Cynthia D. Wilson Speaks (& Writes)

Saturday, April 17, 2021

Video of the Week: Billy Preston-“That’s the Way God Planned It”

Video of the Week is from way back. Billy Preston began as a church organist, had a string of pop gospel hits like the one in the video below. He was affectionately dubbed a fifth member of the Beatles and performed as an organist on their hit song “Let it Be” and other notable songs. Here he joins Beatle George Harrison in a performance before an audience of thousands at the historic and hugely successful benefit concert for Bangladesh held in New York City’s Madison Square Garden on August 1, 1971. The concert raised 12 million for the people of Bangladesh who were battling war-related starvation and genocide at the time. Royalties from the sale of the related documentary and album sales continue to this day to fund George Harrison’s Foundation for UNICEF, which was founded with famous Indian musician Ravi Shankar.

If you are reading this blog on your mobile device, go to the View web version link in the footer column at the bottom of this page. It will take you to the desktop version of this blog where you can view the video in its entirety by following the You Tube link or if you are feeling lucky, just Google it.

Enjoy this history lesson which is a segment of today’s podcast. The link will be provided in the near future. God bless your day.

Cynthia Wilson

Sunday, April 11, 2021

An Eastertide Playlist

Stations of the Cross Trilogy(no.3)watercolor by Cynthia Wilson

Eastertide Playlist (Link here)

We are still in the Easter season until May 23 Pentecost Sunday. So it’s timely to continue celebrating the hope and joy of resurrection, renewals and new beginnings with some inspirational songs. Under the image above is a link to a playlist I created on Apple Music. Please feel free to share with family and friends.

God bless you! Stay healthy and well while keeping yours and other’s’ spirits lifted throughout the season.

Much joy, peace and love,

Cynthia Wilson

Monday, April 5, 2021

Worship Together: Global Easter Celebration Rocked Easter with Uplifting Musical Performances

Gospel superstar Jonathan McReynolds hosted an inspiring concert featuring internationally acclaimed musicians and recording artists who rocked the Easter holiday in with some great worship music. To view the video go to the web version of this blog by clicking the link provided at the bottom of this page or viewing on your desktop version. You may also click on Vision TV at this link.

Kicking Off Poetry Month with Poem About Public Health

This week’s Poetry Saturday entry is from recent archives, Saturday,March 6, 2021 entitled, “We Shall Not Be Overtaken by Coronavirus or Its Progeny” The video was on our You Tube station.

Related artwork which is being imprinted on merchandise like t-shirts, caps and cups and will be available in the near future in our online store. Percentage of proceeds from sales will be donated to COVID related charities and programs. Stay tuned.

“Coronavirus Banned”

You may join a coronavirus prayer group that has been started on Facebook. It’s called “Pray in Place”. Prayers for coronavirus are there for you to read or link provided to audio to listen to.

Sunday, April 4, 2021

“Were You There?” Easter Spiritual Hymn

I awakened early this Easter morning with a classic Negro Spiritual spinning in my heart and on my mind. It takes me back, way back to the small neighborhood church where my grandmother would have my older sister and I starring in the annual Easter programs. Anyway, this is a song that always instilled me with awe and brought me to tears. I recorded it by God’s grace and the prompting of the Holy Spirit, that I pray God will keep my soul and spirit in alignment with. After searching this morning for the complete lyrics and curious also about how many versions of the song had been done, since it is over 100 years old and in the public domain, I found quite a few. There are renditions by Mahalia Jackson, Willie Nelson, Sam Cooke, Three Mo’ Tenors, Jessie Norman, Johnny Cash and quite a few others. But my favorite version was shared by a helpful friend. It starts out with an instrumental jazz intro, a surprising vocal solo, additional brief solo parts and expands into a choir of many. It was beautiful to behold everyone singing, some their own special solo parts, coming together in unison on the shore at sunrise singing the last verse about how Jesus arose.The You Tube link is here.

Your comments and emails are always welcome. Feel free to send feedback via email or in the comment box below. Not just on this Easter greeting. But on any other post or side-column you have an interest in on this blog. [Repost to right column.]

About Cynthia Wilson

Cynthia Wilson is an independent blogger. She founded this and several other blogs beginning in 2004 and started this blog in 2007 as a writing project. She has occupied this blog URL for 16 years and is the Blog’s and its related podcast’s producer and Chief Editor. Cynthia has collaborated with seminaries, churches, agencies, non-profit organizations and others on a contractual project by project basis. “If it isn’t in writing”, she won’t commit to it and would advise you not to either.” There are an alarming number of unauthorized business transactions taking place on the web. Make sure you know all of the ramifications of any agreements for your services before you sign on the dotted line.” Please contact Cynthia Wilson at the following mailing address: 1420 Washington Blvd. Suite 301, Detroit, MI 48226. Email her at creativessel@gmail.com. Phone number-313-296-9943. For more about Cynthia check out her Blogger, Facebook and Instagram Profiles at the following links: Instagram.com/revcynthiadwilson Facebook.com/revcynthiadwilson Blogger Profile forthcoming(missing from blog interface)

Arts Chaplaincy

What it your online communities social networks, art exhibits, music tours of your favorite artists and entertainers, including special charity events could be your mission field? What if an inspired body of work, or being on hand as a spiritual presence, offering prayer, spiritual uplift and encouragement on a tour, at an art exhibit, and that particular audience, could be your assigned project? What if you could report about the event in a way that inspires and heightens the perspective of others? The Chaplain of Pop has identified some of the finest theological minds, interfaith chaplains, art and music connolsseurs and has designed a new program identifying certain areas of the arts and related real time and internet communities as mission fields for chaplains from differing faith backgrounds. Maintaining a needed presence, praying for,caring and providing supportive,nurturing and spiritually healing environments in which both the art and the artist can flounsh. The program, its cumculum and program certification including lay ministry certification is in progress and updates will be provided in the near future.