The Love of God is Incredible

The church is the training ground for many brilliant singers. If you were to visit the average traditional black church for a Sunday service, you would likely witness someone who could sing a song with such enthusiasm and energy, that tears would well up in your eyes and your arms would reach toward heaven. You can pick any great singer like Aretha or Whitney, and you will find that their roots go deep in traditional gospel music.

That’s why no one was surprised when sisters Tina and Erica Atkins (a.k.a. Mary Mary) blasted onto the music scene with their debut album "Thankful". They struggled for many years as back-up singers until God loosed them with the hit song entitled "Shackles". That one song was acclaimed internationally, and the disc won a Grammy for best Contemporary Gospel Album. Then it went platinum. That’s not bad for two girls from a California gospel family who were Columbia Records experiment in the contemporary gospel genre.

Well, it’s two years later; and their sophomore project has landed. And as the title implies, it is Incredible. The disc contains a wonderful batch of songs that will surely establish the girls artistically, and will capture the interest of a whole new audience of head bobbing hip hopping victims who need a reason to be happy.

What is the message that these sisters are delivering to us? Are they trying to prove that contemporary gospel generates profits? Too late. Kirk proved that already. They are letting us know that "the Love of God is Incredible." On the title tune, the artists rejoice in the wonder of God’s persistent love for the undeserving. On the song entitled Ordinary People, we are reminded that what we see when we look in the mirror is different than what God sees. God knows all our good and bad, yet loves us anyway (This Love); even when we fail (I Try); He yet smiles on us (God Has Smiled On Me).

The sisters also take time to encourage young girls struggling with a lack of confidence (Little Girl) as well as individuals who find it difficult to overcome a painful past (So Close).

Gospel music used to be all about mutual suffering, a way to moan and groan over the sins and setbacks of the week. So to hear Mary Mary exalting a happy and prosperous life is refreshing. You say, "But it’s not traditional". No, it’s a relentless mix of tunes that goes into your head, flows down to your heart past your backbone into your feet causing your head to bob, feet to pat and face to smile. When you get to the end, you do it again. Sometimes you get knocked down; sometimes you get picked up; a lot like life if you know what I mean.

In conclusion, the Atkins sisters have made their profession of faith. Although they haven’t figured out how to stop sounding so much alike, they sure can sing. They are not trying to be a crossover Destiny’s Child, and if they hold on to their faith, I believed their talents could be the bait to send them fishing for men.

By: Edmund Brown