Oh No….Not Again!!!

Yep….we got punked again. Satan done punked the church again. Yet again he has found a way to divide us and put us against one another.

(Deep breath) okay, if you’re on the “church scene” then I’m sure you’ve heard about the BET show Sunday’s Best and its finale last night. I’m no longer on the scene, but I got family and friends who are still connected, and so every now and again I’ll hear something. I actually didn’t keep up with Sunday’s Best, but I did hear (and saw) that a girl from the DC area, Y’Anna Crowley, was on there. Other than one other episode, I did watch the last half hour of the finale last night and so yes, yes…..you know me I did voice my opinion--lol. To be honest and frank…….I do understand why Y’Anna won over the other girl. Gotta admit……Y’Anna’s voice is stronger. And to me…….much better.

But I’m still a little confused with the premise of the show. I mean, what’s the point. Are the contestants supposed to be ministering through song or is it just the Black version of American Idol???? When I think of a Sunday morning singer, I think of someone who can sing during an altar call urging sinners to come and give their lives to Christ. That’s removing self and letting God do His perfect will through us. Not church hopping on a promotional tour to promote self. Perhaps that’s not the meaning of Sunday’s Best. Who really knows. Except the five people at the top getting paid off of ALL of us--lol.

Anyway, I hadn’t even watched the show this season. Cause last season, after Crystal Aikin won…..with her runner up being Shari Addison, it was enough for me. That’s what you call sisters who can not just sing, but are anointed. To me…it couldn’t get much better than that. I remember watching one episode from Season 1 and Shari was on the stage praising God with her back to the audience. A major no-no when “performing”. But she obviously was answering to a higher calling. I was actually talking on the phone with my girlfriend when she told me to turn on the television. And I’m telling you…….the anointing was so high it was coming through the screen. Even Kirk was in a corner praising God. I had to drop the phone. I felt it. Just reminded me of the goodness of God.

But this season……….I don’t know. Perhaps the producers didn't want authentic praise this season. I didn’t watch the entire season, so I really can’t say. But when I did finally tune in, I think it was down to the four finalists. When each were singing, I couldn’t really hear the message of the song because everybody was trying to out run and riff each other. I mean dag on……just sing the darn song--lol. And then I was appalled at Kirk Franklin’s comment about one of the girls. He said that her singing makes you feel like you’re at a club sipping on a drink. I couldn’t believe he’d said that. I think that’s when I knew that this show was based on worldly motives.

You know……when are we gonna get it. This whole competition in Gospel music isn’t new. Since I can remember there’s always been some sort of “who’s better in Gospel music” type of thing going on. Especially on the local DC scene. We have some saaangers in this area--lol. We really do. But the sad thing is that rarely do we get a national platform to spread the Gospel and now that we have it……..the end result is division. Half thought that the winner was deserving, and the other half thought not. But out of all the comments that I’ve heard or read I have yet to hear somebody say that by hearing such and such sing they were led to repent and gave their life to Christ.

We can go all night long about who sounded better, and who should have won. But does it really matter???? I mean, we all have a right to our opinions and we all have a right to express them. But lets look at the bigger picture. Let’s just assume that we’re all on the same page as to wanting nothing more than to glorify God and lift His name, removing self from the equation. If this is the case…….how could we have even ended up competing?????? I mean, should we have even been put in a situation where we had to choose the good news over the good news??? You know…..I’ve never heard of a competition where T.D. Jakes, Noel Jones, Eddie Long, and Jamal Bryant were the contestants. NEVER. In fact, I’ve never heard of ANY ministers of the Gospel being in a competition. Why do we compete with Gospel music??? Aren’t Gospel singers and musicians ministers too???? Umph.

For some odd reason I feel like re-posting the lyrics to Crystal Aikin’s debut title cut……I Need More.

I’m needing, I’m wanting
There is something about you
I need to know more of
When I fall on my knees
It’s in my prayer, Oh God
Take me beyond the veil
Give me more of You

Oh, Lord….and if it’s not too much to ask
I wanna deeper relationship with you
I want the oil of God to flow in me
Through and through
Here I am
On bended knees
With outstretched arms crying Lord
Not my will, but Your will
Less of me, and more of You
I need more, I need more

As I go before your throne
I give the praise to You alone
I lift my hands and give you worship
For you are God alone
Let your glory fill this place
Show your hand of mercy
I can’t speak right until you come Lord
Let your presence fall on me

Here I am
Accept my words
Accept my praise
I’m broken, I’m thirsty
Let your blood flow through my veins

I gotta have more, I gotta have more

A man’s gift makes room for him, and brings him before great men. The first one to plead his cause seems right, until his neighbor comes and examines him. Casting lots causes contentions to cease, and keeps the mighty apart. A brother offended is harder to win than a strong city, and contentions are like the bars of a castle. --Proverbs 18:16-19