The Ghost Of The Greats

I woke up this morning to the sweet sounds of soul blasting from my radio which inspired and lifted my spirits immensely. Having been awakened to a new day in such a profound way I decided to offer my remembrance to the amazing crooners, songstress’, prolific singer-songwriters and record producers who've transitioned to that wonderful place all of us wish to go. Their amazing talent must make up a most amazing heavenly choir.

I began my day wondering what it must be like as the ghosts of the greats walk around heaven gathering for a concert to sing in that heavenly choir. The harmony must be simply amazing. When these great artist where alive and with us black music – soul music – was awesome. Thankfully, they left us their gifts of sound for us to forever enjoy. 

I’ll just name a few choir member that are walking around haven all day: Whitney Houston, David Ruffin, Eddie Kendricks, Ali Ollie Woodson, Marvin Gaye, Billy Preston, James Brown, Etta James, Donny Hathaway, Isaac Hayes, Nic Ashford, Sam Cooke, Otis Redding, Tammie Terrell, Teena Marie, Levi Stubbs, Barry White, Grover Washington, Johnny Taylor, Bob Marley, Gerald Levert, Ray Charles and Michael Jackson. Although it’s impossible to name them all - BUT WE MISS AND LOVE YOU!

Times were much difficult for black people because of your work. You added hope to our struggle and your souls brought out such creative music albeit from the secular world and the church – we were overjoyed. Today’s black artists do not know what it is to be innovative or create their own music and if they do, they do not have what I know as soul, you hardly feel anything. The new generation started producing their music, often times, in such negative way that affects the black community, because they did not learn from the great artist that came before them or know what it means to be creative.

What I see and hear, for the most part, black music could be at the point of no return. Furthermore, the artists who are now deceased singing in that glorious choir in this place called haven were originals who never imitated to gain fame. These days, you have a lot of imitators and this is one of the main reasons why we have few black artists today that touch our souls.

Moreover or sad is it that the new generation of artists, for the most part, seem to have no knowledge of what soul music means spiritually or simply understand how to just be original. So to the ghosts of the greats – Rest In Peace - you will be remembered for all times. And that’s my Thought Provoking Perspective…

Confused Saints

I wrote an article this week titled “Drama In The Church” which had the village smoking. I am grateful however, because of the topic I got a lot of shares on the social media sites driving over one hundred thousand (100,000) hits to that post. Of those visitors to my site some took issue with my words. I can accept critiques, even the threats, and different points of views. After all my words are simply a Thought Provoking Perspective. 

I was moved by one email that reminded me of something Jesus said, “He who is without sin cast the first stone”. I suppose she viewed me as a heathen and another damned me to hell.

The definition of faith is “believing what is unseen to be true”. In my article what was stated is public knowledge, reported by the media, and can been seen as fact. What I talked about was admitted by the sinner and/or has been investigated and addressed by the legal authorities.

When said leader has had sexual relations and a child with a members of the congregation, which he admitted through a televised plea for forgiveness. Or it is alleged by many young boys in another congregation that said leader had sex with them and settled out of court. I think from my religion base that I call “that old time religion” this is reprehensible. Now, I don’t know what GOD IS, I do believe HE IS, but I do know WHAT HE ISN’T.

Suppose it was your son molested or you were the wife dishonored. Would you then view it differently? How can we save ourselves if we expect people such as this to save our souls? The foundation of Jesus' preaching is truth. So I ask; do you believe in GOD or Man?

The “False Prophets or Lost Sheppard’s” I spoke of, leaders of their flocks in the name of GOD, can hardly be adored and not embraced on any level in my opinion. And that’s my Thought Provoking Perspective…

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