Shirley Murdock

The other day as I was driving to work I heard a familiar voice sing, "It's morning...", but it did not register who it was until she followed it up by saying, "This is Shirley Murdock and you are listening to (insert gospel radio show name)."

Hearing her advertise for the Christian radio station made me laugh to myself a little. I mean, this is a woman who as far as I can tell is best known for singing the song As We Lay. You know the one. It is when she sleeps with the married guy, while she is also in a relationship. It is a really great song and her voice is phenomenal, but why is she on the Christian station. I am not saying that I know anything about her as a person and she very well could have pulled a Montel Jordan and become a minister. I am just saying that she will forever be associated with that song and that song will always be associated with be trifling and adultery.

Then I started thinking about all the secular artists that dabble in Jesus when they need a boost or a place of refuge. It is like when people go to jail and they "find" the Lord. That is kind of what happens when either your records stop selling or you get in trouble. That is around the time they record a gospel/inspirational album (I'm looking at you, R. Kelly!) and Christians eat it up. I am just saying, instead of trying to nominate him for a Stellar/Dove or whatever award someone should have explained that Jesus was not walking with him on the drug run and in the club so much as He is OMNIPRESENT and as such had to be there- 'cause He is everywhere. I am not saying that we should not support people who have made a change or that secular artist are not welcome to sing of God's goodness. I am just wondering aloud about our exceptional willingness, eagerness even to support their efforts even when they have shown clear signs that they have no plans to change are just using us for publicity or image rebuilding. (Montel- you are in the clear, R- you...not so much.)

Be honest. It is not always because we want to encourage them to keep growing in the Lord. Sometimes it is because we want to feel better about listening to that artist. I mean, nothing makes up for singing about your body calling and possibly having inappropriate relations with minors quite like telling people that they can fly. Since we are being nonsensical and tongue in check, would someone please tell me what the hell makes people think that is a gospel song? I am not even sure if that song makes me feel inspired, but I digress.

Reason number 2 is because if we really think about it many of us are feeling like if this half-baked, two bit hustler can sing about God and get into heaven then I know I'm straight. For those who believe in heaven I have some news. It is not a comparison thing. You don't get in for being better than that other guy. You both get to stand outside for being out of order. Besides, all she did was record the song. You are the fool singing and acting it out.

Speaking of the song. I started thinking about the lyrics and about the way people phrase things. For example, why do people tell you that they "slept with someone else". It is not the sleeping that is the problem. I can get over you taking a nap. It is the sex with someone else that is the problem. Do you think that by calling it "sleeping" that it somehow lessens the blow. Newsflash- it DOESN'T. Then a song I liked came on and I lost my ranting mojo.

Yup. I got all this from one radio spot. Stay tuned for more.