stackin
My thoughts today return to a great love for this age in which we live and a yearning to touch the young with the grace and power of God. I've received His amazing grace. I've been blessed beyond my dreams. He has given me satisfying relationships. He has given me a deep sense of personal satisfaction. He has been in my life a presence that provides real security. I know He means to do for me that which is good. Now I want everyone to know how wonderful the Lord Jesus Christ is. I have a particular concern for those who are a part of the hip hop generation. Many of our children are leaving the church in droves. I'm convinced that at least part of the reason is we are not connecting with them as we should. God takes us where we are as we are, and then makes us what He wants us to be. The way we now respond to the hip hop crowd in most of our churches must change. What types of changes should we initiate?
posted by work it out @ 12:33 PM
24 Comments:
I think the biggest thing needs to be a change in the mind. As a whole, the church needs to go back to accepted everyone as our children, just as God does. We’re all guilty of sometimes being protective or possessive of the Lord, and trying to, even in subliminally trying to decide who is worthy or what's acceptable. The biggest thing I think is for us all to DAILY remind ourselves THAT WE ALL HAVE SINNED AND FALL SHORT OF THE GLORY OF GOD. With that in mind, sin is sin, and none is acceptable, but its not deacon so-and-so's job to decide or judge that young brotha who's only option is to hustle or whatever, but to show him a tangible example of the unchanging and unconditionally love that God gives us, and not to make it seem like braids are the devil, rapping is the devil, drums are the devil, dance is the devil, but that evil is the devil, and all those things you find fun can be magnified exponentially when you use those gifts to glorify the lord.
Most of all, I think its important to listen, Listen, ask questions, and not necessarily agree with everyone a young person has to say, but just listen, respect a differing opinion, then share your opinion and why you feel the way you feel without totally making someone feel like the scum of the earth for having dreads.
Once again,
The preacher’s son
Thanks again preacher's son. I'm really hoping this will be the kind of venue where ideas can be exchanged. This is a conversation that has been long overdue in the main stream. Respect is something all contributors will definitely get from me. I check this site daily in order to learn. The unconditional love of God is what has kept me going through many hard ordeals. Maybe through speaking and listening all of us can change for the better.
Full of hope,
Work It Out
Just another thought that popped up in my head. A lot of cats that don't like rap/hip hop/whatever you want to call it, judge the art form based on a video they may see on BET, or a song on the radio about back that thing up. But I pose this point. There are bad examples of everything, good poets, politicians, even car salesman. That unethical car salesman who sells you that lemon whip that only lasts long enough to get off the lot don't represent the reputable, respectable joints where you can get that whip that runs without any problems. With the music, you have people like Rakim, KRS-One, even more recently a Public Enemy or Common, who try to give conscious and responsible lyrics uplifting and encouraging the youth. And to the anti-religion, "I don't need church" cats, remember this. There are examples where flesh has corrupted a perfect and flawless God, don't associate whatever your case is (the overbearing auntie, bad church experiences, priest scandals) with God, Because the same way we defend the music from the bad apples, the same applies homie! We have to remember, for some cats, Chuck D was their Dad, and Michael Jordan was their dad. So what was it that made it that way? No father figure at home, and they see a strong figure, confident, and looking like they are having fun. Now imagine a Chuck D/Creflo Dollar hybrid, an individual confidently, forcibly, and humbly delivering the word of the lord with the same conviction, but in a format captured to what the youth need to hear. Real life examples, not just rules, but more an invitation to a relationship to understand why the rules are in place and in a way that shows that a relationship with the lord isn't like the NFL (No fun league), but its a party. Its fun, you can laugh, smile, dance, sing, jump around, all that. Well like usual, I've kind of bounced around, but I'm coming straight from the heart so I hope ya can feel me, but hey, that's what this is for. And to me, this is what a relationship with God is about. KEEPIN IT REAL, and puttin in work. And don't be deceived into thinking you have to come on a certain format or style or wording to come to lord with whatever you need. If he created everything, I'm sure he can understand where you coming from. So they same way I talk to Lord, which don't get me wrong, is respectful but just how I personally connect with him, is the same way I hope we all connect. Respectfully, honestly, humbly and Real. lastly, think back to the Blueprint album Jay-Z released, many cats live by that. So I look at the Bible as the Blueprint, b/c it is. Its stories in there are like a map to life, and for me when I started to look at the bible and break it down the same way I broke down some jigga lyrics, I began to grow b/c I was able to internalize those joints and relate to Job and how he exemplified faith the same way I could relate to the Jay-Z song Renegade. what ya think? The same way time makes things grow, hip hop went from sugar hill gang doing basically nursery school rhymes, and if a cat like KRS-ONE would've never challenge Busy Bee to a mc battle, saying we need to come with a more real message, we'd still be listening to "baw widda baw, da bang da bang, biggie biggie". So apply that to this topic. If we don't challenge the rituals and not acknowledge we deal with a living God, where will we be in 10 years?
TIME IS HERE, to put in work.
holla back
Preacher’s son
ps: imagine
These comments are really makin' a brother think. I know what God wants from us is an authentic walk. He is not looking for clones and cheap imitations. I also know that my personal walk with God has been a joy. There is an adventure in walking with God that I would never want to lose. The fact that God is a living, moving God is what makes following Him so exciting to me. I don't know if it's so much about challenging what is, just for change sake. I think it's more about being heart level true to what God wants out of each one of us even if it means change. Even looking at life for an individual person, anything that is alive is always changing. Having been in professional ministry for quite some time, I have seen that the institutional church has been resistant to change. There are some fresh winds blowing though. I think we must realize that everything traditional is not bad, nor is everything new dangerous. Understanding and cooperation is the key. To make it happen will also probably mean patience from all.
I think changes in our standards our necessary. our society has made it ok for things that aren't ok. and i find myself making sure i'm not judging myself on today's worldly standard and keeping the standard comparing to the perfect one. trying to stay away from that i'm not as bad as them attitude, ya know?
That's good stuff! The part of worship and walking this thing which is personal can't be mixed with what others do. I want to follow the Lord as He leads me. I can't determine how He's leading someone else. Another brother or sister maybe more advanced than I am. If that is the case and I measure myself by them, I'll always feel badly about myself. Conversely if I am a little more on top of an area spiritually than another person, measuring myself to them will only make me proud. Lord help me to walk my walk and support others in walking theirs. Christ is the only perfect standard and we will all answer to Him for ourselves.
That is so true, we need to walk our walk because the relationship with Christ is personal. We sometimes make the mistake of comparing ourselves to others when in actuality we are in the same boat, trying to be more like Christ. Sometimes we focus on others and their issues due to ignorance or just not wanting to face our areas of weakness. When we look at God's standard by the example of Christ we are so far from the mark no matter how good we look to others. When we keep our hand in God's hand he will help us with our struggles, but will also keep us in check that we have not arrived.
The personal walk is the beauty of the Lord's design in my opinion. I love the potential for advance that is available to us. I love the way His grace and power prevails. I appreciate the excitement that comes from stretching for what's ahead. I'm happy about the fact that there is no staleness in Him. It's so good to think about Him being strength in my weakness. It's satisfying to see how far I am from what I used to be. It's also humbling to understand how far I still have to go. I even feel wonderful about my walk being different from someone elses walk. It's just good to be a child of God working on my own journey. Keep the faith folks!
Keeping the faith is difficult and trying at times, but Jesus said he would be with us always even until the end. In spite of the rough spots, we know that Jesus is there. Because Jesus is on the journey with us, the walk is worthwhile.
Thank's for the daily words of encouragement. Thank you for allowing God to use you to bless many. May God continue to bless you and keep you and make his face to shine upon you and give you peace!
You're right anonymous,
Keeping the faith can be a bit tough at times. Even with all the promises God has given us, it's hard at times. When we can't see our way and nothing seems to be going right, even then God is working His plan. That doesn't always make it easier for us at the time, but it is true. Determination is the key for us. We can't control so many things on the journey. So much is out of our hands. One of the things we can do is refuse to give up or give in. Please don't see this response as empty words without feeling. I've experienced more than my share of times when I wanted to give up. Some have even been recent. However, with perseverance, I've seen God does always do something to turn the tide. He either changes things or He changes me. May His amazing grace continue to carry you!
i guess i'm a homer, but i gotta say that pastor rob's word are real, for all the people out there. I know we idolize cats like Air Jordan (my favorite) and admire cats like 2Pac and others for keeping it real, but from first hand perspective, the message is real and its embodied in his everyday life. This brotha is BY FAR the realest dude I know, so I just hope as you browse this site, hear the word, and just correspond back and forth you don't put up the "oh he's a preacher" vibe, b/c he's a christian man, father, husband, brother, son first that happens to preach, and that's real talk. Keep it up dad!
Thanks for the encouragement B. When good words like that come from right in the home camp, something must have been done well. Nobody knows me better than the people in my own family, and family has always been very important to me. By the way I'm in Pittsburgh right now. I'm campin' out at Granny's. She is doing well and asked about you. Uncle Reg was by yesterday and we had a bunch of laughs as usual. The mood in town about the Steelers is serious gloom and doom. You would have never guessed that we just won a superbowl. Anyway, God is good and life is good. Preaching tonight at New Life Church Of God. I'll be there through Sunday. Remember me in your prayers.
Later Dad aka Work it out!
Now, that's what I'm talking about. Whenever you can be a Christian in your own home and among those who know you best, that is a testimony!!!!!
Sometimes we can show our best church faces to others, but when we get home, sometimes what is reflected, God would not be pleased. If we can show the love of Christ to our families, that can be the best testmony to our unsaved loved ones...not how much time we spend in church or on this board or that one.
No doubt! The 1st and most important place there is to live the right way is at home. We spend most of our time at home. We can't front and play those mask wearing games at home. The people that should be the most important paople to us on earth are at home. Before there was even a thing known as the church, God created family. Love for Him and love for family is tops. Most of the downward trends, concerning our community, can be directly linked to failures in the family. We've got to prioritize family togetherness.
This is so true. We really need to get Godly family values back and make family a priority. I see lots of people going their own way and seeking after their personal priorities at the sacrifice of God and family. Many times making family a priority requires work that many people don't want to put in.
For sure! Anything that is worthwhile requires some effort. If we're not willing to work and invest ourselves in our families, we will certainly pay a dear price. That's the thing. We're going to pay for what we get one way or another. Personally I'd rather put work in on the front end and have family harmony, than to experience the price of pain on the back end for not investing what was needed.
The front end investment is a lot wiser than back end of having to bail someone out of jail later or dealing with a child who can't get a job because of the bad habits we instilled or allowed to go unchecked. We have to pray for our parents because I know that many have a hard time with today's pressures. We have to pray that parents realize that even in the struggles of parenting you have to put God first. In putting God first you have to live in a godly manner in front of your children. You can't live raggedy and expect saints. God gives you the guidance you need to have a great family experience, not MTV, BET, or VH1 or trying to buy our children's affection.
By the way, nice picture of the week.
So true! The mistakes that can be made as parents are many. Most of us either inherited the styles of our parents, along with their mistakes. Others just learned by trial and error. Family life takes understanding and forgiveness from both parents and children. I know there have been times when I've had to say I'm sorry to both my children. Probably other times that I should have and didn't. Anyway, there is no doubt I made some mistakes.
Thanks too about the photo comment. The photographer could have told me to fix my collar. He was a friend of mine too. Well the clothes were ugly, but I was rockin those sideburns! It was a happy day. We've been together a lot of years now and I'm still crazy about that girl! May many of you contributors to the blog find the happiness I have.
Grace to all
I think that it is great that children see parents admit that they are not perfect and that their point of view is being heard. Also, it is wonderful to see such positive sentiments about marriage. I do understand what you mean about marital happiness and it is my prayer that others experience it as well.
God Bless!!!!!
I'm happy to here of marital joy from you as well. It's becoming increasingly rare in our day. That makes it a blessing to be even more highly prized. I know you're not taking that for granted. In fact there is so much bad news concerning family situations, I challenge the happy folk to place some comments out here. Let's rejoice over the blessings of God in our homes together. Let our small piece of the world know that God is still blessing couples and families.
It is too bad that we hear so much negativity about married life. You are so right that God is still blessing couples and families and that is definitely not something to be taken for granted. I thank God everyday. It takes faith, prayer and work. What I mean by work is that you have to make your marriage a priority. You can't let it slip in priority to things such as work, bills, or the other stresses in life. I think that marriage is something that should be talked about more in churches and what God expects from husbands and wives. This should be taught from a biblical perspective and not from personal bias. God wants us to have victory in every aspect of our lives and wants us to be more than conquerors on our jobs, homes and every place we are represented.
Ok, now I know that there are more happy married folks out there than work it out and anonymous. Let's celebrate the blessings that God has given us.
Crazy Things I've Seen
I once ran into a young woman that was convinced that the Lord wanted her to leave her husband and get hooked up with another man. She couldn't have been more sincere about what she believed. She was sincere, but wrong.
Work it out
Oh my...I've seen crazy behavior in church meetings. Folks gettiin' all loud and confrontational like they on the block somewhere over foolishness.
That is one of the reasons why I don't like church meetings now.
Other crazy stuff that I have seen and heard about is pretty much hypocrisy...do as I say, but not as I do. This is something that I see directed towards youth. I was enlightened to some church behavior by my Sunday School kids (i.e., talking in church, texting, arguments in the name of the Lord over silly stuff). All things that we get on them about. Also lookin' down on somebody when you do the same stuff yourself. Or hearing the Word of God and blantantly telling the vessel that you gonna do what you want to do anyway and you don't care what they say, preachers being locked out of the church because the lock was changed, preachers arguing over a lady (both preachers were married)...I could go on and on....and we wonder why folks don't want to come to church....
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