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Tuesday, January 27, 2009

The Lunacy Continues

Saints here we go again. It's time for a little comic relief and a whole lot of prayer for the mind...because it (the mind) TRULY is TERRIBLE THING TO WASTE!

With that said, I guess I simply have to go back to the roots of this blog some 15 months ago with Get Right Church & Let's Go Home and Saints vs. Celebrities Pt.1. It was at that time that the church was facing another wave of moral collapse. The Bynum-Weeks Fiasco as it came to be known was spread all over the internet, television and newspapers showing that even those in the ministry had their social and marital problems.

I think we already knew that. We were aware that good, decent and saved folk do struggle in their marriages at times. However, what we didn't know is how actually "crazy" some of the individuals were (are) that are directing the church, counseling marriages and receiving church folks money by the millions per month. Some of these, like the one featured in this article even claimed (if not in words certainly by essence) to be seated at the right hand of God. Unfortunately this same one was not aware that she needed to duck to avoid the "right hook" of man...

Yesss...She's back...The Queen Of The South...Ms. Juanita Bynum-Weeks reborn into Juanita Bynum II...

What In The World Is That?

Essence Magazine recently did an article on Ms. Bynum who was allegedly battered and abused by her estranged husband Bishop Thomas "The Love Dr." Weeks III. As we all know Juanita was stricken in a parking lot with the underside of the Bishop's shoe...or as my friend Sabatha Lewis says, "Beat In The Street With A Cleat" .

Now I know you think I'm probably not saved to make fun of something potentially so serious...and I agree that there is never an excuse for domestic violence and abuse, but I really believe that when we examine this case as we have, we will have to honesty question if any of the participants were ever saved or in their right minds from the beginning.

I say that because these individuals never ceased to exalt themselves. In one instance Bynum claimed that she "was no ordinary preacher like these others", and that she had an unusual gift from God that placed her in a category all by herself...She did this while the crowd cheered and was awestruck over her prophecies that were sometimes kindergarten interpretations of biblical and non-biblical constructs made up to keep the dollars flowing.

She's Back

Only this time she is reborn. She is now Juanita Bynum II. On her 50th birthday celebration Juanita dawned her wedding dress to celebrate her rebirth. She is now the second in a succession of mentally challenged individuals in the same body who love the spotlight and attention.

Pastor Don't You Have Anything Else Better To Do Than To Bring Up This Junk?

Nope. Not at the moment. Besides they have nothing better to do than to do this junk in the open.

Why Is This Important?

Now that's the question a true critic asks.

This is important because Juanita has never repented or apologized to the church for any of her schemes and shams that she has tried to perpetuate on the Body Of Christ. Neither her or her estranged husband have ever stopped one time to address the millions of people that they duped or deceived while they headed global Destiny Ministries. The problem is that people actually believed their lie and now that she is "getting her life together" the people are just another pawn in the grand scheme of things and are expendable.


Just look at the history. After her alleged abuse the next thing you know was that Juanita was off to Hollywood via Oprah's ranch to be the "new face of domestic violence". After she left the ranch (because she wasn't invited) she went on to divorce her husband a day after she said on TBN that she wished him well and hoped to reconcile. Thomas Weeks thought that too because even he claimed that they were trying to reconcile until he got the memo that the reconciliation was off when he was served the divorce papers.

All of this happening and children, families, adolescent and aged alike watched on. Some scared to comment because other said "Well, you better not talk about it 'cause it can happen to you too." TRUE. It, divorce or domestic violence, can happen to anyone, but HOW it happens and WHAT happens makes all the difference in the Kingdom of Christ. Because there is a potential that it could happen is not the basis for true leaders and true leadership to back down from the message of the truth and righteousness. ie: Fear tactics are ineffective and no more than mind and crowd control. What's strange is that seems to be the air the church breathes today.

What's The Mind Behind The Madness?

This is where the true saint comes in at and becomes the most effective. Juanita is in need of prayer and her inner circle will seemingly only affirm her. In fact if I'm her friend there's no way I sit silently and let her put on a gown, carry around a sword and celebrate a birthday like that. That's flat out EMBARRASSING. Look at the mind for a minute. Let's see, when asked why she was wearing the gown Juanita responded by saying this:
  • "One of the greatest moments of my life was the day that I married. That day was supposed to be the defining moment of my life when I would show the world that I had stepped into my womanhood."
The world KNEW that she was a woman BEFORE she got married. She had told the world about "No More Sheets" and how various of her body parts were sold and had been sold to men all around the country for various prices. She must have been the ONLY one in the United States that thought she hadn't reached her "womanhood" Let's read on:
  • "It was always the original intention of my dress and I refused to let it not be because it was made for me. So I wore it because I felt like someone had robbed me of that right. I waited so many years to walk in it and I wanted to give the dress the honor for which it had been made. My father told me to always face your fears head-on, and since this was the dress that is connected to the incident for which the whole world remembered me, I said that if I'm going to cross over I have to go back and stand in the same place."
What is that Juanita. Overcoming your fear and entering your womanhood through a dress or article of clothing??? Is this a word from the Lord or what???

Then she spoke of the importance of he wedding dress, her rebirth, new name and evolution:
  • "...When I stood in that dress for the second time I looked at myself in amazement because I knew the real moment that I waited for all my life had come again for me to define who I was."
Hold the phone. A wedding dress "defined" who she was? Forget what God says...let's all look to be defined by our clothing now.
  • "So that's when God gave me my new name, Juanita Bynum, II, because I have redefined myself and been reborn. It was like being given an opportunity to be me again—the new evolved me. I rewrote my ten commandments and I declared that my past would not be a part of any mockery, shame or error, and it would only be a part of my future for me to pass on lessons about my experiences..."
She said God gave her a new name because SHE has redefined herself and been reborn??? Then she "rewrote her 10 commandments" What is that??? That is mental pressure speaking and an unsound mind. Problem is she's still directing the lives of others in this condition, still selling books and still receiving offerings from the faithful...WOW! Now, be careful, because the last celebrity rebirth that we experienced was Kirk Franklin. Soon after he declared his rebirth, he was on Oprah declaring that he was a recovering porn addict. All the while he was an award winning gospel artist. Is something similar in the works for Juanita Bynum II?

Now this is where it could get sticky...So far as the sword is concerned...(And I won't quit my day job to go on a comedy tour) let's see what she says about that:
  • Bynum: "Yes, I told my manager when I lifted that sword [during my birthday celebration] I had something on me and that I'm getting ready to fight for every woman I know who has low self-esteem, feels like she can't get herself together or has been made to feel like trash. That fight is in me for real now."
Now I wonder what she's gonna do with that sword. If she reads this we probably all know what her response is to that question, but all I can say is that those who live by the sword die by the sword. The new sword we have is an invisible and all encompassing sword of the spirit and of the WORD which is the only thing able to meet the needs.

Now, I told you 15 months ago that she considered herself a celebrity. When asked about her sincerity in her endeavors what does she say?:
  • "People that don't understand the life of a celebrity would say that. You should never talk or fight while your opponent is fighting. Let them say anything and everything they are going to say. I'm a lady so I don't do that. But everybody in their right mind knew I was going to stand up for it with dignity and not like a clown. I had a story to tell. There are things that happened in my marriage that I will never discuss because there's no need. Today, I am married to my destiny and l promise to remain faithful to her forever and always."
In other words we question because she, as a celebrity, has a life that we common folk can't quite grasp. Self exaltation STILL reigns in this lady's mind. Can the church, does the church see it? I wonder. In addition, she was always married to her destiny...that was what most of her most popular messages were about...a self destiny and purpose. Certainly NOT about the Kingdom of Christ.


I do want to conclude by relaying my sympathies for the death of her father 7 months ago. This was another very stressful event upon her. I really and sincerely believe that Juanita has snapped and should be advised by at least one of those 300 people who went to her birthday event to sit down, get some sound counseling, restore or establish a relationship with Christ and don't be afraid to become and be another face in the crowd of the sanctified and blood washed host.

Romans 12:1-2 ~ "1-I beseech you therefore by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy , acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. 2- And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and accpetable, and perfect, will fo God."

Blessed!

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Saturday, January 24, 2009

For All Those Who've Been In The Struggle

Special thanks to my friend and ministry associate brother Enochwalked for directing me to this article from WorldMag.com. in response to my article Yes We Can ~ Eliminate Abortion. Can't We?

I must confess I fell in love with this lady pictured to the left...and she IS NOT my wife.....Now before I start a scandal on myself, you need to know that the love was and IS a godly and pure love and happiness for someone's success in Christ and spiritual commitment.

You see, I was just overwhelmed with the mission and glory of the Lord upon the life of Mrs.Tijuanna Adetunji. This lady, Mrs. Adetunji, not only grew up in the projects, not only had one abortion at age 17, but she had a second abortion at age 25.

What made me so glad to know her by way of this article is that she didn't stop there, and her mistakes didn't end her life. This young lady allowed the Lord to pick her up, dust herself off and is now used in the ministry service of the Lord along with her husband in restoring the lives of other young ladies who are now caught in the same traps and are considering making similar choices in life.
For Those Who May Feel They've Failed

In this particular post, I wanted to take the special time to acknowledge that we often preach messages of what we should do or what we're supposed to do. That's in order and the TRUTH must be preached. However, I wanted to take special time and thank all of those reading this who have at one point in their lives failed, but REFUSED to be a victim of either their failures of the failures of others that were placed upon them.

Now, we must confess, abortion is murder, homosexuality and lesbianism are abominations, and choosing to be a single parent is certainly an unwise move. BUT for those who have been in those situations, relied on God for help and deliverance, and have done the best that they could with the help of the Lord, I want to COMMEND you. I commend you for not settling there or being satisfied with those mistakes or situations that you were dealt. I want to commend you for holding on to God or getting to know God and becoming and being part of the solution to the serious problems that we face and see everyday.

You see, I am aware of young ladies and men who were molested or inappropriately handled at young ages and have consequently struggled with their sexual identity, desires and intimate relationships. In our MLK Jr. Holiday celebration our special guest Dr. Bill Cosby spoke of a lady who was molested in her youth and became promiscuous her whole life and went on to give herself to crack cocaine and eventually was so depraved that she sold her daughter to pay for it. Thank God she recovered from this horrific circumstance, but she still has intimacy issues with her spouse, and it's a day by day journey for her. The truth is that some people never recover from such circumstances. Some people loose their minds and their life, but we know that only Jesus can truly heal a broken heart.

I am aware of some mothers who were married, had children while they were married and were doing the right thing, only to have their husbands walk out on them for another woman, leaving them a single parent, to deal with school and daycare situations, find a job and pay the bills in many cases without help. Still, for others the Lord saw fit to call a spouse home when the children were young. I know that wasn't easy by any means, and people who didn't know the situation were quick to lump you in with others who didn't hold to the moral standards that you did. I know it was tough. Those situations are breeding grounds for disdain and utter contempt. BUT YOU MADE IT with the help of the Lord!

I know it wasn't easy. I know you had it hard. I know there were things in you that you wish weren't there, or didn't realize was there because of what you've been through...BUT, I know as you found that Jesus came to heal all wounds, and you didn't stay where you were. Thank you for finding that LIFE is worth living.

John 10:10 ~ "The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly."


I guess I simply wanted to say that I am godly proud of all of our godly women who have taken the ashes that were given to them and allowed God to exchange them for beauty.

Isa. 61:3 ~ "To appoint unto them that mourn in Zion, to give unto them beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness; that they might be called trees of righteousness, the planting of the LORD, that he might be glorified."

For Those Who Currently Feel The Weight Of Their Burdens

Whether it was your fault or the fault of others who placed you in whatever situation you're dealing with, you too can have the same relief and gain the same purpose in life that Sister Adetunji and countless other godly women have. No matter how you got into the situation that you're currently in, God is able to heal your heart, use you for his glory and cause you to be an example and valued treasure to the community.

Why You Are Essential To The Purpose

I attended a School board meeting this week to fight to help keep a high school from closing. After I spoke to the board there was a young lady who took the mic. She said she was a foster child and had never had a stable home in her life and the only thing that she had that was stable and the same everyday, was her school and the people in her school that had helped her change her grades from D's and F's to A's and B's. She explained that these people were there for her and had her back. Yes, she admitted that they were tough, told her the truth, and wouldn't let her slide, but she acknowledged that she was fortunate to call the school HOME. She questioned why the board would take her HOME and her STABILITY from her.

I cried, at her testimony, and I further thought, when will the church truly be HOME for hurting people? There are thousands of these young ladies in every city wanting someplace to simply call home and needing somebody to simply be there for them.

The truth is they're not looking for a place to party, nor a place to socialize but a place where they can bring themselves which includes their frustrations and failures and leave it all at the alter of the Lord's mercy and receive the power to be what they can't be on their own...You see, they want to be told the truth without manipulation, because some of them realize that otherwise they've been lied to. They want to be loved on for who they are, not for what they can perform and ultimately be shown out of their current conditions into a new life and way of living.
Heb. 4:15-16 ~ "15-For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin. 16-Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.

When will all these things be?

As my friends, the group Commissioned said some time ago...Well, the time is now, and the day is today!

I just had to share this word of encouragement with you. For those who have aborted a child and realized the error and grievous mistake, give it all to Jesus and take what you now realize and heal these other young ladies and men of their ills.

For those who have become overwhelmed in promiscuous behavior, sexual sins and or homosexual sins...you too can be free and washed of those sins and the burdens of guilt beneath the flood of the cleansing blood of our Lord and savior Jesus Christ. Confess, repent and commit your heart and ways to HIS care. I simply believe and know that Jesus is coming back...and I want to meet all of you on the other side...Well, here too, but surely over there!

Psalms 51:7-13 ~ "7-Purge me with hyssop, and I shall be clean: wash me, and I shall be whiter than snow. 8-Make me to hear joy and gladness; that the bones which thou hast broken may rejoice. 9-Hide thy face from my sins, and blot out all mine iniquities. 10-Create in me a clean heart, O God; and renew a right spirit within me. 11-Cast me not away from thy presence; and take not thy holy spirit from me. 12-Restore unto me the joy of thy salvation; and uphold me with thy free spirit. 13-Then will I teach transgressors thy ways; and sinners shall be converted unto thee."


Blessed!

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Friday, January 23, 2009

Yes We Can ~ Eliminate Abortion. Can't We?

Thursday Jan 22nd was the 36th anniversary of Roe v. Wade in which the US Supreme Court upheld the right to murder babies. This act is shrouded in more culturally acceptable language and has been traditionally called the "woman's right to choose" but as I often say "a rose (in this case poison ivy) by any other name..." etc...
According to the Associated Press, supporters of an individuals right to life took the opportunity to descend upon The National Mall in Washington DC two days after what was one of the most widely hailed Presidential Inauguration ever, only this time, there was no celebration due to any political victories, there were only reminders of what is arguably one of the worst decisions in US Supreme Court history and reflections of what that decision has done to unborn American Citizens.

As a reminder, and as outlined in In 100% Change Man, and Barack-ing the Gay Agenda, Can We Really say Yes To This Change?, since Roe v. Wade in 1973 it is estimated that over 50 Million babies have been aborted or killed. This is in comparison to the following statistics and facts specific to how this has affected the African American community:
  • Since 1973 in the African-American community 203,695 people have died of AIDS
    Since 1973 in the African-American community 1,638,350 people have died of CANCER
    Since 1973 in the African-American community 2,266,789 people have died of HEART DISEASE
    Since 1973 in the African-American community 13,000,000 (13 MILLION) people or (BABIES) HAVE BEEN KILLED under the guise of abortion aka a woman's right to choose. This amounts to approximately 1,452 deaths per day.

One of the myths that I have already clearly outlined in Abortion Issues & Myths is that abortion should be lay because it is "medically necessary" in cases of or rape and incest. The facts are that abortions arising from rape and incest only constitutes about 1.5% of all abortions annually. In addition since pregnancy from rape or incest is not an instantaneous occurrence, it has been found that immediate and proper treatment in the hospital and removal of semen from the uterus is an effective method of reducing or eliminating this threat also. [See the results of studies of 4,800 victims of rape in the St. Paul-Minneapolis area, as cited in John F. Hillabrand, "Dealing With a Rape Case," Heartbeat 8 (March 1975):250] In addition, the term "medically necessary" is an ambiguous and subjective term stating that a woman has a right to have an abortion for any reason she prefers during the entire nine months of pregnancy, whether it be for gender-selection, convenience, or rape. Therefore, there is a significant difference between what is essential for someone to live and what someone desires because their life is inconvenienced.

According to The Washington Post.com Although our new President choose not to attend the march he did issue a statement saying that he agreed with the Roe v. Wade decision expressing in part that it, "not only protects women's health and reproductive freedom, but stands for a broader principle: that government should not intrude on our most private family matters."

First of all this statement is totally ridiculous and contrary to the scheme of government in general. In fact because government is so large and will expand under his Presidency he is simply providing a legal equivocation on the issue and covering it with an an emotionally charged sentiment with which we all agree...we don't want gov't to intrude into our most private and family matters, however we all know that some matters, that are considered family and private, are often open to governmental intrusion. Example, taxation...Your check has your name on it and is for the benefit of your family, however if you don't pay your taxes guess who intervenes? Example, our prisons are filled with a disproportionately high number of black males. Many of them are there due to drug use (not sales)...They were engaged in a "private family matter" but guess who had the right to intervene? Further, I am aware of hospitals and states taking rights to conduct certain medical procedures even when the "family" has "privately" decided to seek alternate means. I have seen families have to seek legal council and go to court to try to exercise their "family and private" rights. There are a host of other examples that could be used, the fact of the matter is that the President's addressing of this issue is an obfuscation of his more deeply held belief that he espouses that a human is really not a human and has NO RIGHTS at the moment of conception...

Nonetheless, these statements also agree with his previous statements on the subject:
  • "I may be opposed to abortion for religious reasons, but if I seek to pass a law banning the practice, I cannot simply point to the teachings of my church or evoke God's will. I have to explain why abortion violates some principle that is accessible to people of all faiths, including those with no faith at all."~ Senator Barack Obama "A Call To Renewal" Washington DC 6/28/2006

In this statement our President provides a pluralistic argument called the imposition of morality and totally eliminates that thought that all laws (whether good or bad) are a product of a value system or set of beliefs. By minimizing biblical beliefs and making those beliefs only products of faith, the President displays that in his understanding, certain moral values either do not exist or are not generally accepted outside of the faith community. He specifically links an anti-abortionist stance to religious belief. That is simply not the case.



"And so I think anybody who tries to deny the moral difficulties and gravity of the abortion issue, I think, is not paying attention. So that would be point number one. But point number two, I am pro-choice. I believe in Roe v. Wade, and I come to that conclusion not because I'm pro-abortion, but because, ultimately, I don't think women make these decisions casually. I think they -- they wrestle with these things in profound ways, in consultation with their pastors or their spouses or their doctors or their family members. And so, for me, the goal right now should be -- and this is where I think we can find common ground. And by the way, I've now inserted this into the Democratic party platform, is how do we reduce the number of abortions? The fact is that although we have had a president who is opposed to abortion over the last eight years, abortions have not gone down and that is something we have to address." (Presidential Debate, Saddleback Church 8/17/2008)


This argument for abortion is called the Argument Against Public Policy Forbidding Abortion. The path of this argument as President Obama uses it is textbook. These are the three points that President Obama generally hails in the defense of abortion:
  1. There can never be a just law requiring uniformity of behavior on any issue on which there is widespread disagreement.
  2. There is widespread disagreement on the issue of forbidding abortion on demand.
  3. Therefore, any law that forbids people to have abortions is unjust.
Every African -American in the United States should demand that Obama relieve himself of these views. Frankly stated IF he is right in his approach then we (African-Americans) should all have remained enslaved. Why? Because there was WIDESPREAD disagreement over the abolishment of slavery. So much so until a war was fought over it and the country was cut in half.

DISAGREEMENTS on an issue DO NOT make an issue invalid. But yet our President continues to provide this sort of rhetoric in the name of unity and finding common ground.

So where does President Obama get this overall idea? I believe he received it from former Supreme Court Justices who have ruled on the issue:
  • "We need not resolve the difficult question of when life begins. When those trained in the respective disciplines of medicine, philosophy, and theology are unable to arrive at any consensus, the judiciary, at this point in the development of man's knowledge, is not in a position to speculate."...he further concludes..."In view of all this, we do not agree that, by adopting one theory of life, Texas may override the rights of the pregnant woman that are at stake." ~Justice Harry Blackmun, "The 1973 Supreme Court Decisions on State Abortion Laws: Excerpts from Opinion in Roe v. Wade," in The Problem of Abortion, 2d ed., ed. Joel Feinberg (Belmont, CA: Wadsworth, 1984),195-196.
In other words because there is seeming or apparent disagreement on when "life begins" we revert to a "non- life theory" as evidence and support for the position???
  • "The Missouri Legislature [which said that life begins at conception] may not inject its endorsement of a particular religious tradition in this debate, for 'the Establishment Clause does not allow public bodies to foment such disagreement" ~ Justice J. P. Stevens "Webster v. Reproductive Health Services," United States Law Review 57 (22 July 1989): 5044-45

In this case the anti-abortion sentiments were said to be "religious traditions" and ultimately statements of faith, and the "establishment clause" was used to work against the state endorsing religion.The facts are that just because a philosophically and scientifically plausible position may also be found in religious literature such as the Bible, that does not mean such a view is exclusively "religious."...Ooh what a tangled web we weave...
In The Rumor Mill

Word on the street is that 1st Lady Michelle Obama is currently pregnant. Now this may be totally unfounded and one can do the research for themselves but IF she is, I wonder is it really a human in her womb according to President Obama's understanding.
Then I wonder does it have any rights or a right to live?
Then I wonder, if it (he or she) does have a right to live, why doesn't every unborn child in this country have that same right?
As I have pointed out before, I would like our President to explain that to Sasha, Maliah and me.
Final Note:
What is your churches and Pastor's position on this issue? Have you heard a message preached on this subject from the pulpit or even in a teaching class? I would like to know.
Blessed!

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Friday, January 16, 2009

Hip-Hop, Idolatry & The Church Pt. 3

Saints, of certainty, many individuals believe that allowing hip-hop place or life within the church is what the church should do in an effort to "win all men" to the cross. How many times have we heard 1 Cor. 9:19-23 quoted in defence of certain practices and the acceptance of hip-hop in particular within the church? In fact here are the verses:

19-"For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. 20-And unto the jews I became a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; 21-To them that are without the law, (being not without the law to God, but under the law of Christ) that I might gain them that are without the law. 22-To the weak becamse I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23-And this I do for the gospel's sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you."

In order for one to properly understand and apply this scripture one must seek to find what is called the Sitz im Leban (real life setting) of the character and scripture. Failure to do so will lead to many erroneous renderings of Paul's intents such as we popularly hear espoused within our churches today.

In verse 19 Paul declares his spiritual liberty as well as his spiritual responsibility toward the lost. He indicates specifically that any liberty afforded to him is tempered by his spiritual maturity and ultimate command to reach the lost. In other words Paul understood that his life and actions were to be a vehicle used by God so that others could be saved. The primary assertion that must be dispelled when looking for the Sitz im Leban of this verse is that Paul was suggesting that sin or the elements of sin could be used as a tool in restoring, reaching or gaining the lost. Paul is not saying that using sin is a tool to draw the lost. In fact, Paul is clear that one cannot continue in sin:

Romans 6:1-2 ~ "What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin that grace may abound? 2- God forbid. How can we that are dead to sin live any longer therein?"

Romans 6:12~ "Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof."

Apostle John also affirms the same principle:

I John 3:2-6~ "Beloved, are we the sons of God and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; and we shall see him as he is. 3-And every man that hath this hop in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure. 4-Whosoever committeth sin transgresseth the law: for sin is the transgression of the law. 5-And ye know that he was manifested to take away our sins; and in him is no sin.6-Whosoever abideth in him sinneth not: whosoever sinneth hath not sen him, neither known him."

James further affirms that sin is not a tool used by God. He says this in his epistle:
James 1:13 ~ "Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:"

Sin was never and is never a tool for the church to use in gaining it's converts. The ungodly elements of worldly inculturation is exactly what came to liberate us from. The facts are that the church was to encourage the world and all Christians to leave sin behind. (1 Cor. 6:19-20, 2 Cor. 6:14-18,)

Secondly, for the record, Paul was both a Roman citizen and a Jew. He was a Roman citizen by birth (Acts 22:28) and a Jew by lineage(Gal 1.15; Phil 3.5; Acts 23.6) Paul was in a rather unique situation in that he could easily flow in and out of certain arguments to suit the need that was being presented. In the case of 1 Cor. 9 Paul was referring to his ability in Acts 23:2 to stand before Ananias the co-High Priest (a Jew) and Acts 24 when he stood before Felix the Roman Procurator. This ability to "become all things to all men" took Paul all the way to Ceasar. There was at no point a letting down or a suggestion of letting down spiritual integrity to "draw" anyone to Christ. In fact Paul's mission was clear, it was NOT to become a part of the culture through any associations but was to transform the culture through his preaching and teaching the Gospel of Christ.

Now as I have noted, I Cor. 9:19-23 has often been used as a proof text encouraging individuals and churches to allow and include anyone with almost almost any type of sinful proclivity. When I say include, I do not simply mean to attend or draw from the service or ministry of the church. I mean to lead and conduct worship or ministry service for God and his church.

This is partially why there is such confusion over what the church should do and how it should be done. When sinners are in leadership, there will always be confusion and problems within the church as to how it should reach and teach the lost.

Another aspect of the misinterpretation of this scripture is that some use it to promote a deception from Saint to sinner. In other words some feel that the Christian duty is to almost trick the sinner into being saved by talking their language or communicating with them on common ground. The object of this approach is to minimize any shortcoming (sin) in order to win the sinner and to make him/her feel more comfortable with us personally and with the gospel potentially.

The only problem with this approach is that there is no conviction of sin. There is no repentance. There is only sharing, caring and emotional servitude. In other words this is not the gospel that either Jesus or Paul preached...it is the gospel and the strategy of men in seeking to replace the Holy Ghost in convicting the sinner of his/her sins.

Now, undoubtedly I will be criticized for this and since I am batting .1000 I may as well go for the new world record and continue to abide within my calling.

First, the church must know that the operation of the Holy Ghost within the world is to convict the sinner of sin and call them to repentance

John 16:7-9 ~ 7- "Nevertheless I tell you the truth; It is expedient for you that I go away: for if I go not away, the Comforter will not come unto you; but if I depart I will send him unto you. 8-And when he is come, he will reprove the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgement: 9-Of sin because they believe not on me;"

Conviction of the sinner is the work of the Holy Ghost. The minister and the church was supposed to merely stand fast and proclaim the word of God and allow God to convict and convert the sinner:


Isa. 58:1~ "Cry aloud, spare not, lift up thy voice like a trumpet, and show my people their trangressions and the house of Jacob their sins."

John 15:3 ~ "Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you."

So the basis of scripture in reaching the lost is vitally important to understand. Unfortunately, not all churches have that understanding as we are living in one of the greatest times of apostate ministry that we have ever witnessed. Not only are there personal failures as we all pray to avoid by God's grace and mercy, but there is flat out flase teaching that has given sin within the church life and anointed hip-hop with a new name while offering the same results.

Currently, Christianity has become so inclusive that it has what is called Holy Hop-Hop Week, awards and a Hoy Hip-hop Summitt. It's during this event that the stage becomes full of "Christians" throwing up their hands and using gang signs and insignias, wearing low-rida pants, dawning louie scarves, promoting grafitti, breakin' and Deejayin', and wearing all the bling, that we readily identify with secular hip-hop. Proponents have argued that they are entitled to their individuality and personal freedoms to express Christ as it suits their styles. Further that they are simply providing variety in a diverse world. Under secular law, this argument may have some merit. However ALL Christians are constrained to serve Christ BIBLICALLY and in accordance with the scriptures.

1 Cor. 6:19-20 ~ "19- What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? 20-For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God's"

1 Cor. 7:23 ~ "Ye are bought with a price; be not ye the servants of men."

Remember as Paul stated in 1 Cor. 9:19, his personal freedom was also a mark of his personal responsibility. Those who promote and advocate the so called "holy hip-hop" violate a cardinal principle of a biblical community, and that is the requirement to be founded on and by biblical doctrine and biblical and godly acceptable modes and methods of operation. It is precisely that brand of self individuality and "me firstism" right out of the Ayn Rand handbook of Atlas Shrugged, that Christ has come to deliver us from.

This years Holy Hip-hop awards are taking place at the time of this post, Jan 16th & 17th 2009 at at Center Stage Arena (formerly known as Earthlink Live Arena) in downtown Atlanta, GA. Here's a small excerpt from their advertisement:
  • "Holy Hip Hop Awards will be MCd by eDDie Velez (Da Preachin Puerto Rican) and Erica Cumbo. Go Ye Djs are the exclusive DJs for Holy Hip Hop Awards. Fla.vor Alliance: Official Breakers & Graffiti. Street Team Promotions Powered by: CIO Music and MTM Entertainment (Ted McCloud and Derrick Woods)."
In this we see almost all of the elements of hip-hop in action. Remember what hip-hop's first principle is:
  • Breakin,
  • Emceein,
  • Graffiti Art,
  • Deejayin,
  • Beatboxin,
  • Street Fashion,
  • Street Language,
  • Street Knowledge and
  • Street Entrepreneurialism
These elements of secularism and secular hip-hop have life in the genre called "holy hip-hop" and are an affront to the holiness of God.

In an August 2002 Article with Charisma Magazine a former member of secular rap group The Three 6 Mafia (or 666 Mafia), Delmar Lawrence (Holy South Ministry) relayed his concern that holy hip-hop artists could not potentially reach their target audience until they (the artists) model the lifestyle that they sing about. This is interesting because it carries an acknowlegement that "holy hip-hop" does not yet have the element of "holiness" that it would need to be true to its name. CrossRhythms.com reports Delmar's take on his record label and Holy Hip-hop:
  • "It is a record label that produces hip-hop in Christ. Not 'Christian hip-hop' or 'gospel rap' but hip-hop in Christ. It's a movement of a hip-hop generation, surrounded by hip-hop culture - but representing the lifestyle of Christ."
Mr. Lawrence reveals that "holy hip-hop" doesn't really make sense, and therefore changes his perspective to "hip-hop in Christ". I actually have more regard for his view than any of the others I've heard within that genre of music. But there is still a conflict because he describes that his record label is ultimately about a "movement of a hip-hop generation surronded by hip-hop culture, but representing the lifestyle of Christ"??? What is that? It begs the question, "Can any man serve TWO diametrically opposed God's and worldviews?" He also said this about his calling to salvation and leaving the 666 Mafia and the eventual calling of the Lord:
  • "It came to a point where this was something I wanted to do but I really wasn't happy in my soul with that. So, I came off a tour one Easter Sunday and went to surprise my family. I hadn't seen them in four months of me being on the road. God spoke to me like right there. I wasn't even listening to the pastor. I couldn't tell you today what he was preaching about. I just know that I had an experience with God. I heard his voice and he told me to come out. I asked him, 'What do you mean, come out? What do you want me to do?' He (God) said, 'I want you to do the same thing you're doing now. Just do it for me.' I was saying that gospel rap was corny and I couldn't do that. Then he began to show me visions of auditoriums and young people and all of this stuff. When I saw that, something in me was convinced and I said, 'Okay God. If I do this, you're going to have to take care of me.' After all, this was all that I wanted to do and I'm not about to leave one lifestyle just to step out on nothing and not know what's what. He told me to trust him. The next day, I went to the label and told them I was leaving." (Emphasis mine)
Now, I don't intend to say that Pastor Delmar is not saved. That's beyond me. I do intend to say that looking critically as we should at his testimony that there are some unhealthy signs and bad information in his statements. What's more is that his primary testimony of God calling him out of the world to stay in the world is contrary to scripture altogether.

2 Cor. 6:17 ~ "Wherefore come out from among them and be ye seperate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,"

The talent of these artist is not what I question. I question the associations and the payoff that they receive by surrendering to hip-hop in general. For some it is purely monetary. For others it comes complete with noteriety and fame. For James Moss aka J. Moss it also comes with illicit affaris and children out of wedlock. You see some time ago Mr. Moss decided to put together a song called "Living 4" In this song he encourages both himself and his entorage to not get caught up with a "groupie" that will bring them down. On this song he says the following about leaving this groupie:

"Didn't wait for the night time, the high time, the right time
Bein as it was, we had to close the door
It's like turnin away from a million bucks
But I can't see you no more "

Well this is what I call a Christian hip-hop tragedy. It will cost J. Moss approximately $220,000 (not to mention court costs) to leave his illicit lover and the child that he fathered. In Oct. 2008 a judge ordered a DEFAULT judgement against the 36 year old Christian hip-hop guru demanding that he pay $1,028 per month to support his new child (Christion) by 28 year old Lakisha Hughes. Not only did J. Moss not show up in court but he also offerd to pay for the abortion.

Then there are artists like Pastor Ma$on Betha, (formerly Ma$e now Ma$e again, now Pastor Ma$e again) Not only can this Pastor not drive after midnight in a transvestite laden section of Atl, but he also left secular music to enter into the church with the following belief (directly from their Website):

"Once Mason Betha understood that he was “Born To Succeed” (1 John 5:4), he realized that he was created to be the catalyst for millions to receive this same message. What does “Born To Succeed” mean? It is the principle that once a man accepts Jesus Christ as his personal Lord and Savior, he has become an “overcomer”. Thus, you are entitled to total-life prosperity"

Ie: GOD IS A MONEYMAKER! The truth is that after finding that church support is sometimes very slow, in 2004 pastor Ma$on Betha decided to to return to the secular music world (with sound pastoral advice from Dollars Creflo) to deliver his former associates and "undo" some of what he had done previously. Unfortunately, all he found was 50 Cent who was willing to co-produce a story about a street gangsta turned backslidden preacher working and using the church. However from all indications P-Diddy (Sean John Combs), who was in charge of the "paper" simply said "Show me the Money!", which led to the breakdown of the plans. It is said that is the reason Ma$e is now back in the church expanding his ministry on the backs of the faithful willing to believe that his steps are truely ordered by God. Unfortunately for him, the world is not as willing to believe that his actions have anything to do with God. This is what the world says about Ma$e even if the church refuses to say anything:
  • "I guess the good news is that the pretty boy gangsta rapper turned pastor is just like a groundhog prophet who delivers it's prediction and then disappears, but the bad news is...we can still see you" (Eben Gregory, Hip Hop Weekly Magazine,Volume 3 Issue 24 pg. 72)
The world recognizes that a person can't be in two places at the same time neither spiritually or naturally. What kind of rationalle can his supporters offer the world and those they are to witness to?

It cannot go without note that one of the most visable ministries promoting what is called Holy Hip-Hop, (which is at best a non term and more accurately an oximoron) is the youth minister of New Birth Missionary BAPTIST Chruch of Lithonia, Ga. eDDie Valez aka Da Preachin' Puerto Rican, and founder and President of The Fellowship of Holy Hip-hop and the Holy Hip-hop Summitt as listed above. Minister Velez's take is that the church must become relevant to this generation. He said this about a message that his Bishop, Bishop Eddie Long preached in 2002 about the "Dry Bones" of Ezekiel 37:
  • "God is telling Ezekiel to prophesy to the bones, to speak life into a dead situation," says Velez, 37(now 43). "Now, [the baby boomer generation] may be able to say, 'There are dry bones on your job...There are dry bones in your subdivision...There are dry bones in your church auxiliary.' "But [the younger generation] is unfed because [they] need to hear: 'Yo, there's dry bones in the projects, in the hallways where you hang out, kid. There's dry bones when y'all hanging in front of the liquor store, slinging crack cocaine. God is telling you...to prophecy to them right in front of the liquor store. Speak to them that they might have life.' "But [older church members] might not know about standing in front of the liquor store anymore because they've been delivered from it," he adds.
It should also be interesting to note that at the 2009 Holy Hip-hop Awards, Minister Velez is teaching a seminar called: "Reach One, Teach One" True to its roots, this saying and a variation "Each One, Teach One" was developed by the 5% Nation of god's and Earths as an encouragement to spread the Nation's message and anti-Christ dogma.
Even though Christian hip-hop is struggeling to find its identity and message there are yet those within the Christian rap industry that are critical of other Christian rappers. One such example is former secular hip-hop DJ Frankie Cutlass. Cutlass the founder of God Squad Entertainment, is also responsible for secular songs such as "Shake What Your Mama Gave Ya." but says this of Christian rappers:
  • "Christian rappers kill the world too much,"..."The world knows they're going to hell...Seventy-five percent of ministry is love. Show them the love of God. The other 25 percent is the Word,"
It's just one of those strange things about Christian hip-hop. It is destroyed by the word and truth must be measured. In his case he doesn't equate the love of God with the word of God. In this case Cutlass feels that we only need 25% word, 75% should be love ie: inclusion or tolerance and acceptance of sin, the world and ungodliness. This is a total redefinition of the mission of the church as given by Christ.

Mt. 28:19-20 ~ "19- "Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost: 20- Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen"

Even artists such as Kirk Franklin have bought heavily into the hip-hop strategy of reaching the youth. His famous words, "Just in case you think gospel music has gone too far..." Well, both he and it has... In a recent interview with Gospel Flava Magazine on his new project called "The Fight Of My Life" he explained why he placed a hip-hop song on the CD called "I Like Me" with a rap by gospel rapper Da T.R.U.T.H.. He said this:
  • "When you're trying to reach kids you've got to speak their language. Kids like beats, so I had to drop some like they was hot."
In the world of hip-hop the word of God is ineffectual. It is powerless to them to reach and teach the lost and certainly is not relevant unless it is cloaked in colloquialisms or modern relevant garb. In other words the word must be dressed up and hidden before it makes sense to the youth or the target audience. Once again this is in direct conflict of scripture which teaches that the word of God is the "power of God unto salvation" (Rom. 1:16) Once again this is a redefinition of the culture as it pertains to God.

Then there's The Cross Movement. Through it's spokesman The Ambassador aka William Duce Branch ThM this group has long been one of the biggest promoters of hip-hop within the church. These young men believe that there are "Non-sinful elements within hip-hop that can be used by God" They also claim that hip-hop like any other culture is an indigenous culture and that God did not want the church to be involved in cultural assimilation.
  • "People are at the root of culture, and neither people nor their culture can just be thrown away. Aspects of their culture can be discarded when those aspects offend God, but you cannot force total cultural assimilation on any group. You see it’s easy to throw away something you don’t care about, but it’s hard to let go of something you feel an attachment to."~ The Ambassador, The Christian Living In Hip-Hop Times Pt. 1 Oct. 2005
Is this true of hip-hop? Was it the culture into which Black Americans in particular were born or did it become an inculturation of society or a subculture within society? I believe that I have and can sufficiently argue the latter against The Ambassador's assertions.
Contrary to both their appearance and purpose, The Ambassador does not believe that he is defending hip-hop, he believes that he is celebrating diversity:
  • "While we are not defending hip hop, we are reminding people of the biblical principle of unity and diversity, the reconciliation of all things, and the rights of all people to enjoy God within the context of their natural elements (as long as those elements are not sinful)" ~ The Ambassador, The Christian Living In Hip Hop Times Pt. 1 Oct. 2005
He also believes that hip-hop cannot be seperated from personality, and can be used as a conduit to deliver the message of God:
  • "Hip hop is no more than the tint through which the light of God’s glory can shine. We know that God’s truth alone changes lives, but preaching has been describes as "truth poured through personality." The "personality" is not the truth, but it is simply the means of providing variety in God’s diverse world." ~ The Ambassador, The Christian Living In Hip Hop Times Pt. 1 Oct. 2005
The major flaw of his complete message is a presuppositional bias and a control belief that hip-hop is the way the culture is RATHER than the way the culture has become. In his premise he also makes an effort to seperate sin from the philosophical construction of hip-hop which is both demonstrably sinful and anti-Christ/God in both it's purpose and mission. These things CANNOT be overstated.

A Note Worth Evaluating:

Thus one of the underlying spiritual principles are revealed of hip-hop. For those who have ever tried to witness or minister to a muslim, whether that be a member of the Nation Of Islam or American Muslim Mission or a 5%'r, You are quickly told that the religion of Adam through Abraham and even Jesus was Islam. In other words the entire culture is supplanted in their minds and they begin with a presupposition that ALL men were Muslims to begin with. The Ambassador constructs his arguments as if ALL men were hiphoppers to begin with and as if hip-hop is a cultural norm similar to being an American, Canadian etc. This type of thought is apripos for the teachings of the Universal ZULU Nation, and 5% nation of god's and Earths. The fault with his argument is that we have clearly demonstrated that hip hop is not only a subculture, it is based on secularisms, ungodliness, and anti-God RELIGIOUS principles. In other words hip-hop unlike being an American, African, Canadian etc is based on elements of SIN and has no redemptive intent and cannot be redeemed until it acquiests UNDER the Cross of Christ and rids itself of the individualism that it needs to exist. The scripture is clear:

Gal. 2:20 ~ "I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me."

The Ambassador wrote a 76 page thesis to complete his theology degree from Dallas Theological Seminary. I plan to do an indepth analysis of that thesis right here on the Dunamis Word or The Dunamis Word 2 so please stay tuned.

Summary:

In this segment we have discovered:
  • Hip-hop has more than an association with the world and secular society.
  • Hip-hop is a complete world view
  • Hip-hop cannot be reconciled with the Cross as the Cross demands that lifestyles, personal prefrences, and diversity become subject to it.
  • Hip-hop requires a compromise with sin even if that compromise is subtle, God does not use sin to bring glory to himself other than bringing them bound in sin out of sin.
  • A Christianized brand of hip-hop contiinues in all the elements of secular hip-hop including clothing, gang signs and other things that come with the culture. These things are totally antithetical to Christian living and life and not condusive or reinforcing to the bublical message of holiness or sanctification (Heb. 12:14)
  • Christian hip-hop artists express that the biblical message by itself is inadequate or obsolete to effect change within this generation and must be tempered through personality and positive overtones that are offered through the hip-hop culture.
  • At best MANY of those who hold to and promote hip-hop have added to the confusion of some within the church and world through lifestyles in which Christ has not been glorified.
Orthodoxy & Orthopraxy

I will conclude this section by noting that the First and Second Century church would have NEVER allowed individuals to call themselves Christians unless they ascribed to being seperate from the world and sin. This is called Orthopraxy, the practice of right living or biblical living. Orthodoxy is not the problem within the hip-hop church. We all believe that without faith in the shed blood of Jesus for remission of sins that we cannot be saved and further believe in the bodily resurrection of Christ. Orthodoxy is not in question. Orthopraxy is rightfully in question and is something that the entire church is constrained to uphold. Our missionary endeavors DO NOT allow us or afford us the right to let down the standards of orthopraxy or the practice of right living. This is the confusion of the hip-hop church, that God will somehow give a pass to the practice of sin within the church. I believe that I have demonstarated that to not be the case. I will go further indepth into this in my next post.

I hope that these segments have been a blessing to you and your family as you have read. I will attempt to lay down what I believe is additional sound biblical teaching designed to free individuals from the deceit that hip-hop continues to offer to our youth and churches in general, and also reveal a spiritual event in which you, your church and ministry can participate demanding that our youth, churches and communities experience true spiritual freedom.

Blessed!

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Wednesday, January 14, 2009

A Special Condolence

As we pause:
The Members and Saints of New Bethel Ministries including the New Bethel Church Of God In Christ and Bethel Epiphany Church Of God In Christ, wish to extend it's most heartfelt sympathies to the family of Mother Lula Champion-Blake.

It is with all sincerity that we commend the remaining family including Administrative Asst. Supt. J.A. Blake Jr. and Presiding Bishop of the Church Of God In Christ, Bishop Charles E. Blake and, all family in their loss. May the Lord add many blessings to the memory of a Sainted Pioneer who has served faithfully in the Lord's Army.
"...She was the wife of the late Bishop J. A. Blake, former Second Assistant Presiding Bishop and General Board member of the Church of God in Christ. Mother Blake was pastored by her son, J. A. Blake, Jr., who succeeded his father, Bishop J. A. Blake 25 years ago at the historic Jackson Memorial Church, later named the Fountain of Life Church of God in Christ in San Diego, CA. Pastor J. A. Blake, Jr. who now serves as the Administrative Assistant to the Presiding Bishop for First Jurisdiction of California, and his lovely wife Dorothy, cared for the matriarch of the Blake family with loving support from the Presiding Bishop, Mrs. Mae Blake, and family.

For many decades, Mother Blake served diligently beside her husband in the Lord’s Vineyard. Her labor has been rewarded with rest from the terrestrial vicissitudes of daily life; with joy from the realms of glory; and eternal and celestial residency secured by Christ with His own Blood."
Revelation 14:13~ "And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them."

We pray our continued blessings and strength upon the family, Saints, and friends.

Blessed!


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Friday, January 9, 2009

Hip-Hop, Idolatry & The Church Pt. 2

A Community In Crisis:

As we stated in Hip-Hop, Idolatry, & The Church Pt. 1, hip-hop is certainly no less than an anti-God world view that covers both political and social agenda. Hip-hop uses religious terminology, a form of Islamic belief and rank secularism to promote it's message. In this segment we will continue to look at what I call the "apostles" of hip-hop so that we can get a better picture of the current framework on which hip-hop rests

This month (Jan 2009) offers one of the most anticipated feature length films in hip-hop history covering the 25 year life of one of hip-hop's most renown, modern apostles. The 6'3" 250 lb. young man known as "Biggie Smalls" "Big Poppa" or simply as "The Notorious B.I.G". Christopher G. Wallace, after 11 years since his murder, (which yet remains unsolved) has gone on to legendary status among the hip-hop faithful. Affectionately called "The John The Baptist" of hip-hop by those who lovingly adore him, The Notorious B.I.G. was known for his street demeanor even though he was raised in a much more modest setting by a single parent Ms. Voletta Wallace who by all accounts raised her son excellently. Admired by the church hip-hop faithful for his drive, determination and good works, Notorious B.I.G. left behind a wife (Faith Evans) children, (one of which plays him in the upcoming movie- Christopher C.J. Wallace) and at least one mistress, Lil Kim aka Kimberly Denise Jones, who's BET reality show, "Countdown To Lockdown" became the highest ever rated on BET.

One of B.I.G.'s associates has seemingly suffered from identity problems since Notorious's death. Changing his name from Puff Daddy, P.Diddy, to the current clothing brand of Sean John. Sean John Combs has amassed one of the greatest amounts of wealth known to hip-hop through a diversification of enterprise from clothing to colognes. In fact his most popular colognes are titled "Unforgiveable" and "I AM KING". If those titles aren't explicit enough as to the thought process of Sean John, he also promotes a Vodka made of grapes called Ciroc (the commercial for which P-DIDDY is shown to make sure that not one but TWO women who "slept over" get home safely the next morning) This vodka has bombarded New York with their advertisements and message of prosperity, and offered New York $1 Million dollars through P-DIDDY to change the New Year's ball, dropped in Times Square, to Ciroc Blue representing the color of the grape from which the vodka is made and the "New Prosperity" into which Ciroc would be "baptizing" the city of New York and the nation in. This was termed the New York, New Year's ball takeover.
  • "As the ‘Official Vodka of New Year’s Eve,’ it’s only fitting that we take over New York, the most iconic New Year’s city in the world," said Combs, who entered into a strategic marketing alliance with the ultra-premium spirit more than one year ago. "I’m going to give every adult in America a taste of what it’s like to enjoy a sophisticated celebration with Diddy, and what better time than while ringing in the New Year."
"Every Adult"???

Then there is the Jay (jay-hova god is my name) Z. Shawn Corey Carter is a 39 year old mogul that not only declares his supreme deity on stage, but also diversifies his operations to include Rock-A-Fella Records, a night club called The 40/40 Club and the New Jesrey Nets basketball team. Not to mention an ever popular family clothing line Rocawear. Mr. Jay-Z sold the Rocawear rights to the Iconix Brand Group, for $204 million. Although co-founder and hip-hop mogul Damon Dash is now broke (at least according to his lawyer to whom he owes over $148,000 in legal fees ~ Hip Hop Weekly Magazine Volume 3 Issue 25 Pg. 73) and does not have anything to do with Rock-A-Fella anymore, Jay-Z is to be commended because he did help his former business partner by extending him $5 Million to pay his legal troubles. Jay-Z retains his stake in the company and continues to oversee marketing, licensing and product development." and ultimately continues to line his pockets. Iconix to Buy Rocawear, Jay-Z's Clothing Line". The New York Times (2007-03-07). Retrieved on 2007-03-09.

At the most legendary status there are others who have given their life for hip-hop, such as the late Lesane Parish Crooks aka Tupac Shakur, dead also at age 25, who is said to be "The Jesus" of hip-hop by the faithful. Not only did Tupac hate the John The Baptist of Hip-hop, he also claimed to have slept with his wife. That didn't stop his gifts from working however, because he was also said to have foreseen his death in a video in which he looks into his coffin and sees himself. I would ask what would be so strange about this since Tupac lived in a death culture, and signed with a person known for both beating women and murder; a person by the name of Suge Knight aka Marion Hugh Knight, Jr. who was also co-founder of "Death Row Records". (Whose logo is a blindfolded man strapped into an electric chair and was sold for $24 Million in 2008) Rappers such as Snoop Dogg aka Cordozar Calvin Broadus, Jr. another former Death Row rapper, expanded his brand by making pornographic films and other feature length films glorifying his use of marijuana and other drugs.

Speaking of Death And Entrepreneurship:

There's the infamous 50 Cent aka Curtis James Jackson III who's CD, movie, and autobiography "Get Rich Or Die Trying" took hip-hop death and the streets to an absolute new ridiculous level, while further glorifying all the trappings that come along with it. In fact, one of the early tracks that got him attention and into physical fights and altercations with other rappers was a song called "How To Rob"...50 has been shot, and one one occassion took 9 bullets, including one still loged in his tongue. None of this mentions his more recent CD called "Massacre" In spite of all of this, 50 Cent has managed to remain true to the hip hop declaration of peace, by diversifying and creating his own record label called G-Unit Records and clothing line G-Unit, which has become immensely popular among adolescents and teen-agers.
Hip-hop's Message Is Heard Loud And Clear Even Through Silence:

The Stop Snitchin' campaign... promoted as the drug dealer anthem against the community in 2004 by Rodney Bethea, who was ultimately sentenced to 3 years for assault, has been even promoted by such individuals as Carmelo Anthony of the Denver Nuggets and has proved to be one of the most frustrating grass-roots campaigns that many police departments and families and individuals seeking justice face around the country.


Then, There Could Be Two?


Now, I guess gangsta rapper T.I. (Clifford Joseph Harris) or T.I.P. (whichever one he is) will loose some of those street "brownie points" for testifying in the murder trial of his personal assistant Philant Johnson. The now convicted murder Hosea Thomas was said to have been angry at T.I.'s entourage because he (Thomas) wasn't welcomed into the VIP section at the "afterparty" of a concert in May 2006.

What we should be able to see from this is that hip-hop creates a culture of death, religiously and fervently preaches and tries to spread that death to it's adherents or whoever gets in the way.
Ooh, I forgot to explain the T.I./ T.I.P. part... T.I.P is said to be T.I.'s alter ego, in other words his split personality. One of them explains it like this:
  • "Sometimes people might see me act a certain way one time and another way one another time. They might not believe the same cat you see dressed so sharp and winning awards and speaking eloquently is the same cat you see fist-fighting with hoodlums outside a nightclub. This album will be an explanation of all of this"~ Shaheem Reid (March 19, 2007). T.I. Taking On T.I.P. With Help From Eminem MTV. Accessed December 31, 2007.
Surprisingly, the same is true of the women of hip-hop elitism. The most popular wife of mogul Jay-Z (mentioned above) is Beyonce (Look Who's Talking Now) Fierce (aka: Beyonce Knowles). Not only has Beyonce produced a new CD entitled "I AM" She also opened up to talk about her alter ego (split personality) who is a sexually free person called Sasha Fierce who takes over in times of necessity, when she needs to be tough or sometimes when she puts on stiletto heels. This is how she explains Sasha Fierce:
  • "I feel like all men and women have that other person that takes over, and I've been able to protect myself personally by having this alter ego and kind of keep perspective on life because it's really easy for you to get out of touch with reality when you can have all these yes people around, and you're on stage and people are screaming, and it's lights and glamorous clothes" ~ (Danica Daniel, Black BEAT Magazine Jan. 2009 pg.67)
Sasha Fierce is related to performing which is synonymous with sexuality or sexual freedom. In other words for those that have spiritual ears to hear, Beyonce channels a sexual spirit in many of her performances. This is her explanation:
  • "...so once I put on my stilettos and I go out there, I have all this confidence and I'm not afraid of my sexuality. I can do all this choreography that I would never do at a club. {Laughs}It's been my way of kind of separating the two." ~ (Danica Daniel, Black Beat Magazine Jan. 2009 pg. 67)
Then there the Bi-curious element. In fact, on her new CD, "I AM" Sasha Fierce (or maybe Beyonce) produces a song called "If I Were A Boy For A Day". When questioned about what she would do IF she were a boy for a day, she says that she "wouldn't do all the things" (whatever that means) but she would:
  • "I would probably take a girl out on a date or try to approach a girl, just to see how it would feel" ~ Beyonce Knowles or possibly Sasha Fierce
Remember, this is from a young lady that is proud of the fact that she held to her morals and sexual purity. Now this is especially interesting due to a find of Gnostic literature at Nag Hammadi, Egypt in the early 1900's. In a book called "Thunder" it is said that a female speaker, probably Sophia (wisdom personified) expresses herself in all kinds of paradoxes and contradictions. She uses the phrase "I Am" to do so. It goes like this to be exact:
For I am the first and the last.
I am the honoured one and the scorned one.
I am the whore and the holy one.
I am the wife and the virgin.
I am the mother and the daughter.
I am the members of my mother.
I am the barren one and many are her sons.
I am she whose wedding is great, and I have not taken a husband.
I am the midwife and she who does not bear.
I am the solace of my labour pains.
I am the bride and the bridegroom, and it is my husband who begot me
I am death, I am Life,
I am darkness, I am light,
I am error, I am truth,
I am destruction, I am construction,
I am the blow, I am the healing.
However with all of that said, one of the most startling statments of what many scholars think is the female Sophia, is the following saying:
 
"I am the prostitute and the saint, I am the woman and the virgin."
 
Now, one may claim some sort of coincidental association to this work which scholars believe to be anywhere from 3rd centure BCE to 4th century CE, but the fact seems to remain the same...there is something more than simple music and entertainment behind the scenes.
 
Hatred Of Women And Gender Confusion
In the the hip hop world not only does death abound but as noted sexuality and perversion does too. Misogyny, lesbianism and homosexuality run rampant through hip-hop. One need not to listen to a song or watch a video long before one hears women called B's and hoes and sees a woman either kissing or hugging up on another woman. Until recently BET through its show UNCUT was a opportunity for sexually deviant videos and perverse lesbian and strip club scenarios. Rappers such as Nelly aka Cornell Haynes, Jr. and Champaign, Illinois native Ludacris (the name speaks for itself) aka Christopher Bridges and a host of others, have exploited women and black women in particular (even though they argue the women exploit themselves) through low rate soft-porn videos, excessive profanity and pornographic scenes.
Then there are male gender benders who are not afraid to co mingle their sexual confusion with their stage presence. One such 50 year old performer called The Artist, Formerly Known as Prince aka Prince Rogers Nelson (Now just "Prince" again) not only displays his affinity for bisexuality and homosexuality both on stage and off, but also shows his devotion to the hip-hop roots of the Universal ZULU Nation through his artistic development of the "Love Symbol"
The amazing part is that both gospel singers Kirk Franklin and Tonex have been proud to be called the "Prince" of Gospel music. What type of mess is this, when a gospel artist has such an affinity toward being associated with a openly bisexual, unsaved man?

This is only a small sampling from some of the top proponents of the hip hop industry today. As men and women strive to get contracts we find that there are many more standing at the door ready to provide their services to help promote the godless agendas that we see here and other places throughout society.

So What Message Do We Receive From The Modern Apostles Of Hip-hop?
  • The John the Baptist of hip-hop has Jesus murdered and Judas(s) reign supreme or at least so is the speculation in the streets.
  • The promoters of the declaration of peace remain true to their call by providing diversification of operation, through Street Fashions and other ventures.
  • Whole cities and regions become targets through sponshorship and big business ventures
  • Our children are almost held captive through massive marketing efforts and cloting lines designed to help both knowing and the unknowing conform to hip-hop standards
  • There are individuals who openly and readily admit they have either split personalities or multiple personalities and use those personalities to speak through and during the music.
  • There is the overt and perverted brand of sexuality, promoting misogany, promiscuity, homosexuality, lesbianism, extra marital relations, strip clubs and prostitution.
All this begs the question: How can the church be enamoured with Hip-hop and any of it's elements? That's the question of the hour and the question we intend to answer in the next segment as we move to look at the churches, ministers, bishops and SO-CALLED gospel artists who promote this false anti-Christ and anti-God religious worldview called Hip-hop...AND even dare to put HOLY on it.
Some may be critical of my efforts in this blog and that's ok. The importance is simply this: These are the people feeding our children and families and even our communities with their worldview even while we are asleep or in church. Unless we know the message, what's being promoted and how it's being promoted we are powerless to do anything against it. The tragedy is that many churches and leaders after knowing all of this somehow think that it can be sanctified and used for God's glory when quite the contrary is true

Blessed!

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