Bold. Innovative. Gifted. These are the first words that come to mind when I think of the man called Kirk Franklin. Growing up, I wasn’t allowed to listen to secular music, so the closest artist I found the most entertaining was Kirk Franklin. He paved the way for a number of crossover gospel artists by doing things Christian artists and churchgoers criticized him for, like collaborating with secular artists, making music church folks could dance to and play at parties, and make it okay for gospel music to be cool. He’s been in and out of the press and the topic of gossip and controversy in different church communities, but I can’t deny what he’s brought to the gospel music game. He’s inspired and encouraged generations of believers (young and old) and regardless of what anyone says or thinks about him, I’m glad and grateful he shattered glass ceilings on what could be brought to music in Christian and non-Christian environments. If you’ve never heard his work or know who he is, get to know him. Click here for one of his most memorable hits. Enjoy.
About a year ago, I had a dream my dad wanted to talk to our family about something serious. I wasn’t sure what he wanted to discuss, but I knew it was something I needed to prepare myself for. Around the time after I had this dream, I remember stopping by my parents place and sensing something was going on that they weren’t telling me. I tried to dismiss what I’d been feeling, but I couldn’t shake it. Something serious was happening. As I returned to my home after visiting them one day, I was in my kitchen washing dishes when a heaviness hit my heart like nothing I’d ever felt before. Something’s wrong with dad. That’s what that dream was about. God, what’s going on? As I continued washing dishes, I started crying and praying. Then in mid-spring, my dad held an unexpected family meeting that would change all our lives forever. He hesitated at first, and as his voice started cracking and he started crying, he said, “Well, I wanted to talk to ya’ll to tell you that I have kidney disea...