The Stellar Stellars! An Amazing Night of Gospel Music

An amazing show tonight. Catch everything here on You Tube. The lead in shows in Houston as well as the special promotional videos that Kirk Franklin, Jonathan McReynolds and Koryn Hawthorne did as co-hosts had me and I’m sure many more eagerly anticipating this year’s 35th Annual Stellar awards. See Houston interview and performance clip here. You will discover a few things about the co-hosts you may not have known beforehand in the interview by Deborah Duncan of Great Day Houston. Jonathan winner of seven(7) Stellars so far is also an author. His latest book is “Make Room:Finding Where Faith Fits” and his latest record release is People. Jonathan also has a Masters degree in Biblical Studies and is an official member of membership organizations. For geniuses, Mensa. Koryn Hawthorn has a no.1 single “You Still Love Me and, of course, the legendary Kirk Franklin is still soaring as a gospel chart topper and maintaining his masterful musicianship and influence in the field Picking up 5 awards for his latest album release “Love Theory”.  The full list of tonight’s winners and categories can be found here. Stellar awards production is also making a program booklet of the show available for download free of charge. 

All performances from the original live show broadcast can be viewed on the BET network.  Moving performances by Jonathan McReynolds, Koryn Hawthorne,Tye Tribett, Zacardi Cortez, Group Fire, Anthony Brown,  James Fortune featuring Deborah Carolina, CeCe Winans who performed a special memorial tribute to  Congressman John Lewis with Bridge Over Troubled Water, Pastor Mike, Tamala Mann and JJ Hairston featuring Kierra Sheard on the award winning “Miracle Worker” ; they all kept the show brimming with inspiration from beginning to end, all the way to the last performance. Tasha Cobb Leonard accepted her award for Song of the Year humbly and with grace. Of course, we know that gospel music is inspiration and drives our church praise teams and Sunday morning worship services every week.The Stellars celebrated gospel music this year with panache and style despite the inability to broadcast live in their usual manner pre-coronavirus.

Jonathan’s Mc Reynold’s “Best Thing”, performance videotaped outdoors was lively and lit with the show lights shining brightly...speaking of which, I have to admit that I have had his 2018 CD “Make Room” on replay in my disc player even though People is his latest release. Both are best. So make room for People as well. But you know, it’s great when an artist can have his earlier release  listened to and enjoyed as much as his earlier record...that is definitely a double portion.

 The producers, editors and behind the scenes crew did a great job of pulling the segments together creatively in light of the Coronavirus social distancing protocols that have caused the television industry to re-think and re-design live broadcasts. The show was edited nicely. I enjoyed the way it segued from the hosts intro of each artist into their video performances. Tamala Mann looked magnificent singing her song from that picturesque mountaintop scene and Doe and Travis Greene’s performance was strong and energetic. In fact all performances were moving and spirit filled. 

God bless! Stay safe and well out there. Keeping you all in my prayers. 

Tune in to our podcast where you can listen to selected blog posts and playlists  featuring music from some of your  favorite artists. Join Pray in Place Prayer Circle every Wednesday morning at 9:00a.m on Zoom. Specific details forthcoming.

God's Justice,Not ”Just Us”-7.15.13

More names to be added on a slideshow. They couldn't all fit on one art image. I superimposed eleven of them on a drawing. It's sad there were so many that they all could not fit.

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Let justice roll down like mighty waters and righteousness as an everlasting stream-Amos 5:24


 Back in the day a term which some might call a slang phrase,a definition for which may be found in the Urban Dictionary ,or one of comedian Richard Pryor's seminal jokes, is Just Us. Instead of Justice,black people called it just-us because of the lopsided results often found in the court and prison system for black people.

As passions continue to ignite, righteous indignation and anger erupt into hues and cries for justice, building a groundswell with which to be reckoned, let us remain prayerful and hopeful as we call on God for direction. We pray that Trayvon Martin and the countless others who have been killed in similar manner and not guilty verdicts returned throughout the years won't have died without vindication and in vain. God will answer.

 When God answers, pray to be guided by that answer. An answer which is certain to fill hearts and minds with not only a peace which surpasses all human understanding. But holy boldness that which often, by implication would also include a resolve to take peaceful, persistent and constructive action to correct the societal ills of racial profiling,stand your ground laws, unfettered use of firearms and stalking of black youth by unmonitored and woefully unregulated vigilantes. Those also ginned up on vague and poorly constructed statutes which likely can't withstand constitutional scrutiny nor muster.

 And,though painful memories of past injustices perpetrated against black men--primitive and high tech lynchings alike--again surface, fueling combined rage and cynicism, let us remain mindful that God is able "through our weary years...and has led us thus far on our way.." in the words of James Weldon Johnson. But we have to march sometimes,protest and make our voices heard sometimes, speak truth to power,"Lift Every Voice and Sing,til earth and heaven ring"... transform what is regarded by consensus as a bad and imperfect result, by the very nature of our unity, combined action, voices, strength and 'calling out' purpose. 

We can have respect for the rule of law, accept the jury's verdict and still have access to the court of public opinion as we remain righteously indignant, respectful of the defendant and his family, empathetic and outraged for the victim and his family. That availability of choice is what makes our nation so great. The wheels of justice don't always move with the speed, direction or exactitude that man or woman would have it. However,that does not mean that the result we all believe to be right and in line with every Christian precept, every social ethic,everything that is good,perfect, pure and just, won't be the ultimate judgment meted out by the infinite creator, as he uses us as instruments and vessels of his will and purpose here on earth.

This manner of viewing things may be regarded by the raw activist as too spiritual,too high road,too lackadaisical, too passive to effectively galvanize the emotions of the people, mold current sentiment into meaningful and constructive action on the issue of Trayvon Martin's senseless and untimely death. However, I believe that God is able to in the words of Old Testament Prophet Amos, "Let justice roll down like waters and righteousness like an everlasting stream... And God can use anyone and anything to fulfill that purpose. So, don't undervalue your position, your feelings and views.

Get intimate with God. Go into your quiet place with him and ask God to use you as a vessel of forward action,peace,understanding and unity.Take time out for just a moment. Meditate,pray and reflect with God,ask what you can do with your life to make your home,your neighborhood,your community,your city,your state,your country and your world a safer less hate filled place. 

What if anything, can you do about the rising incidence of gun violence? Stay abreast of developments on the laws in your city and state. Get involved. Donate your time and talent to the Trayvon Martin Foundation or the efforts of other organizations that are engaged in projects to curb racial profiling, gun violence and hate crimes.

Rev. Cynthia Wilson

"People"

Jonathan Mc Reynold's People is his latest CD release and includes the thought-provoking single by the same name.  The entire album is filled with beautiful gospel songs that are an inspiring blend of his signature traditional and contemporary gospel for which he has a wonderful flair.  View and take a listen to the entire visual album at the You Tube link above. 

The song "People" is a pensive reflection on human relationships and the challenges of dealing with people who cause difficulties in your life. You have to pray to God to help you through and hope and still pray you have not become one of those same people. All of his songs are refreshingly thought out reflections about relationship with God and people in today's world. Listen to it on the video link above.

"I Need Your Grace" another lovely song on the album, has a comforting traditional gospel sound. View it below. 

 The entire CD is definitely a Jonathan McReynolds essential, a blessing to add to your traditional and contemporary gospel collection. He is a gifted and anointed gospel artist.The music will inspire and uplift your spirits.

Corona Virus Prayer Text and Podcast Link

Find my podcast link below. It is the audio version of my blog post.

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/44623857(reposted 5.4.21 due to deletion)

Today is May 4,2021 and I am topping this Coronavirus prayer of March 26, 2020 for those who missed it.

https://www.spreaker.com/episode/34174101(broken link)

Spirit filled prayers and needed action work well together. God will fill in the gaps and make groans and utterances and intercede for us when we don't know what to pray for. God has always guided the community of faith in times of calamity. Anyone can take time out to pray. Wherever you are, whenever the spirit moves you, you can pray for yourself, your family, your community. The prayers of the righteous availeth much.

Cleaning hands with hot soapy water, disinfecting and taking other recommended actions to assure that germs are not spread are usually things that our common sense in the regular course of cleaning and past experiences with cold and flu viruses has led us to do. But the uncertainties of this virus has filled the atmosphere with fear, anxiety and near hysteria because it can be fatal and no known vaccines exist or have been made available to the public.

For the faithful community of believers, calling on God, our maker, creator of the universe, firmament, earth, giver and restorer of life-- should be our first action.

 Guided by Holy Spirit, the 91st Psalm came to mind. Inspired and motivated by God's blessed living and written word, the following prayer: 

Dear God in this time of sweeping and unsettling global fear from 'modern' pestilence and plague more commonly known as Covid-19, (Corona Virus) we ask that you would first still our hearts and minds in prayer and praise across the world in places and communities stricken by this virus.  Let us not forget how mighty and awesome you are! 

Most high God we know that you inhabit our praise, so let us remember to give you all the praise, honor and glory for waking us up this morning, healthy and strong, in our right minds, still fortified by your loving grace and promise to never leave us alone, to provide comfort, to come to our aid when we call upon you for deliverance from the "terror by night and the noisome pestilence by day",in addition to other disease, chaos and turmoil. Unify us across the globe in our humanity and have mercy. 

While our religious and spiritual beliefs and practices may differ, remind us that we can still all pray to God for mercy and healing grace. We can call on God for all that is needed to defeat this scourge and restore health to our villages, cities, counties,states and countries as we take necessary measures recommended by doctors and scientists who have knowledge and experience about this virus. We pray that you will work through them and guide them in finding a cure. Help us to love and do right by our neighbors as we seek a cure.

 Finally, call upon the most holy and mighty God, of all faith denominations, all that is good and true and powerful to embolden and restore our trust and faith. Deliver and heal all of God’s children whether Christian, Muslim, Jewish, Buddhist or other traditional religions from Corona virus while defeating its accompanying chaos and confusion.

Finally as Christian, I call upon the healing power, favor and grace of Jesus to deliver.

Bless us with peace, divine order, calm and a cure.

Amen.

Rev. Cynthia Wilson

Grammy-Winning Musician Esperanza Spalding Tells Her Story

Grammy-Winning Musician Esperanza Spalding Tells Her Story: Grammy-winning Jazz musician Esperanza Spalding tells PBS television host Christiane Amanpour's Walter Isaacson, in an interview, about the impact she is making on music and the healing power of sound.

I had an opportunity to attend a Masterclass taught by her and another critically acclaimed and Grammy winning jazz musician at Detroit's Carr Center. It was clear that she has an ingenious method of relating to her students, zeroing in on their unique talent, while encouraging them to exceed what they've already been taught and get in touch with their highest musical levels. Her lecture actually energized everyone in the room.