Friday, September 22, 2006
The Current State of "Gospel Hip Hop"
These days i think Hip Hop has lost the passion it once held.
Hip Hop used to be about doing something with your life, succeeding and rising above your current situation.
Making something of yourself for greater reasons then money, drugs, sex and more attention.
I'm talking about finding the strength it takes to do something, to take a stand for truth and honesty.
Today most Hip Hop has lost it's integrity and i believe that's why we see so many people claiming Hip Hop incorrectly.
This irresponsibility also goes on in the Christian music industry nowadays.
How many times do you have to say you "rep for Christ", before you actually represent Him in a fashion He deserves?
So many people degrade Jesus' name with weak music and just as weak messages.
What kind of statement or representation does that give our loving savior?
A pretty pitiful one in my opinion. I think what we need to do is get back into the word to see how Jesus spoke and fashion ourselves after Him.
If you really pay attention when you read Jesus' words you'll see that everything He says is very thought out and powerful.
Is that what we strive for when representing Him through our music?
These are important questions we need to be asking ourselves if we claim to be doing Gods work or presenting the Gospel.
God isn't someone to be toyed with and His message isn't either.
If you are going to claim Him in your music you better claim Him in your life as well.
It's not about how many times you can talk about God or say you believe He exists.
Even the demons believe in who He is and what He can do.
What we should be striving for is presenting the reality of God and His love in a way that is worthy of Him.
Not focusing on selling cd's to youth groups, getting in christian bookstores, or doing shows in churches.
That's all fine and good but when are we going to actually start hitting the non-christian venues?
The other side is already hitting up the churches. Do you know how many Church-going teens there are who listen to music that dishonors God?
When will we take up our responsibility to follow in Jesus' footsteps and truly commit ourselves to the great commission?
The time is now, there's no reason for us to be lazy or delay.
God is not entertainment, He is a lot deeper then that.
He died to reconcile lost children with their father not to be thrown around insensitively in weak songs.
It's about time we realized the gravity of what He's done for us and act like it in our lives and in our music.
Making something of yourself for greater reasons then money, drugs, sex and more attention.
I'm talking about finding the strength it takes to do something, to take a stand for truth and honesty.
Today most Hip Hop has lost it's integrity and i believe that's why we see so many people claiming Hip Hop incorrectly.
This irresponsibility also goes on in the Christian music industry nowadays.
How many times do you have to say you "rep for Christ", before you actually represent Him in a fashion He deserves?
So many people degrade Jesus' name with weak music and just as weak messages.
What kind of statement or representation does that give our loving savior?
A pretty pitiful one in my opinion. I think what we need to do is get back into the word to see how Jesus spoke and fashion ourselves after Him.
If you really pay attention when you read Jesus' words you'll see that everything He says is very thought out and powerful.
Is that what we strive for when representing Him through our music?
These are important questions we need to be asking ourselves if we claim to be doing Gods work or presenting the Gospel.
God isn't someone to be toyed with and His message isn't either.
If you are going to claim Him in your music you better claim Him in your life as well.
It's not about how many times you can talk about God or say you believe He exists.
Even the demons believe in who He is and what He can do.
What we should be striving for is presenting the reality of God and His love in a way that is worthy of Him.
Not focusing on selling cd's to youth groups, getting in christian bookstores, or doing shows in churches.
That's all fine and good but when are we going to actually start hitting the non-christian venues?
The other side is already hitting up the churches. Do you know how many Church-going teens there are who listen to music that dishonors God?
When will we take up our responsibility to follow in Jesus' footsteps and truly commit ourselves to the great commission?
The time is now, there's no reason for us to be lazy or delay.
God is not entertainment, He is a lot deeper then that.
He died to reconcile lost children with their father not to be thrown around insensitively in weak songs.
It's about time we realized the gravity of what He's done for us and act like it in our lives and in our music.
J.D. (Jesus Disciple)
Article featured in MicRippaz Magazine. www.micrippaz.com
Monday, September 18, 2006
Hip Hop and Music these days...
Rappers seem to be getting overrated like kj these days.
It's good that the christian music industrys embracing some hip hop artists but i think the ones they choose to embrace are often second class.
Both christian and secular radio never play any real hip hop, this is why us underground artists are like "dude, forget them".
We don't even care anymore, it's not about the christian music industry to true emcees.
It's really just lukewarm music for a lukewarm culture.
These days it's not about honesty and being real with yourself or God anymore.. it's all about doin' what people are used to, to continue the flow.
Sometimes christians these days are more shut out to God then nonchristians.
(Mostly the people in charge who promote/play music that keeps christians happy and buyin/listening.)
Being a christian musician is not about calling yourself a christian musician, it's about being a musician who chooses to glorify God through their music and their life, while at the same time pointing out hypocrasy and bringing the truth to light for all to see.
So i leave you with this, next time you hear someone claim to be a christian musician.
Look at the fruits of their tree, in other words... the result of their actions and "ministry".
It's good that the christian music industrys embracing some hip hop artists but i think the ones they choose to embrace are often second class.
Both christian and secular radio never play any real hip hop, this is why us underground artists are like "dude, forget them".
We don't even care anymore, it's not about the christian music industry to true emcees.
It's really just lukewarm music for a lukewarm culture.
These days it's not about honesty and being real with yourself or God anymore.. it's all about doin' what people are used to, to continue the flow.
Sometimes christians these days are more shut out to God then nonchristians.
(Mostly the people in charge who promote/play music that keeps christians happy and buyin/listening.)
Being a christian musician is not about calling yourself a christian musician, it's about being a musician who chooses to glorify God through their music and their life, while at the same time pointing out hypocrasy and bringing the truth to light for all to see.
So i leave you with this, next time you hear someone claim to be a christian musician.
Look at the fruits of their tree, in other words... the result of their actions and "ministry".
Tuesday, June 27, 2006
The Real Agenda of the Peace Movement
Liberalistic unity will not bring anyone closer to anything but complete anarchy.
You will only find true hope and peace through the Creator of everything. (Including war)
There is a time and purpose for everything He has made, no matter how hard we try to ignore it.
Some people today may claim to be starting a "new" movement of peace and love, but it is only old, Godless, new-age philosophy in new packaging.
Don't be decieved, peace may only be reached by following in the footsteps of its Creator.
If you ignore His existence you will never even really understand the meaning of what you speak when it comes to that area of discussion.
It is pointless and irrelevant to say you are "for" something while at the same time you deny it's very essence.
War and division are almost always essential in reaching real peace and unity.
Taking those out of the equation leads to complacency and silent destruction.
That is the true agenda of the peace movement, it honestly is a conspiracy.
This popular so-called "new" philosophy actually degrades the reality and existence of true love.
Positivity without reason or foundation is meaningless.
My answer to the Black Eyed Peas' question "Where is the love?" is this...
Love is everywhere God is recieved and nowhere He is not.
You will only find true hope and peace through the Creator of everything. (Including war)
There is a time and purpose for everything He has made, no matter how hard we try to ignore it.
Some people today may claim to be starting a "new" movement of peace and love, but it is only old, Godless, new-age philosophy in new packaging.
Don't be decieved, peace may only be reached by following in the footsteps of its Creator.
If you ignore His existence you will never even really understand the meaning of what you speak when it comes to that area of discussion.
It is pointless and irrelevant to say you are "for" something while at the same time you deny it's very essence.
War and division are almost always essential in reaching real peace and unity.
Taking those out of the equation leads to complacency and silent destruction.
That is the true agenda of the peace movement, it honestly is a conspiracy.
This popular so-called "new" philosophy actually degrades the reality and existence of true love.
Positivity without reason or foundation is meaningless.
My answer to the Black Eyed Peas' question "Where is the love?" is this...
Love is everywhere God is recieved and nowhere He is not.
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
The Truth About Love
I read last night from a somewhat well known book called 'I kissed dating goodbye' Trying to reconstruct my sorry attempts at love. I was in the last pages of the book, and reading the painfully honest truth about what it takes to make it work in the real world. And I was left thinking "If this is
what love really is, maybe I don't even want it." And as I thought about it today, I realized more and more that the truth is, We really don't want it. I read the book and realized the sacrifice and
dedication involved in a marriage and I realized for the first time that love is not cute. Love is hardcore selflessness, sacrifice, and compromise.
I'll try to clear things up for you as best as I can. Jesus is the perfect example of love, but his experience on earth was in no way comparable to the romantic fantasy we view as modern love. Because Jesus loved us, he withstood our ridicule, he forgave our sins, he endured beatings, and he eventually died a very painful death after being betrayed. But today we look upon love and point out only what is accepted as pleasant, (though not nessicarily G rated.) As society often will. But thats really only a small peice of the pie, obviously alot of happiness came out of what Jesus has done for us, and surely the same should be true for us. But the difference is Jesus didn't come here so he could have the peace and joy and forgiveness, he came here so we could. So make sure your relationship priorities are focused 100% on the other person. When you chew on that enough and discover what that truely means, as I did while reading this book, I have little doubt you'll be thinking "If thats what marriage really is, I'm not so sure if I'm ready for it yet." And if thats not what you're thinking I suggest you go buy a ring. God help you son.
what love really is, maybe I don't even want it." And as I thought about it today, I realized more and more that the truth is, We really don't want it. I read the book and realized the sacrifice and
dedication involved in a marriage and I realized for the first time that love is not cute. Love is hardcore selflessness, sacrifice, and compromise.
I'll try to clear things up for you as best as I can. Jesus is the perfect example of love, but his experience on earth was in no way comparable to the romantic fantasy we view as modern love. Because Jesus loved us, he withstood our ridicule, he forgave our sins, he endured beatings, and he eventually died a very painful death after being betrayed. But today we look upon love and point out only what is accepted as pleasant, (though not nessicarily G rated.) As society often will. But thats really only a small peice of the pie, obviously alot of happiness came out of what Jesus has done for us, and surely the same should be true for us. But the difference is Jesus didn't come here so he could have the peace and joy and forgiveness, he came here so we could. So make sure your relationship priorities are focused 100% on the other person. When you chew on that enough and discover what that truely means, as I did while reading this book, I have little doubt you'll be thinking "If thats what marriage really is, I'm not so sure if I'm ready for it yet." And if thats not what you're thinking I suggest you go buy a ring. God help you son.
Tuesday, April 18, 2006
John 18:37
Pilate replied, "You are king then?"
"You say that I am king, and you are right," Jesus said. "I was born for that purpose. And I came to bring truth to the world. All who love the truth Recognize that what I say is true."
"You say that I am king, and you are right," Jesus said. "I was born for that purpose. And I came to bring truth to the world. All who love the truth Recognize that what I say is true."
Sunday, April 16, 2006
Murder & Mercy: The Easter Story
This week i was sitting at youth group spazzing out like a bum like usual...(jk)....anyway, the youth pastor asked what easter meant to each of us personally...
I replied simply with "Murder & Mercy".
A pre-arranged homicide, betrayal by a brother, a man arrested when He did no wrong.
Charged for crimes He never commited, beaten, tortured, torn & bleeding.
Hanging on a cross with nails through Him...
Punished for the sin of all mankind.
It is truly Murder & Mercy... the death of the one pure & spotless lamb for Gods mercy on the unworthy...and that's everyone! no matter what sins they have commited.
The easter weekend to me is the greatest tragedy and yet the greatest gain you could ever recieve.
The one perfect lamb died as a sacrifice so that we could all be made just as pure and perfect in the sight of God.
Don't deny the greatest love ever, don't deprive yourself of the greatest friend you could ever have.
I replied simply with "Murder & Mercy".
A pre-arranged homicide, betrayal by a brother, a man arrested when He did no wrong.
Charged for crimes He never commited, beaten, tortured, torn & bleeding.
Hanging on a cross with nails through Him...
Punished for the sin of all mankind.
It is truly Murder & Mercy... the death of the one pure & spotless lamb for Gods mercy on the unworthy...and that's everyone! no matter what sins they have commited.
The easter weekend to me is the greatest tragedy and yet the greatest gain you could ever recieve.
The one perfect lamb died as a sacrifice so that we could all be made just as pure and perfect in the sight of God.
Don't deny the greatest love ever, don't deprive yourself of the greatest friend you could ever have.