What would you do for peace of mind? How far would you go to protect your sanity? How would you respond to having your back against a wall? How do you prepare for the realization, those who you thought were friends, are not?
It seemed overnight, I went from pretty well off, healthy and surrounded by folks to bankrupt, sick and all alone. I’ve since recovered in my health, though my struggle continues at seems like every other turn. I haven’t struggled like this in more than a dozen years, and yet those who I’ve blessed spiritually and financially, have turned their backs on me.
I guess it was a wakeup call though. God pulled back the curtains so that I could see people for who they are. Always the loving and trusting one, I sometimes helped others though it hurt me.
It may take some time to heal from this. The hurt I feel runs deep and it come from those in and out of church. I guess I should be used to this, but I never cease to be amazed at how cruel people can be.
But, I will survive. God has carried me thru worse.
The lesson is, know those who labor among you. Not everyone loves like you do. Take care of yourself, before you take care of others. Some people only hang around you, for their own benefit and when that benefit disappears, so will they.
For now, I’m tryna stretch 20 dollars over two weeks, but I see myself wealthy one day. Before God can bless me, I have to continue in my education for wisely managing money and wisely managing who I let into my inner circle. We’ve been commanded to love one another, but it’s best to love some people from afar.
Many have come and many have gone, but looking down thru the years, up ’til this very day, my pick for the Gospel Walk of Fame “Best Male Vocalist of Our Time, secular or Gospel, would be the incomparable, Daryl Coley.
There are some who might argue with me about this selection, and if you have someone else in mind, feel free to voice it in the comments. Certainly, I can think of a few vocalists who might know a few more riffs than Daryl, but Daryl has more than talent to riff. He has “It.”
For years, I myself have tried to catch him in total, but God really took his time molding Daryl. His gift is uniquely his. Many have tried to imitate him, but none have been able to surpass him. He has been and still is the benchmark on which we work to perfect our gift of musical ministry.
Growing up in Los Angeles, I have many fond memories of Daryl and his beautiful wife, Jenell. I can truly say, they are real people. Nothing fake about them. Daryl Coley has always been pleasant to be around, unlike some other Gospel singers I will not name.
…such an awesome gift and inner beauty too. Now that’s a winning combination. In my book, he is the greatest male vocalist of all time. Look for him to be leading a song in the heavenly choir, cause I’m sure he’ll get a lead before Smokie or J. Moss.
Please enjoy this video of Donald Lawrence and The Tri-City Singers, singing “When Sunday Comes.” The featured vocalist is Daryl Coley.
This song has truly blessed me over the years. It’s one of those songs that encouraged me during some of my darkest hours. I hope you will listen to the message in the song.
Tramaine Hawkins sings ”It’s Right and Good” during Walter Hawkins’ Love Alive V
I know there are a lot of different stories making their rounds in the media regarding Bishop Weeks and Evangelist Bynum, but I’m simply tired of reporting on it.
However, if you’re not tired of it, here are a couple of links to articles you may want to check out:
We may not be here for long, but until The Lord comes back for us, we’re stuck on this earth, dealing with or hearing about daily injustice in the world.
Case in point, Sean Bell.
Some may argue, he shouldn’t have been at the club, but that’s not a good argument, since less than two months ago, there was a church shooting, right here in the US.
Some may argue, he was no saint, but show me one Christian who is qualified to throw stones, and I’ll say they must be Jesus, ’cause Christ is the only one who walked this earth without sin.
It saddens me whenever someone dies for some reason other than natural causes. What makes Sean’s case particularly sad:
A) He was a young black man (and there’s a dwindling supply of that).
B) He was engaged to be married.
C) He left a young daughter who can now only learn of her father thru other people.
I’m particularly angry, because his blood was shed at the hands of those who signed up for and are paid to protect and serve.
There’s no way I’ll ever be convinced that the police were justified in this shooting. They killed a young man and sought to justify it. The judge went along with it and now we have to live it.
Growing up in Los Angeles, I thought the LAPD was crooked, but now I realize, evil is where you find it.
To learn more about the Sean Bell shooting incident, click here.
Sometimes, having too much money can distort your thinking. Take Oprah, for example. I can think of so many things to love about her. I’m still a fan, to a degree. She’s definitely accomplished, but she’s far more open minded about everything (including God) these days and that is one thing I cannot ride with her on.
Take a look at the video below and tell me what you think.
Well, it’s kinda all over the news. Let’s hope our daughter can pull thru this. Alas, when you’re a public figure, a lot, if not all of your affairs tend to be made public.
Why do we expect public figures to have it together more than we do? Last I checked, they were people too. The IRS and havn’t been buddy buddy either. The difference is, nobody knows me so it won’t be on front page news.
We love ya, Yolanda. The morning show thing is cool, but when are you releasing another CD?
Dr. Lee N. June, PH.D has released a book which takes a critical look at the possible psychological logical implications of hanging around good ole church folk.
Basically it took a scholar to put in a book, what some of us have already figured out. Church folks are crazy …and the pastor is to.
Hey, but in all fairness, if we had it together, we wouldn’t need to go to church in the first place.
Still, when looking for a church, I’d probably settle on the one with the seemingly, least amount of crazy folks.
Bottom line, measuredly, fellowship with the saints .
Listen to your pastor, but make sure what he’s saying lines up with the word of God.
It’s okay to read other books, but The Bible supercedes any and all books which come out on the subject of God.
If one truly learned and applied the lessons that “love” taught, then perhaps, the book (pictured below) wouldn’t have seen the light of day.
Nevertheless, here we go again. …more of this bickering in the public eye
…and this time for profit. Of course, if you’re going to assassinate someone’s character, you might as well put it in a book and make money, while you’re at it.
Am I tryna cast Juanita as blameless and without sin? …No, but let’s not forget, she’s the one who got beat down by her husband and she’s not the one releasing a book.
Many Gospel sites may shy away from such harsh criticism, but I’d rather call it like I see it, and it doesn’t matter to me that Bishop Weeks’ church is right here in Atlanta Metro. His members may chastise me later, but that’s okay.
If you’re going to lead a flock, then you need to set an example. What happened to turning the other cheek?
Breaking up can be a nasty affair. Of course, it doesn’t help when it’s the subject of public opinion and ridicule.
The situation between Bishop Weeks and Prophetess Bynum illustrates that Christians are people too. We have problems. We’re not perfect. In fact, we are in more cases than not, more messed up than your average non-Christians. We are forgiven though and we believe (Romans 10:9-10), therefore, we are scheduled for salvation.
In the interim, we still have lessons to learn, complete with exams. We’re not going to pass every test with flying colors, however. Some tests we may have to take all over again.
We get it, that everybody is not going to get on board with us. Some folks think we’re crazy. Some of us are crazy. Some of us aren’t even Christians (the word is used too loosely).
…but even some atheists will admit, an explosion simply couldn’t have created all of this.
We Christians are a varied bunch, but if I had to choose to be or not to be, I’d choose salvation any day over the possibility that there might something else not so nice, waiting.
