Neo soul (also known as nu soul) defined

New Songtress of Neo Soul  Corinne Bailey Rae    Neo soul (also known as nu soul) is a musical genre that fuses contemporary R&B, 1970s style soul, and hip hop. It is the third major sub-genre of contemporary R&B, after the new jack swing of the late 1980s/ early 1990s and the hip hop soul of the early to mid 1990s. The "neo soul" term, originated by Kedar Massenburg of Motown Records in the late-1990s, is sometimes looked upon with disdain as nothing more than a marketing specialization of contemporary R&B instead of an honest revival of soul music. This is because most of the people who record in the genre and listen to it tend to be anti-mainstream preferring that the music favor underground credibility and soulfulness over mainstream popularity.   Welcome to Neo Soul Masters, the unofficial guide to quality neo soul artists. Neo soul was born in the mid 1990's and originates from such classic groups as Mint Condition and the now dismembered Tony Toni Tone. The music fuses the best of 1970's soul, jazz and funk, with the best of modern day soul. In the late 1980's to early 1990's, the New Jack Swing movement generated many singers with similar styles and sounds, making it very hard to distinguish the various artists apart. Neo soul differs in one major way - each artist is a talented musician in their own right and do not rely on corporate sounds to achieve mass sales, instead succeeding from sheer originality and rawness of their vocal talents. Many of these artists use real musicians like the artists of yesteryear. Yes I refer to the likes of Marvin, Stevie, Curtis, and Sly. Although Neo soul is still very much an underground term used for these artists, the emergence of such great acts as D'angelo, Erykah Badu and Jill Scott will ensure the awareness of this music will forever grow stronger. As the compiler of this chart, I must confess it was extremely difficult to chose my favourite song from each of these artist, but im sure many of you will appreciate my selection. The definitive neo soul chart   Number Artist Song     Tony Toni Tone D'angelo Erykah Badu Chico Debarge Maxwell Jill Scott Eric Benet Lucy Pearl Lynden David Hall D'angelo Tony Toni Tone Dwayne Wiggins Musiq Erykah Badu Sweetback Sade Chico Debarge Maxwell Mint Condition Adrianna Evans Til last summer Lady Otherside of the game Love still good Sumthin' sumthin' Gettin in the way I'll be there Without you Sexy cinderella Send it on Slow wine Strange fruit Just friends Green eyes You will rise Somebody Everybody knew Drowndeep: hula 10 million strong Say you wont At number one is the highly underated Tony Toni Tone, who never achieved the commercial success they deserved, despite making excellent songs. "Til last summer" is a very infectious retro sounding ballad with an excellent vocal and musical arrangement. It sounds as fresh today as it did when it was released in 1996. Sadly, like most great groups, the members of Tony Toni Tone went there seperate ways. In 1997 Timothy Christian Riley formed Arts N Soul, Raphael Saadiq - Lucy Pearl and Dwayne Wiggins persued a solo career. No soul chart is complete without Neo Soul maestro D'angelo. Since his departure from EMI and Kedar Management D' has gone from strength to strength, scoring hits on both sides of the atlantic. "Lady" is a mid tempo ballad from his first set - Brown Sugar, a song with a tight harmony and production. This track coincidentally was produced by Raphael Saadiq - he of Tony Toni Tone. Erykah Badu's - "Other side of the game" is a stand out song from "Baduizm" - a fine piece of music, which will be sampled by many hip hop artists in years to come. This haunting song was produced by Richard Nichols of The Roots and compliments Erykah's vocal style. What can I say about the next artist except ... excellent. Chico Debarge's - Love still good, defines neo soul at its best. A silky vocal coupled with a smooth backing. This much overlooked gem gave Chico the recognition he deserves. Maxwell's - "Sumthin sumthin" is undoubtebly the best song from an excellent debut album. This song utilises what great songs are made of - a catchy chorus, excellent vocals and musical arrangement. It comes as no surprise this was produced by the legendary Leon Ware, all signs of a timeless classic are evident. Thanks to the public for supporting such great music. Peace - One love

New Songtress of Neo Soul Corinne Bailey Rae

 

New Songtress of Neo Soul   Neo soul (also known as nu soul) defined   New Songtress of Neo Soul   Five Questions With Corinne Bailey Rae By Marcus Vanderberg, AOL Black Voices 5 Questions With C. Bailey Rae Joshua Prezant , Retna Name: Corinne Bailey Rae Current Release: 'Corinne Bailey Rae' 5 Questions Quotable: It’s weird being here and talking about that. Like I really like the late ‘60s and early ‘70s of America music. But here, it’s “You like Al Green, so what?”   Having already taken the United Kingdom by storm, sultry songstress Corinne Bailey Rae has set her sights on the United States. Hailed as the number one breakthrough act of 2006 by the BBC, Bailey Rae became only the fourth female British act in history to have their first album debut at number one on the charts. In celebration of the U.S. release of her self-titled recording, Bailey Rae was recently in New York City. She stopped by to talk to Black Voices about the pressures of succeeding and the differences between the U.S. and the U.K. What has the transition been like from singing at cafes to becoming UK superstar? The transition has been really exciting actually. I still do a lot of small gigs as well so I don't feel like I have totally left that intimacy where you can look into everyone's eyes and direct certain things to different tables. It's been exciting to see the crowd that has grown from 80 people to 500 to 2,000. You have been deemed an "It Girl." How do you handle the added pressure, if any, which comes with such a label? I think that's really exciting to have even been noticed and picked out. It's based on people having heard the music, at least, soit's kind of comforting in people knowing what you do. I don't feel scared about it. I'm not someone who is massively hungry for certain level of success. In that way it doesn't bother me if this amount or that amount of people are into it. It's always good to have people draw their attention to your record. I spent 10 years working in the underground where everyone who has your music does because you gave it to them or they came to your gigs because you personally invited them. You recently did a cover of 'Venus As A Boy' by Bjork. You mentioned Nirvana was a musical influence growing up. If you had to cover one Nirvana song, what would it be? That's an interesting question. There is a song that they actually covered called 'Where Did You Sleep Last Night?' I think that's an old country song, but I really liked the way Kurt did and I would love to have a go at that song. What's the biggest difference between the U.S. and the U.K. in terms of the music industry and music in general? I don't think I have experienced enough of the America music industry to know what the massive difference is between them. I think in the U.K at the moment there seems to be a lot of advantages and opportunities for people to develop their own thing and work on it and record it. Music technology has become so available to everyone. There are a lot of people who recorded their albums in the bedroom like The Streets first album. I also don't know much about America but I would say the U.K is well integrated. You don't have things like this is a black area, this is a white area, this is an Asian area. In the late '90s you had bands like Tricky and Massive Attack, Roni Size/Represent. There were a lot of acts and bands where there are black people in it, white people in it. Everyone has affected and influenced each other. I think from the music we get from America, it might be different. It seems like there is more of a distant thing in America. Like this is perceived as black music, this is perceived as white music. And I guess for that reason I wasn't even sure how the album would go down here. I would love if people could buy it and not think of it as a black record or a white record. That's my background anyways. I'm a black person and a white person. My mom is English and my dad is from the Caribbean. Who are your influences? I think a lot of my musical influences are American. It's weird being here and talking about that. Like I really like the late '60s and early '70s of America music. But here, it's "You like Al Green, so what?" There is so much soul music that I like. I think Aretha Franklin is the best vocalist that has ever existed. I think Marvin Gaye has written some of the most sentimental albums there have ever been. I like the Isley Brothers; I like Donny Hathaway; I like Roberta Flack. Out of modern records, I like Erykah Badu as a performer and how she carries herself. I feel influenced by American novelists and writers. Someone like Alice Walker. She was the first author I latched on to and wanted to read everything she had written. As a teenager and when I was looking for the black side of my identity, I looked more at African-American literature and music than Caribbean music.

Has Noah's Ark Been Found?

 

Has Noah's Ark Been Found? Christian Archaeology Team Believes It's Found Biblical Remains   (June 29) - A team of Texas archaeologists believe they may have located the remains of Noah's Ark in Iran's Elburz mountain range   "I can't imagine what it could be if it is not the Ark," said Arch Bonnema of the Bible Archaeology Search and Exploration (B.A.S.E) Institute, a Christian archeology organization dedicated to looking for biblical artifacts Bonnema and the other B.A.S.E. Institute members hiked for seven hours in the mountains northwest of Tehran, climbing 13,000 feet before making the apparent discovery. "We got up to this object, nestled in the side of a hill," said Robert Cornuke, a member of the B.A.S.E. Institute. "We found something that has my heart skipping a beat." At first, they didn't dare to hope it was the biblical boat. "It wasn't impressive at first," Cornuke said. "Certainly didn't think it to be Noah's Ark. But when we got close, we were amazed. It looked similar to wood." In addition, some B.A.SE. members say, their discovery didn't look very distinctive. "It looked like the deck of any boat today," Bonnema said. Long Search for the Ark The Bible places the Ark in the mountains of Ararat, a mountain range theologians believe spans hundreds of miles, which the team says is consistent with their find in Iran. The Bible also describes the Ark's dimensions as being 300 cubits by 50 cubits -- about the size of a small aircraft carrier. The B.A.S.E. Institute's discovery is similar in size and scale. "It is provocative to think that this could be the lost ark of Noah," Cornuke said Throughout history, people have been searching for the Ark to help prove God's existence. "There's this idea, if we can prove that the ark existed then we can prove that the story existed, and more importantly, we can prove that God existed," said Bruce Feiler, author of "Where God Was Born." Previous scholars have searched for the Ark on Mount Ararat in Turkey. "Czar Nicholas, actually, in 1916 sent two expeditions to photograph it on top of Mount Ararat," said Feiler. One former U.S. president, Feiler said, looked for it in the mountains of Iran. "There is a story that Jimmy Carter, on his way to visit the Shah of Iran in 1977, purposefully flew over it," he said. As recently as March, researcher claimed to have satellite photos that proved the presence of Ark remains. The B.A.S.E institute hopes the physical evidence they've brought back from Iran will hold the answer to this enduring mystery. "People will always be looking for it, always be skeptical, always be excited of the search," Cornuke said. "But I think we found something here that's very notable." The B.A.S.E. Institute's samples are being examined at labs in Texas and Florida. B.A.S.E officials concede that there would be no way to conclusively prove that their finding is actually Noah's Ark. So the hunt goes on. The biggest hurdle in identifying Noah's Ark comes down to "gopher wood." The Bible says the Ark was made of gopher wood but no one knows what it is. ABC News' Chris Cuomo reported this story for "Good Morning America."   06-29-06 17:31 EDT Copyright 2006 ABCNEWS

How Birth Order Affects You Cain and Abel

 

Older, Middle, Youngest: How Birth Order Affects You   Whether it's Cain and Abel Whether it's Cain and Abel or the Kennedys, there are many examples of how siblings from the same family can turn out completely differently. A new book looks at how first born and only children may excel because much is expected, while the youngest tend to be more creative. Twins, being treated equally, often turn out very similar. Oldest, Middle, Youngest: Who's More Successful? Kate Lorenz, CareerBuilder.com Editor All men may be created equal; but a look at their pay stubs will tell you that their incomes are not. Blame it on social class, education -- even luck, but according to Dalton Conley, New York University professor of sociology and public policy, inequality begins at home. In his book "The Pecking Order: Which Siblings Succeed and Why," Conley says that 75 percent of the income inequality between individuals in the United States occurs between siblings in the same families. He points to the diverse fortunes of Bill and Roger Clinton, and Jimmy and Billy Carter as examples. Research shows that first borns (and onlys) lead the pack in terms of educational attainment, occupational prestige, income and net worth. Conversely middle children in large families tend to fare the worst. (Marcia! Marcia! Marcia!) "A child's position in the family impacts his personality, his behavior, his learning and ultimately his earning power," states Michael Grose, author of "Why First Born Rule the World and Last-borns Want to Change It." "Most people have an intuitive knowledge that birthorder somehow has an impact on development, but they underestimate how far-reaching and just how significant that impact really is." Conley concedes that birth order is significant in shaping individual success, but only for children of large families -- four or more siblings -- and in families where finances and parental time are constrained. (In wealthy families, like the Bushes and Kennedys, it has less effect.) Here's a look at what impact your birth-order may have on you: First Borns: More conscientious, ambitious and aggressive than their younger siblings, first borns are over-represented at Harvard and Yale as well as disciplines requiring higher education such as medicine, engineering or law. Every astronaut to go into space has been either the oldest child in his or her family or the eldest boy. And throughout history -- even when large families were the norm -- more than half of all Nobel Prize winners and U.S. presidents have been first born. Famous eldest children include: Hillary Clinton, Bill Clinton, Richard Branson, J.K. Rowling and Winston Churchill. And macho movie stars are First Born, too, including Clint Eastwood, John Wayne, Sylvester Stallone, Bruce Willis and all the actors who have played James Bond. Middles: Middle children are more easy going and peer-oriented. Since they can get lost in the shuffle of their own families, they learn to build bridges to other sources of support and therefore tend to have excellent people skills. Middle children often take on the role of mediator and peacemaker. Famous middle children include: Bill Gates, J.F.K., Madonna and Princess Diana. Youngest: The youngest child tends to be the most creative and can be very charming -- even manipulative. Because they often identify with the underdog, they tend to champion egalitarian causes. (Youngest siblings were the earliest backers of the Protestant Reformation and the Enlightenment.) Successful in journalism, advertising, sales and the arts, famous youngest children include Cameron Diaz, Jim Carrey, Drew Carey, Rosie O'Donnell, Eddie Murphy and Billy Crystal. Only Children: Only children have similar characteristics to first borns and are frequently burdened with high parental expectations. Research shows they are more confident, articulate and likely to use their imagination than other children. They also expect a lot from others, hate criticism, can be inflexible and are likely to be perfectionists. Well-known only children include Rudy Guiliani, Franklin Delano Roosevelt, Alan Greenspan, Tiger Woods, tennis' teen queen Maria Sharapova and Leonardo Da Vinci. Twins: Because they hold equal status and are treated so similarly, twins turn out similarly in most cases. Consider advice columnists "Dear Abby" and "Ann Landers" (Abigail and Esther Friedman), and Harold and Bernard Shapiro, who became presidents of Princeton University and Canada's McGill University respectively. Dr. Frank Sulloway, a behavioral scientist and visiting professor at the Institute of Personality and Social Research at University of California, Berkeley and author of the book, "Born To Rebel: Birth Order, Family Dynamics and Creative Lives," says first borns are more similar in personality to first borns in other families than they are to their own younger siblings and that youngest children are often more similar to the youngest child in another family than his or her own elder siblings. He says this is because the family is not as much a "shared environment" as a set of niches that provide siblings with different outlooks. Conley agrees, but stresses that these are just general trends -- and that the whole birth-order theory can be turned on its head depending on the child's personality, the age gap between siblings and the family circumstances each child experiences during his or her formative years. Kate Lorenz is the article and advice editor for CareerBuilder.com. She researches and writes about job search strategy, career management, hiring trends and workplace issues. Copyright 2006 CareerBuilder.com.

Warrant Issued for DMX Arrest

c

AP

DMX

Michael Loccisano, FilmMagic.com

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (June 28) - The rapper DMX failed to show up in court Wednesday to face a bevy of bad-driving charges, and a judge who had granted him two postponements said she had had enough.

City Court Judge Barbara Leak issued an arrest warrant for DMX, whose real name is Earl Simmons and whose albums include "It's Dark and Hell Is Hot" and "Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood."

"We have granted him a number of courtesies," the judge said. "It ends now."

The rapper's lawyer, Stacey Murray, promised that he would come to court Thursday. She said DMX, 35, had flown to New York from Arizona for the court appearance but apparently became ill.

DMX was pulled over in White Plains on June 2 for speeding and making unsafe lane changes in a 2001 Chevrolet Suburban, police said. Once he was stopped, police said, officers found he was not wearing a seat belt and did not have a driver's license.

Nine days later, he was ticketed for driving a 2006 Suburban on the shoulder of the Hutchinson River Parkway in Harrison.

On June 16, police in Scottsdale, Ariz., cited him for carrying a concealed handgun outside a nightclub. They said he pulled the gun from a holster and put it under the front seat of his 1964 Chevrolet convertible.

Last month, the rapper was arrested in London after refusing to put on a seat belt and becoming abusive on a flight from New York, authorities said.

Last year, DMX served 70 days in jail for violating his parole following a 2004 incident in which he posed as an undercover federal agent and crashed his SUV through a security gate at John F. Kennedy International Airport.

A week after he pleaded guilty in that incident, state police accused him of driving over 100 mph on Interstate 684 in North Castle, in Westchester County.

Obama Urges Dems Not to Disregard Faith

Obama Urges Dems Not to Disregard Faith

Connecting With Churchgoing Voters Isn't to be Shied Away From, Senator Says at Conference

By David Espo, AP

Sen. Barack Obama

Jessica Hill, AP

If we don't reach out to evangelical Christians and other religious Americans and tell them what we stand for, Jerry Falwells and Pat Robertsons will continue to hold sway.' -- Sen. Barack Obama (D - Ill.)

WASHINGTON - Sen. Barack Obama chastised fellow Democrats on Wednesday for failing to "acknowledge the power of faith in the lives of the American people" and said the party must compete for the support of evangelicals and other churchgoing Americans.

"Not every mention of God in public is a breach to the wall of separation. Context matters," the Illinois Democrat said in remarks to a conference of Call to Renewal, a faith-based movement to overcome poverty.

"It is doubtful that children reciting the Pledge of Allegiance feel oppressed or brainwashed as a consequence of muttering the phrase 'under God,' " he said.

Obama, the only black in the Senate, drew national notice even before arriving in Congress last year and has occasionally used his visibility to scold members of his party.

His speech included unusually personal references to religion, the type of remarks that usually come more readily from Republicans than Democrats.

More BV News

"Kneeling beneath that cross on the south side of Chicago, I felt I heard God's spirit beckoning me," he said of his walk inside the Trinity United Church of Christ.

"I submitted myself to His will and dedicated myself to discovering His truth."

Obama said millions of Christians, Muslims and Jews have traveled similar religious paths, and that is why "we cannot abandon the field of religious discourse. ... In other words, if we don't reach out to evangelical Christians and other religious Americans and tell them what we stand for, Jerry Falwells and Pat Robertsons will continue to hold sway."

Read the Full Transcript of Sen. Obama's Speech

Black Leaders Blast Megachurches

Black Leaders Blast Megachurches

Sharpton, Other Black Ministers, Say Black Conservative Churches Focus on the 'Bedroom Morality' of Gay Marriage and Prosperity Preaching

Julia Glick, Associated Press

DALLAS - Prominent black leaders have denounced increasingly popular megachurches, saying many have abandoned Jesus' emphasis on social justice to preach a gospel of wealth and self-help.

"The message of many churches has been co-opted by American capitalism," said the Rev. Frederick Haynes III of the Friendship-West Baptist Church in South Dallas. "A megachurch should not just be known for the traffic jam it creates on Sunday, but for doing something more in the community."

More BV News

The criticism came at a summit of about 100 black ministers - including the Revs. Joseph Lowery, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and scholar Cornel West - held this week at Haynes' church.

Several popular black megachurch leaders and televangelists, such as Bishop T.D. Jakes in Dallas and the Rev. Creflo Dollar of Georgia, openly back President Bush. They preach to stadium-sized congregations that worshippers receive health and prosperity through their faith - a belief system called Word of Faith, said Lawrence Mamiya, professor of religion and Africana studies at Vassar College. Leaders often speak proudly of their own wealth and success, he said.

Jakes, who claims 30,000 churchgoers, said in a written response Wednesday that his church, The Potter's House, and his ministries give people the tools and mind-set to be successful.

"Economic empowerment and family prosperity are crucial to our survival," he wrote. "The economic gulf that exists between people of color ... and European-Caucasians is a breach that remains too wide, a chasm that should and can be closed."

Jakes, who was criticized in the past for appearing at the president's side inthe aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, said the black community needs unity rather than divisive criticism.

But as elections approach, conflict is sharpening between traditional black churches, the crucible of the civil rights movement, and megachurches that tend to be more conservative, Mamiya said.

Sharpton said Monday the leaders at the summit would combat Christian conservatives - megachurches in particular - for focusing on the "bedroom morality" of gay marriage and abortion while ignoring what he called the immorality of the war, attacks on voting rights and the erosion of affirmative action.

Haynes called the megachurches' conservative teachings "prosperity gospel" and said it turns Christianity on its head. Those teachings blame the poor for their circumstances and praise the pursuit of earthly riches, he said.

Haynes, who ministers to about 8,000 people, said his megachurch differs because it focuses on eliminating poverty, making the justice system fairer to young black men and political activism.

While Jakes and many conservative pastors do charity work as well, they do not speak out politically, Haynes said.

Jakes has said he keeps politics out of his preaching in order to reach out to people of all races and political affiliations. Several churches, including Dollar's, did not return calls seeking comment.

Word of Faith emerged among white Pentecostal and evangelical churches and has more recently gained appeal among blacks, Mamiya said.

Black Word of Faith megachurches attract mostly middle-class blacks, who respond to their self-affirming message rather than more traditional churches' messages of guilt or obligation, Mamiya said.

"It is really a question of whether the black middle class will continue to support the black poor," Mamiya said. "If they don't, I would see in that a big influence from Word of Faith or prosperity gospel."

The Art of Leaving Star Jones Reynolds's departure from "The View,"

 

Star's 'View' Departure in Works for Months By JACQUES STEINBERG The New York Times (June 28) -- Star Jones Reynolds's departure from "The View," which she announced on the show yesterday after weeks of rumors, was actually in the works for far longer than even savvy viewers realized. It came more than six months after ABC executives decided not to renew her contract when it expires later this summer, Barbara Walters, the show's co-executive producer, said in an interview after the broadcast. "They had done a great deal of research, and her negatives were rising," said Ms. Walters, who, like Ms. Jones Reynolds, has been a co-host of the program since its inception nine years ago. "Not so much because of what she did on the air. It was things she did off the air. The audience was losing trust in her. They didn't believe some of the things she said." Ms. Walters declined to specify what in particular had concerned the network, but Ms. Jones Reynolds drew criticism when she arranged for suppliers to donate items for her wedding in 2004, apparently in exchange for being mentioned on the show. Yet Ms. Walters said that the timing of yesterday's announcement had caught her off guard, even with all the recent speculation that Ms. Jones Reynolds would leave the show before Rosie O'Donnell, a sometimes critic of Ms. Jones Reynolds, joined it in September. Ms. Walters said she and Ms. Jones Reynolds had agreed to announce the departure tomorrow. During the commercial break immediately before her announcement, Ms. Jones Reynolds, Ms. Walters and the two other hosts — Joy Behar and Elisabeth Hasselbeck — had been talking about air-conditioning, which was to be the subject of their regular "Hot Topics" segment. Instead, Ms. Jones Reynolds began the segment by interrupting Ms. Behar to say, "Excuse me one minute." ' After clasping her colleagues' hands in hers, she continued, "Something has been on my heart for a little bit, and after much prayer and counsel, I feel like this is the right time to tell you that the show is moving in another direction for its 10th season, and I will not be returning as co-host next year." Ms. Jones Reynolds did not mention Ms. O'Donnell by name, nor did she note that her contract was due to expire soon. But in an interview with People magazine completed before yesterday's show and posted on the magazine's Web site shortly after it, Ms. Jones Reynolds said she had been told sometime before the announcement of Ms. O'Donnell's hiring (in late April) that her contract was not being renewed. "I feel like I was fired," she is quoted as saying in People. A spokesman for Ms. Jones Reynolds, Brad Zeifman, said yesterday that she was giving no other interviews. In addition to serving as a co-host, Ms. O'Donnell is to be the show's informal moderator, replacing Meredith Vieira, who left earlier this month en route to the "Today" show on NBC. Periodic disagreements and undercurrents of tension have always been an element of "The View," which is essentially a kaffeeklatsch, albeit one in front of a studio audience. But Ms. O'Donnell's public criticisms of Ms. Jones Reynolds have been notably sharp. In an interview on "Good Morning America" before the announcement that she was joining the show, Ms. O'Donnell expressed skepticism about Ms. Jones Reynolds's genuineness. Asked on April 28 about Ms. Jones Reynolds's future in the O'Donnell era, Ms. Walters told a New York Times reporter: "Rosie will be there. And if Star wants to continue to be there, she is welcome." Ms. Walters said yesterday that when she made those remarks, she was aware that the network did not plan to renew Ms. Jones Reynolds's contract. Asked to explain why she had suggested, erroneously, that Ms. Jones Reynolds would be the one making a decision about her future, Ms. Walters said, "I was trying to protect Star." Ms. Walters refused to say whether she concurred with the network's decision. But she said she and the show's other co-executive producer, Bill Geddie, had lobbied ABC for months to put off making the final decision. "They wanted us to tell Star in December," Ms. Walters said. "I said, 'I won't do it before Christmas.' Then in January her book was coming out. We didn't want to hurt her book. Then she told me in February she was having an operation" — a plastic surgery procedure — "I didn't want her to go under the knife with all this stress." Abbie Schiller, a spokeswoman for ABC's daytime division, said "the network exhibited utmost patience at every step of the way, but at the end of the day we all felt it was time to move on." On "The View" yesterday, Ms. Walters struck a more conciliatory tone, telling Ms. Jones Reynolds, "From the dayyou came on this program, nine years ago, I cannot imagine 'The View' being the success it has been without you." A moment later, Ms. Walters added, "Whatever is best for you is what I want, what we all want most for you." As for her next job, Ms. Jones Reynolds told the "View" audience, "I'm not sure what the future holds." When Ms. Behar lamented, "Who am I going to fight with now?," Ms. Jones Reynolds tried to reassure her. "Something tells me you'll have somebody to fight with," she said.

The Art of Leaving Protocol

The Art of Leaving Their is a protocol for remaining in any environment. Their is a code of conduct for entering and remaining in an environment.  Read :    The Art of Leaving Star Jones Reynolds's departure from "The View," The protocol for entering and remaining in your environment is obedience and humility. Recognition of your deficiencies makes you humble. When you meet the qualifications for a bank loan, marriage, doctor, lawyer, nurse, teacher certification, you can enter the particular environment.  You can become promoted when you become overqualified for a position.  You would have remained in your past, if you liked it. The future looms greater than your past. You quit because your future call is greater than your past. You have experienced your past. But you like your future better than your past.  Proverbs 16:18 (The Message)18 First pride, then the crash—the bigger the ego, the harder the fall. God promotes us when our character matches our calling. God called Jonah. He instructed him to go to Ninevah. Jonah's pride called him to Tarshish. Proverbs 16:18 (Amplified Bible) 18 Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. The proof of humility is Jonah's desire and willingness to change direction. He attended Whale University.  Record of Pride: Jonah chose Tarshish, Lot chose Sodham and Gomorrah, Samson chose Delilah, Judaschose 30 pieces of Silver, Adam and Eve chose the tree of the knowledge of Good and Evil Today if ye will hear his voice, Harden not your heart! Proverbs 25:6 6-7 Don't work yourself into the spotlight;  don't push your way into the place of prominence.  It's better to be promoted to a place of honor    than face humiliation by being demoted.

The Moon Rules the Night.

The Moon The Moon Rules the Night. This is not sorcery. The moon is a part of God's creation.  Gen.1:16And God made the two great lights--the greater light (the sun) to rule the day and the lesser light (the moon) to rule the night. Which way are you traveling? Spiritually, the believer will need the light of sun and moon to travel and navigate life. Symbolically-Parabolically, the moon can indicate cyclic changes, renewal, and movement. The moon shows that you are progressing smoothly toward your life path. Exodus 13:21 Symbolically-Parabolically in the scripture the Moon: The body of Christ, things that are eternal; God's faithfulness; reign over; caution against use as an object of worship in the occult and underworld stories; that which the works of darkness demonstrated through; indication of end times. (Gen. 1: 16; 37: 9; Eph. 1: 3; Jer. 31: 35-37; Du. 33: 14; Is. 30: 26; Mark 13: 24; Acts 2: 20; 2 Kings 23: 5; Phil. 2: 15; Rev. 12: 1; Ps. 129: 6)  God is Light. His light shines during during the day and night. Our major purpose is to walk in the light. 1Jo 1:5  This then is the message which we have heard of him, and declare unto you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all. 1Jo 1:6  If we say that we have fellowship with him, and walk in darkness, we lie, and do not the truth:1Jo 1:7  But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship one with another, and the blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanseth us from all sin.  The sun's major purpose is to light up the day. The moon's major purpose is to light up the night. Your life is illuminated by the Son.  Consider that the seasons of your life is measured by God's illumination on your life. The season of our lives are judged by the light of the sun and moon. Exodus 13:21 By day the LORD went ahead of them in a pillar of cloud to guide them on their way and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, so that they could travel by day or night. 22 Neither the pillar of cloud by day nor the pillar of fire by night left its place in front of the people.  In the natural...Celestial navigation - navigation by observation of the sun, moon and stars, and sometimes planets.  Skilled navigators can use the Moon, planets or one of 57 "navigational stars" that are described in nautical almanacs. Sights on the moon, planets and stars allow navigation to occur at night or when clouds obscure other objects. Lunar distance: The navigator precisely measures the angle between the moon and a body like the sun or a selected group of stars lying along the ecliptic. That angle, after it is corrected for various errors, is the same at any place on the surface of the earth facing the moon at a unique instant of time. The Magi, Caspar, Melchior and Balthasar, also known as the Three Wise Men, The Three Kings, or Kings from the east, are Zoroastrian judicial astrologers or magi who according to the Gospel of Matthew came "from the east to Jerusalem", to worship the Infant Jesus, who they describe as the Christ "born King of the Jews". According to Matthew, they followed a star, and as they approached Jerusalem, The phases designate both the degree to which the Moon is illuminated and the geometric appearance of the illuminated part. These phases of the Moon, in the sequence of their occurrence (starting from New Moon), are listed below. New Moon - The Moon's unilluminated side is facing the Earth. The Moon is not visible (except during a solar eclipse). A major purpose is to light up the night. The purpose of the moon is to divide the day from night. The moon reflects the sun’s light on to us even when the sun is on the other side of the earth. Another reason for the moon is to show the seasons. The moon orbits the earth roughly once a month causing regular phases in a 29½ day cycle (see diagram below). So calendars could be made, so people could plant their crops at the best time of the year. The moon’s size and closeness to Earth means it has the greatest tidal effect on Earth. Even the sun has less than half this effect, and the effect of the other planets is negligible.* When the sun and moon are aligned, their combined gravity results in strong spring tides. When they are at right angles, their gravity partly cancels, resulting in weak neap tides. Gen.1:14 And God said, Let there be lights in the expanse of the heavens to separate the day from the night, and let them be signs and tokens [of God's provident care], and [to mark] seasons, days, and years,     15And let them be lights in the expanse of the sky to give light upon the earth. And it was so.   16And God made the two great lights--the greater light (the sun) to rule the day and the lesser light (the moon) to rule the night. He also made the stars.  17And God set them in the expanse of the heavens to give light upon the earth,  18To rule over the day and over the night, and to separate the light from the darkness. And God saw that it was good (fitting, pleasant) and He approved it. 19And there was evening and there was morning, a fourth day.     The moon reflects the sun’s light on to us even when the sun is on the other side of the earth The answer’s in Genesis! A major purpose is to light up the night. The moon reflects the sun’s light on to us even when the sun is on the other side of the earth. Another reason for the moon is to show the seasons Another reason for the moon is to show the seasons. The moon orbits the earth roughly once a month causing regular phases in a 29½ day cycle (see diagram below). So calendars could be made, so people could plant their crops at the best time of the year. The moon’s purpose The answer’s in Genesis! A major purpose is to light up the night. The moon reflects the sun’s light on to us even when the sun is on the other side of the earth. The amount of reflected light depends on the moon’s surface area, so we are fortunate to have a moon that is so large. It is over a quarter of Earth’s diameter — far larger in comparison with its planet than any other in the solar system. Also, if it were much smaller, it would not have enough gravity to maintain its spherical shape. Another reason for the moon is to show the seasons. The moon orbits the earth roughly once a month causing regular phases in a 29½ day cycle (see diagram below). So calendars could be made, so people could plant their crops at the best time of the year. An important feature is that the moon always keeps the same face towards the earth. If different parts were visible at different times, the moon’s brightness would depend on which part was pointing towards the earth. Then the 29½ day cycle would be far less obvious.

There is a Sabbath rest for the people of God

There is a Sabbath rest for the people of God   Aesop explained, "If you keep a bow always bent, it will break eventually; but if you let it go slack, it will be more fit for use when you want it."   There is a rest for the people of God.  There is a Sabbath for the people of God.  Celebrate the rest of God the Son, and the finishing the work of our redemption.    Rest tbX , Shabath, shaw-bath'  , to cease, desist, rest (from labour) cease , rest , away, fail, celebrate, to keep or observe the Sabbath.  Rest is a: Divine Decree  "Seeing, therefore, it remaineth that some must enter into it, and they to whom it was first preached entered not in because of unbelief" Immediate Action  Today if ye will hear his voice, harden not your hearts." Spiritual Hebrews 4:9 (Amplified Bible) 9So then, there is still awaiting a full and complete Sabbath-rest reserved for the [true] people of God; God is the convoy and body guard of his saints. soon as sleep falls on the tired camp, when the moving camp is nightly pitched in strange fields, it becomes absolutely necessary to apply to the nearest authorities for a nocturnal guardian, before one can safely lie down to rest.   There's no music in a rest, but there is the making of music in it. In our whole life-melody the music is broken off here and there by 'rests,' and we foolishly think we have come to the end of the tune...not without design does God write the music of our lives. Be it ours to learn the tune, and not be dismayed at the 'rests.' They are not to be slurred over, not to be omitted, not to destroy the melody, not to change the keynote. If we sadly say to ourselves, 'There is no music in a rest,' let us not forget that there is the making of music in it. "Carry some quiet around inside thee," the well-known Quaker, George Fox, used to say. "Be still and cool in thy own mind and spirit, from thy own thoughts, and then thou wilt feel the principle of God to turn thy mind to the Lord from whence cometh life; whereby thou mayest receive the strength and power to allay all storms and tempests."   "If you keep a bow always bent, it will break eventually; but if...the Sabbath was appointed; and clearly for all succeeding generations also. The Christian Sabbath, which we observe, is a seventh day, and in it we celebrate the rest of God the Son, and the finishing the work of our redemption.

A Message from Germaine Copeland: To The Desperate Wife

 

A Message to the Desperate Wife -- Part 1 A Message from Germaine Copeland: To The Desperate Wife If you are a desperate wife ready for change (or if you know someone who in an abusive situation), this message is for you. Be assured that you are not alone. You have many sisters from different walks of life who suffer along with you, often in silence. God hates the abuse of His women whether it is mental, emotional or physical. Always, remember God loves you and so do I. Frequently, a desperate wife contacts our ministry asking us to pray that God will fix her husband. The husband may have an addiction, may be living with another woman; he may be abusing her and the children, or participating in illegal activities. The list of possibilities is long. Usually the wife wants us to pray that God will make her husband change. God doesn’t make anyone do anything. He provides everyone with opportunities to change, but God allows each person (husband and wife) the freedom to choose right or wrong, blessings or cursings. Your mate got where he is today because of his choices. As difficult as it may be to admit, you are where you are today because of your choices. If you will allow me to be your mentor during the reading of this message, I will share with you how to apply godly principles that will enable you to lay aside the victim mentality, and help you renew your mind to God’s view of who you are – a woman of valor, influence and great courage. God has sent His Holy Spirit to be your Counselor, Helper, Advocate and Intercessor, and He has given you the power to arise from the weariness and hopelessness of circumstances that attempt to ensnare you. You may be the desperate wife who is waiting on God to do something; God is waiting on you. Religion would have us believe that divorce is the unforgivable sin, but we know that isn’t true. There was a time when I always discouraged divorce, but that changed after I saw someone very close to me literally wasting away. After seven years of marriage, this desperate wife who is a daughter of the Most High God looked like the walking dead. I didn’t know her situation, but I knew that she needed deliverance. My heart began to cry out to God asking him to surround her with songs of deliverance. The day came when this beaten down woman asked to talk with me. She shared that she had given her husband an ultimatum: either go to marriage counseling and give up his addiction to pornography or move out. She could no longer live with the disrespect and degradation – the mental and emotional abuse. The confrontation was a scary thing for her, but the Holy Spirit was faithful to give her counsel, help and strength; the courage to rise to the standard of righteousness. Her husband chose to leave, but God went before her and prepared the way. After a period of resolving some of her personal issues, she met and married a Christian man who loves God. (She committed her ex-husband into the keeping and care of God.) Her testimony is one of many that we receive proclaiming the goodness of God. All testimonies are not the same. A few years ago one woman shared how God revealed His love for her, and she wanted more than anything to obey Him. One day while praying about her marriage she felt led to stay put even though she was in an abusive situation. God gave her the grace to withstand her husband’s next two half-hearted attempts of abuse without railing against him (a big change for her). In a short time this man repented with tears and confessed Jesus as His Lord. His repentance was for real, and he became a loving husband. (This wife’s behavior changed so drastically that her husband wanted to know what had happened to her. When she shared with him, he wanted to surrender his life to her God who changes those things we can’t change.) Isn’t this what every woman who lives with abuse desires? Yes, but it doesn’t always end this way! Another woman shared with us that God told her to leave, and he prepared the way of her escape even providing income and a home for her. She never divorced her husband, but because of her stand for righteousness, he came to know the Lord not long before he died. The key features of these testimonies were the same. These women obeyed God by walking in love and maintaining a humble spirit. I urge all women in difficult circumstances to let go ofthe victim mentality, denounce self-pity, and reject feelings of powerlessness; embrace the God-given power to choose. God has sent the Holy Spirit to guide you and give you the strength and courage to obey him. You will be given the wisdom and experience the power to make choices that bring honor and glory to God. Next Week: Part 2 of A Message to the Desperate Wife Continuation of A Message to the Desperate Wife -- Part 2 Steps to Finding the Will of God for your Marriage First: Seek Righteousness In spite of adversity, seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness (his way of doing and being right). There are many prayers in Prayers That Avail Much that will help you stay focused on God’s will, purpose and plan for your life. In First Samuel 25 we read about a wise woman named Abigail. She was the wife of a wealthy man who was not only ungodly but also despicable. Even when he chose to do the wrong thing, she did what was right. She did not stoop to the level of her circumstances, and she was later blessed for her righteousness. F.B. Meyer writes in his commentary, “Do not step down to the level of your circumstances, but lift them to your own high calling in Christ.” (Taken from AMPLIFIED BIBLE, Copyright©1954, 1958, 1962, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved. Used by permission.) “Give me understanding and I will obey your instructions; I will put them into practice with all my heart.” Psalm 119:34 NLT Second: Seek God’s Perspective Purpose to see beyond the present circumstances. It is important to remember that circumstances are always temporal and subject to change, yet that which is eternal will never change. For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. Isaiah 55:8 KJV Follow the Lord daily, and he will direct your path. Joshua and the Hebrew army didn’t see any sense to God’s instructions to march around the city day after day, yet they trusted in God’s perspective. Their obedience led to deliverance. The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? Proverbs 20:24 NLT Third: Seek to Renew Your Mind Let go of obsessive thinking and compulsive behavior in order to avoid spiritual shipwreck! Negative thoughts lead to discouragement and despair. They make situations worse. Disappointments don’t have to lead to despondency. I lie in the dust; revive me by your word. Psalm 119:25 NLT The author of Psalm 119 knew of disappointments, but he also knew of the power of God’s word. When you meditate on the word of God, you become more like him. You will find yourself thinking positive, hopeful thoughts. God will release his great power and do great things for you. As you fill your mind with God’s words, you will notice that the fruit of the spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) begins to manifest in your actions. And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Romans 12:2a NKJV Fourth: Seek Peace A born-again spouse must hold up a pattern of right behavior in an unfortunate marriage. This may mean that a wife will have to give an ultimatum while trusting God with the outcome, in order to keep her in the paths of righteousness for His name’s sake. The Scriptures tell us that if an unbelieving spouse desires to leave, let him/her go. But if the unbelieving partner [actually] leaves, let him do so; in such [cases the remaining] brother or sister is not morally bound. But God has called us to peace. 1 Corinthians 7:15 AMP God has called you to peace! God himself is your exceeding greatjoy. He has promised that you shall go out with joy and be led forth with peace. A wife needs to remember that she is not her husband’s savior! There is only one Savior, and His name is Jesus! Therefore, if God be for you, who can be against you? His peace will guard your hearts and minds as you live in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:7b NLT Are you ready to do things God’s way or would you rather continue as you are? You cannot change your situation unless you change the way you do things. Someone once said that if you keep doing the same thing over and over, you will get the same results over and over. I am praying for you that your faith will not fail. And did not God make [you and your wife] one [flesh]? Did not One make you and preserve your spirit alive? And why [did God make you two] one? Because He sought a godly offspring [from your union]. Therefore take heed to yourselves, and let no one deal treacherously and be faithless to the wife of his youth. For the Lord, the God of Israel, says: I hate divorce and marital separation and him who covers his garment [his wife] with violence. Therefore keep a watch upon your spirit [that it may be controlled by My Spirit], that you deal not treacherously and faithlessly [with your marriage mate]. Malachi 2:15-16 AMP Copyright © 2006

Thus Sings the Church-Thus Goes the Church

Thus Sings the Church Catholic-Thus Goes the Church Catholic We are instructed to sing to each other in Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual songs.  The CCLI report ("The 25 Most Sung Worship Songs in American Churches") Click here: MondayMorningInsight.com is limited at best. Some Worship Songs are limited to the culture, denomination, and generation that have embraced the "praise and worship" format. The 25 Most Sung Worship Songs in American may not be the 25 Most Sung Worship Songs in church across America. They may not reflect the diverse styles, denominations, cultures, and generations in America. The church is catholic. Catholic adj. Of broad or liberal scope; comprehensive. The Worship Music of the church catholic is eclectic in style. We can not say that these are the Worship Songs of the church catholic. ' We can not say the church catholic accepted them and sings them just as though the church catholic had written them and as though they were the church's songs. '  Thus Sings the Church-Thus Goes the Church? The church catholic is not monolithic. Historical, restrained and careful reflection will help us conclude that all Worship songs are not dance songs (Sa2 6:14).  Posted by Sid Wednesday, June 21, 2006 at 8:04 AM Now Bishop James don’t leave us hanging here. Help this white boy out with your list of the top twenty-five songs that move your people in worship. I won’t promise you that I’ll be able to dance to them, but I’ll sure be willing to give them a try in worship. Historical, restrained and careful reflection will help us conclude that all Worship Songs are not Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual songs. Asian, African-American, European, Hispanic, Hymns are,  'sui generis'--the products of an art having its own qualities and requirements.  'Sui generis' Latin expression, literally meaning of its own kind/genus or unique in its characteristics. The character of the music is not the main issue. The excellence and integrity of the art may be an important consideration.  God judges the heart of the music gift and giver. The message, season, style and usefulness measures the gifts expediency in worship. Carl F. Price, 'What Is a Hymn' [Paper of the Hymn Society of America, 1937] A Christian hymn is a lyric poem, reverently and devotionally conceived, which is designed to be sung and which expresses the worshipper's attitude toward God, or God's purposes in human life. It should be simple and metrical in form, genuinely emotional, poetic and literary in style, spiritual in quality, and in its ideas so direct and so immediately apparent as to unify a congregation while singing it. [Used by permission.] 1. a metrical poem 2. reverent and devotional in nature 3. poetic and literary in style 4. spiritual in quality 5. expresses the worshipper's attitude toward God 6. unites the congregation who SINGS it. Carl Schalk stated for Luther there were five pivotal understandings, five "paradigms of praise": (1) music as God's creation and gift; (2) music as proclamation and praise; (3) music as liturgical song; (4) music as the song of royal priests; and (5) music as a sign of continuity with the whole church. Martin Luther "How strange and wonderful it is that one voice sings a simple unpretentious tune . . . while three, four, or five other voices are also sung; these voices play and sway in joyful exuberance around the tune and with ever-varying art and tuneful sound wondrously adorn and beautify it, and in a celestial roundelay meet in friendly caress and lovely embrace; so that anyone, having a little understanding, must be moved and greatly wonder, and come to the conclusion that there is nothing rarer in the whole world than a song adorned by so many voices."

Glorifying God in Music

Tim Kucij

 

Glorifying God in Music -- part 1

Tim Kucij • Music to God's Glory • 40 min
1 Corinthians 10:31; Ephesians 5:19 • Sovereign Grace Reformed Baptist...

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SUN 10/9/2005
Bible Lesson

 

Glorifying God in Music -- 2
Tim Kucij • Music that glorifies God • 47 min
Ephesians 5:19; Psalm 150 • Sovereign Grace Reformed Baptist Church

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SUN 10/16/2005
Bible Lesson

 

 

 

 

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Papers Will Go to Alma Mater

 

Martin Luther King Jr.'s Papers Will Go to Alma Mater Auction Called Off After Coalition Buys Papers on Behalf of Morehouse College By ERRIN HAINES, AP ATLANTA (June 23) - A collection of Martin Luther King Jr.'s handwritten documents and books won't be sold at auction and instead will be given to his alma mater, officials said Friday.   <IMG height=297 alt="This photo released by Sothebys shows Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s hand-written notes for his remarks on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy, which was later developed into the article " src="http://cdn.news.aol.com/aolnews_photos/09/07/20060609005709990001" width=400 align=left border=0 What Killed John F. Kennedy??.?> Sothebys/AP This photo released by Sothebys shows Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s hand-written notes for his remarks on the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. A coalition of business, individuals and philanthropic leaders led by Atlanta Mayor Shirley Franklin bought the collection for an undisclosed amount, said Morehouse College President Walter Massey.   The personal papers and books of the civil rights leader were expected to sell for $15 million to $30 million at Sotheby's auction house in New York on June 30. Massey said the Atlanta group offered more than that.   Massey said his historically black college near downtown Atlanta would acquire the collection, which historians had called one of the greatest American archives of the 20th century in private hands.   Sotheby's Vice Chairman David Redden confirmed that the auction would no longer take place, though the public exhibition of the collection would continue through Thursday.   The papers span 1946 to 1968, the year King was assassinated. They include 7,000 handwritten items, including his early Alabama sermons and a draft of his "I Have a Dream" speech, which he delivered Aug. 28, 1963, at the March on Washington for Jobs and Freedom.   Atlanta is King's birthplace and where his wife, Coretta Scott King, raised their four children after his death. It also is where she founded the King Center for Nonviolent Social Change and where King and his wife are entombed.   "I can't imagine a better home than the home of Dr. King for this collection," Redden said. "It was there for years, it's going to be there forever. I think that's a marvelous conclusion to this extraordinary process. It guarantees that it will be looked after properly and made available to the public."   Redden would not disclose the purchase price. The city was the sentimental favorite in the bidding and was rumored to have stiff competition from others across the country, including the Library of Congress, the Smithsonian Institute, Duke University, and the Schomburg Center for Research in Black Culture at the New York Public Library.   Coretta Scott King's death in January was a catalyst for the sale because her will calls for the liquidation of her estate.   For years, Sotheby's auction house has tried to sell the collection, but previous negotiations with various institutions fell through.   Andrew Young, a lieutenant of King's during the civil rights movement, became overcome with emotion when discussing the deal Friday night.   "People have seen this as an opportunity to step up and lay claim to Martin Luther King's nonviolent heritage as a part of Atlanta's tradition," said Young, a former mayor of the city. "It really didn't belong anywhere else."   Franklin, the current mayor, did not immediately respond to calls seeking comment.   The 139-year-old Morehouse College stands as the largest private, liberal arts college in the country for men with 2,800 students, and one of only four all-male colleges in the U.S. The school's other famous alumni include actor Samuel L. Jackson, former U.S. Surgeon General David Satcher and film director Spike Lee.