Posts filed under: ‘Kim Burrell‘
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’ religous 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-
“Its true.”
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 alcholic can spot another alcholic 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 shear allegations are more than enough to make everyone run to the hills and dissert 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 negoiations 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 Burrull 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 an 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.
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.
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 sauage 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.
Well, God bless…
Thank you for reading this blog…and my others. Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family to em 
, co-workers and all your friends… “pass it on…” www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2010
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…
WHAT?
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.
Thank you for reading this blog…and my others. Please be sure to continue to share this blog site with your family, co-workers and all your friends… “pass it on…” www.bsmith101.wordpress.com ©2010
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
