John Mayer Cancels Upcoming Tour. May Need to Undergo Surgery Again

Photo by Cynthia Wilson

John Mayer,who has been recovering from throat surgery for the last several months, has today announced that he is cancelling his upcoming tour and will likely have to undergo another round of surgery on his vocal chords. The news comes as a shock and disappointment to his music fans and friends so looking forward to traveling to concerts on the tour scheduled to kick off in Bloomington, Indiana on April 9,2012. The tour is in support of his soon to be released record "Born and Raised", which is still scheduled to be released by Columbia Records on May 22.

 John went back to his doctor on Wednesday for a check up after "something did not feel right/sound right" during a rehearsal. His doctor informed him that the condition had returned and he would have "to take an indefinite break from live performing." Let's hope this is not so! It was enough of a shock that he was not among the performers at the White House concert Red,White and Blues in appreciation and celebration of the blues last month. His blues guitar was sorely missed.

  He originally underwent surgery four and a half months ago,which was around the same time that singer Adele had laser surgery on her vocal chords. She has since recovered.

This is such unpleasant news for John who usually manages to maintain an infectious enthusiasm with superlatives like "excellent" and an upbeat spirit. He did remark in response to the doctor's findings, "This is bad news. Because of this, I have no choice but to take an indefinite break from live performing." While this health issue is undoubtedly a setback for the tour and a disappointment to fans, John's health comes first. So, keep him lifted in  prayer that the problem will be corrected this time for sure with surgery and proper medicine. Hopefully, his resilience in combination with our prayers and well wishes will spur him on to a speedy and lasting recovery.

It just may be time to power up an 'interfaith' prayer intensive to help him through this. John,by the way is part Jewish. However, that does not mean you can't pray for him if you are Christian or any other faith for that matter. Get well John! We all love you.

Give Whitney Good Love,Prayer and Care

As our hearts break upon the recent and unbelievable news of yet another beloved music icon's untimely death,let us pray to god for her and her family. Let us also pray to god to help in the understanding and healing transformation of a cultural pathology which makes death at a young age so common among our great recording artists. Such a sad fact to face on this Sunday morning that Whitney Houston will no longer be here among us. Yet many of us will find a measure of consolation in her phenomenal talent which remains worthy of respect and celebration beyond her years. Perhaps we should question intently the quality of care provided our treasured artists with the same degree of fervor and zeal we purchase their records,concert tickets,download their music and clamor for more. Rest in peace and may god rest your soul...

Cynthia Wilson,the Chaplain of Pop

Restoring A Sense of Home:The Great Foreclosure Settlement

 The administration and those negotiating the recent multi-billion dollar (26 billion)settlement with the banks have inspired confidence that the country is on the right track,set on a firm course to obtain a just and fair result. Individual homeowners and entire communities devastated by questionable banking practices which resulted in unprecedented foreclosures can now see hope on the horizon. It is a substantive start and provides significant momentum for the pending investigation underway with the Housing Fraud committee. It is heartening that this settlement was reached. Good faith efforts to heal the housing crisis will go a long way in off-setting the banks'  image of insensitivity and  indifference to homeowners. It also restores a sense of home to those who are being foreclosed or currently have mortgages under water. The 2,000 opportunity could help to get some homewoners into another house or dwelling until they get on their feet.

Caring Big:Written On The Heart and Minds

"This is the covenant I will make with them after that time, says the Lord. I will put my laws in their hearts, and I will write them on their minds."Hebrews 10:16

Part of the problem with those who take advantage of the woes of those lacking in material resources  to operate their personal lives and businesses successfully is an apparent refusal to think and share big. In a free enterprise system where rugged individualism and profit motives "I got mine,you can get yours" have been accepted as a matter of course and advocated as necessary evils in the scheme of things, those of goodwill can't help but wonder if it is at all as simple as that. With many people currently jobless and homeless many ask why couldn't morsels of those trillions and billions which bailed the banks out have at least trickled down in the thousands or hundreds to those who are still without homes as a result of the foreclosure crisis? Why couldn't money have been thrown into some form of employment pool with the same degree of fervor and urgency as the funds allocated to the banks?

Several praying women, pressed to the point of righteous indignation by the drastic state of homelessness and abandonment of homes which they have witnesses in their communities felt the need to call members of their community together to voice their concerns in a letter writing campaign to government officials. Inspired by the work of Liberian activist Leymah Gbowee, 2011 Nobel Peace Prize recipients who inspired the film Pray the Devil Back to Hell, spiritual leader and minister of Transforming Love Community in Detroit,Michigan recently led a writing seminar for women in the community. The purpose was to come together as concerned,praying and caring women of god inspired, moved and called to make a difference by writing their concerns in letter form about the plight of their city as witnessed by each in their service to the community,on the job, in their churches and in their neighborhoods.

The problem:the housing and foreclosure issue and how it has ravaged Detroit, destabilized the communities of church members and left many unexpectedly homeless i.e., the people you would least expect. Where two or more are gathered in his name, god is in the midst. That goes as much for spoken as written prayers. When a community comes together and cares big enough to wage a letter writing campaign-writing on paper what they hope to ultimately be written on the heart, the message is bound to get through to those who can do something to help.

God Will Provide...Spirit Warmers and Jobs

A friend called recently, near the close of last year thrilled to announce the news about her new job.She was joyous to say the least about entering the gainful employment stream once again after so many months and years of  unemployment. Mainly a a result of the down surge in the economy which took hold during the previous administration and spilled over into the current economy resulting in what has been assessed by the experts as one of the worst recessions. Some of the experts have even slightly hinted of a depression.

More than care to admit have been in the jobless category. Some have been first timers, professionals and executives rusty in job seeking skills. Some have not been as open about their status as others due to shame, embarassment and a desire to keep up appearances.  Many  have weathered the storm quietly and honestly with dignity,few complaints and the resourcefulness born of faith in god, solid values and love of country.  It was good to hear about my friend's good fortune. Obama's news about the economy just a few days following i.e., the decrease in the unemployment rate down to 8 percent from 9 provided a welcome dose of enthusiasm and added to the optimism.

It is a reminder that god will provide even in the bleekest of times if we have faith and continue to knock on doors with hopeful expectancy. Politicians spewing venom at each other amid allegations of incompetence,pointing fingers amongst themselves about their lack of sound economic policies, playing short sighted  games of one upsmanship to secure temporary surges in the polls would not seem to be the most productive course of action. Of course its an election year. But why can't they all come up with sound ideas for the good of the country instead of beating it down. At least show the President a little more respect for the enormity and complexity of the task at hand. 

Despite his detractors, Obama's earnest fight,  taking the case for Jobs to the public, rallying for his Jobs Act in the face of naysaying and congressional opposition appears to be yielding fruit.  The growing number of jobs and companies who are hiring is a hopeful development.  It is also good to have the news of this reality hit home at this time,warm the spirits of the jobless everywhere while reminding the nation that we are still the richest country in the world. That has to be worth something...