Indianapolis Recorder, Indianapolis, Marion County, 2 April 1999 — Page 9

FRIDAY, APRIL 2,1999 ■ PAGE B1

RELIGION

I N S I D E • B • S E C T I O N • E D U C A T I O N • S P O R T S

Gospel play comically showcases realistic consequences

Eye on m ■ ~:,l

Gospel

By DEBORAH BANKS Staff Writer Roaring gospel refrains and passionate biblical references, had a resounding effect on those who attended last week’s gospel musical. Love The One You With. Featuring such artists as Meli’saMorgan, Ronald Winans, Bernard Jackson, Beverly Todd, T.K. Carter, E.J. Johnson and Lester Barrie, the play comically exploits a Black family faced with themes such as conflict and adultery, but showcases realistic consequences. Blinded by LUST, housewtfe Belem; v^dbelieves the grass is greener on the other is ready to leave her husband Sylvester, affc|ie eaught her iri their bedroom with her lover, Junior./ “You ain’t nothin. 1 got a real Ilian waiting outside for me,” Helena tells Sylvester. “I don’t need you any more.” Of course, that is when trouble starts, because her “real man” is a street-smart hustler, whose only interests are money and himself. Junior’s motives are obvious to everyone close to Helena, including her mother, who appears to be a churchgoing, God-fearing middle-aged woman who has experienced life’s good and evil, and who’s determined to keep her daughter’s marriage intact. “Helena, girl, the Lord has blessed you with a good man,” said her mother, “He’s working two jobs and takes good care of you and this house.” Rita (Helena’s sister), who fits the stereotypicallmage of abookwormornerd, is hip to Junior’s type and tries to warn Helena. But of course, Helena brush it off as jealousy, noting that she’s better-looking and more outgoing than Rita. Helena’s friends, Rae-Rae, who has a squeaky voice, wears clothing that mak^ her look like.a bag of starbursts and has a bouncy flounce, which tipklesths&tdience to no end, and Charles therwisecrackeivwtiO'makes no secret that the trapped woman in him has to shine for everyone to see, also tries to discourage Helena’s affair with Junior. Even the audience knows Helena is making a mistake.

But they marveled in the way Sylvester handled the situation as evidenced by the applause, when Sylvester told Helena, “If you walk out that door, don’t come back.” Things turned out badly for Helena. Her lover began beating and pimping her. He even had her table dancing in skimpy lingerie in sleazy bars to make him money. Helena’s business about her affair and separation from her husband had hit the streets and the church. In fact, during a church scene, the Reverend asked his congregation, “how can you say you love someone and then beat

them?”

In unison, the church members and the play’s attendees shook their heads from side to side, and said something to the effect of “well.” Helena’s mother, who’s heartbroken by the tragic turn of events in her daughter’s life, went begging by way of singing a gut-wrenching hymnal to Sylvester, to save her

daughter.

“I know she hurt you, I know my daughter,” Helena’s mother said. “She has always manipulated and connived people to get what she wants. But you, you are a good man.” With that, Helena’s mother turn and left a piece of paper with information about Helena’s whereabouts on the fireplace mantle. < Although Sylvester’s pride and anger was saying no, as evidenced when he turned his head at his mother-in-law when she was pleading for his help, he inched closer and closer to the mantle after she left, because his heart was telling him to go get his wife. When Sylvester arrives at the address on the paper, he spun around inside the apartment as if he were hit by

Michael Matthews

Gospel Excellence By MARGARET MANSFIELD Kirk Franklin and Fred Hammond were big winners at the 18th Annual Gospel Music Excellence Awards held last month in Little Rock, Aik. Hammond picked up five awards including Artist of the Year and Franklin also went home with five awards. More than 4,000 gospel fans and supporters gathered for the awards which included the Christianaires singing “Delivered On Time.” The crowd gave Paul Porter a rousing standing ovation when he accepted the award for Traditional Quartet of the Year. Tommy Boy artist Tonex performed his take on “Christ the Re-

deemer” clad in black tails and top

popular dances. hat with part of his face covered A hilarious scene that brought some audience members w jth a white mask, his hair covered out of their seats with laughter and others giving high fives. j„ a gold wrap and one white glove Funny as the scene was, that is where the playwright’s 0 n his hand. Lonnie Hunter and intended messges surfaces in the play - “What God has The Voices ofSt. Mark delivered a

something (Junior’s apartment is vastly different from the joined together, let no man put asunder,” and “If God has moving performance with their hit,

modest home he shared with Helena), llie decor of Junior’s given you that special man or that special woman, you had “DripDrop.”

one-room shack was bright cherry from ceiling to floor, better love; the one you are with because God doesn’t make Here is a list of the winners: with a broke-down couch, two end tables^a coffee table, and mistakes.’’ ^ Artist of ,the Year: Fred lotted oWnictir^ OTt the,wall. E. , A^or Rae Rae and Sweet T - The T iin® longer sweet, HammondWd Radical for Christ

Hffiit onfv mdSvlv^^r g^ifhi^Mlifegave Junior a dosi^Sli^jflW||»ge r dresses iMtaffijirihafijaiaoking for food... f j,

of his own medicine - (Minus the $10,000 ransom mdrifey Ityg two gotfngaged. ~ rai7:XJreg OtQwn and Joyful

Junior demanded in exchange for Helena) - he got beat up, Love The'One You With, a Michael Matthews production, Noy ze and with his clothes down to his ankles and crying, was lived up to its promos-It was truly “an electrifying and soul-

forced to do the Cabbage Patch, the Running man, and other touching drama.”

Rev. Truevine

By Rev. Charles Tripp Sr.

TW WORD HAVE I HID IN MWE nmx

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Don’t be surprised: Chastisement will tollow sin

Children pay more attention costly wages of David’s sins were the Lord loves, he chastens, and tothingsthanweoftengivethem seldom mentioned. The bitter fruit punishes everyone he accepts as creditfor. Having grown-up in a of David’ssin with Bathsheba and a son.” However, Hebrews 1&J&, the murder of her husband were also declares, “See to it that one not dismissed by God. Nathan, in misses the grace of God and that II Samuel 12:10declared to David, no bitter root grows up to cause “Now therefore the sword shall trouble and defile many ” Thus, never depart from thine; because whether we are on the sinning br thou hast despised me, and hast chastisement side of the sin and I remember the times when I token the wife of Uriah the Hittite redemption process, bittei would hear of an errant leader to be thy wife.” must not be allowed to Hi

Junes 1:15 says, “Then when our lives,

hist hasconceived, it gives birth to After all, it is Jesus who resin; and when sin is accomplished, deemed both David and us. Jesus it brings forth death." Sin, even makes forgiveness available to forgiven sin, leaves a bitter after- all that confess, repent and retaste that is not so easily taken ceives the redemption available ,„ „ away. The Rev. Truevine says, through Him. The cry of David’s rafted to “The bitter injury and betrayal of Slst Psalm is available to every

meet me «iis or OMW who h|fr sit» can be forgiven, but we must broken and contrite heart. “Wash enjoyed die perks and prerogh- not be surprised when an unpleas- me thoroughly from mine miq-

tives of power, and up to that ant aftertaste fin

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community whose life revolved around the church, I recall that all issues found their way back to the church. Spiritual and political life often found a common voice in its hallowed halls.

seeking the forgiveness of both God and man before an understanding congregation. Invariably, the sin of David and Bathsheba was cited as a scriptural context for their sins. The forgiveness of David’s sins

seemed peculiarly crafted meet the sins of those who \ enjoyed die perks and j

tives of power, and up to that

uity, and cleanse me from my

its equations. However, die

Chastisement Hebrew 12:6 st

wiU follow sin. sin.” (Psalm 51:2)

12:6 states, “For whom

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Truevine c/o Rev.

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The WORD lor the Week Christ’s unique death

Christ’s death on a cross almost two thousand years lgo was unique in all of history. The Bible describes it this way, “Christ also died for sins once for all, the just for the unjust, in order that He might bring us to God” (1 Peter

3:18).

First, Christ died “for sins.” Christ paid the penalty due to others for their sins against God. No one else in all of history has ever done this. Second, Christ was absolutely ’just” He was totally without sin.

of “die unjust.” No one else is able to say theyite without sin. “There is no distinction; for all have sinned” (Romans 3:22-23). Christ stood in the place of sinners. He died, “the just for the unjust.” No one else hasgv^r done this. Fourth, Christ suffered and died “in order that He might bring us to God.” Christ takes by the hand those for whom He died and brings them into the very presence of God. No one else is able to do this. Will Christ do the same for you? Yes He will, if you believe

He was “tempted in all things as we in and trust His unique death, are, yet without sin” (Hebrews To hear more on the same sub4:15). He was “holy, innocent, ject, call toll free for the Miniundefiled” (Hebrews 7:26). Christ Message of the Week, (800)777was in no way deserving of death. 0389. For a free cassette tape eThird, Christ stood in the place mail free tape9juno.com

Diva’s of the Gospel *

Thu Slstartioodof tht Good Samaritan Baptist Church sponsored „ ^ ’ . Pm-Wonwn't Day Musical MM W.o< the Gocpd." Md 'T J „ k J!i™l™KL gW,U,,nB

Group of the Year Urban Contemporary: Trin-I-Tee 5:7 Male Vocalist of the Year Traditional: Rev. Gerald Thompson Male Vocalistof the Year Contemporary: Fred Hammond Male Vocalist of the Year Ur-

ban Contemporary: Kirk Franklin

Female Vocalist of the Year Traditional: LaShun Pace Female Vocalist of the Year Contemporary: Yolanda Adams Female Vocalist of the Year

Urban Contemporary: CeCe

Winans

Quartet of the Year Traditional: The Christianaires Quartet of the Year Contemporary: The Williams Brothers Instrumentalist of the Year: Angella Christie Best New Artist Traditional: Hezekiah Walker Presents Love Tabernacle Fellowship Church

Choir

Best New Artist Contemporary: Trin-I-Tee 5:7 Best New Artist Urban Contemporary: New Direction Choir of the Year Traditional: GMWA Women of Worship Choir of the Year Contemporary: Fred Hammond & RFC Choir of the Year Urban Contemporary: Daryl Coley Presents Here II Praise Album of the Year Traditional: Just Churchin’ - Bobby

Jones

Album of the Year Contemporary: Pages of Life - Fred

Hammond

Album of the Year Urban Contemporary: The Nu Nation Project - Kirk Franklin Song of the Year Traditional: As Long As I Got King Jesus - Vickie Winans Song of the Year Contemporary: Let the Praise Begin - Froo Hammond Song of the Year Urban Contemporary: Revolution - Kirk

Franklin

Producer of the Year Tradi-

Saturday evening at the church. Singing to the fullneas of their volcoa,ao¥en women from the IndlanapoBe area gave the membera

Rev. Calvin ')

Never Seen Your Face

Producer of the Year Contemporary: Fred Hammond - Pages of

Life

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