Senator Raphael Warnock Speaks On God's Vision for the Land During Sunday Worship Service at Greater Allen Cathedral

 

Thousands Expected at Roots Picnic This Weekend

 Jay-Z having earned by street cred, record sales, numerous Grammy awards and accolades,  recognition as the "greatest rapper of all time", headlines the popular Roots picnic today and tomorrow. He is celebrating the 30 year anniversary of the studio release of  his debut album "Reasonable Doubt".

 According to news reports 80,000 are expected at the venue and ticket sales have soared. Other stars joining the line-up include Erykah Badu, Brandy, Kehlani, rapper T.I., DJ Jazzy Jeff, Jermaine Dupri and Friends, Mariah the Scientist and more. See the following poster for a full list:

I'll be following for updates on the possibility of a live stream of the event. In the meantime catch a video update which will include some commentary on the performances, well wishes and prayers for the pinic organizers, musicians and attendees.

Peace and blessings,

Rev. Cynthia Wilson, Founder

Chaplain of Pop

Welcome to the Class of Distinction:Congratulations Dr. "Breezy" Brown

 Chris Brown joins a select group of r&b, Hip Hop and Rap artists who have received honorary doctorates distinguishing themselves over the years for outstanding contributions to their fields.  Brown who has been blazing a trail in the arts with his grafitti art, film, video productions, dance and music for decades has won a number of awards including Grammys, American Music Awards, BET Awards, and an NAACP Image Award. This  latest honor was bestowed upon him by Harvest Christian University located in Las Vegas, Nevada. 

Again, a very warm congratulations!

Others receiving this honorary bestowal at various educational institutions throughout the years include:

• Usher: Received an honorary doctorate of music from Emory University.
• Missy Elliott: Received honorary doctorates in music from both Berklee College of Music and Norfolk State University.
• Queen Latifah: Received an honorary doctorate of fine arts from Rutgers University.
• LL Cool J: Received an honorary doctor of arts from Northeastern University.
• Chance the Rapper: Received an honorary doctorate of humane letters from Dillard University.
• Busta Rhymes: Received an honorary doctorate from Harvest Christian University.
• Sean "Diddy" Combs: Received an honorary doctorate in humanities from Howard University.

Other notable names who have collected this academic honor include Wyclef Jean, Trina, Trick Daddy, and Boosie Badazz.

"The Limelight"

Here are several examples of how the limelight can be analogized to my original  archived inspirational blog post in some recent pop culture media updates or made reference to in a song.

I recently came across an inspirational video on Instagram in which Kanye West performed this rap song:

with his customary panache backed by a full orchestra in which he makes reference to leaving the 'limelight' behind.

The song packs a powerful punch and makes an enlightening impact, almost a rags to riches but-not-what-I-really wanted-or-expected kind of vibe with soaring music and street cred beats as a backdrop. It makes one wonder if the rapper became disillusioned when he interjects the sentiment of leaving the limelight behind or is just giving it a passing thought.

Also, there was a recent Chris Brown shooting news report and his alleged response to it indicating he did not know anything about it. Was the report of that incident the celebrity media mania and attention clamoring machine at play with acceptable fabrications or the real truth?

and the report about a shooting at Rihanna's home a few weeks ago. What was that really all about?

These kind of reels and happenings make us  concerned genuinely about the state of our culture and the spread of information. Is it real or fake? These artists who give so much of themselves to our entertainment, while impacting society and our youth who often emulate and admire them. 

Let's keep them and our news media lifted in prayer.

 I am lifting up this blog post from the archives to inspire and encourage.

From the archives-Originally published in 2008. Written in 1999-2000. Handed out as a flyer at a Church event where I promoted Limelight one of my original homemade blessed oil and fragrances.

It seems almost everyone and everything wants to be thrust into the "limelight" so often reserved for luminaries,celebrities and others of notable accomplishment.In fact,the desire is so pervasive,that some invent monumental incidents and blessed events to keep the light shining on them.The need for exposure is somehow linked to and in direct correlation with the amount of daily,monthly and annual income or attention-if that's what pays the rent-can be raked in.

John Mccain's presidential campaign ad,(view here), which aims to ridicule as it also attempts to lessen the wattage of phenomenally popular and skilled Commander in Chief hopeful,Barack Obama, only underscores the celebrity-esque frenzy which has overtaken much of our daily thought. Taken a step further, the celebrity craze has all but redefined social and political behavior patterns, grotesquely saturating our culture. 

The media is constantly dishing out the Britney or Paris scoops of the day. So much of today's reality gets distorted and manipulated in the wake of this mania. Of course,the drawback is that the truth becomes the "flavor of the day".Whatever illusion,puff or artifice can draw in the crowd,the votes or the ratings is valued over straightforward fact. 

 Well,I was digging in my archives this morning and "serendipitously" came across a meditation which I wrote over eight years ago,which I find extremely relevant today.Below is a slightly revised version. I am sharing it today in celebration of a "limelight" that is more intense than any man made light,stardom or celebrity that could ever be shined or veered in your direction.

It is really where the light is...As the saying goes,"real talent will out".So will the limelight of the Holy Spirit.

I dedicate it to all my special friends out there.You may find the audio version here.

"The Limelight"

  "God is blessing you with all the favor of the "limelight".What is the "limelight"? Webster defines it as...a brilliant light created by the oxidation of lime and formerly used in theatres to throw an intense beam of light upon a particular part of the stage,a certain actor,etc.,a part of a stage where a limelight or spotlight is cast,a prominent or conspicuous position before the public.

 The limelight,if you will, of the Holy Spirit is blessing you today and everyday with this kind of brilliant favor in every aspect of your life.It is shining the light on your gifts so you can see them more clearly.When you see them with clarity,you will experience a revelation, a sort of "instantaneous inventory" and realize that God has already given. It is up to you to step out on faith and share these precious gifts with the world.You are multi-talented and may have a gift or two that needs dusting off.You may even feel the need to pray and ask God to stir them up.

If by chance you have been sitting on a goldmine of creative assets which you have not fully actualized,now is as good a time as any to come out of waiting and go for it. Step out of the shadows of others and come more fully into the light. Bask in the blessings of God's limelight,invisible to the human eye, yet the illumination to the consciousness is perceived and experienced in such a manner,it makes all other lights dim in comparison.

 So,come on out and bask in the blessings of God's limelight,full of all the love,wealth and peace you can ever imagine.Here are some brief pointers to help you along the way: 

Love

Give as much love as you can without being fearful of rejection and not getting enough in return.Don't cut off the flow of this divine and miraculous energy.With love,strong and healthy relationships are molded.Love your neighbor,relying and trusting in God for divine returns. 

Wealth

Make the most of what you have.True wealth is giving thanks for what God has already provided and for what you expect God to provide based on your faith in God as the source of all your supply.Tap into the abundance that is all around,that fills the earth with every need.

It is already here. Man only makes the limitation and division.But you can rise above when you use your gift.It is unique to you.Don't waste this precious resource.It is a diamond in the rough.Continue to mine for the treasure,developing and exploiting what God has already supplied. 

Health

God is blessing with good health everyday.But if you are experiencing a health challenge pray,know and trust that God's creative healing power will get you through.Give thanks for all the days that you have been well and that all of your organs have been working efficiently to keep you alive and healthy.Tap into the energy of life and vibrancy all around. Experience the indescribable blessing of the air,the plants,the wind,the earth and the seas.Breathe it in and feel whole as an integral part of the miracle of creation. "

Share this with someone you love.Be blessed and enjoy the day.

"This little light of mine,I'm gonna let it shine..."

Love, Cynthia

P.S. Special thanks to my E-Angel❤️

 Copyright 2000-2008 Cynthia D.Wilson What I am Doing Currently: Reading: Watching:

How R&B Co-Headliners Raymond and Brown Tour Have Given Back to Community Over the Years

 

While it was recently announced that $1 from each ticket purchased from the upcoming Raymond and Brown, R&B concert tour will be donated to FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, both Usher and Chris Brown have been contributing to the Global and local communities over the years in admirable ways. Each one of them has enriched the lives of artists and youth through various community enrichment, support and outreach programs of their own. Usher already serves as a Global Citizen Ambassador and will continue his commitment to that project on this tour. For more information about FIFA Global Citizen Fund click here and view the video.

Usher recently in partnership with Big Sean contributed a million for a start up that invests in the creativity of Detroiters. Its a space where they can go to create podcasts  paint, design in an arts and music studio at Michigan Central a newly renovated train station in Detroit. 

The Detroit R & B concert is scheduled for July 2 and 3 at Ford Field. Pre-sale concert tickets are  currently live and tickets go on sale officially April 27. For more information about what you need to do to be added to a list, get ticket codes or to purchase, click on this link.

Usher also has been quietly grooming and training up and coming artists for years through his foundation's special training program. Many of the artists we know. Once they go through the program they return as instructors and mentors to the new trainee artists, investing 15 million of his own money. See more in this Instagram post by Prime Source Media here.

Chris Brown has been active in a number of special youth  programs throughout the years in the Los Angeles area donating clothes, gym shoes, hugs and basketball moves at a High School's  Unity Day in particular. To get a glimpse of these past events, view the YouTube video, Funny Chris Brown. The Crenshaw event is halfway through the video.

He was honored with an award from the 2nd Call organization in 2014 for spreading hope.  Check out an archived post from his archives. More recently Breezy lost one of his dancers and committed to take care of her child. The dancer passed away several months ago. See more here.

Just a reminder and brief vignette of those god has blessed with fortune, fame and favor and how they give and  have given back to the community. Two brothers who made good became famous, made fortunes and do good works we don't often hear about,see, or read about in the news broadcasts.

Its important to spread the good news of celebrities and others who are doing good things and give credit where it is truthful and due.