THEY SAY we can’t bring gospel this way

When I was a teenager, Rap City and Yo! MTV Raps were music television shows that made a huge impact on my social culture. These after-school shows played an integral role towards how I perceived the world. During my pre-teen and teenage years, I recall my ‘coolness’ being higher based on my ability to quote the hottest MCs lyrics. Although, that was over 20 years ago, I imagine an adolescent’s social status is still measured by their understanding and awareness of popular music. Looking back, I don’t’ necessarily believe that I was listening to popular hip hop to be cool, but more because I could relate to the music. Also, I believe that my nature and nurture drew me to a preferred music style making me no different from most of my peers within my race.

As I grew up, my music grew up. I catered to artist that rhymed about issues that I found interesting. Like most kids, I was impressionable and my greatest influence was hip hop and sports. I wanted to be a part of and accepted by this culture. Quite honestly, to the core of my being, these desires still makeup a part of who I am. However, since childhood, I have had a major makeover -- I gave my life to Christ. My way of thinking and doing is very different. So now, no matter how captivated I am by the music, the lyrics have to be pointed to a greater good.

For most of my converted life, this has caused some problems. When it came to music, I pretty much ‘threw out the baby with the bath water’. I did make an unsuccessful attempt to embrace gospel and contemporary Christian music for casual listening. However, no matter, how hard I tried; it was unnatural for me. I appreciated the purpose, passion, and worship, but it didn’t move me the way hip hop music did in my youth.

A little more than four years ago at a community block party, my neighbor’s teenage son made an impression. In addition to his genuine authentic relationship with Christ, he was a hip hop artist. His ministry introduced me and my family to a whole new genre of music. My oldest son took a liking to the music faster than anyone in our household. I was elated that he had a positive source to draw inspiration towards a life consistent with the way he is being raised.

It took longer to impress me. Over the last few years during workouts, I’ve resorted to listening to Christian sermons. This really didn’t prove as the most enthusiastic source for high intensity workouts. I definitely needed additional inspiration on my unmotivated days. After missing the energy boost that music provided, I decided to listen to a few mainstream hip hop artists. I was impressed with the music, but was greatly disturbed by the content. To put it simple, most popular music contradicts me... making it difficult to thoroughly enjoy. Thankfully, I had an alternative.

After listening to a wide variety of Christian hip-hop artists on Pandora, I can honestly say that the quality of music is equal to most current popular artists. There is no doubt, that the lyrics are better (for me). For this, I’m grateful. In regards to Christian rap, I went from not understanding how Jesus could be glorified to totally embracing the culture. This experience has further shown me how all of man’s unique talents can bring glory to God.

The purpose of this post is to encourage you not to settle and to seek alternatives in hobbies and entertainment that point towards God. I encourage you to be a spiritual and financial supporter of unconventional biblically-centered ministries. These ministries are designed to meet a need in your, your love ones, or someone you never met life. Last but not least, ask yourself how you are using your talents to glorify and honor God. Don’t write off your gifts and its ability to positively affect others. What you have may be exactly what your neighbor needs to see and hear God more clearly.

Boys versus Men

Recently, I heard a message and simply wanted to share it. I attempted to elaborate, but I think it’s pretty clear. I heard it, while listening to Chuck Swindoll, a well-known Christian leader. He stated a friend shared it with him.

Clearly, I agree with the opinions below. It’s not the gospel of Jesus Christ, but I believe the statements center around His way of thinking and living. Hopefully, one day, my sons will read it and be able to define me and themselves as men, not boys.

This blog post’s purpose is not to offend anyone, but hopefully challenge you, the way it did me.

Boys versus Men
Boys play house, men get married
Boys make babies, men rear children
Boys won’t raise their own children; men will raise someone else’s
Boys seek simply to survive their woman’s disrespect; men seek to understand her with their heart
Boys are content with female companionship, men seek intimacy
Boys seek popularity, men win respect
Boys cast blame, men own responsibility
Boys invent excuses for their failure, men produce strategies for success
Boys look for someone else to take care of them; men look for someone to take care of
Boys are narcissistic and self-indulgent; men are selfless and sacrificial…

If you desire to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, please click on the link below.
http://www.intouch.org/resources/all-things-are-new/content/topic/how_do_i_accept_jesus_as_my_savior_all_things

Failure to ‘pass on’ the fundamentals

For me, one of the most exciting things about being a dad is watching my children compete. I’m a competitive person who sometimes allows my individuality to get in the way of simply enjoying the moment. As a dad, I have no control over my son’s competitive level or interest. This is a constant battle for me that I daily have to surrender for a solid ‘peace of mind’.

Last year, my oldest son began playing basketball. I assistant coached him in his first recreation league. It was bittersweet. Our team had the league best record and won the tournament championship; however, my boy struggled. He was extremely frustrated with the complexity of basketball. Quite honestly, I believed he was relieved when the season ended.

Unfortunately for him, his time of sitting around during the summer had ended. In addition to the usual Christian and educational/fun camps, he was going to attend a few basketball camps. He, like most young boys, needed direction and a challenge.

The summer of 2012 was productive for his development. He, his mom, and I were pleased and noticed a difference, physically and socially. Fortunately, he was ready for additional challenges. He was granted the opportunity to play with more developed players last fall. Again, he fought to solidify an identity on a winning team; however, his liking for this sport grew. Also, I struggled watching him struggle. I clearly had to accept responsibility that his lack of basketball knowledge was clearly an indication of my failure to ‘pass on’ the fundamentals.

My disappointment centered on my child’s reflection of me. Athletically competing through college is not a badge I have chosen to wear publicly, but it is something that I am proud of. I believe that my children have the capacity to achieve the same. I had clearly failed to communicate something that is important to me.

Fortunately, God is faithful in providing moments that reflect what you have taught. Throughout all the struggles of my son developing into a player, many faith talks involving scriptures occurred. His battle made God’s Word more relevant and applicable. Also, the essentials of God’s plan were easier translated throughout his individual victories and tribulations. To simply put it, I believe that God has become more real to him.

After his most recent season ended, my wife and I took the time to tell him our individual faith ‘come to Jesus’ stories. The theme of our stories noticeably was repentance… turning away from our sin and towards God’s plan. He was visibly surprised and inquisitive about our past and the direction we WERE headed. I believed this impacted him further. Within weeks following this experience, he walked into our bedroom genuinely expressing sorrow for unconfessed sins prompting his mom to pray with him. The next day, I had a major revelation.

My son has yet to master dribbling, shooting, or defending, but he has successfully demonstrated one of the fundamental requirements to having a good relationship with God - repenting. As a Christian father, that is truly something to be proud. I can quickly think of a handful of Christian parents who dream of their child sorrowfully repenting.

This is what we have been and are working towards – the eternal, not the temporary.

… the training of the body has a limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for present life and also for the life to come. 1 Timothy 4:8 HCSB

Oh, how I love seeing him score, but his relationship with God has and will always be more important. I pray that God will always hold me accountable to this truth.

                                                                                                                                         

If you desire to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior, please click on the link below.

http://www.intouch.org/resources/all-things-are-new/content/topic/how_do_i_accept_jesus_as_my_savior_all_things

We are all being brainwashed

As my wife cried and honestly expressed, I thought to myself ‘Geez …but I do ask you how you are doing (everyday)?’ I pleaded my case, but I knew that winning this conversation wasn’t going to fix the problem. Ultimately, I needed to humble myself to serve and love a little more in areas, which cause me discomfort. The worse about all this is that ‘I’m tired of adapting!’ We’ve been married for more than seven years and she should know the deal by now, right? Maybe… but since I married a woman with certain needs that I’m obviously not fulfilling; I ‘gotta step my game up’.

Our marriage had hit another ‘fork in the road’ and a decision needed to be made. Luckily, when it comes to my marital relationship, I’m a purpose-driven servant refusing to offer my wife a legitimate reason to mentally or physically detach from me. Hopefully, this will keep me married for a lifetime. I know my wife’s worth. I’ll do what I need to do within the will of God to keep her heart and earthly attention.

There’s daily moments in life where opportunities to decide are present. Whether you recognized life asked you a question or not, you made a choice. As days pass, your answers to life’s questions play out. Typically in hindsight, we can pinpoint when and what decisions were made. From your circle of influence to your sources of entertainment, what you accept in your life molds the way you think and process information. Whether we admit it or not, we are all being brainwashed.

One of the best gifts that God gave man is free will. We are allowed to program ourselves to operate the way we desire. Our words and actions are a direct reflection of our sources of inspiration and what we sincerely value. Before any positive changes are made, we all have to take ownership. Sometimes what we do with our time, energy, effort, and expenses doesn’t match what our mouth says we value. This is a major conflict of interest, which will cause you serious heartache.

When there are discrepancies with what I say I value most, I evaluate the direction of my time, energy, effort, and expenses. Typically, the root cause of my issues are that those four identities are not aligned with the course I desire my life. From my experience, this is the case with most people. We say we want one thing, but practice behaviors which lead to a different spiritual, mental, relational, physical, and financial lifestyle.

Be honest with yourself and others about your values. If you don’t like what your lifestyle reflects as worthwhile, make some changes like surrounding yourself with reminders and encouragers of your morals. For me, my Christian faith is an endless, unchanging, and sustaining-proven source for a productive and fulfilling life. For example, regarding my relational issue with my wife; God has provided me many models of grace, sacrificial service, and understanding, while commanding and encouraging me to do the same.

You are being influenced. Who and what is influencing you? Is your source worthy of following and consistently reflecting your values? Where is your source leading you?

Commit for the 1st time –
http://www.intouch.org/you/all-things-are-new/content?topic=how_do_i_accept_jesus_as_my_savior_all_things

Commit to SERVE –
http://www.intouch.org/you/all-things-are-new/content?topic=does_god_really_want_me_to_serve_all_things