Run-DMC’s Rev. Run Simmons & His Wife, Justine, Release ‘Old School Love’ – NEW BOOK ALERT!!!

Hello World,

So I’m a ’70s baby. In fact, I am the same age as hip-hop! There were several groups who brought hip-hop to the masses and Run-DMC was definitely one of them! Now, Run-DMC is known as an old school group, but the old school is the best school. (Yeah, I know I sound old. Deal…) Years later, one of the members of the talented trio found the Lord (as we all should) and became Rev. Run instead of just Run. And we learned more about his life as a family man in the reality show Run’s House!  With just about two weeks left before Single Awareness Day otherwise known as Valentine’s Day, I’m so glad that Rev. Run and his wife Justine are releasing a book about their happy marriage! Released today, below is the official synopsis of Old School Love: And Why It Works:

RUN-DMC’s iconic rapper Joseph “Reverend Run” Simmons and his wife, Justine, share their secrets to lasting love and the guiding principles that have kept them together for more than 20 years. Written with Amy Ferris.

This is a book about love.
The kind of love that will keep you warm at night—that will keep you feeling safe and sound.
The kind of love that will get you through some dark times; get you through some hard and yes, some tough times.
The kind of love that will make you laugh, that will make you smile, that will make you nod knowingly.
The kind of love that is nurtured and watered and grows—from a seedling to a flower.
The kind of love that is desperately needed in the world right now, shared and sprinkled everywhere.

Old School Love is a book to help you find the kind of soul-filling love you desire, written by a couple who has built a strong and joyful relationship amid the pressures, pitfalls, and temptations of the entertainment industry. Rev Run and his wife, Justine, have been blessed with a devoted partnership that has inspired others. In this homage to classic courtship, Rev and Justine reveal the secrets to their marriage’s longevity and happiness.

Each chapter of Old School Love offers stories, anecdotes, and memories of Rev and Justine’s marriage, their family, their experiences, their passion, and their deep faith and belief in God. Some will make you laugh, some will make you think, and some will make you cry. Yet all will make you wiser—more beautiful for the wear—and encourage you to be a kinder, more generous, and better human. Their reflections are bookended by a verse or line from scripture, a saying, or a favorite quote and a sampling of personal wisdom.

Over two decades strong, Rev and Justine’s partnership is an inspiration. With Old School Love they are spreading their message of positivity, and creating a legacy for all of us to embrace and share. Powerful and life-changing, this little gem of a book is about magic, and miracles, and yes, the irrefutable power of love.

Old School Love includes 8 pages of photos from Rev and Justine’s personal collection.

Below is a video of the couple discussing their new book…

And below is more information about their national book tour for Old School Love

Any thoughts?

Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles Remembers Kobe Bryant’s Faith in God, Kobe & Daughter Gianna Attended Church Before the Helicopter Crash…

Hello World,

I cannot pretend that I’m a huge sports fan, but I cannot imagine that anyone who lives in the United States doesn’t know Kobe Bryant. I’m still in shock after learning about his death at a mere 41, the death of his 13-year-old lookalike daughter Gianna (known as Gigi) and the death of the other passengers on that tragic helicopter crash on Sunday. I was encouraged when I read this article about his faith in Catholic Courier. See an excerpt below…

As the world mourned the loss of basketball great Kobe Bryant, his 13-year-old daughter Gianna and seven others killed in a tragic helicopter crash Jan. 26, many recalled how Bryant gave much credit to his Catholic faith for seeing him through the bad times and strengthening his marriage and family.

A shooting guard, Bryant was drafted into the NBA at age 17 and played his entire 20-season career with the Los Angeles Lakers. He entered the NBA directly from high school and won five NBA championships. He retired at the end of the 2015-2016 season.

News of Bryant’s death quickly prompted tributes on social media. On Twitter, Archbishop Jose H. Gomez of Los Angeles said “he was sad to hear the news” and offered prayers for him and his family.

See the rest of the article HERE.

Also, Kobe and his daughter went to church that morning before they boarded the helicopter. See an excerpt of a Daily Mail article below…

Kobe Bryant and daughter Gigi prayed together at Catholic mass at their local church hours before they both died in the tragic helicopter crash, DailyMail.com can reveal.

The basketball legend and 13-year-old Gigi went to the 7am service at the Our Lady Queen of Angels in Newport Beach. They both received Communion.

The father and daughter left the church and soon afterwards boarded the S-76 Sikorsky helicopter piloted by Ara Zobyan which was taking them to the Mamba Academy in Thousand Oaks for Gigi’s basketball practice.

See the rest of the article HERE.

Saints, let’s pray for all of those who loved all nine of the people who lost their lives in that deadly helicopter crash on Sunday. This is a sobering reminder that our lives and time are utterly in the hands of God. I pray that we use our lives and time wisely and to His glory…

Any thoughts?

 

‘The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel’ Executive Producers & Cast Attend Television Critics Association Panel (PHOTOS)

Estranged Sister Denise Clark-Bradford did have input in the movie...

 

Kierra Sheard, Shelea Fraizer, Angela Birchett, Queen Latifah, Raven Goodwin and Christina Bell attend TCA in
Pasadena, CA on behalf of Lifetime’s “The Clark Sisters: The First Ladies of Gospel.” All photos are from Getty Images for Lifetime.

Hello World,

I’m sooo looking forward to seeing The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel when it airs on Saturday, April 11th at 8 p.m. Eastern and Pacific, only on Lifetime!

Below is the movie synopsis:

From executive producers and Grammy Award winners Queen Latifah, Mary J. Blige and Missy Elliott, comes the authorized musical tale of the incomparable gospel singers, The Clark Sisters. The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel recounts the story of the highest selling female gospel group in history and of their trailblazing mother, Mattie Moss Clark (Aunjanue Ellis). Credited with bringing Gospel music to the mainstream, the five Clark sisters (Christina Bell as “Twinkie,” Kierra Sheard as “Karen,” Sheléa Frazier as “Dorinda,” Raven Goodwin as “Denise,” Angela Birchett as “Jacky”) overcame humble beginnings in Detroit, enduring abuse, loss, rejection, betrayal, and sibling rivalries to achieve international fame as icons of the Gospel music industry.

Recently, executive producers and the cast from the movie appeared at the TCA panel held in Pasadena, California. Below are a few photos from the panel.

The cast and executive producers on stage…

The cast performs. Look at Queen Latifah getting hype in the background…

Angela Birchett who portrays Jacky…

Christina Bell who portrays Twinky…

Kierra Sheard who portrays her actual mother Karen. Isn’t that wild?

Raven Goodwin who portrays Denise…

Sheléa Frazier who portrays Dorinda…

Queen Latifah, one of the executive producers, just “queening.” I love her…

According to Deadline.com, there was some tea spilled at the TCA panel, “… one question was gotten out of the way early:  Was estranged sister Denise Clark-Bradford consulted in the making of the movie? ‘Yes, she was absolutely given the opportunity to participate in her story,’ said Executive Producer Holly Carter, who was joined on the panel by Executive Producer Queen Latifah (Mary J. Blige and Missy Elliott are also EP’s) and cast members Christina Bell, Kierra Sheard, Sheléa Frazier, Raven Goodwin and Angela Birchett.” Read the rest of the article HERE.

If you haven’t seen the trailer for The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel, check it out below…

Will you be watching The Clark Sisters: First Ladies of Gospel come April?

#TheClarkSisters
@LifetimeTV

Any thoughts?