In my short time on Twitter, I've seen a different side to social media. Just like with Facebook, there's a very fine edge that you've got to make sure you're aware of. Investing yourself too much can happen too easily. But, that is not the point of this post. This post is dedicated to talking about what I've seen in the lives of many of the rappers I follow.
Some of them I've appreciated for a long time. Some of them I've only started following because other rappers I follow follow them. Re-read that if you have to get it...hahaha. I had to type it really slow after thinking it through twice and thrice. The thing about these rappers is that they've shared an aspect of their lives that I hadn't really thought about.
They have children.
Royce the 5' 9", Sean Mandela, Dres, Illus, Playdough, Manchild, Eminem, (I don't follow any of the next rappers, but they have kids) Nelly, TI, The Game, and many others that I can't recall. I've seen some of them tweet/talk about their kids. I've read about how they love their kids. I've read about how they're gonna discipline their kids, and what shows their kids love, and how much they enjoy parenthood even though it's a challenge.
Why do I bring up rappers and their kids? Because, they know what its like to have children. They know what its like to love their kids and to sacrifice for them and to have to discipline them. They want good things for their kids. They want to give their kids good things and teach them good things.
They want to leave their kids a legacy.
So what? They're probably all well off and capable of ensuring their children are provided for, right? Well, that has very little to do with actually leaving their children a legacy. Some of them (SEE: Just About All Of Them) make music with lyrics that talk about drugs, or violence, or sex with whores. Some of their music, while displaying their gift, speaks in unedifying ways about life and the things we do. Granted, some of those things are just a part of many of our lives in this sinful world, but glorifying it is no legacy that any parent that truly loves their children wants.
We want our children to be able to follow our example. We want to be unashamed to tell our children that we walked in goodness and in love. While I know, for the most part, that most of their lyrics are just to showcase their talents, to a listener who has no context, they are ridiculous, violent, destructive, venomous songs.
Royce the 5' 9" is a recovered/recovering alcoholic. He did it for many reasons, but he sees how much it means to be sober and straight for his children. He can see clearly how much more meaningful life is and how he can enjoy his family all the more without constantly being clouded. He can more clearly see what it means to be a man of example for his children to follow.
With that said, what is your legacy? Are you leaving a legacy that you won't be ashamed of for your children? Are you living a life that is filled with goodness, grace, mercy, truth, strength, justice, and love? If you're not, and you're still reading, only Christ can help you have a legacy that can change you and your family, and community, for generations. A life and legacy for Christ is one that we can all be unashamed of. It's not easy, because as much as I want to and am trying, I fail. But, God is good and forgives me, and my children see that and see my walk. They know that I love them and strive to be a strong man for them and for God.
Make sure your legacy is more than stale morals and money. Give your kids more than you could ever afford.
Tuesday, January 29, 2013
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
How do we Pray for Professional Athletes?
The last couple weeks that I've been watching my San Francisco 49ers go through the playoffs, I've come to a point where I think to myself, "I'm going to pray for them." And then, I hit the proverbial wall. What am I going to pray for? That they win? Though God knows who is going to win, what help is it to anyone anywhere if I pray for something so selfish and seemingly stupid?
I'd been wrestling with how professional athletes walk in faith and how they can be a witness on the field. I've kind of come to the conclusion that while they're doing their job on the field, not much other than a prayer for protection from injury would seem rather vane. Ultimately though, if athletes are believers, the true testing of their faith, when it comes to their job, is when they walk off the field. Or, in some cases, when they are carried, carted, or walked off the field.
When an athlete fails in his position, he can despair. Even more so if he or she feels like the team lost because of their failure. If an athlete does well, but feels like they're looked over because other people seemed to have performed that much better, that may plant a seed of bitterness or resentment in their heart. If an athlete suffers an injury that ends their season, or worse, their career, they may feel great loss and despair. If an athlete does well in their position, they could possibly become prideful. Again, even more so if their team wins and the win can in any way be attributed to their performance.
All of these things are struggles that we as people face, but professional athletes so much more because of how people idolize them and the pressure placed on them by their families, their teammates and the coaching staff/management. The pressure of expectation of performance, the allure of celebrity, and yes, even a professional athlete's desire to be recognized and appreciated, can all lead to sin. And this is how we can pray for them.
We can pray that God would console them when they are injured, regardless of whether or not they will be able to play any more. That He would show them that He is the true comforter of their hearts. We can pray that when they fail, that they not feel despair at their own failure, but feel loved and more than conquerors, regardless of the email or tweets they receive saying otherwise. We can pray that the Lord give them humble hearts so that celebrity and the short-lived flash of this life not capture their hearts and destroy them from within. We can pray that the Lord use their position to shine, instead of allowing lust and vanity to consume their thoughts and actions. We can pray that they find their accomplishment and recognition in God instead of the questions of press and the adoration of their fans.
To some degree, we all face these things, so really, in the end, we should be praying for each other in all of these aspects as well. Because all of our hearts face these situations and we should not lose sight of God's loving truth. Even if our job is to make it to the SuperBowl...or not.
I'd been wrestling with how professional athletes walk in faith and how they can be a witness on the field. I've kind of come to the conclusion that while they're doing their job on the field, not much other than a prayer for protection from injury would seem rather vane. Ultimately though, if athletes are believers, the true testing of their faith, when it comes to their job, is when they walk off the field. Or, in some cases, when they are carried, carted, or walked off the field.
When an athlete fails in his position, he can despair. Even more so if he or she feels like the team lost because of their failure. If an athlete does well, but feels like they're looked over because other people seemed to have performed that much better, that may plant a seed of bitterness or resentment in their heart. If an athlete suffers an injury that ends their season, or worse, their career, they may feel great loss and despair. If an athlete does well in their position, they could possibly become prideful. Again, even more so if their team wins and the win can in any way be attributed to their performance.
All of these things are struggles that we as people face, but professional athletes so much more because of how people idolize them and the pressure placed on them by their families, their teammates and the coaching staff/management. The pressure of expectation of performance, the allure of celebrity, and yes, even a professional athlete's desire to be recognized and appreciated, can all lead to sin. And this is how we can pray for them.
We can pray that God would console them when they are injured, regardless of whether or not they will be able to play any more. That He would show them that He is the true comforter of their hearts. We can pray that when they fail, that they not feel despair at their own failure, but feel loved and more than conquerors, regardless of the email or tweets they receive saying otherwise. We can pray that the Lord give them humble hearts so that celebrity and the short-lived flash of this life not capture their hearts and destroy them from within. We can pray that the Lord use their position to shine, instead of allowing lust and vanity to consume their thoughts and actions. We can pray that they find their accomplishment and recognition in God instead of the questions of press and the adoration of their fans.
To some degree, we all face these things, so really, in the end, we should be praying for each other in all of these aspects as well. Because all of our hearts face these situations and we should not lose sight of God's loving truth. Even if our job is to make it to the SuperBowl...or not.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
The Words of our Mouth Versus the Words of our Heart
Some of you may have seen this on my Twitter:
And it got me to thinking about the implications that that might have to some of my friends and people in general that don't know me very well. My previous post is pretty heavy with words that some would consider "bad, cussing, or curse words." As this is a topic that I've had on my mind and in my heart for a good while, I figured that this was as good a time as any to talk about our words.
The words that come out of our mouths tend to define who we are. What we say, to who we say it, and how we say it all form the personality that a person or people know of us. There's accents, regional sayings, slang, and so many other things that can be taken into consideration when it comes to speech and communication. Some people believe that certain words should or shouldn't be said. But, when it comes down to it, what is a good word? And what, if any, is a bad word?
Think about this situation. You're minding your own business sitting at a table, reading your book. A family member sits down in your proximity and puts down a glass of juice and knocks it over...on to your book and into your lap. Your good time, interrupted, triggers a reflex reaction in your mind. Angry, you proclaim, "What is your FREAKING problem?!"
Did you say a "bad" word? Did you REALLY cuss? No. But in your heart, that "freaking" was just as efficient as a "fucking." The word that came out of your mouth was "cleaner," but the intention in your heart was all the same. Does it "sound" better? I suppose one could say that it does. In the end, the intention and emotion in your heart was the same, regardless of the words that came out of your mouth.
As a people, our words are supposed to be loving, filled with grace, edifying, and wise. What does this mean? It means that regardless of your situation, you should have your head and heart in check and always choose your words wisely and prayerfully. Are there situations where using words like "shit and asshole and fuck" might help someone on their level to understand the gravity of their situation? Absolutely. A preacher in a three piece suit is not going to get very far in Southeast San Diego. And with that said, you have to know who you're talking to, and really rely on the Spirit to give you the words and move in your heart. By no means would I or should we use those words in every situation, but they most definitely have their time and place. Whether you use those words or not, your heart and your intention are what matter and normally are conveyed, felt, and clear to the listener.
I don't always use these words in every day life. I have groups of people who I know are offended by them who never hear them come out of my mouth. I also have groups of people who I know that know that my use of these words in no way affects my walk with Christ. I don't wish to offend anyone with my words. And that should be the case, regardless of our situation. Whether we're reacting to an adverse condition, or trying to preach the gospel, we should be mindful of our words and the intention of our hearts.
Just because you're not "cussing" does not mean you're not saying "bad words."
#Thingsyouproblydidntknowaboutme "Fuck" is one of my favorite words.
— Johnny Crash (@dumbstruckMC) January 19, 2013
And it got me to thinking about the implications that that might have to some of my friends and people in general that don't know me very well. My previous post is pretty heavy with words that some would consider "bad, cussing, or curse words." As this is a topic that I've had on my mind and in my heart for a good while, I figured that this was as good a time as any to talk about our words.
The words that come out of our mouths tend to define who we are. What we say, to who we say it, and how we say it all form the personality that a person or people know of us. There's accents, regional sayings, slang, and so many other things that can be taken into consideration when it comes to speech and communication. Some people believe that certain words should or shouldn't be said. But, when it comes down to it, what is a good word? And what, if any, is a bad word?
Think about this situation. You're minding your own business sitting at a table, reading your book. A family member sits down in your proximity and puts down a glass of juice and knocks it over...on to your book and into your lap. Your good time, interrupted, triggers a reflex reaction in your mind. Angry, you proclaim, "What is your FREAKING problem?!"
Did you say a "bad" word? Did you REALLY cuss? No. But in your heart, that "freaking" was just as efficient as a "fucking." The word that came out of your mouth was "cleaner," but the intention in your heart was all the same. Does it "sound" better? I suppose one could say that it does. In the end, the intention and emotion in your heart was the same, regardless of the words that came out of your mouth.
As a people, our words are supposed to be loving, filled with grace, edifying, and wise. What does this mean? It means that regardless of your situation, you should have your head and heart in check and always choose your words wisely and prayerfully. Are there situations where using words like "shit and asshole and fuck" might help someone on their level to understand the gravity of their situation? Absolutely. A preacher in a three piece suit is not going to get very far in Southeast San Diego. And with that said, you have to know who you're talking to, and really rely on the Spirit to give you the words and move in your heart. By no means would I or should we use those words in every situation, but they most definitely have their time and place. Whether you use those words or not, your heart and your intention are what matter and normally are conveyed, felt, and clear to the listener.
I don't always use these words in every day life. I have groups of people who I know are offended by them who never hear them come out of my mouth. I also have groups of people who I know that know that my use of these words in no way affects my walk with Christ. I don't wish to offend anyone with my words. And that should be the case, regardless of our situation. Whether we're reacting to an adverse condition, or trying to preach the gospel, we should be mindful of our words and the intention of our hearts.
Just because you're not "cussing" does not mean you're not saying "bad words."
Friday, January 18, 2013
A$AP ROCKY - Long Live A$AP
I don't normally do this, but this is both a response to the Director of Music for a radio station in San Jose and a review of an album I recently heard. Granted, it's not going to be an in-depth review, because I won't have listened to it more than once when I write this.
Driving on my way to work today, I was listening to A$AP Rocky's latest album, "Long Live A$AP." From some of the people I follow on Twitter, it was supposed to have been a great album. This is not the case. I listened to half of it on the way to work and the other half on the way back home. Looking back on it, I'm glad that that was how it worked out. The album, while ranging from decent to solid on production, is largely dark and completely lacking in any kind of quality that isn't talking about niggas, riding with his niggas, riding on some niggas, fuck those other niggas, Lambos, Raris, whores, bitches, pseudo-religious statements in which he compares himself to God or Christ, weed, and niggas. It left me quite drained and put a strain on my spirit that I don't normally feel from good music. His songs and lyrics are in no way edifying, and are rarely clever. I will probably never listen to him, or that album ever again.
Now, you may say, "this is just my taste in music," right? That is where every bit of my mind, body and soul disagree. Even if I wasn't a Christian, I could not enjoy such destructive and senseless music. I pointed out to The Alchemist how I felt about the first half of the album I heard, and SJ Radio came back and answered. I answered back and then he came back with the following Tweets:
"if u don't like pmw ... U don't like ASAP n q ... Cuz it's their signature just like hands on the wheel or brand new guy that's how those two get down ... And pmw is dope ... One of The top 5 cuts on the record the fact that u are sayin ASAP isn't hip hop or is hip hop... Makes u seem hella sus ... Quit classifying shit n do u listen to wat u like n disregard the other ish ... No need to Go into what is and isn't hip hop ... That's just idiotic "
To which I say, What, precisely, is his and their signature? Garbage raps about guns, drugs, cars, and fucking whores? And how, exactly, is a song titled, PMW (All I Really Need) and the PMW stands for Pussy, Money, Weed a great song? How can anyone with a shred of reason or compassion for people be able to title a song Pussy, Money, Weed? And then, well, the lyrics are of a caliber that suits the title. And, if I used the loosest standards by which I judge music, there is by no means "5 dope cuts" on that entire album. He's lucky if there's 2. And, I concede, I should not have said he was hiphop...because not all rap is hiphop.
One of the lines that bothers me the most is "Quit classifying shit n do u." Do me? What does that mean? Pay no attention to what is out there and try to help my people and anyone else that might listen to try to shield them from these garbage raps? Bury my head in the sand and not TRY to find good music and the behest of people who I respect in HipHop and Rap? So, in this case, they're telling me to be close-minded and just continue on my merry way? Continue on my merry way and let people just fall into the pit of garbage raps that people like A$AP and 2chainz and Rick Ross perpetuate to capitalize on the feeble minds and desires of the poor souls that have no real direction? That would mean that I hate those people. And I don't. My heart breaks for them and I would love to see them do better than the horrible lyrics that are contained in A$AP's album. To see that that is no way to live their lives. To see that that is not even close to an example of good music. To see garbage for garbage and run from it. Do me, SJ Radio? I don't think so.
Your words are as ignorant as your grasp of music. Pump garbage that's considered "hot." It is called "hot garbage" for a reason. Just because it's hot does not mean that it's dope. Keep your selfish, self-serving words for someone with no vision. As for me, I love HipHop and Rap...but I don't put up with garbage.
Driving on my way to work today, I was listening to A$AP Rocky's latest album, "Long Live A$AP." From some of the people I follow on Twitter, it was supposed to have been a great album. This is not the case. I listened to half of it on the way to work and the other half on the way back home. Looking back on it, I'm glad that that was how it worked out. The album, while ranging from decent to solid on production, is largely dark and completely lacking in any kind of quality that isn't talking about niggas, riding with his niggas, riding on some niggas, fuck those other niggas, Lambos, Raris, whores, bitches, pseudo-religious statements in which he compares himself to God or Christ, weed, and niggas. It left me quite drained and put a strain on my spirit that I don't normally feel from good music. His songs and lyrics are in no way edifying, and are rarely clever. I will probably never listen to him, or that album ever again.
Now, you may say, "this is just my taste in music," right? That is where every bit of my mind, body and soul disagree. Even if I wasn't a Christian, I could not enjoy such destructive and senseless music. I pointed out to The Alchemist how I felt about the first half of the album I heard, and SJ Radio came back and answered. I answered back and then he came back with the following Tweets:
"if u don't like pmw ... U don't like ASAP n q ... Cuz it's their signature just like hands on the wheel or brand new guy that's how those two get down ... And pmw is dope ... One of The top 5 cuts on the record the fact that u are sayin ASAP isn't hip hop or is hip hop... Makes u seem hella sus ... Quit classifying shit n do u listen to wat u like n disregard the other ish ... No need to Go into what is and isn't hip hop ... That's just idiotic "
To which I say, What, precisely, is his and their signature? Garbage raps about guns, drugs, cars, and fucking whores? And how, exactly, is a song titled, PMW (All I Really Need) and the PMW stands for Pussy, Money, Weed a great song? How can anyone with a shred of reason or compassion for people be able to title a song Pussy, Money, Weed? And then, well, the lyrics are of a caliber that suits the title. And, if I used the loosest standards by which I judge music, there is by no means "5 dope cuts" on that entire album. He's lucky if there's 2. And, I concede, I should not have said he was hiphop...because not all rap is hiphop.
One of the lines that bothers me the most is "Quit classifying shit n do u." Do me? What does that mean? Pay no attention to what is out there and try to help my people and anyone else that might listen to try to shield them from these garbage raps? Bury my head in the sand and not TRY to find good music and the behest of people who I respect in HipHop and Rap? So, in this case, they're telling me to be close-minded and just continue on my merry way? Continue on my merry way and let people just fall into the pit of garbage raps that people like A$AP and 2chainz and Rick Ross perpetuate to capitalize on the feeble minds and desires of the poor souls that have no real direction? That would mean that I hate those people. And I don't. My heart breaks for them and I would love to see them do better than the horrible lyrics that are contained in A$AP's album. To see that that is no way to live their lives. To see that that is not even close to an example of good music. To see garbage for garbage and run from it. Do me, SJ Radio? I don't think so.
Your words are as ignorant as your grasp of music. Pump garbage that's considered "hot." It is called "hot garbage" for a reason. Just because it's hot does not mean that it's dope. Keep your selfish, self-serving words for someone with no vision. As for me, I love HipHop and Rap...but I don't put up with garbage.
Man Law: Laws for Men
1. Thou shalt not fight naked.
2. Chuck Norris.
3. You don't talk about Fight Club.
4. The men's room is a safe haven for bodily functions. At NO TIME will you speak to your wife about what you heard.
5. There is no circumstance under which a man admitting to liking mani/pedis is acceptable.
6. Manscaping is an art that is never to be talked about.
7. It is not permissible for a man to hold a purse for a woman for more minutes than the woman scores on the classic 1-10 hotness scale. She brought it, she carries it.
8. Unless you were having a conversation going IN to the bathroom there is no talking allowed. Unless it's at the sink, about sports
9. The Law of the Locker Room:
11. Beer is not wine. Do not talk about it as such.
12. A man has the right to stock the beer of his choice in his refrigerator.
13. In a business setting a handshake, 2 shakes max, is an acceptable greeting for greeting another man. Outside of the business world, one of the two following nods is sufficient:
17. While a man can call another man ugly, a man may never say another man is handsome.
18. If there's 3 urinals, don't take the center urinal.
19. If there ARE 3 urinals and the left one is taken, take the farthest urinal...even if its a tiny urinal.
20. There is no singing in the bathroom. You can hum GENTLY, almost unintelligibly, at the urinal, but that is it. No whistling
21. Never gamble on a fart. If at all possible, wait till inside the safe confines of the men's room.(see Man Law 4)
22. A man may say, "Nice kicks." A man may NOT say, "I love your shoes!"
23. A man is to stomp out all uninvited insects, pests, and rodents in his house, only when requested by his woman. Only exception that can be stomped at will: anything poisonous
24. Look in your closet. Those are all a man's pants. Act as such when you put them on.
25. Whenever possible, kill the meat you cook. And by cook, of course I mean grill.
26. Instructions manuals are never to be used. If you can't figure it out, call a buddy.
27. Use a GPS only when necessary and only when with your woman.
28. Never make eye contact with anyone else when eating a banana.
29. Men have 9 colors: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, Black, White, and Grey. The only other color authorized is Gray.
30. You shall not directly talk about, or suggest talking about, men's depilatory habits.
31. You don't talk about Fight Club.
Feel free to add whichever one's I might have missed.
2. Chuck Norris.
3. You don't talk about Fight Club.
4. The men's room is a safe haven for bodily functions. At NO TIME will you speak to your wife about what you heard.
5. There is no circumstance under which a man admitting to liking mani/pedis is acceptable.
6. Manscaping is an art that is never to be talked about.
7. It is not permissible for a man to hold a purse for a woman for more minutes than the woman scores on the classic 1-10 hotness scale. She brought it, she carries it.
8. Unless you were having a conversation going IN to the bathroom there is no talking allowed. Unless it's at the sink, about sports
9. The Law of the Locker Room:
- Talking is allowed
- Eye contact that is initiated AFTER entering the locker room is not
- Looking around is not. It does not matter if you think someone is or isn't paying attention or engaged in your conversation. If they are, they will respond. Otherwise, shut up
- All conversations had in a locker room are open to any man present
11. Beer is not wine. Do not talk about it as such.
12. A man has the right to stock the beer of his choice in his refrigerator.
No complaining about another man’s choice of beer is permitted.
This is inclusive of the man’s choice in bottles, kegs or cans.
Exceptions:
Exceptions:
- Complaining is accepted and encouraged if the said beer is not served at a proper temperatures:
- Serve fruit beers at 40-50° F.
- Serve wheat beers and pale lagers at 45-50° F.
- Serve pale ales and amber or dark lagers at 50-55° F.
- Serve strong ales, such as barley wines and Belgian ales, at 50-55° F.
- Serve dark ales, including porters and stouts, at 55-60° F.
13. In a business setting a handshake, 2 shakes max, is an acceptable greeting for greeting another man. Outside of the business world, one of the two following nods is sufficient:
- When greeting a friend or buddy, use an upward nod of the head to signify familiarity and casualness.
- When greeting any other fellow man, use a downward nod to signify the unspoken man code, and the refusal of any form of challenge.
- Ask for a tofu or soy substitute
- Eat a salad unless it contains a piece of something that used to have a face (eg meat)
16. Grilling is the manly choice for all forms of cooking. Anything can be grilled. Even soup.
18. If there's 3 urinals, don't take the center urinal.
19. If there ARE 3 urinals and the left one is taken, take the farthest urinal...even if its a tiny urinal.
20. There is no singing in the bathroom. You can hum GENTLY, almost unintelligibly, at the urinal, but that is it. No whistling
21. Never gamble on a fart. If at all possible, wait till inside the safe confines of the men's room.(see Man Law 4)
22. A man may say, "Nice kicks." A man may NOT say, "I love your shoes!"
23. A man is to stomp out all uninvited insects, pests, and rodents in his house, only when requested by his woman. Only exception that can be stomped at will: anything poisonous
24. Look in your closet. Those are all a man's pants. Act as such when you put them on.
25. Whenever possible, kill the meat you cook. And by cook, of course I mean grill.
26. Instructions manuals are never to be used. If you can't figure it out, call a buddy.
27. Use a GPS only when necessary and only when with your woman.
28. Never make eye contact with anyone else when eating a banana.
29. Men have 9 colors: Red, Orange, Yellow, Green, Blue, Purple, Black, White, and Grey. The only other color authorized is Gray.
30. You shall not directly talk about, or suggest talking about, men's depilatory habits.
31. You don't talk about Fight Club.
Feel free to add whichever one's I might have missed.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
The Beauty and Blessing That is Woman: The Beginning
**This is a blog series that I'm writing in tandem with a good friend, Ronel Sidney. I really think that the Lord gave us this purpose, to come together and write something to build and bless and share His knowledge and wisdom. I want to pray through and bless you with as much of God's word as I can.**
With that said, my start will be...at the beginning. Or at least within a couple days of the beginning.
Genesis 2:18-23 (ESV) The verses will be in blue, and my commentary will be in black. Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." Read what it says. It says that God saw man's need for a "helper fit for him." It doesn't say a servant that was inferior to him. It doesn't say a slave who would do everything he said. It says a "helper fit for him." It's clearly pointing out that man needed someone to walk with him, to help him in life, and to love him. Now out of the ground the LORD God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. Here we see some of the work the man had done before Eve was made. He was naming all of the creatures. Also, it's pointing out that everything, including man, was made "from the earth." But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. Despite all his work, and looking, Adam could not find a "helper fit for him." He could not find the companionship or help that his soul needed. He could not find the help and love that the Lord knew he required. So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Really, God anesthetized Adam, took a rib out, and made Eve. It was from man, that God made woman. It seems only fitting that one of Adam's ribs was used. I'm sure some of us have heard some of the reasons God used a rib:
With that said, while we walk together, our jobs and callings will be different. God, in His sovereignty, has seen fit to hold man ultimately accountable for his family and their spiritual shepherding. This does not mean that the woman plays no part, but simply that God will hold the man ultimately accountable in the end.
Look at what happened in Genesis 3. Woman is deceived into eating from the forbidden tree. And the Bible says that she just turned around and gave some to Adam and he ate. And they saw they were naked, and sewed fig leaves together. Then they heard God walking through the Garden in the cool of the day. Imagine how ashamed and afraid of their loving Creator they had to be, to hide on such a perfect and wonderful day. And then God calls out to the man. They have a discussion. God brings His discipline and judgement, with a promise of the Messiah.
But, in the end, He held Adam accountable for what his wife had done. Adam tried to pass the buck, but God wasn't having it. God made it clear that Adam should have shepherded and guarded his bride's heart against the serpent. Regardless of who sinned first, the judgement was heaviest on the man. God may have multiplied Eve's pain in childbirth, but God cursed the earth because of Adam. God said in Genesis 3:17-19"...cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
No matter how man and woman were called to walk together, man was held in judgement for his wife's actions and his lack of action. This is how God said it is to be. Some people, men and women, might take issue with this. They might call God "unfair" or "unjust." Who are we to say that our almighty God is unfair and unjust in how He has planned out for things to be? We are to live according to His purpose and rest in His sovereignty. Does this mean that God does not make exceptions? No. He absolutely has. But His plan and intention has never changed.
In part 2, I will address some of those women that God chose and the Proverbs 31 woman. I pray that this has been a good beginning to us finding ourselves not in what we believe is our identity and our sense of justice, but in God's grace, power, and love.
With that said, my start will be...at the beginning. Or at least within a couple days of the beginning.
Genesis 2:18-23 (ESV) The verses will be in blue, and my commentary will be in black. Then the LORD God said, "It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him." Read what it says. It says that God saw man's need for a "helper fit for him." It doesn't say a servant that was inferior to him. It doesn't say a slave who would do everything he said. It says a "helper fit for him." It's clearly pointing out that man needed someone to walk with him, to help him in life, and to love him. Now out of the ground the LORD God had formed every beast of the field and every bird of the heavens and brought them to the man to see what he would call them. And whatever the man called every living creature, that was its name. The man gave names to all livestock and to the birds of the heavens and to every beast of the field. Here we see some of the work the man had done before Eve was made. He was naming all of the creatures. Also, it's pointing out that everything, including man, was made "from the earth." But for Adam there was not found a helper fit for him. Despite all his work, and looking, Adam could not find a "helper fit for him." He could not find the companionship or help that his soul needed. He could not find the help and love that the Lord knew he required. So the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the man, and while he slept took one of his ribs and closed up its place with flesh. And the rib that the LORD God had taken from the man he made into a woman and brought her to the man. Really, God anesthetized Adam, took a rib out, and made Eve. It was from man, that God made woman. It seems only fitting that one of Adam's ribs was used. I'm sure some of us have heard some of the reasons God used a rib:
- God did not use a piece of his skull so that woman would not believe herself to be above her man
- God did not use one of his toes so that man would not believe himself above his woman
- God used a rib because it was on Adams side, where Eve was to walk with him...right next to him
- God used a rib because Adam was meant to keep Eve safe, under his arms
- God used a rib because it was near to Adam's heart
With that said, while we walk together, our jobs and callings will be different. God, in His sovereignty, has seen fit to hold man ultimately accountable for his family and their spiritual shepherding. This does not mean that the woman plays no part, but simply that God will hold the man ultimately accountable in the end.
Look at what happened in Genesis 3. Woman is deceived into eating from the forbidden tree. And the Bible says that she just turned around and gave some to Adam and he ate. And they saw they were naked, and sewed fig leaves together. Then they heard God walking through the Garden in the cool of the day. Imagine how ashamed and afraid of their loving Creator they had to be, to hide on such a perfect and wonderful day. And then God calls out to the man. They have a discussion. God brings His discipline and judgement, with a promise of the Messiah.
But, in the end, He held Adam accountable for what his wife had done. Adam tried to pass the buck, but God wasn't having it. God made it clear that Adam should have shepherded and guarded his bride's heart against the serpent. Regardless of who sinned first, the judgement was heaviest on the man. God may have multiplied Eve's pain in childbirth, but God cursed the earth because of Adam. God said in Genesis 3:17-19"...cursed is the ground because of you; in pain you shall eat of it all the days of your life; thorns and thistles it shall bring forth for you; and you shall eat the plants of the field. By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread, till you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; for you are dust, and to dust you shall return."
No matter how man and woman were called to walk together, man was held in judgement for his wife's actions and his lack of action. This is how God said it is to be. Some people, men and women, might take issue with this. They might call God "unfair" or "unjust." Who are we to say that our almighty God is unfair and unjust in how He has planned out for things to be? We are to live according to His purpose and rest in His sovereignty. Does this mean that God does not make exceptions? No. He absolutely has. But His plan and intention has never changed.
In part 2, I will address some of those women that God chose and the Proverbs 31 woman. I pray that this has been a good beginning to us finding ourselves not in what we believe is our identity and our sense of justice, but in God's grace, power, and love.
Monday, January 7, 2013
You got your FaceSpace, and your MyFace, and your Tweetr...
I love social media. I get to interact with friends and family who are far away. I get to express my opinion across the vast nothingness that is the internet so that others might find out where to eat, who to listen to or what to do when your friend is on fire. I love the opportunities presented by having social media. But there is at least one thing that makes me...I think it's sad, but I can't quite put my finger on it.
Most of the time, I love reading what people stream across the internet. I love seeing pictures of my friends that don't live close to me right now. I hate seeing only their pictures and reading their words, but at least I get to still see a little part of their lives. I love to read the genuinely funny things that some of the people I follow on Twitter say. I love seeing how much of a passion Evidence (one of the MCs from Dilated Peoples) has for beautiful photography. I love keeping up with my Niners. Red and Gold! I love the insight and wisdom that brothers like Pastor Mark give. I love I love interacting, even if nothing ever get's said back to me.
But, this is where the struggle comes in. There is a side to social media that is ugly and swallows up peoples lives. They seek satisfaction on unhealthy levels through it. They beg and plead for people they follow to retweet what they say because "they're a huge fan" or because it's their/mom's/kid's/dad's/dog's birthday. They ask and beg for people to follow them. They say things that they wouldn't say in public. Those things make it quite obvious that they are desperate. Desperate for what? Fulfillment. They seek to have affirmation and to feel like they matter. They feel like the people/celebrities they follow are the only people that they can draw this from.
I won't lie. Sometimes my heart starts to think like that. I wish that one of the "celebrities" that I follow would respond to me, make me feel like I'm a "real person," do something that would validate my action. But you know, my heart is quickly called back to the truth. My life, my heart, and my identity are not found in what I tweet or what I put on my Facebook. My life, my heart, my identity, my validation and my worth are all found in Christ. Again, I'm not perfect...and sometimes I start to wish that someone on one of those social platforms would "pay attention" to me and say..."GREAT JOB, JUAN!"
But you know what? God is so much more loving, attentive and caring than any of those "celebrities" or people could ever be. His love and grace are so deep and reach far passed any place any validation by an athlete or musician could bring. The elation of a retweet wears off rather quickly. The love of our Father endures and strengthens and calls us back. We can't and shouldn't look to anyone on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere else to make us feel alive. Our life should be a reflection of God's immense love and grace that fills every single bit of our lives till it overflows!
One of the MANY verses that speaks of God's changing and sustaining power and love. Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Most of the time, I love reading what people stream across the internet. I love seeing pictures of my friends that don't live close to me right now. I hate seeing only their pictures and reading their words, but at least I get to still see a little part of their lives. I love to read the genuinely funny things that some of the people I follow on Twitter say. I love seeing how much of a passion Evidence (one of the MCs from Dilated Peoples) has for beautiful photography. I love keeping up with my Niners. Red and Gold! I love the insight and wisdom that brothers like Pastor Mark give. I love I love interacting, even if nothing ever get's said back to me.
But, this is where the struggle comes in. There is a side to social media that is ugly and swallows up peoples lives. They seek satisfaction on unhealthy levels through it. They beg and plead for people they follow to retweet what they say because "they're a huge fan" or because it's their/mom's/kid's/dad's/dog's birthday. They ask and beg for people to follow them. They say things that they wouldn't say in public. Those things make it quite obvious that they are desperate. Desperate for what? Fulfillment. They seek to have affirmation and to feel like they matter. They feel like the people/celebrities they follow are the only people that they can draw this from.
I won't lie. Sometimes my heart starts to think like that. I wish that one of the "celebrities" that I follow would respond to me, make me feel like I'm a "real person," do something that would validate my action. But you know, my heart is quickly called back to the truth. My life, my heart, and my identity are not found in what I tweet or what I put on my Facebook. My life, my heart, my identity, my validation and my worth are all found in Christ. Again, I'm not perfect...and sometimes I start to wish that someone on one of those social platforms would "pay attention" to me and say..."GREAT JOB, JUAN!"
But you know what? God is so much more loving, attentive and caring than any of those "celebrities" or people could ever be. His love and grace are so deep and reach far passed any place any validation by an athlete or musician could bring. The elation of a retweet wears off rather quickly. The love of our Father endures and strengthens and calls us back. We can't and shouldn't look to anyone on Twitter or Facebook or anywhere else to make us feel alive. Our life should be a reflection of God's immense love and grace that fills every single bit of our lives till it overflows!
One of the MANY verses that speaks of God's changing and sustaining power and love. Matthew 5:16
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
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