Video: Zion Feat. Mali Music

Saw this from DJ Wade-O. Song is called "Trouble."

The song is now available on iTunes. Check Zion out at his Myspace page for more info.

Thoughts on the Ambassador Situation

The Christian blogosphere was lively yesterday with news of Cross Movement Records' statement on The Ambassador's "marital compromise." (Read the official word from CMR president/CEO John Wells here.)

This is truly sad news. My 2 cents is that I hope Ambassador and his family are shutting out the rest of the world and taking the time they need to sort through everything.

Marriage is no joke. The challenges are real when it comes to funneling the unique thoughts of two individuals into one course of action and straining out unproductive personal wants in the process. I had my fifth anniversary last year and, though I'm blessed to say that there is no physical or verbal abuse going on in my union, my husband and I do have issues from time to time, like any married couple.

The thing I'm most proud of with my marriage is the fact that we don't give up on talking. There may be things I'm hesitant to share (and I'm sure the same goes for hubby), but I do eventually share everything with my husband, good and bad, because I know it makes us stronger as a couple and as individuals. And I know I couldn't really hide something important from someone I love as much as him.

I don't know the situation in Ambassador's marriage, and I won't begin to speculate. I don't think it's our business to know the gory details anyway. But what I would say to any couple with issues as big as infidelity or as small as which way the toilet paper should hang on the spool is to keep on talking.

If you haven't had an open dialogue before now, try to find a way to start. Don't rule out counseling by your pastor or a professional; counselors are excellent moderators in times of marital strife. Their neutrality could bring you and your spouse to new depths of understanding.

CMR may not be actively promoting Ambassador at this time, but I don't think we should drop him and his family from our hearts and minds. Put your prayers out there for the clan.

A final thought: When I heard the news, one of the things that popped into my mind was the song "Baby U Don't Luv Me," by Mark J. He gives a lot of encouragement for couples to find a way to work things out, even sharing strife he had in his own marriage, comparing tense times to an Ali/Frazier fight (but not on a physical level). If you haven't already heard this song, take a listen on his MySpace page. (But really, if you don't have the album, pick it up! The whole thing's fuego. Take my word for it.) Also, share the song with anyone you know who's going through it right now.

It's Friday, You Ain't Got No Job...

I came a realization today as I was driving home from time at the career center and a trip to the mall: I didn't have any need to rush. To paraphrase the clean 2/3 of one of Chris Tucker's lines from the movie "Friday," "It's Friday, I ain't got no job..." Why not take it slow? And why not take it slow beyond Friday?

I have been a lead-footed lady up until now. I love to drive, and I loved to drive fast. But really, what's the point? I was always putting myself on a timer when I had a 9-to-5, even when I didn't need to go to work. But really, my only true responsibility now is picking up my son from daycare. So, to repeat, no need to rush.

Today this seemed like an area in my life in which I needed to really let go and let God. Maybe it made me feel in control to go zipping down the left-hand lane, like I had some say in when I was going to get to my destination. But ultimately, it's not my doing. To turn around a popular bumper sticker, I am God's co-pilot in that car, albeit a super-junior co-pilot with a teeny, tiny set of inconsequential tasks.

And you know what? Shifting to the middle lane felt good. I felt less tense, less angry. I came across the scripture from the first chapter of James instructing believers to keep their emotions in check ("Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, for man's anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires"), and I think I finally understand one component of this.

It may sound strange to say it, but I have found a lot of blessings in being laid off. I thank God for revealing this message to me.

Michelle Bonilla Shares a Sneak Peek

She tweeted about this one.



Underneath her talking about what she's been up to (keep your head up through graduation next year, MB!), you can hear "Give It Up," which will be on her sophomore release, "In Spite of Me." She thanks the fans for their continued support and prayers and asks y'all to keep it up.

Can't wait that long? She's currently preparing for the Knotts Berry Farm Gospel Fest, on this Saturday, May 16.

Issachar Concert Hits Philly in June

Just saw this on Da South. I think I'll have to convince hubby to go with me!

The Issachar Live concert is presented by Cross Movement Records, hosted by Ron Jacob, and features John Wells--The Tonic, R-Swift and Everyday Process, with special guests k-Drama, J.A.Z, "and many more."

The concert goes down on Saturday, June 13, at the World Cafe Live, 3025 Walnut St. [No info. on the time; I'll get back to you on that.] Tickets are just $12, but you can also make a donation to go along with the ticket price. Donations go to Chosen 300 Ministries, Inc., an organization that feeds the homeless and provides other services to this population, offers re-release classes for people who were in jail, and also hosts programs of value for inner city youth.

At the end of my workday I used to drive by one of the places where Chosen 300 feeds people (1116 Spring Garden St.), and I know they are putting in work, with folks lining up at the door. If you can't go to the concert, you can still donate here.

UPDATE: I learned from Cross Movement Records that the concert starts at 6 p.m.