here's the inside story:

I ran into someone at a social function on Manhattan's Upper West Side not too long ago. By the way, I am dedicating this blog entry to him.

In preparation for attending this social gathering I had geeked myself up pretty much, was psyched and looking forward to mingling with some old friends and colleagues. Some, I would be seeing for the first time in almost a year.

In the spirit of love and enthusiasm,being happy to see this person,I neared him for a friendly embrace. He was not as warm as usual towards me.He seemed very distant and preoccupied as I hugged him. The first thought that came to mind was that he was having a bad day. However, upon deeper observation and discovery, as the evening wore on, I learned that he was carrying a deep grudge against someone that happened to also be at the gathering. We talked briefly. During the course of our limited discussion,he was not in a talkative mood,I became disappointed and ultimately disturbed, as he revealed to me the reason he was carrying it.The grudge,that is.

It was not based on any solid knowledge of what was going on, because he apparently did not really know what the other person's past and current situation was due to a lack of ongoing communication. How many times have any of us been in that same boat because we have made assumptions about someone's actions or circumstances based upon superficial observations,without exploring deeper the real facts through further interaction and discussion with them? This was likely a misunderstanding that could have been moderately cleared up with a few phone calls or short notes. It's the kind of situation where the person who is being blamed or "demonized" would say if they knew about it,"I had no idea you were going through this or that you felt that way."

It is unhealthy, not only for the person towards whom the negative vibrations from the grudge are being directed,but also, and perhaps,even moreso, for the one who is directing or harboring the ill feelings towards them.Believe me ,and I have plenty of experience over the years on both receiving and giving ends to know, that the whole process is depleting and counter productive, regardless of the end you happen to be on. Directing negative energy towards someone whether in "grudge" or "other" form depletes on both ends. If you're sending it out,you end up eventually sick and drained.If you happen to be the recipient of the "nastiness", there is a similar result.

This counter productivity is only magnified when bad feelings are based upon petty misunderstandings often resulting from poor communication. These could be worked out between both parties,if bruised egos, senseless pride,and yes,sometimes,one upsmanship, were not the basic cause of the misunderstandings in the first place. Besides contributing to the build up of "no win"situations, "bad vibes" generate harmful and wasteful energy which cause damage to the psyche, dis-ease and discomfort in the emotional,mental and physical bodies, eventually leading to illness. ...Talk about environmental pollution.

Believing strongly in all aspects of environmental improvement, while desiring to serve as a catalyst in the healing process, I will spare any more of the gory details,the "preachy" sermon, just say this and leave it:

If you know of anyone who might benefit from forgivness,the kind sung about in the song and/or discussed herein, please forward this message on to them. By the way, the scripture reference is Matthew 18:21-35. I highly recommend reading it as a supplement to this message. It contains an enlightening parable. I count it extremely relevant to the situation and person I've discussed above.

Below is the My Space blog dated January 4,2007,made reference to above, along with a related podcast on forgiveness,which I'm topping today:

The Heart of the Matter (Thursday,January 4,2007)

It's time to get down to the "Heart of the Matter"...This is currently the "Profile Song" for Heavier Octaves Radio. India Arie covers this Don Henley tune beautifully. It is a wonderful song with a thoughtful and inspiring message. It is our inspirational "Profile Song of the Week. India has indeed made it her own. Here is a link to the lyrics,if you care to go deeper with your reflection on the song.Try forgiving someone today and see the difference it will make in your life.And,listen in to our podcast which usually provides a brief meditation/reflection on the song being played.

Below is the link to the podcast I recorded on forgiveness. Please listen in.


"Heart of the Matter Podcast"

Enjoy,


Cynthia (Revcoolc)Wilson

A/K/A "Chaplain of Pop"

NCA--Honors Artists and Community Leaders Committed to Artistic Vision

On Saturday, May 25, 2024, National Conference of Artists-Michigan Chapter, honored noted artist Shirley Woodson Reid long-term and devoted President, having served the chapter for over forty years. She was honored along with 27 artists who received this year's Vision and Excellence in the Arts  Awards during NCA's 50th Anniversary Celebration Luncheon held at the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History. Duane Beddingfield, Arts and Culture Reporter for the Detroit Free Press served as Master of Ceremonies.

Ms. Woodson-Reid gave a keynote that provided a rich history of the organization. Several community and business leaders were recognized as well for their help and support over the years. See program booklet for a complete list. Contact NCA for a copy of the souvenir program booklet.

Reverend  Barbara A. Woodson gave the invitation and blessed the meal. The luncheon committee did a great job putting everything together from the well documented history on the program, the meticulously painstaking awards presentation for 27 artists who were honored individually to the luncheon menu.

 

This year's 50th Anniversary  Celebration was a beautiful occasion and a proud moment for a total of 27 artists who have maintained their artistry over the years and successfully met the challenges of keeping  their artistic visions alive and viable throughout the Detroit Metropolitan area and beyond. Their names are listed at the end of this post. They were this year's recipients of Vision and Excellence in the Arts Awards. National Conference of Artists has served as a vital support network, educating, unifying and inspiring throughout the years, honoring artists with this award.

 

 

A special memorial tribute was conducted for Eileen Montiero, an accomplished water color artist and board member of the Michigan chapter who recently made her transition. Memorial mentions were made in the event program of other members who have passed away over the chapter's 50 year history. Eileen was the most recent, very active and the glue that often held the organization's membership together sending out vital information about activities and events.

The members of the Luncheon Committee who planned and organized the event:

Robbie Best

Debra Brown Cage

Arlinda Crossland

Electra V. Fulbright

Sharon Gamblin

Ida Hawkins 

Terrie Hylton

Carrie Jones

Shekenia Mann

Eileen Montiero

Senhor Reid

Bill Sanders

Raymond Wells

Linda Whitaker

Shirley Woodson

NCA Michigan Chapter extended a very special thank you to the Committee and their friends and supporters over the years:

Camille Brewer, Archivist

Marion Hayden, Musician

Desmond Love, Filmmaker

Terrie Hylton, Artist

Shekenia Mann, Photographer

Bill Sanders, Photographer

David and Linda Whitaker, Collectors

 

This  year's Vision and Excellence in the Arts Awardees are:

 

 Check out NCA's website for further information about the event and the artists.

 

Congratulations to all the artists and supporters over the years. 

 

Affordable Health Care is Crucial. (Click on Title Link to Learn More)Topping An Archived Post to Remind You

 Here is my post from September 2009 as a reminder of the importance of affordable health care. Those who know and have experienced the benefits and overall improvements that have resulted from the passage and implementation of Obama's Affordable Care Act must remain vigilante in efforts to protect it.  

https://cynthiadwilson2.blogspot.com/2009/09/go-to-need.html?m=1

Remember those political leaders who stood in the forefront and worked tirelessly for its promulgation and passage.

Good Friday Word

Stations of the Cross Art- by Cynthia D. Wilson-Instagram handle @cynthiadwilsonart_c

Here we are today, Good Friday , the day that set the sobering tone for Holy Week, the days that revealed some of the most profound conversations that Jesus had with his disciples that evidenced a lonely Messiah who dreaded the reality he faced. He contained with every fiber of his faith, purpose and being in God the foreknowledge of his imminent crucifixion. So today we celebrate and revisit this time with church programs where preachers emphasize Jesus’ last words, the seven last words of Christ, while imparting to listeners the mysteries of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 2:13)as they stir in them a spiritual awakening that generates a connection with that final experience of Jesus here on earth as he suffered, bled and died for our sins. And Christians should take into account and always bear in mind that God intended only one crucifixion. So, in Jesus that sacrifice is finished once and for all, forever, not to be repeated over and over again(Hebrews 10:12). Neither  by way of animals as in the Old Testament nor by any additional misguided conceptualization or actualization of primitive human sacrifice espoused or advocated by demonic influences and systems. Jesus’ experience can not and should not be mocked or lessened  to the confusion, derision and misunderstanding that results when it is reduced to such a degree. Once on Calvary was all it took. As the words in the song sang so passionately and beautifully by Chandler Moore and Maverick City,…”just one look…”

Hebrews 10:12:

But this man, after offering one sacrifice for sins forever, sat down at the right hand of God.,

Jesus prayed for the cup to be passed from him during his period of deep prayer and reflection in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matthew 26:39). He was saddened and driven to tears from the behavior of those who spitefully accused him, betrayed him and clamored for his death from the mob that surrounded Pontius Pilot.

Yet through it all, his resurrection on Easter morning transformed the gloom and doom of that day, that misery and cruelty he was subjected to on Mt. Calvary and the days leading up to it into joy and victory. His resurrection from death took the sadness and agony out of his crucifixion, and the ultimate sting out of death (1 Corinthians 15:54-57)in the witness of Jesus’ triumph over it. This aliveness we experience today in the Comforter, the Holy Spirit, which Jesus promised  to send faithful believers and never leave them alone(John 14:15-17).

My prayers go out to you today as you reflect and/or speak or preach in earnest on the 7 Last Words of Christ. God bless you. 

The 7 Last Words as set forth in scripture are as follows:

1st Word- “Father forgive them for they know not what they do”

The Word of Forgiveness"

Luke 23:34

2nd Word-“Be with me in Paradise”

“The Word of Salvation”

  Luke 23:43

3rd Word-“Behold Thy Son”

The Word of  Relationship

John 19:26–27

4th Word- “Father Why has thou forsaken Me?”

The Word Forsaken

Mark 15:34

Matthew 27:46

5th Word-“I Thirst”

“The Word of Distress”

John 19:28

6th Word-“It is Finished”

The Word of Triumph 

John 19:30

 

7th Word-“Father into your hands I Commend my spirit”

“The Word of  Reunion”

Luke 23:46

Enjoy worshipping whether you are experiencing it in person or streaming services on one of your devices.

Blessings,

Rev. Cynthia Wilson

Weekly Photo Story from the Archives

 

Every wednesday I lift up a blog post from  my archives that may or may not be listed in the featured posts line up found in the far right hand column of this blog.  Last week’s post was on Alicia Keys, highlighting her performance at the 2021 Billboard Awards and a lift up by former First Lady Michelle Obama. This week I go all the way back to 2008 when Barack Obama was running for election and a number of musical artists got together and compiled an album entitled “Yes We Can:Voices of a Grassroots Movement” to promote his historic run for the White House. Click on the image in the Photo Story column in the upper right hand column of the blog to read more about it. You may also find the post by clicking on the link below:

https://cynthiadwilson2.blogspot.com/2008/09/music-for-obamavoices-of-grassroots.html?m=0

Enjoy the read.

Peace,

Cynthia Wilson,

Blog Founder and Chief Editor