Posts Tagged ‘Mikki Howard’
Vesta Williams Funeral Recap and Reflections (With Photos)
October 6th, 2011
From reader Eric Floyd…
Vesta Williams
______
With a packed house @ The West Angeles Church Of God In Christ on Crenshaw Blvd., there were only (2) two things in short supply at the memorial service, and that was (1) a dry eye and (2) an empty seat, as the capacity crowd swelled with both pride & sorrow during the 2 hour service, which was presided over by Bishop Charles E. Blake & reflections made by Jesus Garber, Iris Perkins & songwriter Tena Clark, who shared a particularly poignant story of how Vesta (who she had done commercial jingles with as a session singer) insisted that Tena be allowed produce three tracks on her album, much to A&M Records chagrin. This blatant act of loyalty, Tena maintains was directly responsible for her current multi-platinum career as a Producer / Songwriter; especially as the results of their collective labor gave Vesta her biggest hit & signature song; “CONGRATULATIONS”!
Probably, THE most moving part of the tribute was actually listening & watching Vesta herself singing an uptempo gospel number at the very church that her remains were now laid out in. Surreal to say the least… In attendance in the star studded crowd included the likes of Peggi Blu, Wanda Dee, Freda Payne, Sheryl Lee Ralph, Loretta Devine, Kellita Smith, Norwood Young, Michael Collier, Miki Howard, Kiki Shepard, Jackee’, Luenell & the legendary Blues singer, Linda Hopkins.
A private soiree was organized masterfully by Soul / Gospel Crooner, Norwood Young @ palatial estate home by private invitation only for just Vesta’s showbiz friends, who were all told to bring a pot luck dish and NOT to bring any “plus one’s” with us. Starting @ 5:30pm and ending around midnight… we ate, drank, joked / clowned, shared Vesta stories, sang collectively and were treated to song selections that were too outstanding for words; including Loretta Devine’s rendition of “CONGRATULATIONS” that kicked it all off. All in all Norwood should be commended for opening both his heart and home to all of us fortunate enough to attend this impromptu event; the evening, just like Vesta, is a priceless memory that none of us will soon readily forget!
The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published at The Huffington Post and EURWEB.com. For the most recent posts of Mr. Mo’Kelly, visit http://mrmokelly.com. Mr. Mo’Kelly can be reached at mrmokelly@gmail.com.
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‘How Will I Know?’ – Questions EVERY New Birth Member MUST Ask Bishop Eddie Long
May 27th, 2011
It is not uncommon in the Black church tradition these days to take an 
originally secular song and then reshape it with a sacred message. Songs written wholly unrelated to the Word of God are sometimes given a “church remix” if you will. Miki Howard, Musiq Soulchild…even Snoop Dogg; it doesn’t matter the artist.
Today Mo’Kelly is going to do his own church remix, just for the remaining members of New Birth Ministries. Mo’Kelly won’t bother with all the verses and even much of the chorus, just one simple phrase, once sung by Whitney Houston.
“How will I know?” Keep Whitney’s melody in mind as Mo’Kelly speaks on behalf of those of New Birth who will be in service this Sunday and each one after as Eddie Long preaches from the pulpit.
Hit the music…
Here are some questions every remaining New Birth member could, should and must ask their “pastor” and not settle for “pray on it.” The Lord made you the members the head and not the tail (Deut 28:13). Eddie Long may not be able to discuss the specifics of the settlement, but he surely can be forced to discuss members’ general uncertainty going forward.
Bishop Long, how will I know?
Bishop Long…how will I know given this settlement you are not one of the “workers of iniquity” as mentioned in Psalms 6:8, Matthew 7:23 or Luke 13:27?
How will I know?
How will I know that my faith in God isn’t telling me the truth about you, given this “secret” agreement? Since faith is the substance of things hope for and the evidence of things not seen (Hebrews 11:1), this secret settlement could be the very “evidence” of what you truly are.
How will I know?
How will I know ignoring my spiritual discernment makes good sense by remaining in your congregation? (Colossians 1:9)
How will I know if you remember Titus 1:7 does apply to you Bishop? “For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre”
How will I know that as a steward of God’s church that we shouldn’t throw you out as Jesus once did the moneychangers?
How will I know?
How will I know there aren’t other boys/men who may come forward in the future with similar allegations? How will I know you won’t also settle secretly with them? How will I know if we will ever get the truth as to whether you are a sexual predator?
More expressly, how will I know that my own son doesn’t secretly have a similar story about you?
How will I know?
How will I know when to stop mentally sub-titling all of your sermons as “Do as God Says…Not as I Do and Have Done?”
How will I know?
How will I know when to heed any of your marital advice, given I don’t have 15 million dollars available (allegedly) to deal with issues of infidelity?
How will I know?
How will I know what to say to other believers who will tell me that Bishop Eddie Long is one of the “grievous wolves” who has entered the church and not spared the flock (Acts 20:29)?
How will I know?
How will I know whether this settlement means you broke more than 5 or fewer than five of the Ten Commandments? What is your over/under?
Before you seek to offer “wise counsel” to my family, how will I know if your own family at least learned the truth of these matters, for their sake?
How will I know?
Most importantly, how will I know my spiritual livelihood is safe in the hands of Bishop Eddie Long, when his own is in tremendous jeopardy?
How will I know Bishop…how will I know? Because right now, the Lord seems to have already answered all of those questions the moment the settlement was finalized.
(Readers: What other “Whitney Houston” questions would you have for your “pastor” if you were still a member of New Birth?)
The Mo’Kelly Report is an entertainment journal with a political slant; published at The Huffington Post and EURWEB.com. For more Mo’Kelly, http://mrmokelly.com. Mr. Mo’Kelly can be reached at mrmokelly@gmail.com.
Free Subscription to The Mo’Kelly Report HERE
Follow The Mo’Kelly Report on Facebook HERE.
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