More swag than a pair of red bottoms, Redd Lettaz is currently working on a new project. But in the meantime he’s released a fresh soulful record boasting ridculous flows.
Check out and purchase Invincible below:
https://reddlettaz.bandcamp.com/
Get churched!!!
Go to now, ye that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain: Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away. For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that. But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil. Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.
James 4:13-17 KJV
http://bible.com/1/jas.4.13-17.KJV
James seemed to really take issue with those that would make future plans. He chatsises them and urges them to say, “if the Lord wills”. This is something that seemed very minor in the scheme of things. People say those things on a regular basis. I can’t count how many times I’ve heard someone casually say, “see you tommorow!” and I couldn’t tell you they were evil for that. However, James expressly points out that God in fact does have a problem with that…why?
First, let me say that I don’t think that anybody who does not say anything along the lines of “Lord willing” is evil. I will say perhaps they know not the weight and or the blessing in what they are saying. “See you tommorow…I’ll be there next week”. Perhaps it’s too morbid to face the reality that this isn’t always the case, though we take it for granted. James hightlights the fragility of life. Furthermore he highlights WHO controls the days of every one of us…that is God. Okay so I got morbid I suppose.
What is the point in all this? The point is that God has to factor into everything that we plan. Honestly God’s in control of everything. And to even suggest tomorrow as though it is a forgone conclusion slights the very One who holds the future. Grant it, not everybody is coldly planning thier future and saying, “I’m going to do this no matter what God says.” Perhaps the matter is of a training of the mind. To be reminded to say, “if the Lord wills” is to be reminded to be reverent and submissive to God. Those little words can keep us humble and thankful as we greet another day. Conversely, the more we fail to acknowledge God’s control and providence in our lives the more we become overly self seeking, self praising and downright conceited. Boastful… You may feel weird saying, “Lord willing” in response to, “will you be coming in to work tomorrow?”. You may even feel like it’s understood so why say it? But God has given us things to remind us and to keep us right with Him. In His infinite wisdom He lovingly tells us, “Not so fast”.
We tend to give ouselves more credit than we deserve sometimes. To vocally give it to God’s will when sharing our plans and when interacting with the world and our brethren is to give God the glory. It is to encourage us and remind us to be thankful. To arrive safely is by way of God giving you that grace. A healthy vocal regimen trains a mental awareness of God in our lives and also serves as an evangelical tool.
Who knew saying something as basic as “See you next week” would hold so much weight. Yet it does. Not to scare you, but to encourage you. Count yourself blessed. A wonderful God has blessed you with this moment. In that moment, while today is still today, give Him the glory. Obey His Son who is able to save you on the day that tomorrow does not come. He promises that all who call on His name by confessing Him as Lord and Savior, washing away thier sins in the watery grave of baptism, dying to the flesh and rising up a brand new child in Christ will live life in eternal joy.
God simply wants us to understand that we need Him. He loves us. He can save us. He protects us everyday. He sustains us. And He blesses us according to His will.
I hope to provide you another blog soon…Lord willing
Listen to Date Night by Stephen the Levite
Hip hop artist Flame has flown somewhat under my radar for some time and hadn’t really gotten my attention until he dropped the instant heater Royal Flush. Once that near classic album dropped he got me listening. Call me late to the party or super picky, but when he prepared to drop Forward I was ready for it and it didn’t disappoint. In fact it exceeded expectations.
The album is centered around the concept of how Christians can in fact move forward in spite of the world’s current problems and the current cultural Christianity in the United States. The album effectively weaves in the quotes of an evangelist throughout the album that is relatively spot on in much of his teachings. The album conveys hope, evengelism, clarification and confrontation.
Now onto the music. Flame opens up with the emotionally charged 1st Freedom where he opens by saying “we bout to forfeit our 1st freedom. Run and get your constitution kids.” over a somber guitar. Musically these soulful melodies are punctuated by a banging drum kick. The chorus flips America The Beautiful and he speaks on the affects of the secularization of America and the impending persecution of Christians, all while speaking that we are the light of the world.
The album continues to pick up steam with the bass heavy trap tracks Know the Times where he says the world is crazy and how they think Christians are out of thier minds. Here he goes for the jugular addressing boldly current issues such as police brutality and the fact that this is NOT a Christian nation. He urges Christians to be more than positive but to give Bible reasons for our faith. The melodic chorus has Flame singing “the world is crazy. It’s all a sign of the times”. This leads into Believe That and Made Me Do. Both hardcore trap tracks talk about the need to go beyond just teaching good morals and actually speaking about sin and obedience to Christ being necessary. Made Me Do highlights the frustration of speaking the truth and being considered the bad guy for doing so as the chorus has Mike REAL yelling “look at what you made me do!”
Flame has a mellow sing songy style that he incorprates throughout the album. On one the standouts The Greatest he sings about how throughout all the challenges God is still the greatest and they shouldn’t place thier faith in people and things. I believe vocals are backed by V. Rose throughout the album. Another standout track is Positively Eternal where over a mid tempo simple string, kick and piano track he adresses the difference between conscious rap and Christian rap. He also speaks on great causes versus the cause of Christ. This is a very timely album. He highlights J. Cole’s Forest Hills and Kendrick’s To Pimp a Butterfly. On another standout called Move Forward featuring Jai, Flame goes in on cultural Christianity, liberalism and compromise happening due to fear of the world. Jai sings “we might suffer now but we’ll get our crown”. This is more soulful moving music. I feel the album climaxes with Absolute Truth where he opens with the potent statement “if what we’re saying is true, then it changes everything”. This song is a must listen where he urges context when reading the Bible. Wow!!!
My favorite part at this point is where the repeatedly quoted speaker says we need to have friendships and relationships with people who disagree with you. Wow! Think about that one.
The album winds down with more trap music as You Ready reminds us to stop and think of the impending judgement at the end. Had Me Flexin, while not one of my faves does bump and exposes the devil as a liar who had him flexin hard like it’s his birthday.
As with most albums at the end, this one mellows out but still inspires. We Gon Reign features a hip hop ballad that earnestly feels for the Coptic Christians recently murdered overseas and encourages us that the gates of hell will not prevail against the church and if we suffer with Him we will reign. Very moving and inspiring.
Melinda Watts lends her vocal talents to the reworked Let it Shine where hip hop drums back a piano melody. We obviously know the message here as Flame effortlessly rocks this beat. The last words of Flame on this album says PREACH THE CROSS AND REACH THE LOST.
This album effortlessly blends dope beats, meaningful commentary, lyrical content and great lyrical delivery for an album that is both enjoyable and important.
Listen to the album on YouTube but pick up your copy of one of best and most important albums of 2015.
Forward Flame (Full Album): https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJ1cSi5J1MxYoBk4HA1mA6a5TzJmW69KC
Andy Mineo is one of the few Christian hip hop artists to rise somewhat above the underground status along with Lecrae. Not forgetting the mission, he quickly addresses the dangers of being too comfortable and a few serious topics on this first single from the upcoming album of the same title.
Welcome back. Nice track!!
Get churched!!!
God designated the first day of the week for believers to gather and give Him the glory by encouraging each other, fellowshipping with each other, speaking to one another in psalms hymns and spiritual songs and studying His word. They also gather funds to put towards the work of the church. They also remember Jesus and His sacrifice by taking unleavened bread and fruit of the vine which to the believer is the blood of the covenant and Jesus’s body. The goal of this overall experience is to be strengthened having been with others who share that same faith and goal and to give God the glory and praise realizing that He is worthy. We are prepared and reenergized!
Not all people do this. Sundays will be days set for sleeping in or taking care of odds and ends like laundry other errands. The value of going to assemble with believers is either non-existent or barely there when it is a question of belief. If one isn’t a believer then there is no deisre to gather with other believers much less give praise to that which you don’t believe in.
But if you sorta believe or do believe, and the daily challenges of life are not what’s holding you back, what’s going on? Some people have gone with the view that “organized religion” is not the way. They find fault in that and decide to just do away with it. But let’s take the stance that Jesus established the church. Yes, it is NOT the building. It is the people. However if you are NOT assembling with the people, the other believers, how do you feel we can grow and be effective? How can you yourself be effective and how is that showing godly love? Furthermore collective worship is value you your faith and also shows that you care to give God the praise and worship He deserves. Bare in mind that once the Ethiopian eunich was baptized by Phillip his immediate desire would logically be to gather with those who share the same faith to work and worship. Strength in numbers. Consider any successful secular program or team sport. Basketball teams, Mary Kay meetings, Weight Watchers or any group with similar views values or goals GET TOGETHER. Because it’s necessary. Because no man is an island. Because God knew what He was doing.
If your concern is where to go, treat it same way a restaurateur does. You do the research, you check Yelp and the restaurant guides. Because a bad meal experience is a horrible thing! Well how much more important is deciding where to focus on worshipping God and learning how to get to heaven? Your YELP is God’s word. God’s word is not as cryptic as one may say. See if the local church assembly you consider is FOLLOWING GOD’S WORD. Consider the church of the new testament. Consider the early church in Acts. Consider the doctrine and compare and contrast. Read your bible. That will cause inconsistencies and red flags that can keep you in a lost relationship to stand out. Do your due diligence because this matters to you.
To the nonbeliever, I say you need not be convinced by me that there is an amazing and loving God. Look around. Heck, look in the mirror. Your intricate inner and outer workings— you are wonderfully made. Establish that spritual curiosity the same way you established your many wordly curiosities and go with it. Pick up a Bible and read it. It can’t hurt. It can only help. Because God has a name. I come to prcoclaim to you the unknown God. His name is His name. His Son came to save us…to save you. It’s so cliche but first you must understand that you need Him. You DO need Him. But you need to know why. He is the only one that can beat sin and death which is in the world right now. Sin is the God’s definition of wrong, all the bad things. God defines them clearer in His word. Death is the end of life here. But it’s not the end. Jesus died and came back. Death and sin are 2 major reasons you need Jesus because He is THE ONLY answer to both.
That’s a start… Yes chuch is the people who believe. The people who understood a need for Jesus. The people who obeyed the commands to accept Jesus as their Lord and removed chains of sin and death through spiritual burial in water baptisim and rose up out the water in fresh newness of life. Sin and death are all the devil really has and Jesus beat them both. Finally those believers get together to celebrate freedom, praise the One who broke the chains, teach each other to stay free and how to help others break thier chains.
So church on Sunday morning and any other time addionally that believers gather should be a moment of joy. To be with God and with fellow God-fearing brethren.
Truly a breath of fresh air.
Get yours…
Can’t forget the music. Here is one of my fave bangers by Blanca featuring Lecrae called Get Up
Soul singer Gisella has just released her brand new inspirational single called Not Gonna Break. There is also an accompanying mini movie video that was released. The song features raw vocals over a very moving piano-laced track. The content speaks of standing up to life’s challenges and Gisella gives glory to Father God for getting her through.
Listen below and get the new single from itunes.
After blessing the ill track One Way by Bizzle, I was hooked on Black Knight as a producer. During my music search I stumbled upon his latest solo joint featuring those trademark bass and snaps as he boldly says Ima Be Me while staying with God as his guide.
Friday music for sure! Listen below. Get churched!!!
http://bible.com/1/rom.1.15-32.kjv
So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Process that while you enjoy this fresh one from Jackie Hill Perry called The Art of Joy.
It’s been a long time…I shouldn’t have left you. :DHumble Beast recording artist J. Givens is back. This introduction features punchline driven flow over a nice beat backdrop. Click the link below to hear Ignorantro. Christians kill mics too!
When we look at God the Father and the many times in scripture we’re referred to as His children and He as our Father, it becomes apparent that He has set the stage for one of many worldly examples used to teach us about godly living.
Let me preface this by saying I am in no way putting my son on blast. He is an amazing kid, but he is a kid. He has taught me wonderful life lessons that I’d like to share with you.
Whenever my son behaves at school and does well with his school work, I just glow with pride. It feels great. When your child does what he’s supposed to do, it’s a great feeling. So we reward them. We don’t have to. They’re supposed to do these things, but it encourages them to do it more. When he misbehaves and we find out, it’s sad. It frustrates us because we realize how that reflects on us.
Wow. So I then imagine how my heavenly Father must feel when His child goes astray after professing to be a believer. How frustrated my God gets when I fail to behave like a Christian. Do I ever wish to bring shame upon my God? Yet He blesses us even though we don’t deserve it. We don’t deserve rewards when we are merely doing what we are supposed to do…our reasonable service. Then I imagine how joyful God feels when our lives bring glory to His name. Indeed, He glows with pride when His creation brings Him glory.
Kids disobey. Boy do they disobey. They receive instructions and then choose to do what they want to do. Sometimes they know there are consequences and they still disobey. They exasperate us by constant pushback. They break rules they know, causing us to say things like, “you know better.”
Wow. Imagine my heavenly Father as I read clearly in His word what is expected of me and then I do what I want to do… We know there are consequences for sin. We also know the peace that we lose when we know we’ve sinned against God. Yet, at times even that isn’t enough to keep us from making a decision to disobey God. We fight God on things that He commands and get mad at God when things don’t go our way. God sees us act this way and imagine how exasperated He must feel!
Kids have short attention spans. They focus on something for a moment and then you lose them. Some more than others, kids get distracted. You instruct them to do something and they’ll get started…until something more fun catches their eye. Drives you crazy as a parent doesn’t it?
Wow! Ever took your focus off of God? You seem gung-ho for God, reading and living for Jesus…then you lose focus. You lose interest. How about you clearly see what God has instructed you through His word. You begin to follow Him closely…then something distracts you. Now you’re doing something else. Now you move God down your list of priorities. Now how do you think God feels when you do that?
As a parent, one of things you realize through all the headaches, challenges and struggles you still love them with all your heart. Even though you know they don’t deserve it sometimes, you give your kids what they need. You also give them what they want. You would sacrifice even your life for them. Right?
Guess what? Even though we are a mess, even though we choose to disobey God, even though we get distracted by the world… God loves us with all His heart. Even though we don’t deserve it, our loving Father has given and continues to give us what we need. He answers our prayers and gives us what we want. And yes, our loving Father would die for us. In fact, He has. God became flesh and endured suffering leading to death on a cross. In spite of what we’ve done, God sends His Son to save us from our sins.
So as parents, we can understand how God feels about us at our best and at our worst. We understand how God feels when we disobey…lose focus… But as children and parents we understand the magnitude of His love…and the magnitude of His mercy and grace. Sure, kids can learn valuable lessons from this. But I learn very valuable lessons from my experience as a parent.
I hope you learn from this too about our loving Father. I pray it helps you in your Christian walk…
Listen to this new banger from Erica Campbell called I Luh God.
Christian Music Pusher 