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Posts filed under: 'Kim Burrell'
JUANITA BYNUM SPOKE A WORD HERE…
If ever I agree with someone I must say that I certainly agree here.
Yes, it has gone much too too too too far the way that many of the women who called themselves 'saved' and are a part of the gospel music world of today.
When you see Shirley Caesar dressing like a fool then you truly know something is wrong. She was a staple… a solid rock… a rock … a torch bearer. But it appears that she too is becoming carried away with the style and attitudes of the world. And it is very sad.
I have been trying to find that first dress I saw on Yolanda Adams where. It was utterly ridiculous that I wondered how in the world she had put it without realizing that THAT DRESS was certainly going to start a stir in the black Christian world. And it must truly have done so… because it is nowhere to be found on the internet.
For years now we have known that a vast majority our gospel singers were interested in crossing over into the secular world. They looked over and saw the money… the cars… the houses etc… etc… etc. But if the truth be told the gospel artist who are on top make plenty of money some demanding more than $20,000 a show.
I have paid $4,000 for an act to come in to do a prayer breakfast. Well, almost we haven't seal the deal. I expanded it into doing a concert later that evening. Because I just could not see myself paying anyone $4,000 just to show up at our prayer breakfast… and then have to fly them in and put them up in a hotel too without getting the full benefit from my investment.
But gospel artist demand a lot of money. I once over heard my past mumbling after having brought a certain, used to be a bit heavier and fuller breast, gospel singer in. She demanded a limousine and to stay in a 5 star hotel.
They want to be treated like rock stars… super stars. Oh, they bring the anointing…
Well, some of them. But are they really worth the big ticket many of them want to demand. I think not.
But it is not a matter of the money which this blog is about… but about their matter of dress. And it speaks volumes.
The Bible tells us to 'come out from among them.' And 'to be ye transformed.'
Then why are some many of our gospel artist negating 'the word' to want to become more and more like the world?
It is hard to believe that today we see many gospel female artists who want to dress like Lil' Kim or Nicki Minaj.
What happen to dressing in a way becoming to a woman… not like a woman trying to sing and sell her wares too? Because that is very much what it looks like.
They are exposing their breast… their shoulders… thighs… legs…. and everything else.
They are getting implants… breast implants… hip and thigh implants etc. all designed to make them look more voluptuous. But didn't the Bible say that a woman should be modestly dress, as not to draw attention to her body?
But the flesh is alive and well sadly in the gospel world. And it appears that the more these women show of it the happier they are about it.
I didn't think it was robbery how Mahalia Jackson used to dress… or any of those old gospel women groups. Even Shirley Caesar… somebody I would have never believed would be trying to follow the ways of this world… is getting into the act, and looking like she enjoys it.
But if the truth be told this trend is showing up in their music too. Most the music that comes out today is just plain garbage. And I don't know who told these so-called song writers that pulling a few words of scripture from Psalms and singing over and over and over and over and over… is really a song or song writing.
What Rev. Timothy Wright's wife did with 'Jesus Jesus Jesus' cannot be duplicated. And we are told in scripture that there is nothing like the name of Jesus, and this song certainly proved that because I never have to think about the tone or key to sing it… and I feel the power in that song whenever I hear it.
But this other mess or repetitive words is just plain junk for the most part. It has no power and touches nothing down deep inside you. It is a key change after key change without any real meaning or significance… not really worth singing and definitely not much worth hearing. Because there is usually nothing to these songs at all but a waste of time.
I am sorry to see our real song writing in the gospel music world take a decline… and a back seat to this junk of repetitive words which have no anointing whatsoever… outside of Rev. Timothy's Wright's wife song. It is kind of odd that not much after she had written this song that that fatal accident coming from A.I.M, a Church of God in Christ convention held that year in Detroit… took place in which God took her and a grandson… and not long after her He took the Right Reverend Wright too. But what a song… and songs they left us with. And also a firm belief in God… and a knowledge that they were 'real religious people of God'... not like many of these perpetrating gospel singers 'wanna be' secular people of today.
Well, God bless…. Well, it is wet here but my cousin tells me that they are in for snow today. But it is spring and we are just a couple of weeks away from Easter.
So, let me be the first to wish you a happy and safe Easter. What a grand time it is as we move forward to celebrating the purpose our Lord and Savor and… to lay down his life that he would rise again… so that we all may have a right to life over death.
Thank for reading…
Well, I hope you tell your friends, co-workers and family… everybody even the man down the street and … "pass it on… " http://www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2017
Add a comment April 6, 2017
KIM BURRELL IN AN UPROAR….
I saw the video that Kim says someone took of her during a service some night at her
church, when Kim Burrell goes off the chain proclaiming her dislike of gay people… with particular reference to those in the church.
I also saw the video that Kim made backing or attempting to back away from much of what she said in that video, of her ranting about gay people. My thing in watching this video was this.
'Kim if you really feel about gay people as you said while standing in the pulpit. Then why back down from it… if you feel that what you had said was right?'
Cause you see if I say something that I think is right… then I am not going to back down from it. Oh, I can change my mind… yes, regarding my thinking. But if I feel that I am correct in my thinking then I am not going back away from what I believe. And I don't care who may not like it. Unless… again… if I think about it and later begin to regret what I said… or how I said it. Or I might even discover that I was wrong… because that does happen too. And has happened to me.
I mean I would be lying if I said I never regretted saying something. It happens all the time to many of us. We spoke too fast. Or mis-spoke…
But the way Kim was going on and on in that pulpit… I would have to say that she was really versing her sentiments quite definitely. And if what I heard in another video was correct… in that what that person said about her husband, whom Kim is now either divorced from or separated from for some years now… was that he was gay.
I would say that might cause a woman to go on and on about hating gays. That woman who used to sell orange juice years ago… I forget her name. She had been an ex-Miss America when she came out strongly against gay people back in the latter 70's or 80's… and boy did they slam her. She lost all kind of contracts behind that… and the orange juice industry was quick to get rid of her. But what a price that industry paid in revenue losses when gay people boycotted orange juice… and boycott it they did. And they won.
With regards to Kim Burrell… whom I often have found to be sharp with her tongue… I find it hard to believe that she did not think about her wardrobe person, or her make-up person, or her hair stylist or everybody else who may possibly be on her team, when she is preparing to get up to perform… because most of them are gay. But I am sure that hit home shortly after she realized that that video got out… had been uploaded on youtube, and the calls started coming in to her.
This is America and, of course, Kim Burrell like everybody else in
America has a right to an opinion on whatever she wants to have an opinion on… whether I may or may not agree with her on it.
But where I thought Kim Burrell went too far …was for her to be standing in the pulpit and talking about certain things… like men having 'p___nis' in their mouths. Or women with their breasts shaking in front of another woman. It was a bit too much.
Kim went overboard and that is what more than anything I believed killed her… and took away from anything that she was trying to say. She was not preaching… nor was she teaching. But Kim was spouting out vicious remarks of feelings, that maybe she had been harboring for some time and just felt it was okay… for some reason or other… to release those sentiments into the atmosphere at that time… in that church service.
I am a firm believer that the pulpit is not for all types of conversations. Nor is it a place for where we should be standing in it believing that it is okay to just say whatever comes into our narrow minds. The sanctuary and …certainly the pulpit is 'holy.' It is holy ground and it is not meant to be a place where we preach hate or condemnation.'
Who are we to condemn people as though we too were not once lost in sin?
This is the problem I have with many people in the church. They act as though they were never once sinners.
And I really get tired of hearing those people who say, 'I've been saved since I was 3.'
Are you really trying to tell me that since you were a child… and supposedly became saved that you never once sinned?
I will bet that you sinned more than once. And probably did things I never thought to do.
So, the devil is a liar. And those people need to stop telling that 'I've been saved since' lie.
Why do people want to pretend that they are so holy and righteous …when they are filled with such 'high looks,' bigotry and animosity against not just gay people… though gay people always seem to be at the top of everyone's list… but against everybody but fornicators… adulterers… liars etc….etc…etc.. Because THAT list certainly goes further than just being gay.
Some of these same people voted Donald Trump into office and saw no sin in him. I would not have believed that either… had I not heard and seen them at our national convocation in St. Louis. It was quite disturbing to me. And a couple of them… bishops even… I had to set straight.
Speaking of bishops. Some of these very people are 'the corrupters.' Stealing away the lives of many of these young boys, by feasting on them sexually …while proclaiming something else in the pulpit and making jokes about 'limp wrist.'
This thing is sad. And there are a bunch of hypocrites in the church… in the black church and white church… and everything in between.
Yeah, they can proclaim they hate them… but they lead the choir… play the instruments… sing the sermonic solo.
So, stop playing with yourself… and trying to preach hate, when their is a cleansing that needs to take place. And it is in the hearts of each and every one of us because we have been commanded to love… not condemn or chastise folk because we act like we can't stomach their sin.
It is not for you to stomach. God who is the creator and is also the finisher. And you don't know who he is going to clean up and place over you.
He can turn everybody around. Did He not turn you around?
Oh, I forgot. He is still working on you, Kim and everyone else who thinks like her.
I was at the convocation 2 years ago when that guy came out and started proclaiming, 'I
ain't gay no more.'
That whole service was like being in the midst of a comedy show. That guy from Orlando who was suppose to preach… was beside himself …just like Kim. And practically the whole area was eating it up… they were rolling over in laugher of this guys homophobic tyrants.
It was so good to them that the video department sold out of that dvd that night… and could not keep up with the demand for it. This I know not because I tried to buy it… but because the next day while waiting on my ride back to my hotel a bunch of people were still laughing over that mockery of a church service. I sat through it, yes… but it was all I could do not to get up and walk out on that guy that night. And I would have had I thought my courtesy driver was outside to take me back to my hotel.
We should stop all this 'gay mess.' It is not the only sin… need you think of what you are doing that God may be angry at. Because at the end of the day… that is what really should concern you more than anything else. Because when you shut your eyes… it won't be that gay man in the choir or up the street whom you will have answer for. But your behavior towards them will surely be an issue before God.
I think we all need to read the Bible more. Because somewhere along the line you are all missing something when you attack anyone who is lost in sin.
And I think that any pastor or anyone who calls him or her self a pastor …or whatever who
invites someone to come and preach at their church and says, 'You can come to preach but don't mess with my sissies.'
I think that person needs to remove themselves or the church remove him or her… because they are users. But not Godly. They rather see people not hear the truth… and I am not talking about a bunch of harsh and hard words of condemnation… but 'the truth' as to what the Bible says because they desire that everybody in their church or under them know what God desires in order for us to sincerely get into heaven…
Let us not chase people out of the church. But let us work on trying to allow God to do His perfect work in them. The Bible says, 'faith comes through hearing the word of God.' They must be allow in the church… so that they do not go to 'gay churches' and sit up in there believing that everything is alright… and while they play church that they can make into heaven.
Let us not be that mean …or selfish. Thank God the doors of the church were open for us… or we too would still be out there doing whatever it was that we used to do. And many of you still do… if the truth be told….
Well, God bless… Well, I finally got my chance to say what has been on my mind concerning this subject. I just hope that people will come to love and respect one another and all of our differences. I hate sin and it hurts for me to see people languishing in it. I have many gay friends … and even some family members whom I know will be lost if they fail to change. But I pray that God call them out as He was so kind and gracious enough to do me. And that they have an ear to hear… and God gives them a desire to come out… and stay out.
Well, God bless… I'm out. Thanks for reading my blogs. Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family, co-workers and all your friends… "pass it on…" http://www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2016
Add a comment January 9, 2017
Le'Andria Johnson and the Church… Preachers of Atlanta
To tell you the truth I really don't know much about her but…
Well, I had heard she won Sunday Best and I have seen a few videos on youtube of her, but other than that I have really had not had much to say about her. But then this new show came along this fall on 1 of the networks, Preachers of Atlanta.
After watching a couple of episodes of it and then listening to some reviews of the show on youtube… and watching Le'Andria let down her hair. And I do mean…'let down her hair,' with a for real 'I just do not care what you think attitude.'
All I can say is, "Uh-uh…"
While I was no big fan of the original, Preachers of L.A. with all their 'bing-bing,' and money being their god. With Detrick Haddon trying to pretend he so Saved and holy, to Bishop Noel Jones and his supposed 16 year old relationship with some woman, whom he may or may not have been going to bed with,
along with that young girl, or much younger women whom he supposedly made pregnant.
But this Preachers of Atlanta is a subtle destruction of the church. These pastors, on the Atlanta version, seem to be a little bit more palatable…with their pretense of 'We love god…but are a new generation.' Don't be fooled. They are even worst… but playing on the down-low like they are not. But that it is all for God.
Yeah, right.
Who ever the producers are of these shows….they are bent on destroying the church by showing proof of everything sinners already believe to be true of the church. Their goal it appears is to not only make a mockery of the church, but in particular 'the black church'… by tearing it apart bit by bit and stone by stone. And Le'Andria Johnson is their best candidate yet. Well, maybe not their best… because those preachers out of LA… did a job on the black church too… sad to say.
But this woman, La'Andria, is crazy and not shame about it… or to be crazy. She has a perfectly good excuse for why she decides to do… and does everything she do and does.
She drinks…. and can often be seen with a cup in her hand. She swears like a sailor when she gets a notion, as in her 'periscope' upload, where she removed the make-uP…and was talking about being evicted from her house. She has a very ungodly no-holds-barred attitude about everything… and a highly filthy mouth.
There is no possible way I could or can believe that Le'Andria is really Saved.
I also think she needs to be a lot more thankful to God for the wonderful gift He so graciously endowed her with. And then He opened the door for that gift to shine… which she so willingly is making a fool and mockery of.
All of these singers today it the charts and the next thing you know they are walking around and calling themselves 'pastors'…. and in the case of Kim Burrell 'bishop.' Personally, I don't understand it. But when I thought about it Andrae Crouch did it and I guess a few others.
But I just thought I would do this really quick… and I did. Because this thing with Le'Andria Johnson and Preachers of Atlanta has been on my mind.
It really disturbs me to see the church… and particular the black church being pulled apart in such a way as I am seeing in these shows. These programs are really undermining the fabric of the church and give an illusion that all black churches and/or churches are corrupt and/or filled with leadership which should not be in leadership… fake people pretending to know Bible and to be doing the will of God when they are really just agents of the devil seeking to destroy the church.
HAS GOSPEL MUSIC GONE SECULAR…the Gospel… and Changes in People Preaching the Word
You might not believe this but I actually completed this blog the night before Martin L. King's birthday weekend. But I'm just now getting back to it now… nearly how many months later?? But I hope that you still find it to be a good read.
Recently, I got an interview request from someone who wanted to discuss with me some of my comments and opinions… or rather some singular statements that I voiced here on my blog site. Statements regarding a shift in gospel music. In particular they wanted to talk to me regarding my blog entitled… 'KIM BURRELL…secular music wanna be.'
In that blog I stated my opinions on gospel artists attempting to move away from their musical base…or roots if you will… to chase after what appears to them to be 'greener grounds' on the other side. They want larger crowds… bigger audiences… and when you get right down to it… it's all about "moe money"… "moe fame"… "more of the roar of the crowd"… and "moe money."
Wonder who told them getting it would be "all of dat…then some?"
Do I feel that Kim Burrell's decision to try to follow a secular career in music is based upon money?
Yes, I do.
Kim saying that it is about souls…really contradicts Biblical text which says 'come out from among them' …not become like them so you can bring them in.
So, when I hear an gospel artist say that they have hipped up their music and performance to reach the masses or the younger generation… it really does not equate. Least ways… not for me.
What it really amounts to is nothing more than not wanting to be labelled as an 'gospel artist' any longer… which Kim Burrell has publically stated.
So, Kim has this burning desire to not just do 'gospel music' any more ….or to be labelled as a 'gospel music artist' any longer…but something wider…and broader than that. Might as well just come out and say… something more worldly.
You can tell something about Kim Burrell if you have ever watched that show, Sunday's Best…which I never did. But it was all over the internet …including a youtube upload of the segment that I am refering to… where Kim told someone to get rid of "that gospel sound" … saying, "You're sounding too churchie."
Too "CHURCHIE???"
Has Kim not heard of Aretha Franklin?
Sounding 'churchie' never hurt Aretha 1 little bit.
Po' Kimberly.
Well, this kind of thinking may or may not have stemmed from Kim having grown up in her family's church, singing gospel music most of her life. Until… I guess… maybe all of her life until now.
So, now Kim Burrell wants a secular career. She wants to cross over to do R&B … or SOUL music or Pop Music… or whatever they call it today. And I say that because today all 'our' musical forms are under attack… though Pop is not ours. But our music is under attack. Is under the threat of seriously totally disappearing before our very eyes. It is all being re-catagorized into something else.
Coming from the music industry from way back… I can make certain assessments and statements from a point of knowledge that most cannot. Because of my history of being many years in the record industry …namely by way of radio…I do therefore come with some degree of insider knowledge based upon my observations over the years… and they are merely my observations. I have been watching certain changes and themes going on in the music industry since I guess I started listening to music… because it has always been there. And namely because we do not control it… other people do.
Who would have ever thought that there would come a day when black folk would not want to sound black?
We all have heard of Elvis and other white recording artists covering black folks music and trying their best to sound like us. There were those that emulated our keyboard playing… guitar playing… singing …and even dancing. But now there has been a shift… now we're the ones trying to do the emulating. This is sad. We are now doing what they used to do… and it is especially so in the gospel industry. And particularly among some of the upper tier gospel artists who want to get air time on Christian radio stations.
It used to be that black gospel singers just wanted a contract… get some radio exposure… do concerts …and praise the Lord, while showing forth their praises to Him for the marvelous gifts He had endowed them with. But not today. The atmosphere has changed… and it is not about God. Well, for many it is not… but all about money.
Guess gospel radio stations are about to bite the dust as far as some of today's gospel artists are concerned… and they are disappearing. Our artist could care less about those small little black owned radio stations that they used to leap at for a chance to get an interview on so they could talk up their latest projects.
In regards to my thoughts on what some so-called gospel artists are currently calling urban gospel music… I really think that it is a shamme. It is truly a shame and disgrace how readily we are so quick to forsake those things which are so uniquely us. And we do it all for nothing more than the sank of a few almighty dollars…that only last for a little while.
And they do it without any consideration to our history and our future legacies.
We just throw it all to the wind…and then other people come in… and they begin to lay claim to it… calling it theirs.
Have you not seen that?
There was once a time when there had been more than just a hand full of black owned businesses in America… and they were large booming corporations. But during the latter 70's into the mid-80's there was a big sale off of most of those black owned companies… and mostly they were sold off to companies controlled by non-African Americans. Thoes African American companies were companies that produced products directly for us and by us… and had been birthed primarily because other corporations did not care about us… or what our specific needs were.
There was a time when all the make-up and hair products in the stores were basically geared towards white women and men. But the difference you see in stores today is not there because of anyone outside of ourselves. We began to produce black hair products and make-up etc. for us… to fit our needs… or skin tones… and hair textures etc.
But those African American companies…for the most part were really the beginning of the big sell off. The big money makers like the black hair care and make-up companies followed by publications and radio stations etc. were the first things bought out by white corporations. Today you see that almost all our so-called black radio stations are owned by 1 corporation, Clear Channel. Clear Channel owns almost everything media…black, white, hispanic and etc.
The first cab company here in our town was even started by a black woman… and even that too was sold off.
So, what am I saying?
I am saying that we are good historically at creating then selling off and out everything that we own… and have created… selling out our goods, talents, gifts etc… to other groups of people who almost always end up capitalizing far more off them… than we ever did. And we usually have done so to our own detriment…as a group of people… and to the lack of consideration for our future generations, who have no knowledge of what was… and no vision for what can be for them.
We have lost so much in all of those sell-off transactions. And one of the greatest things we have sold off is our ability to control and determine our own destines…through any sustainable period of time.
This same trend for years has been spreading across the board into everything we have either created or have produced… not just our hair care products and cosmetics, but also in our art and various other art forms such as dance etc. This is not good… and has been a huge determent to our children's future and their entrepreneurial spirit. Which many of them have none at all.
It is definitely not good for us to forsake our cultural gifts… our diversity and own creativity… and particularly to forsake those things which are uniquely us… such as our music and our other cultural forms of art.
If we don't preserve them …who will?
If we don't treasure them …who will?
Today's artists are greedy. They want more money… and they are just not satisfied with more money… they want LOTS of it. Which, of course, has to mean more sales… wider variety of awards… and all of this translates into creating a wider market.
So, today's gospel artists do not mind forsaking their old fan base who loved and supported them during their meager beginning… who bought their music before the big switch to sounding like somebody else… somebody non-black… somebody undefined…somebody non-negro …because it is a race thang… or un-black. And many gospel promoters can't even touch them… because they are priced outside of our reach.
It all has to be a new form of self-hate. And I thought we had gotten way past that.
Our children walk around believing we have nothing… have done nothing… and that they will be nothing… because we have forsaken so much. We have just thrown it all away… all to the wind. Even our own self-respect.
There are just some things too valuable to place a price on… things that are truly worth holding on to no matter what. If we do not… we all loose. There are so few black businesses today.
A few gospel labels are still trying to hold on… like Malaco, Tyscot, JDI, and some smaller record labels and those yet under-ground… companies that we all should be trying to support because they still maintain their integrity by staying close to our gospel core… providing good gospel music while other companies… the larger gospel labels out weigh them with the stellar gospel stars and much much much larger budgets.
The thing that hurts the most … and I can say even worst… is that our children will loose… and loose big for every generations to come. Clearly, they are already suffering when you look and hear what they are pumping out. It neither sounds like us… or looks like us. They have gone ga-ga..
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/evangelisttonyaglive/2011/12/03/ngm-presents-talk-show
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/btrplayer.swf
During the course of my career there has come my way many times that I got up and walked off away from the table… because I was made offers. But money has never wowed me like that. Me… myself… and I… WE ARE NOT FOR SALE… and have never been.
So, even as a sinner… way back then… I got up and turned my back on a lot of things that could have gotten me lots of money… but I chose to say, 'no'… as I have never elected to do anything that would disgrace me or my family… or my people… or my core beliefs.
So, I have never been a sell-out.
Nor have I ever sold myself out. And as good as God has been to me… I definitely have no intentions of ever considering 'going for the money' now.
No, way… I love Him too much. And all our gifts are for his glory.
Money is not worth selling off that part of you that you will never be able to buy back.
How do you sell off your soul?
I have always been called an artists. Most of the time I made a lot of decisions based upon my art… and not necessarily in consideration of my pocketbook. So, I have been in the dark many a times.
Yes, I have had the electricity shut off…more than a few times…. cars repossessed… and bill collectors up the yah-zoo. But I never did anything that went against me… Well, almost once. But it didn't work out… thank goodness for God. He stepped in.
I do believe some gospel artists are choosing to go against whatever moral standings they may have had… if some of them had any at all. Or maybe it is just that they are not really saved or sanctified in the first place. I have heard comments concerning people we have long held in high regard as truly being people of God… who behind the scene cuss… fuss, use drugs, drink …and show off a side to be anything but holy.
But truly here are some things that we have to take seriously… and very seriously indeed. Putting God up for sale.. or whether we should… or would want to is one of them. And trying to sell it off as a means of winning souls to Christ is another.
Confess and tell the truth.
Today the music industry is going through another re-defining, repositioning, and a transitional period. It is something that the industry goes through periodically. It ususally comes about when they realize that there is more money to be made if we…do this. So, by dangling sparkling trinkets before the eyes of certain artist who may be hot… or have the talent to be very hot. So, these companies feed them a song and dance about how they can make more money if they would… Sell out… because that is what it comes down to.
It happened with Michael Jackson when he was stolen away from Motown and his family group, the Jackson 5. You remember when Michael emerged as the King of Pop… that was the new thing then… a new musical catagory called Pop Music.
This re-catagorization or creation of new music sub-divisions are for the purpose of openning artists up to larger audiences …by making them more acceptable to 'other people' in order to rake in more capital. And it has meant the lost of such music catagories as… R&B… and Soul Music… which were converted into catagories called 'urban' and this new junk call 'neo-soul' today. And most of the black radio stations became urban radio stations.
When gospel artist decide that they are going to 'go for the money' then they should say that… if that is what they are going for.
They really should just say, "I'm going for the money."
But no… they want to make statements like-
"God told me I needed to go out there to the unsaved. And in order to do that I have do what will appeal to them. That means creating music that speaks to them and will intrigue- Ooops…excuse me. I mean to say help bring them in."
Such statements speak in direct contradiction to Biblical text… and can never justify anyone going out there trying to cross-over their music in order to reach 'a wider' audience outside of the gospel world. And when you think about it… was not gospel music created for the saved… not the un-saved?
They already have their music.
In the mid-80's came this thing called "POP MUSIC." It was the beginning of a marketing plan to make black artist… or African American talent more acceptable to white audiences. And it was all about making more money for those artist who wanted to do this thing called 'cross-over.' And was the beginning of ridding the music world of anything sounding …or looking like us.
In many cases of the artist's who wanted to go Pop their whole sound changed… just as we are hearing today in the gospel music industry. The artist moved away from making music or writing songs that brought them to the attention of those who began chasing them, offering more money and bigger contracts.
Those people came up with a plan to do away with certain groups of music… music you hardly hear any more because they set about graying the lines between the music to make it more acceptable to all… Well, almost all.
One of the first types of music that was aimed to hit the bricks was jazz. This began just about the time that many of the real jazz masters started departing this earth… jazz greats such as Miles, Coltrane, Armstrong, Thelonious Monk etc…etc…etc… And if it had not been for die hard jazz lovers who strongly resisted the lost of this musical genre by (1) rebuilding a core of new real jazz music lovers, (2) the emergence of jazz radio station programming it … usually on mostly public radio and/or educational stations where subscribers supported this type of programming, and (3) the creation of smooth jazz radio stations programming a softer more acceptable jazz, 24 hours a day everyday of the week. Though smooth jazz is considerably different from the type of jazz that had been created by the masters like Miles Davis… it did, however, find its nitch.
Now, while half watching… get this… the Soul Train Music Awards show… I noticed a drastic change has happened to Soul Music. While watching it all I could think was… if Don Cornelius was alive (and he was at the time…I just didn't know it until he committed suicide). During that show I heard terms like 'urban soul'… and that mess they called 'neo-soul.' All mostly foreign to me… as of course do not listen to such mess.
I equate 'neo-soul' to the new direction we see gospel music headed in… and it is very sad.
While putting together a gospel music video program… I included a music video by the gospel duo of sisters called MaryMary. What stuck out to me as I was typing in the data for their video… I noticed that it was classified as being 'urban.'
I realized then that MaryMary did not desire to be pigeoned hold as simply being 'gospel' artists… but something more acceptable to a wider audience… which would also mean wider radio and television programming… and/or exposure for their music
I guess if that is what you want to do. But the argument on the side of MaryMary can still be made that they have never really totally sold out… they are not afraid to speak 'Jesus' or 'God' in their music… nor does it appear that they are willing to expose much of their bodies 'for profit.' And the focus of their music still seems to be not as far out there as I see where some others have gone lately.
In order to reach the acclaim and match the money that MaryMary has managed to reap… it appears that others have decided to follow MaryMary's lead… but they have decided to go that additional mile. They have decided to reach further out into the deep waters… by what seems to me to be a casting off of any semblance of anything that remotely sounds like 'gospel' music… and/or looks 'holy.' They desire to be more like what is being called 'Christian' music artists. Which is very much more like rock music… and will drive you crazy if you sat listening to it all day.
In almost all of the music on the so-called Christian radio stations… you have to listen real hard to even be able to deciper that itit is a Christian song… because Christian radio stations do not play gospel song.
So, in order to be heard over Christian radio stations…which are growing while our smaller less popular gospel radio stations are fading, barely able to stay afloat… since many black people are now tuning in to Christian radio stations too., which give them greater Arbitron numbers which means more advertising dollars going to them. So, many of our artists have lost that black sound… or the ethnic sound in order to blend in.
Oh, I know that rock music has it roots in our music… going all the way back to such people like Little Richard and Jimmy Hendrix. But that is not what I am talking about.
What I am talking about is this…
Christian radio station is a misnomer… because it sounds like for the most just like another rock station. It is just positioning itself as something else… and that something else is working.
I do not care what they call it… those radio stations pump rock music… and they are rock & roll radio stations at their core, and they are hurting our radio stations. It really doesn't matter what type of lyrics their songs may or may not have… the basic overall sound of it is still the same as that of rock and roll.
When urban radio stations began playing music like Donnie McClurkin's 'We Fall Down' …or going all the way back to Walter Hawkins,' Oh, Happy Day'…it did not make those stations become gospel radio stations. Nor did playing Donnie's song or the Clark Sister's 'You Bring the Sunshine' dictate an overall change in their basic programming format. Their focus was and still is… is on playing supposed urban music… or today mostly that neo-soul mess.
Therein, this leads me to further make my case, urban radio stations used to be soul radio stations… or R&B radio stations… but in the mid-90's there came about a change. A re-classification change… many R&B artists wanted to follow the king of Pop…Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Lionel Richie and others come from under the rock called 'black music artist' tag. They wanted to lean toward another word just beginning to circulate… first 'urban'…and then it became 'pop.'
All of it was aimed at reaching beyond the boundaries of our own neighborhoods… from the urban areas to a much wider and broader audiences. Also it was to bring about something which was being whispered at that time… the doing away of the R&B/Soul music categories. And none of this was being done by us.
No, but it was by those who whispered into the ears of the so-called up and coming artists and rappers of today.
It was done by the people who own the labels… the chart books… and who had influence to get things heard and played over the radio. And those people are a lot like the penthouse drug kingpins…and might be some.
You know those guys… the drug lords who never touch the street but reap the bigger benefits… because the drug market is really theirs… and to a large degree it intertwines with the music business. Though this is never spoken of.
Yeah, it is like that. The drug business and the music business are constructed very much the same. Little wonder why drugs are so easily and readily obtainable in the music industry… the sports industry… and wherever else where there are lots of dollars to be made. Anything that makes money is usually owned and operated by the same people when you get right down to it.
When a new radio station signed on in New York City I was looking forward to it. I had read that it was going to be a Christian radio station… in a place that was pumbing everything else but any daily gospel music. But from the moment it began airing I realized that there was something wrong. It sounded more like Z-100 'the Zoo'… a local New York City rock music radio station.
The whole thing is really a gimmick to entice hardcore rock listener s to tune into something else which is being passed off as Christian music …but is still very much and sounds just like the music that they love and crave for so very dearly… rock. They have not been transformed.
Thus, were the Christian radio stations birthed. They became a quick sell buying into every market and opening the doors for many of their artists… caucasian singers and musicans to become more widely known and accepted in the Christian/Gospel music market… and more importantly the award shows.
In a very large metro areas such as New York City… which up until the Christian radio station began air… it had no 24 hour …or daytime radio station programming any gospel or Christian music at all at that time… it was seen by many Christian people as a welcomed and long overdue arrival.
But this welcomed arrival… soon became a big game changer too. And they were on the FM dial… which everybody knows sounds a lot better than a low signal AM station any time.
Thus was a desire kindled by some gospel artists to create material which could become acceptable to this new outlet called 'Christian Radio.' A large part of this transformation called for those artists wishing to cross over… to first lose their 'black'… or 'gospel-ee' sound. And that is exactly y what they have done… much like Beyoncé sounding less 'black'… like almost that whole 'neo-soul' movement in what used to be known as the Black Music Division yesterday… to the Urban Music Division a few years ago… and now Neo-Soul. And there is nothing soul in it… or about it …outside of the color of the skin of those who call themselves performing it.
This change you can especially be heard in Tye Tribbitts latest cd… also in much of the Kirk Franklin's material… as well as in many others who want to jump onto that band wagon. You can say that they have sold out …and it is not for Christ's sake. But for that all mighty thing called in the Biblical text 'filthy luka.'
Kim Burrell in her latest cd release has attempted to do the same thing… as well as, Kierra Shear… and Trinity 5:7… and the list goes on… and on.
When I saw Kim baring her shoulder and trying to appear as a sex vixen in a music video produced from a song on her latest cd… it seemed sad to me. I thought… she has eyes but can not see. The video was anything but sexy… nor was it appealing.
Then I saw where someone had posted over the internet a note about the Trinity 5:7's latest video… saying that she was shocked at their display… asking if it was just her…. or whether or not the video appeared to be leaning towards anything gospel… religious… or Christian at all???
So, I checked out the video. And my answer was…'NAY.' 'NAY.' 'NAY.'
One could say that many of todays new brand of gospel music producers and performers are pimping that gift that God has so freely endowed them with … which is supposed to be for His glory… by subverting it for their own benefit… and worldly profit.
Yeah, the kids like it… I guess…must be… for the most part. And don't get me wrong… not all of it is totally bad. There are a lot of songs that I like by Kirk… and at least 1 by Tye.
I know my son loves Kierra's latest cd. But when I first heard it I didn't have a clue as to who it was singing. It was not until sometime later that he told me it was Kierra, Karen Clark Shears daughter.
Kierra's cd does get there but after a while… but still you can see the direction that Kierra chose to take in an effort to land on Christian radio stations… as opposed to catering to the gospel music brand of those she follows so closely in the footsteps of… namely her mother, Karen… and her aunts… the other Clark Sisters. And of course her grandmother… Dr. Mattie Moss Clark.
Thank goodness most of the gospel artists and especially the gospel quartets have remained true and strong their art form. Chosing to preserve the traditions of an art form that still moves many of us to tears with moving touching lyrics… or foot stomping songs… and hand clapping music that still brings many of us to our feet. Music created in the muke and miry clay of the fields during slavery times… and on up through the years of our history here in America.
Maybe, I should have waited to write this during Black History Month… or Gospel Music Month. Is there such a thing as… Gospel Music Month?
Is there a Gospel Music Month?
If not then there should be. Because our music is the only real American music… as Soul Food is the only real American cuisine. Because it is the only food in which its roots were started here in America. Almost every other food we eat came from some other country… rooted in other cultures and brought here as the immigrants began to flow into this country. But our circumstances being different… forced us to create 'a new' everything we eat… said… and did.
Earlier this evening while working on this blog… I had my computer on the Word Network listening to this preacher named Dr. Chris Hill, a pastor of a T.D. Jakes church in Dever, Colorado. I had heard him before and have occasionally watched his broadcast… but to tell you the truth I can only take a little bit of the guy. But tonight as I typed I would occasionally glance over to his broadcast …and it dawned on me as to what it was I found so irritating about him.
For the first thing… it came across my mind that each time I have happened to catch a piece of his broadcast… that the man appeared to be on drugs.
And for the 2nd thing that I noticed was… the guy likes to holler. I have nothing against hollering …preachers holler. So, growing up in the Church… and particular the black Church… I have learned to accept hollering by preachers as being part of their technique.
In the Pentecostal Church whenever the Pastor or whomever is preaching when they got excited they automatically began to holler… or in other words speak very fervently. But this guy… Dr. Chris Hill hollers at numerous places throughout his sermon at varying times… and most of the time as it appears to me… he does it for no other reason outside of him just wanting to do so… or to grab a laugh.
As I occasionally would glance back and forth at him tonight… he reminded me of a stand-up comedian. Appearing comedic appears to be very much Dr. Hill's forte… or so he believes.
But tonight I felt I have really put my hand on it finally. That is to say… put my hand on exactly what it was that I had been trying to put my hands on about him. And this is it…he appears more like 'Stepin Fetchit.'
Now, I am really not trying to crack on Dr. Hill. No, I am not. Truly, I am not trying to do that. But he gives me the impression of someone who is more playing with his audience… which is made up of a large number of white church goers. Rather than just delivering a sermon to them. He likes to play with the sermon and them a lot. And he seems to love to do what he thinks will prompt them to laugh.
I don't know… perhaps I am just toooooo old school… or maybe I'm just being 'too' black… first the gospel music… and now this????
Will the church become full of preachers who want to do stand-up comedy rather than preach the word?
I don't mind humor. I know that humor is good. But the entire sermon turned into a joke… I don't know????
Or maybe it is that this is the Chris Hill way of preaching. Is the way of a new group of preachers coming up today… to slay them with laughter?
But there does seem to me to be such an urgency today that wasn't there yesterday. And that is we are getting closer and closer to the end times… far closer than we were yesterday. And though I definitely know and agree that laugher is good… but preaching salvation and deliverance is of a greater need. And I'm not saying that humor cannot be mixed with it… if you can do it without shading the overall message too much.
So, do not get me wrong. Yes, I believe in laugher. In fact, I hired some comedians recently and brought a night of comedy here… but for everything there is a time and a season. Standing up and humoring a bunch of folk straight through what should be your sermon does not seem to me to be ministering to the whole man… when you are working the crowd like a stand-up comedian rather than a man of God operating in his formal capa city.
It was Jesus who said… "Feed my sheep."
As of New Year's Eve Pastor Paula White became the new senior Pastor over New Destiny Christian Church… following the sudden death of their founder and leader Pastor Zackery Tims.
In reading the story… namely the ill feelings between the Broads of Regents over the Church and Riva Tims… the ex-Mrs. Zackery Tims, who filed papers against the Church claiming that she should have been named the senior Pastor since she and her then husband, Pastor Tims, were the founders of New Destiny.
http://www.christianpost.com/news/zachery-tims-fla-church-denies-riva-tims-claim-to-leadership-66085/
http://www.christianpost.com/news/zachery-tims-death-fla-ministers-ex-wife-comments-on-leading-megachurch-56660/
I found it interesting that Paula like Sheryl Brandy just decided to up and leave her church behind. Well, Paula not quite…as it seems that Paula is still in control over her own church still, the church Without Walls International, in Tampa, FL … which Paula founded along with her then husband, Randy White… whom we do not hear much of anything from or about rany more.
As you many may or may not have noticed …but over the course of the last few years Paula has shifted in terms of her theology… it has swung to prosperity. This is extremely evident in her daily television show segments which she broadcasts over the Word Network… and other channels as well. One thing in particular that stands out is Paula's show's guest list … featuring a bunch of false prophets and supposed evangelist… and I guess even some so-called Pastors all soliciting sowers on the behalf of Paula White.
It will be interesting to see or read about New Destiny since the passing of Pastor Zackery Tims, who had built up such a vast media following. I can only imagine how greatly vested he was in media equipment and facilities as he had a large television ministry. His vast media possibilities have now availed themselves to Paula White since she has been chosen the new Pastor at New Destiny.
The question in all of this is whether of not Paula White can carry it …or what will she do with it?
Well, tomorrow is Dr. Martin L. King's birthday. Meaning we all have a day off… and an opportunity to reflect upon the history and legacy of Dr. King. With some states chosing it to initiate state issued Voter ID cards… a trend that can only be seen as a drive by Republicans to lessen minority votes…as well as, to try and weaken worker's rights, benefits and compensation, medical plans, and unions busting… also changes in Women Rights to abortion etc… as it is all tied in with the power to vote.
This holiday we have much to reflect upon.
Let us not allow the hands of time to be turned back.
It is interesting to think that forty years after the death of Dr. Martin L. King, Jr. we have an African American man in the White House, as President of the United States of America. And I love it.
But the other side of that coin is the number of death threats per day that President Obama receives, more than 8 per day… it is the highest number ever in the history of American Presidents. And the number of insults hurled at him publicly by Republican members of both the Senate a nd Congress… inclusive of being called 'liar' loudly during a State of the Nation broadcast… can be surmised as nothing more than pure out and out racism.
Miss Daisy said it best… an elderly woman of over 100 years of age… who said to me 1 day angrily-
"Do you see what they are doing to Obama?"
And man… was Miss Daisy mad when she said it.
Unlike the kids… she saw… lived …and remembered what it had been like years before laws were created to force the change in things… as to how we live… our basic everyday rights… and privileges that were never extended to us before. But Dr. King marched…went to jail and fought that we might be able stand like everybody else in this country… with our back up straight and tall. So, we could stand on the law… and in our case 'the laws'… there were many and they were long in coming.
Enjoy Dr. King's day.
Got a little snow the other night… didn't amount to much and I am glad about that after all the snow we got last year.
But it has been very very very cold these last few days… then 1 day would get mild… and by night fall which to come very early this year… it turns soooo cold all over again. But then it is winter… and I would rather the cold over the snow… or cold and snow.
Well, God bless… and enjoy your week. Just noticing… this is my first blog for this year….2012. Time is truly flying by.
Well, it would have been… had I finished it before now. LOL….
Bishop Eddie Long…can it really be true?
I have been thinking about this all day. Since last night, really. Ever since my son called me to tell me this story it has been on my mind.
I really can't begin to phantom any of this. I hardly know where to begin. And it is not that I am soooooooo in love with Bishop Eddie Long.
The truth is I know little of him really.
The first I ever saw him…he was part of Bishop Paul Morton's Full Gospel organization. He had been one of the speakers during one of the Full Gospel Convocations…him along with Bishop Larry Trotter, whom I really loved. The man preached.
I guess that is the problem.
They can preach. And many times we get so carried away with their ability to preach that everything else about them somehow gets around us. Even when it is glaring at us.
We exalt people because of theatrics…and their ability to spin 'The Word.'
Clearly, charismatic…Eddie Long was and is a master at what he does, and has been doing. I loved his ability to speak to the 'everyday man.' Whatever that may mean.
Well, it means to bridge through to the masses. To have the ability to reach the man in the street in a way that is clear and understandable to him regarding God, how we should live, and what God desires of us.
I have no idea of whether or not these allegations are true. But the truth of the matter is this. It does not look good.
No, it just does not look good at all. And when these type of charges start emerging against anyone…they only get worst.
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2010/09/22/national/main6890214.shtml
When the charges against the Priests in Massachusetts got started it was just 1 person. Then it grew to more…and finally it ended up with more than 92 cases of people claiming that they have be abused by the Priests in their Parishes.
In my book, THE BISHOP'S WIFE, I state that I have come to realize that it is not the Church which is under attack. But God bringing some things to light…or to our attention, if you will.
Though my book, THE BISHOP'S WIFE, is basically a fictional novel…at the rear of the book I state some things which God has revealed to me. Much of which has to do with Pastors and 'so-called' religious leaders… mega churches… prosperity… women… etc…
This is not to say that I am talking against Bishop Long. But one does have to wonder. And because of our discerning spirit…or 'supposed' discerning spirit… somehow it rings as true. As much as I would love not to believe it…something in my gut says-
I recall the last time that I watched Bishop Long's broadcast on Streaming Faith…maybe a couple of months ago. During that broadcast he took the time to bring out onto the stage…or pulpit…but at New Birth it seems more like a stage. But anyways…he brought a young man out from the choir who he refered to as "1 of his spiritual sons."
This young man was one of the youth leaders of Bishop Long's church in Atlanta, who had recently won some type of national recognition on "America Got Talent"…or something. The boy…or young man stuck me as being possibly gay. Or so I thought in the back of my mind.
But then I am told by a friend that I am always calling somebody 'gay.'
http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnn/2010/images/09/21/robinson.complaint.pdf
But having been 'gay' and having lived in 'the life' for some more than 25 years…it is hard for me not to spot it no matter how closet-ted it may be.
Besides I am told that 'you can spot' …whatever it is that you do…or used to do. That is to say that an alcoholic can spot another alcoholic or an ex-alcholic…or a drug addict another drug addict or ex-addit…even if it might be difficult for someone else to pick up on certain things about them.
http://www.examiner.com/christian-tv-in-national/bishop-eddie-long-scandal-divorce-info-pastor-denies-2010-controversy-videos
In fact, that was not the first time that I had heard Bishop Long make mention of his 'spiritual sons,' as these legal charges against Bishop Long are being brought against him by some of his alleged past… possibly near-present 'spiritual sons.'
I have also heard Bishop Long call Bishop T. D. Jakes his 'spiritual father.' Whom I am sure by this time has sought him out to assist him regarding this matter.
Just how much collateral damage these allegations will bring about is uncertain. Sometimes just the sheer allegations are more than enough to make everyone run to the hills and dessert you.
UPDATE: Wednesday, June 22, 2011… Nooooo, not so for Bishop Eddie Long's congregation. They are sticking by him…while Bishop Long has vowed to fight this to the very end. Though I heard that maybe some negotiations have now taken place. And maybe some paying off may take place.
In searching over the internet for information on this story, I came across something on Bishop Trotter which shocked me. It is the title to one of his books…."My Wife, My Mistress, My B–ch or My Whore."
This stuff is too wild to even be fiction. This is why we are informed in the Bible to put our trust in God only…and not man. We can admire them…respect them… and give them honor as being our Pastors. But at the end of the day many of them fall very short.
Another item on the radar is about Kim Burrell.
Has anyone heard this story?
Kim Burrell has left her church, Nelson Temple Church of God in Christ, in Houston, to start her own church. And has declared herself to be a 'bishop.'
Kim's church which she stated in a radio interview will be called 'Love and Liberty Fellowship Church.'
It seems that Kim Burrell is determined to remain controversial.
There is definitely a war going on.
Perhaps, when the Bible said that 'there would be wars and rumors of wars'… some of the wars that it was referring to would not be as traditional wars. But perhaps some mighty great 'spiritual wars.'
One other note on Bishop Eddie Long…one could say that he was… and still is a 'Preaching Icon.' There are hardly any current Preachers who do not duplicate at least one thing or way that Bishop Long routinely says something. Often now you can a Preacher or 2 saying "Look at me." Another Bishop Long line that is widely used by others is the word 'scared'…Eddie Long's way…'skarrr-ed.' Then there is…"I'm not afraid of nobody in here.' And the list goes on.
It will interesting to see just how many of these sayings survive this latest religious scandal.
UPDATE: On Bishop Eddie Longe saga… What a shame. It really sadden me… in regards to all parties.
http://abcnews.go.com/US/bishop-eddie-longs-wife-claimed-vicious-abuse-divorce/story?id=11765648
A 4th young man has levied accusations against Bishop Eddie Long. When these kind of allegations come to light there are usually more. The probably is… this. When the door is open… as this door has been opened many more may come forward. And it may or may not be true regarding all of them… but the door is definitely open for more allegations to come.
http://www.google.com/imgres?imgurl=http://edition.cnn.com/video/us/2010/09/29/nr.long.accuser.cnn.640×360.jpg&imgrefurl=http://edition.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/09/29/georgia.pastor.sex.charges/&usg=__R2fUFoc3CEJsA5-749xgUI37HLE=&h=360&w=640&sz=59&hl=en&start=41&zoom=0&um=1&itbs=1&tbnid=9psD7ysDUseNoM:&tbnh=77&tbnw=137&prev=/images%3Fq%3Dpictures%2Bof%2Bbishop%2Blong%2527s%2Baccusers%26start%3D40%26um%3D1%26hl%3Den%26sa%3DN%26ndsp%3D20%26tbs%3Disch:1
http://dimewars.com/Blog/Bishop-Eddie-Long-Sex-Scandal-Growing–Fourth-Man-Files-Suit.aspx?BlogID=37f8a64e-5beb-46e3-bd5a-7eeba000f503
One of the first things one has to believe is this. Whenever someone states something about you …or says something about you…or that you said…or did which is not true… the natural and first response from you is to call it a 'lie.' But this is yet to be said on the part of Bishop Long.
http://www.christianpost.com/article/20100928/td-jakes-on-eddie-long-case-christians-should-just-pray/
UPDATE: Monday, October 24, 2011…Trouble upon trouble for Bishop Eddie Long.
http://elev8.com/news/orethawinston/new-birth-church-members-sue-bishop-eddie-long-video/
Well, hope that you are enjoying this weather. For the past 2 days it has been very hot here.
Yesterday I went to our state fair. I only go to eat the food. I love fried dough…and the sausage with onions and green peppers…and mustard, of course. I also can't leave without buying a large fresh squeezed lemonade. And the only thing I missed…was the mini donuts.
I just didn't feel like walking that far to get them. Otherwise, they would have been had. But after eating all of what I had already bought…
Well, who had the energy?
But I am sure missing those mini donuts now.
6 comments September 24, 2010
Kim Burrell secular music star…wanna be
I have been thinking about Kim Burrell since my son made mention to me about her crossing-over into secular music. From gospel artist to jazz diva…or R&B mama…I don't know… But I find it hard to wrap my mind around it.
Why would anyone want to give up on the Lord and go search out something else?
To me all I can think is that she sold her soul for a contract and a hope for a few more dollars.
When you sit down…when you think about it…her rep and CD sales were not shabby gospelwise. So, then why the cross-over?
http://www.prleap.com/pr/146391/
Why did Kim decide that she wanted to forsake gospel music for something more inclined to not be accepted by the gospel community…something like going 'secular?'
Maybe she feels that if Sam Cooke could do it…and do it… I guess by some reports…that he did so successfully… then maybe she could… or can do it too. But Sam died young. I think he ended up being shot to death.
And that is why I would never turn my back on the Lord. The Bible tells us that it is better to have never known Him…than to turn away from him.
If Whitney Houston knows better…and I feel she does…how then can Kim Burrell who professed to be saved…then how can she be so backward in her thinking?
And Whitney does know better. Whitney has always added bits and pieces of gospel to her repertoire. And just the other day…I heard Patti singing a duo with the Queen of Gospel Music… Shirley Caesar…and they really were singing that song. So much so that I had to get up and write down the name of the song so I could look for it and buy it.
Gospel music is definitely where the money is. The only people who are making money in secular music right now and for some time now have been and are rappers. So, then…what does Kim Burrell hope to obtain by crossing-over?
Then the other thing most recently Kim was given a very big promotion in the ranks of the International Church of God in Christ. She became the second in command over the cogic international music department…a dream job that many would literally die for. And here it is…she is going secular?
I know it must mean that she is forsaking this post that had most recently been bestowed upon her. But if this has been on her mind…then why did she take on the job in the first place?
I say for the prestiege that went with it. She had just gotten the position only a few months ago. She had to have been thinking about getting her gastric operation…and sexing herself up…way before that. After all, that operation is not just something you just jump up and decide to do overnight.
http://www.eewmagazine.com/KIM-BURRELL-TO-BECOME-A-PASTOR.html
She can't possibly be planning on keeping the post…and be a secular artist…say another Beyonce…too?
Can she?
Though I do honestly believe that some people get involve with a very large organization…such as the Church of God in Christ…just for the sak e of launching their careers. Practically everybody in the music industry… singer-wise and musicans…have at some time been in a choir or played in the church band…and many of them in cogic churches. You often hear them being interviewed on some show talking about their cogic experiences under Dr. Mattie Moss Clark…the Clark Sister's mother. And many stars, Grammy and Stellar winners have come out of the Church of God in Church…such as… the Clark Sisters just to name one (who since being babies had been involved with the cogic music department). That list also includes the God Father of Gospel Music, the late and very great Rev. Timothy Wright…not to mention Myrna Summers, Rance Allen, Vanessa Bell Armstrong and the list goes on and on…
Though I have to truthfully say I have wondered how Bishop Blake could have replaced more than 400 years of collective experience in the international music department between Iris Stevenson, Bettye Nelson and the Clark Sisters alone not to mention several others in the cogic international music department… with people who had never even worked in that department before…in its highest positions?
I am a believer in that old saying…if it is not broken don't fix it. Considering how the cogic international choir has lead the way and set the standards that many other choirs and group follow… So, why would have Bishop Blake wanted to mess with that?
It just didn't make sense. Now, one of people whom he put over that department decides to go secular?
Though I must say that I have never been big on Kim Burrell. For one thing I just do not understand why people taunted her…like she was some big singing phenomenon. Like she was an Aretha Franklin or somebody. And like she had been around for years…I just could not understand it.
Maybe it all has to do with the time that Kim came to our church to perform. It was one of the worst and most un-professional shows or performances I had ever seen any known talent perform. And it cost our church $5,000…with a demand for a limousine and a 5 star hotel to boot.
And that $5,000 cost came with no band…but with Kim shouting during the performance to the audio guy way in the back of the church what tracks to play as she performed one song after another.
Once somebody told me something. They were talking about a young rapper…and she said-
"Where did he come from? It seems to me that he just sprang up on the scene and look at how large he is. I believe he must have sold his soul to the devil."
I thought that statement was interesting coming from her…because in all the time we had sat together editing video tape footage I would have never have thought she thought about such things. Nor did I believe her to be religious. But it was true…the rapper she was talking about did spring up overnight and did seem to become instantly successful. That rapper which she was talking about was 50¢. And he kept on getting hotter…hotter…and hotter.
I would never want to walk away from following the Lord. I can't imagine anything that I would rather not do. Besides I am fearful of Him. But even more I love Him. I would love Him to be able to trust me as much as He trusted Job…and feel that I like Job would never let Him down.
No contract…or hope of supposed fame…or riches could make me do what Kim Burrell has decided to do.
And though she said she did the gastric operation for health reasons… Well, anybody could have told her she needed to shed weight. I don't need anybody to tell me that…much less a doctor. Everytime I look in the mirror…I get the message. And this pass weekend while we were away…the hotel that we stayed in had a mirror on the bathroom door. Well, everytime I sat down on that toilet…I was startled back to reality as I sat looking at myself horrified at what was reflected back.
What a disaster.
I left that hotel vowing to take it off. I mean shed it like crazy. But I am not going lay down on some operating table to do it. No…I am not. I know how to set down the fork…and push away from the table. And that is what I intend to do…and add a little workout to my daily routine.
Baby, it'll be a brand new me. Eat your heart out Lil' Kim…I mean Kim Burrell.
http://www.gospelpundit.com/2010/01/20/word-has-it-kim-burrells-new-look-new-life/
http://elev8.com/gospel-music/markchappellecoston/can-kim-burrell-be-sexy/
UPDATE: Wednesday, Februray 18, 2010
If you took the time to read the enclosed letter up top which was to the body of the Church of God in Christ…though it is interesting that it was not sent out to the church at large via the cogic bulk email launcher to all its membership. However, I just received this it from Judith McAllister concerning Kim Burrell…(just CLICK on the letters to enlarge them). It would seem that many within the church of the Church of God in Christ have some concerns concerning Kim Burrell and her current position as Vice President of the International Music Department of the Church of God in Christ. Of which in the reading of the letter it seems that Kim is not willing to relentish her position in the music department…and that fat pay check… though she is currently seeking a wider career in the music industry. Note I did not say the word 'secular'…as it seems that Kim Burrell is trying to step away from that term now. But as in Kim's own words…it is what it is…if you want to sing non-gospel music…then you must be becoming a 'secular' artist, Kim. You can't have it 2 ways…you either are…or aren't.
Though Kim Burrell claims that this endeavor change in her career is due to a deep desire to reach and preach the gospel to those 'out there' who do not come in contact with gospel music…is a lot of baloney. The Bible tells us 'to be ye separated'…and there is a reason for that. You cannot reach anybody by becoming 'one of them.' Try doing that with a drug addict or a prostitute…or anything else… and see how much sharing of God you can do with them then.
The only real reason someone choses to make the choice that Kim Burrell has recently made…even in terms of her dress…and to cross-over from gospel music to 'secular'…has nothing to do with winning souls…but everything to do with that thing called the 'all mighty dollar'…or a hope for more of it. And it would seem that both Bishop Blake and the current president of the International Music Department of the Church of God in Christ, Judith McAllister…are willing to let her do it…and keep her post…and pay check too.
And then too…anybody who saw Kim Burrell sing at the last Holy Convocation in Memphis…then you could tell that she really didn't want to be there. Go back and take a look at the footage…and you will definitely see what I mean.
UPDATE: Monday, May 23, 2011… just thought I would share this with you. It is something that I wrote on my facebook page after watching Kim's latest video called 'Sweeter.'
Since 1 of my facebook friends happened to mention this video…I just thought that I would take a look. Thought it better not to comment on her post…because I thought she might not like it. This video is a typical example of what happens when you decide to step away from the Lord…and do your own thang. Too much of nothing…and no substance either. Beautiful location…visuals beautiful…but come on, Kim. What is with all the attempts at sex appeal???
It looks like Kim wants to be a sex kitten rather than a singer. And technically… if you spend all that money to go on… location to some isolated island… then don't go cheap and shoot video… shoot film the next time the end product will look a lot better. And clearly the director knew nothing about correct lighting…because Kim is certainly shot all wrong…and with all the wrong make-up.
I ain't hatin' but just sayin'… I would like to see a woman of God be of God in all that she does.
Now, on that note watch the video for yourself and you tell me what you think.
Now, this photo of Bishop Weeks and his new little bride… I do not understand. They are drinking champagne…
She grew up cogic…was pastoring…and we all know that Bishop Weeks had… and probably still does… have issues. But they are toasting one another and drinking champagne.
Maybe they just got tired of pretending to be holy. Since people tend to follow them anyway. Unbelievable.
I'm fighting off a cold. It's something that happens whenever dust gets into my system. Yes, I have allergies. Most of the time they don't bother me…but then once in a while a spec of dust is somehow introduced into my system…and the battle begins.
So, since getting from our little trip this weekend…I have had the sniffles. Of course I have started downing the OJ…as in orange juice. And drinking cranberry juice…and taking my iron tablets.
But it is all good. I will not complain. I am blessed and this too shall soon pass…and then maybe sometime this week I will really get some sleep.
Hope you had a good day. I have begun psych-ing myself up. I have so many things I want to do this year. And it will be exciting.
Lots of editing…and shooting footage…and working on my websites…and launching a couple of access programs…and launching my 2 other business enterprises. I am so excited. Not to mention my book, THE BISHOP'S WIFE, will definitely soon be out. And when it does…it means I begin to hit the road to sell it.
So, you see…yes I will be very busy as the year continues. I hope this year has lots of good things in store for you too.
I really love winter…it is so beautiful.
THE BISHOP'S WIFE is now on sale…CLICK my book cover for the LINK to purchase my book. Thank you.
13 comments February 5, 2010


text:
Anti-Muslim politician's funeral huge crowds
Security is on high alert as huge crowds have gathered in Mumbai to witness the funeral procession of Bal Thackeray who a divisive politician.
18 Kasım 2012 Pazar 09:49
Mumbai comes to a virtual halt, as former Hindu nationalist leader's funeral procession takes place, reported Al Jazeera.
Security is on high alert as huge crowds have gathered in Mumbai to witness the funeral procession of Bal Thackeray, chief of the Hindu nationalist Shiv Sena party.
India's financial capital came to a virtual halt on Sunday, with businesses closed and taxis staying off the streets.
Thackeray, who called his followers "Hindu warriors" and was knownh for his fiery anti-Muslim rhetoric, died aged 86 on Saturday of cardiac arrest following a prolonged illness.
Tens of thousands of people lined the route to catch a final glimpse of Thackeray, who made his last journey flanked by family and party members, still wearing his trademark sunglasses and covered in the national flag.
Authorities placed large numbers of extra police on the streets in a bid to avert trouble following the death of the politician, whose party has a reputation for intimidation and violence.
His body was being taken to central Shivaji Park, where the public could pay homage before his last rites and cremation later in the day.
A cartoonist by trade, Mr Thackeray formed the Shiv Sena in 1966, partly with a view to keeping South Indian migrants out of Maharashtra state.
Local newspapers dedicated pages of coverage to the man who dominated the city's politics for decades.
"Mumbai loses its boss," ran the headline of the Mumbai Mirror, below a picture of an imposing, cigar-smoking Thackeray.
"Many hated him. Many feared him. Many loved him for what he stood for," said a tribute in the Mid Day newspaper.
Thackeray vociferously sought to defend the rights of local Marathi-speaking "sons of the soil" against so-called "outsiders" -- whether south Indians, Gujaratis, north Indians or Bangladeshis -- who came to the region for work.
In 2002 and again in 2008, he called on Hindus to form suicide squads to attack Muslims.
Last Mod: 18 Kasım 2012, 10:00
Iranian-Chinese bitcoin farm shut amid power outages

redpajama_set_name: RedPajamaCommonCrawl


text:
Is 12347 a prime number? What are the divisors of 12347?
Prime numbers History / Mystery / Mathematics / Cryptography
Is 12347 a prime number?
It is possible to find out using mathematical methods whether a given integer is a prime number or not.
Yes, 12 347 is a prime number.
Indeed, the definition of a prime numbers is to have exactly two distinct positive divisors, 1 and itself. A number is a divisor of another number when the remainder of Euclid's division of the second one by the first one is zero. Concerning the number 12 347, the only two divisors are 1 and 12 347. Therefore 12 347 is a prime number.
As a consequence, 12 347 is only a multiple of 1 and 12 347.
What is a prime number?
Since 12347 is a prime number, 12347 is also a deficient number, that is to say 12347 is a natural integer that is strictly larger than the sum of its proper divisors, i.e., the divisors of 12347 without 12347 itself (that is 1, by definition!).
Parity of 12 347
12 347 is an odd number, because it is not evenly divisible by 2.
What is an even number?
Is 12 347 a perfect square number?
A number is a perfect square (or a square number) if its square root is an integer; that is to say, it is the product of an integer with itself. Here, the square root of 12 347 is about 111.117.
Thus, the square root of 12 347 is not an integer, and therefore 12 347 is not a square number.
Anyway, 12 347 is a prime number, and a prime number cannot be a perfect square.
What is the square number of 12 347?
The square of a number (here 12 347) is the result of the product of this number (12 347) by itself (i.e., 12 347 × 12 347); the square of 12 347 is sometimes called "raising 12 347 to the power 2", or "12 347 squared".
The square of 12 347 is 152 448 409 because 12 347 × 12 347 = 12 3472 = 152 448 409.
As a consequence, 12 347 is the square root of 152 448 409.
Number of digits of 12 347
12 347 is a number with 5 digits.
What are the multiples of 12 347?
The multiples of 12 347 are all integers evenly divisible by 12 347, that is all numbers such that the remainder of the division by 12 347 is zero. There are infinitely many multiples of 12 347. The smallest multiples of 12 347 are:
0: indeed, 0 is divisible by any natural number, and it is thus a multiple of 12 347 too, since 0 × 12 347 = 0
12 347: indeed, 12 347 is a multiple of itself, since 12 347 is evenly divisible by 12 347 (we have 12 347 / 12 347 = 1, so the remainder of this division is indeed zero)
24 694: indeed, 24 694 = 12 347 × 2
Numbers near 12 347
Preceding numbers: …12 345, 12 346
Following numbers: 12 348, 12 349…
Nearest numbers from 12 347
Preceding prime number: 12 343
Following prime number: 12 373
Find out whether some integer is a prime number
Is this number a prime number?
A list of prime numbers
What is a multiple of 3?
A few prime numbers
Is 0 a prime number?
Is 2021 a prime number?
List of prime numbers
Five thousand prime numbers
Nombres premiers
12 347 est-il un nombre premier ?
Content by Prime numbers released under the license CC BY-NC-SA 3.0
Graphics credit: Cookies, Metro Manila, Philippines (Rai Vidanes), Eindhoven station (Sonny Ravesteijn), Exam (Chris Liverani), Muriwai mailboxes (Mathyas Kurmann), Pencil on system of equations (Antoine Dautry) This is an analogue photo (35mm film) (Florencia Viadana) Tolland, United States (Patrick McManaman) untitled (Mika Baumeister), untitled (Jon Tyson)
© Prime numbers 2 014 – 2 021 Design: HTML5 UP.


text:
Axis & Allies & Zombies News
Axis & Allies and Zombies Questions Answered
Axis & Allies Zombies was recently announced so we got a ton of questions about the game answered by Wizards of the Coast and the lead game designer, Scott Van Essen.
Board Games News
Axis & Allies and Zombies Announced at 2018 Toy Fair
Earlier today, February 16, 2018, during the 2018 Investor Update at Toy Fair, Hasbro and Wizards of the Coast announced a new game: Axis & Allies and Zombies.


ATMs are available in many parts of Rome - ensure you inform your bank before travelling abroad, and be aware you may be charged for cash withdrawals. It is advisable to exchange some cash before arriving in Rome.
Visit the other Rome city guide sections to get more detailed travel advice, and information on the best Rome attractions and sightseeing activities, recommended shops and restaurants, as well as the best Rome hotels.
Those arriving in Italy with foreign currency can obtain Euros through any bank, ATM or bureaux de change. ATMs are widespread. Travellers cheques can be exchanged with ease in the large cities, not so in the smaller towns. Credit cards are accepted in upmarket establishments and shops around the cities. Banks are closed on weekends, but tend to have better rates than casas de cambios.
Italian banks are open Monday to Friday from around 8:30 am to 1:30 pm and from 3 - 4 pm, though some banks in tourist areas stay open all day during the week. Most banks close on weekends and national holidays.


The Swedish Maritime Administration as lead partner for projects regarding Sea Traffic Management is responsible for personal data relating to the website www.stmvalidation.eu. The EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) and the Swedish Personal Data Act (PDA) came into force as of 25 May 2018. The legislation governs all management of personal data relating to the operations of the Swedish Maritime Administration.The purpose of GDPR and DPA is to protect people from having their personal integrity infringed when personal data is processed.
Personal data may be anything that identifies an individual directly or indirectly. Standard information that is classed as personal data includes personal identity number, name, postal address and e-mail addresses. Also photos, films and audio recordings may be classed as personal data.
How may the Swedish Maritime Administration use personal data?
Personal data shall be managed in a manner that does not infringe personal integrity. All management of personal data is to be based on some form of legal grounds, such as legislation, contracts or assignments commissioned by the Swedish Maritime Administration. In certain cases, one may also consent to permitting the Swedish Maritime Administration to manage one's personal data.
The Swedish Maritime Administration's Data Protection Officer (DPO) shall have an overview of how the Administration operates the management of personal data. The DPO is to be contacted if an individual feels that the Swedish Maritime Administration has processed his/her personal data in an erroneous/integrity-infringing manner or if one wishes to rectify personal data.
Am I entitled to information?


A killer is lurking in the waters off the pacific coast. Silent and lethal, it leaves its decimated victims in tidal pools. They first began to appear in the early summer of 2013. Limp and curled, missing some or all of their limbs, the bodies were little more than globs of slimy tissue. They were hardly recognizable as what they once were—Sea Stars.
Typically found nestled in the cracks and crevices of tidal pools, sea stars (a.k.a., starfish) are the colorful iconic symbols of the beach. Starting in June of 2013 they began to die in alarming numbers up and down the pacific coast of North America, and not just in coastal waters, sea star populations in coastal aquariums also fell victim. The killer? A disease christened sea star wasting disease (SSWD).
Although sea star die offs attributed to SSWD have been reported before, the current outbreak differs not only in the breadth of its geographic range, but also by the unusually large number of species affected. These two things combine to make the current SSWD outbreak the largest known marine wildlife epizootic to date (1).
It was only after some, but not all, captive sea stars in coastal aquariums began to succumb to SSWD that scientists began to suspect that an infectious agent might be the cause. Sea star populations in coastal aquariums that used sand-filtered ocean water began dying, while sea star populations in aquariums that treated their ocean water with ultraviolet (UV) light remained healthy. It appeared that whatever caused SSWD was small enough to make it through sand filtration and was susceptible to UV treatment.
A team of scientists led by microbial oceanographer Ian Hewson sampled microorganisms from healthy and diseased individuals. When the microbial survey showed no major differences between the two populations, the scientists turned their suspicions to viruses. To test the idea that the infectious agent was a virus, they injected healthy sea stars with tissues from diseased individuals. Within three weeks of injection, the once health sea stars began to show symptoms of SSWD. However, if the tissue from infected sea star was heat treated to kill viruses and then injected, the recipient sea stars remained healthy. Scientist next isolated virus-sized particles from the symptomatic sea stars and injected this material into a new set of healthy sea stars. This second set of inoculated sea stars also showed signs of SSWD within three weeks, while those injected with a heat-treated sample of the isolated inoculate remained healthy (1).
Using metaviromic analysis, the team found a higher level of parvovirus-like sequences in samples from SSWD-affected sea stars than in those of health sea stars. Using all the viral metagenomes obtained, they were able to assemble an almost complete densovirus, which they named "sea star-associated densovirus" (SSaDV; 1).
As is true more often than not in science, the identification of SSaDV as a probable cause of the deadly disease afflicting the sea star populations of the Pacific coast is only the first piece of what is most likely a complicated puzzle. There are a number of questions as of yet unanswered. For example, Hewson's team has found traces of densovirus in museum specimens that were collected over 72 years ago. This is not a new or exotic virus that has only recently appeared in these creatures, so why has the virus roared through the population with such a vengeance in the last year and a half? Hopefully as we learn more about SSWD scientist will eventually be able to predict, or perhaps even stop, an outbreak.
There is some good news coming out of recent tidal pool surveys. In November, researchers at Point Conception in Santa Cruz, CA found hundreds of thumbnail-sized sea star babies. In other areas where populations were all but whipped out, large numbers of juvenile sea stars have been spotted. For now, it seems, the killer is retreating.
Hewson, I. et al. (2014) Densovirus associated with sea-star wasting disease and mass mortality. Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. 48, 17278–83.


I've just finished uploading a bunch of documentation and software to the HullPixelbot GitHub site. I'm new to this "building a community on GitHub" thing, so please feel free to let me know when/if I do something wrong.
I'm working on a detailed construction document, that will go live soon.


My name is Wil Wheaton. I live with chronic depression, and I am not ashamed. — Discover – Greentree Counseling Center, Inc.
Thank you. I have tried to understand why I do the things through my own strictly analytical eyes, but from reading stories like the one Wil Wheaton wrote, I understand the power I can gain from seeking help. I have achieved some great things in my life, but mainly many years ago, and want to believe that I can do so much more starting now. I hope that with help, I can stop my demons from making life very unpleasant at times. I do see the beauty around me, but want to see more of that within me.
Wil Wheaton thank you. For having the courage to say something about things so many hide behind. I almost took my site down until I saw yours and realized it's ok not to hide.


Reverse Innovation, the maker of the awarded work Reverse Innovation's Yes Furniture office system illustrates, Yes is elegant, minimal and functional. This extensive office range includes desks, meeting tables and storages that allow the organization of the own space according to personal preferences. The multi-materials desks have an "Y" shaped chrome metal structure that communicates a high-class positioning. Straight lines, slim table tops, variety of elements, smart finishes permit multiple compositions. The "dark and light worlds" can be combined in perfect harmony..


5.5 million existing homes sold in the United States in 2018. That number is set to go up by about 0.2 million in 2019.
With all of those homes getting bought up, it should be a cakewalk for realtors to drum up real estate leads in the way of both sellers and buyers, right?
More opportunity breeds serious competition in the real estate space.
Despite the volume of agents out there today, there are still some tried and true ways that you can begin to network in the right places and start finding the people you need.
Below, our team shares 10 of our favorite, and often ignored, lead building strategies.
Have you ever heard the saying, "You scratch my back and I'll scratch yours"?
This saying holds true when it comes to realtors looking to build relationships.
For example, if you were to approach an attorney and told them that you'll refer all of your clients to them for closings if they refer their clients to you for their real estate needs, just like that you've created a free marketing relationship.
The more partnerships you can form in your community, the more real estate leads you'll start to see pouring in.
Sure, a lot of real estate agents use social media. But are they leveraging it correctly?
Social media isn't just about shouting about every listing you're repping. It's about building trust.
Share tips on Facebook on how homeowners can get the most out of their living spaces. Provide insight on Instagram that can help people improve their home's value.
The more non-sales information you share with people, the more trust you'll build and the more likely your followers will be to come to you when they need their property repped.
Business cards have begun to go digital in the way of "professional profile websites".
Do you have a profile website set up? If you don't, you should get one going.
Building a realtor website is a great way to allow prospective clients to learn more about you and your track record in a community. They're also a great place to collect client emails so you can market to prospects later on.
Blogging and real estate might not seem like a good fit. You'd be surprised though by how much value blogs can bring to your success.
When you blog, you entice search engines like Google to index pages from your website into their search results. The more blog posts you publish, the more you'll appear in results.
With a strong portfolio of blog content at your back, you'll be astounded by the amount of traffic you can start raking in.
Browse the web for more info on blogging, SEO, and search traffic before you start blogging to make the biggest impact.
If you're only using signs that say, "For Sale" on them, you're not maximizing your real estate lead generating potential.
"Coming soon" signs can generate interest in a property before it's officially listed in the MLS, which can lead to you selling homes faster. "Sold" signs are a great way to show off that you did a great job servicing a client.
Signs are a free billboard for your services. Use as many as you can get your hands on.
LinkedIn has a great "groups" feature that allows you to talk to people in niche communities. There are a number of groups that exist around real estate.
You'd do well to get involved in as many of these groups as possible and maybe even start a group of your own.
The vast majority of people that are looking for properties will use online search engines like Zillow to find them. If the listings you're repping aren't on those platforms, you're missing out on important sales leads.
Selling properties through Zillow and similar platforms can cost a small percentage of your commission but the speed in which you can get homes sold with the extra exposure makes up for the marketing cost.
If you're looking for a new property to rep, one of the best ways to find real estate leads fast is to keep an eye out for expired properties.
When a property expires on the MLS, it almost always means that an agent failed a seller. That seller may be open to working with a new agent that can get them better results.
Reach out to expired listing owners and ask them if you can lend a hand.
There are a lot of questions the average consumer has about real estate.
How do I invest in real estate? Who pays agent fees? How can I find an agent?
If you host free community talks answering questions like those, not only will people benefit from your knowledge, but you'll benefit from earning their trust and possibly their business.
If you're repping a house in a community, consider hosting a neighborhood-only private open house the day before your real one.
Doing this can help you build ties with other homeowners in an area that you love selling in!
Our 10 ways to generate real estate leads barely scratch the surface of what you can do to start marketing yourself in order to find more clients to rep and more buyers to sell to.
Get creative and start maximizing your real estate potential today!
Want more outstanding tips on how to market yourself as an agent? If so, check out additional content on search engine guide today!


Remember Internet safety.....be sure to check with your parents before viewing these sites.
This site allows you to see if relatives came through Ellis Island.
There are a lot of resources on this site. Many are for teachers, but you might find some helpful info here. This link is also on Mr. Lawson's page.
Check this site for info about Liberty State Park and pictures of the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island. This link is also on Mr. Lawson's page.


The Graphite Smencils Cylinder Tub includes 40 Graphite Sport Themed scented pencils that are made from 100% recycled newspapers.
The Smencils Sports Cylinder Tub includes 40 environmentally friendly Sports themed gourmet-scented pencils. Made from 100% recycled newspapers each Smencil is a No.2 graphite pencil and is packaged in its own recyclable plastic freshness tube to keep your smencils fresh for up to 2 years. Each pencil includes a collectible character top cap that children will love.


Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Cookies Recipe make a festive and delicious cookie recipe that chocolate lovers adore! Perfect for a make ahead cookie recipe!
These chocolate dipped shortbread cookies make a welcome addition to any holiday cookie platter or just for making with your family. Based off my easy slice and bake shortbread cookies recipe, this chocolate dipped version is always a favorite!
To make them, I prepare and bake my slice and bake shortbread cookies as directed in the recipe. Then, as they are cooling, I prepare the dark chocolate and coconut oil for dipping the shortbread cookies.
You can use your preferred chocolate – either milk, semisweet, or dark chocolate or a combination of those. White chocolate is also delicious, but my personal preference is dark chocolate.
Once each of the cookies has been dipped, I then place it onto a parchment paper lined baking sheet and repeat until all of the cookies have been dipped. Once the pan is full, I then refrigerate the cookies until the chocolate has hardened, about 30 minutes.
Here's my Chocolate Dipped Shortbread Cookies recipe. Make 'em soon! I think you'll love 'em!
Prepare shortbread cookies according to Slice and Bake Shortbread Cookies Recipe. Allow to cool completely.
Once the cookies have cooled, microwave the chocolate chips and coconut oil in a microwave-safe bowl in 10 second intervals until the chocolate has melted and is smooth when stirred.
Dip one side of each of the cookies into the melted chocolate and arrange on a clean parchment paper lined baking sheet.
Refrigerate until the chocolate has hardened, about 30 minutes.
Yum!! Love shortbread!!! Dipped in chocolate what a bonus (I'm going to do the assortment pack 3 different chocolates). Thanks for sharing this!