Hip Hop Flavored Devotions

Like a Child

2012-01-30T08:42:00.000-08:00

At that time the disciples came to Jesus and asked, “Who, then, is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven?” He called a little child to him, and placed the child among them. And he said: “Truly I tell you, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven. - Matthew 18

Safest Place

2012-01-29T16:53:00.000-08:00

You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance. - Psalm 32:7

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will rest in the shadow of the Almighty. - Psalm 91:1

You are my refuge and my shield; I have put my hope in your word. - Psalm 119:114

The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth. - John 1

There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. For the law of the Spirit of life has set you free in Christ Jesus from the law of sin and death. For God has done what the law, weakened by the flesh, could not do. By sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he condemned sin in the flesh, in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. - Romans 8

Day 27 - Pilot Me

2012-01-27T13:28:00.000-08:00

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. - Psalm 23:4

Day 25 - 7 Questions to Ask Yourself

2012-01-25T08:46:00.000-08:00

I have a tendency to do things to get attention, so it's essential for me to do a heart check before almost everything that I do. This especially plays out in the social network realm where everything is based around "LOOK AT ME". It's very easy to get tangled up into doing your righteous acts to get some sort of approval from others (Matthew 6:1).

So how can we battle this? Francis Chan has given us a way to be proactive against this sin in a message he entitled "7 Questions to Ask Yourself Before You Teach or Preach." Please don't think this is some sort of cookie cutter way to destroy the issue of pride, Christ is the only Answer to sin, but i would say they are great things to reflect upon and be conscious of on a daily basis..

Am I worried about what people think of my message or what God thinks? (Teach with fear)
Do I genuinely love these people? (Teach with love)
Am I accurately presenting this passage? (Teach with accuracy)
Am I depending on the Holy Spirit’s power or my own cleverness? (Teach with power)
Have I applied this message to my own life? (Teach with integrity)
Will this message draw attention to me or to God? (Teach with humility)
Do the people really need this message? (Teach with urgency)

Porn and Violence - repost

2012-01-24T12:54:00.000-08:00

From the driscolls new book "Real Marriage: The truth about sex, friendship and life together" There are 4 basic lies that porn preaches...

1. All women want sex from all men all the time in all kinds of bizarre ways. All women are nymphomaniacs.

2. Women really enjoy whatever a man does to them sexually.

3. Any woman who does not meet the stereotypes of point 1&2 can quickly be changed through a bit of force or intimidation.

4. The woman is to be dominated and degraded by the man in a way that exploits her as a tool for the man's pleasure. She is not a person, but she is merely a series of body parts.

Porn has done a great job at getting men to believe these things and view women in this light.

Every second, $3075 is spent on pornography.
Every 39 minutes a new porn video is created.
Pornography revenue worldwide is $97.06 billion dollars annually.
Pornography revenue in the U.S is just over $25 billion dollars annually.
Pornography brings in more revenue than the NFL, NBA and MLB combined.
There is over $3 billion dollars generated annually on illegal child pornography alone.
There are over 4.2 million pornographic sites on the Internet.
1.5 billion pornographic downloads take place monthly.
Adult video rentals in U.S. alone are 1 billion rental annually.
The average age of first exposure to pornography on the Internet is 11 years old.
Approximately 20% of all internet porn sites include explicit pictures of children.
33% of all pornographic users are now women.

Here are some stated facts regarding the effect that pornography has on the lives of people.

Jay Rodgers, the Director for Forerunner states that defenders of pornography argue that it is not harmful, and thus should not be regulated or banned. Citing the 1970 Presidential Commission on Obscenity and Pornography, they conclude that there is no relationship between exposure to erotic material and subsequent behavior. But two subsequent decades of research based on the increased production of more explicit and violent forms of pornography has shown the profound effects pornography can have on human behavior.

Psychologist Edward Donnerstein (University of Wisconsin) found that brief exposure to violent forms of pornography can lead to anti-social attitudes and behavior. Male viewers tend to be more aggressive towards women, less responsive to pain and suffering of rape victims, and more willing to accept various myths about rape.

Dr. Dolf Zimmerman and Dr. Jennings Bryant showed that continued exposure to pornography had serious adverse effects on beliefs about sexuality in general and on attitudes toward women in particular. They also found that pornography desensitizes people to rape as a criminal offense.
These researchers also found that massive exposure to pornography encourages a desire for increasingly deviant materials which involve violence, like sadomasochism and rape.

Feminist author Diana Russell notes in her book Rape and Marriage the correlation between deviant behavior (including abuse) and pornography. She also found that pornography leads men and women to experience conflict, suffering, and sexual dissatisfaction.

Researcher Victor Cline (University of Utah) has documented in his research how men become addicted to pornographic materials, begin to desire more explicit or deviant material, and end up acting out what they have seen.

According to Charles Keating of Citizens for Decency Through Law, research reveals that 77 percent of child molesters of boys and 87 percent of child molesters of girls admitted imitating the sexual behavior they had seen modeled in pornography.

Sociologists Murray Straus and Larry Baron (University of New Hampshire) found that rape rates are highest in states which have high sales of sex magazines and lax enforcement of pornography laws.6

Michigan state police detective Darrell Pope found that of the 38,000 sexual assault cases in Michigan (1956-1979), in 41 percent of the cases pornographic material was viewed just prior to or during the crime. This agrees with research done by psychotherapist David Scott who found that “half the rapists studied used pornography to arouse themselves immediately prior to seeking out a victim.”

The Final Report of the 1986 Attorney General’s Commission on Pornography lists a full chapter of testimony (197-223) from victims whose assailants had previously viewed pornographic materials. The adverse effects range from physical harm (rape, torture, murder, sexually transmitted disease) to psychological harm (suicidal thoughts, fear, shame, nightmares).

A national survey stated that 47% of marriages in America have been negatively affected by pornography, causing marital struggles, lack of trust and loss of hope.

66% of all divorces state that pornography played a significant role in the decision to separate.

2 out of 5 abductions of teens between the ages of 15-17 are to to Internet contact by predators who have a pornographic addiction issue.

Those studies hit home for me because I experienced a friend, who i would consider to be a borderline porn addict, go through those stages. He started out with softcore porn, then years later when I was talking to him online, he pasted me this video of this dude beating up this chick in the porn and said that it turned him on.

At the time I was just like, uh whatever floats your boat bro, but now that i've gotten these statistics and studies and looked into the subject, it has completely opened my mind. It's a travesty how lightly we take this subject. If those were the stats in 1991, when i would assume the internet wasn't too popular, can you imagine the impact porn is having on society as a whole now?

Quoted from another website:

A friend of mine who heard about this series sent me some links to share. She’s continuing to track down some additional resources, but she remember when studying marketing in college a few years ago she learned how the porn industry strategically marketed toward 11-17 year olds knowing that they were the largest user base and that if they got hooked (addicted) as a teenager, they’d be a customer for life. She remember reading how the porn industry used school textbooks to learn what kids would be searching for when working on projects to optimize search results so that kids would likely stumble across their content. I don’t have the study or documentation to back that up, but my friend is looking for that resource now.

I'm sure the above quote can be proven if you do a little digging. I mean, you see this all day on google, search for almost anything in images and you're likely to see porn pics. These people in this industry have no moral compass, they are looking to enslave people into an addiction that causes more pain than they could ever even imagine. The truly sad part is that they probably do know and just don't care.

Sin always begets more sin and just like it plays out in porn it plays out in every other aspect of our life. If we don't deal with it we are in for a heap of issues. If we don't see this problem, then we will never seek The Solution.

Grace and Peace

Prayer Warrior - Day 23

2012-01-23T07:54:00.000-08:00

Last night me and my sons were watching the movie Warrior together and anytime the men on the movie would curse. My oldest son Brayden would be like.. "Hey! why are they saying that?" Now, how he knows that curse words are curse words is beyond me. I bet his grandparents (yaya and papa) taught him, just kidding its probably cause of me and Aimee.

But I told him its because the man on the tv disobeys God and I told him why don't you pray for him every time he disobeys God. He was like "How can i pray for him daddy he's on tv." So I said "God will know you're praying for him," and so he did or so I hope. But what got me rattled later on as I started to think about the challenge that I had given him was that I don't even do that myself.

Usually when people do things that don't line up with my doctrine of 'holiness' I react out of anger rather than love; I react with pride rather than with humility; I react with, in a sense 'sucks to be them', rather than I need to tell them about Jesus and what grieves me is that this is not even close to how Jesus reacts towards the broken and lost..

As I look all throughout the bible I see that Jesus treated the broken and lost in a completely different way than I do most the time. If we look at Luke 23:34 we see How Jesus reacted to people who were beating the literal 'hell' out of Him. We see Him asking 'Father forgive them for they know not what they do.' In John chapter 4 we see how Jesus reacts to the women at the well; he tells her "whoever believes in Me will never thirst again." And in Luke 19:41 we see how how He react towards Jerusalems not seeing Him as the messiah; He weeps over their hard hearts. Thoughout the entire bible the only people God reacts to in an unfavorable manner are those who deny that they have any need for him, the self righteous..

I have to be honest. When I read the bible I realize I'm nothing like Jesus. I'm not asking 'father forgive them' when people are continually walking in darkness. When people tell me about their problems i'm not instantly telling them that even if they do solve their problems they'll still be thirsty, and that their thirst can only be quenched with The Eternal. And while I do worry about people whom i believe to be unsaved I don't weep and grieve over their unrepentant hearts.

What i see when i look at myself is a spiritual infant that constantly needs to be aware of my own spiritual blindness and need for Renewal. I think younger believers in the faith, like myself, have a tendency to look down upon the unrepentant with unholy anger and that is just 'clear as day' evidence that we are not looking to Jesus enough.

I pray that we can be men and women who don't look to others righteousness or 'lack of' as a standard for our own but we always look to Christ. I pray that we are not angry or indifferent towards people continually seeking saviors that never satisfy but that we are constantly in intercession for them; that God will open up their eyes to see That which is Greater. I pray that we would not be self righteous but constantly conscious that we are all spiritually bankrupt apart from Christ alone. And lastly I pray that we will always be conscious of the fact if it not be for the Grace of God.. There Go We.. Amen!

Day 20 - Glass Beach

2012-01-20T07:17:00.000-08:00

Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come! - 2 Corinthians 5:17

"Glass Beach is a unique beach, not because nature made it that way, but because time and the pounding surf have corrected one of man’s mistakes. Beginning in 1949, the area around Glass Beach became a public dump. It is hard to imagine this happening today, but back then people dumped all kinds of refuse straight into the ocean, including old cars, and their household garbage, which of course included lots of glass.

By the early sixties, some attempts were made to control what was dumped, and dumping of any toxic items was banned. Finally in 1967, the North Coast Water Quality Board realized what a mistake it was and plans were begun for a new dump away from the ocean. Now, over 30 years later, Mother Nature has reclaimed this beach. Years of pounding wave action have deposited tons of polished glass onto the beach.

You’ll still see the occasional reminder of it earlier life, such as a rusted spark plug, but for the most part what you’ll see is millions of pieces of glass sparkling in the sun. (As part of MacKerricher State Park, collecting is no longer allowed) despite how terrible it is that it became a dump, this is beautiful."

Doesn't that remind you of the Gospel? God takes mans mistakes and makes something beautiful out of them..

Free Josh Garrels Album

Day 19: Gospel Globe Trotter

2012-01-19T09:49:00.000-08:00

Objective: JESUS .. Target: World .. Prayer: Spirit Filled

LETS GO!!!!

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." - Mark 16:15

Day 18: E-vangelism - Send me i'll go!

2012-01-18T09:52:00.000-08:00

He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation. - Mark 16:15

God has blessed us with the internet ultimately to make Him famous. It's amazing that we can reach pretty much the entire globe with the click of a mouse. I pray that we are being diligent with the resources God has given us.

If you are interested in learning how to most efficiently use the internet to evangelize shoot me an email (inhalejesus@gmail.com)

Day 15-17 : Ron Paul

2012-01-17T13:30:00.000-08:00

I don't think this man is any sort american savior or anything but i do believe he is a turn in the right direction for our country. I've been praying a lot for him lately.. I definitely want him to win but it won't be the end of the world if he doesn't. Ultimately God controls all things including who is our president and what he does (Proverbs 21:1)

If you're still not convinced he's the best candidate please read this incredible piece from Voddie Baucham on the subject.

"Lord I pray that you open our eyes to the Glory of Your Son"

A Prayer a Day: Day 13 - 14 - Love Mine Enemies

2012-01-14T13:06:00.000-08:00

With the explosion of Jefferson Bethkes recent video (Why I hate Religion but love Jesus) there has been a flood of hate coming his way. I haven't looked into much of it but checked out one of the videos today and it sure did make my blood boil. If you are easily offended i'd recommend not watching it but for the purpose of understanding the love of Christ I wanted to post it.

"Lord Help me to love people like the man in this video.. I pray that you'll bless Him and I pray that you'll bless me by continuing to convict me to pray for him.. Amen"

A Prayer a Day: Day 11-12 - Jesus over Religion

2012-01-12T07:33:00.000-08:00

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. - Mark 1:35

Lord help me to not be religious but just in Love with Your Son - Amen

A Prayer a Day: Day 10 - Anyone Know Gypsy?

2012-01-10T08:28:00.000-08:00

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. - Mark 1:35

It has been said that music is a universal language and I believe its true. There is no cultural divide that can stand between the beauty of music and what it does to us. Whether its in some foreign language or a style we may not be fond of, if there is talent in the musician, the music will move you.

It will send us to places of pure happiness, desperation, and sadness.. It can make us stop everything we are doing and start dancing and in the next moment can make us stop everything we are doing and start crying. Music is truly a gift that stirs emotions in us that almost nothing else can. But have you ever wondered why music does that to us?

The bible tells us in Colossians 1:16 that everything was created by Jesus for His Glory.. So when you listen to music you aren't hearing mere music but you hearing echoes of the Glory of God. But it doesn't stop there..

A flower just isn't a flower. There is design/art/beauty in a flower.. A flower sings praises to Gods Name. A human isn't just a person with no rhyme or reason, there is intricate design in humanity that sings Praises to the Glory of God. Food doesn't taste amazing for no reason at all... food sings a sweet melody to the Glory of God..

EVERYTHING sings praises to the Glory of God..

We have a tendency to look 'at' things rather than through them and by doing this we miss out on the symphony of Gods Glory that resounds within everything. You think a flower is beautiful just because? You think music is beautiful just because? You think humanity is intricately woven just because? You think food is delicious just because?

No... everything screams Glory.. - Psalm 29

So, I challenge you.. Next time you listen to amazing music, look at a beautiful flower, are impressed with someone you admire or eat some delicious food ponder these things. Seek Him and see Him in all things and then relate all that back to the cross and see the Glory of God at its highest level..

Lord, Please help me to see Your Glory in Everything.. In Jesus Name Amen

Prayer a Day: Days 7, 8, and 9 - Open my Eyes

2012-01-09T10:00:00.000-08:00

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. - Mark 1:35

Father open my eyes to the Glory of Your Son. Amen

A Prayer a Day: Day 6 - The Preciousness of Time

2012-01-06T14:20:00.000-08:00

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. - Mark 1:35

Father help me to be more on point with my time and be diligent throughout the entire day.. Amen.

A Prayer a Day : Day 5

2012-01-05T11:10:00.000-08:00

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. - Mark 1:35

I was just looking into some christian statistics around the globe and found out that Somalia is the least Christian nation on the planet. With a population of over 9.1 million there are only about 1000 Christians in the entire country. I don't know how accurate that number is but could you imagine if our country was like that? Can you imagine how much hostility there is towards the Christians in that country? They can't even be open about their faith.. But whats crazy is we should envy people like that..

I've done a lot of reading on persecuted saints in the past and one thing they all say is that God is most active in their lives when they are being persecuted for the faith. The bible tells us in 2 Timothy 3:12 that all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted,

If you look at the apostles they were all persecuted.. look at John the Baptist he got his head chopped off but in Matthew 11:11 Jesus talks about how there is no greater man born of woman than him.. Then you look at Jesus the creator of the world and He suffered for many so that many might come to know Him.. It seems we Americans are missing out on something big by not putting ourselves in jeopardy where God is the only way out. It's a pretty radical prayer to pray but it seems this is the road to God.. Are we brave enough to ask for it?

..Lord I pray that you can bless me by breaking me in half and allowing me to be persecuted for Your Glory. Destroy my arrogance and restore it with Your humility in Jesus Name Amen..

(the pic i used today is of a christian brother from somalia who got his head chopped off for being a christian ..he is now rocking the martyrs crown..)

A Prayer a Day: Day 3 and 4

2012-01-04T08:47:00.000-08:00

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. - Mark 1:35

For the past few years my prayers for my kids have all been for God to bless them, for God to indwell them with His spirit, for God to make them great for His glory, etc... and what i realized was that i have never given my children to God. I know they are His, regardless, but I had never laid them on the altar of His Grace. I had never told God these children are yours take them for Your Glory. It literally led me to tears the first few times I did this.. Was thinking about how much I love them and just how scary it is to lay them into the care of someone else, completely.

But why should I be scared to lay them into the hands of God if He has already shown me how much He not only loves me but He loves them; by the laying down of His own Son on the altar of His Grace. He's shown me His hands are hands of love by allowing nails to be driven through them for my sins.. God can do much more with my kids than I ever could. So, daily, I lay them on the altar of His grace. Todays prayer is a poem i wrote yesterday while thinking about this. If you're confused by the poem i'd recommend reading Genesis 22 and take a very close look at who the Angel of The Lord actually is.

I lay my sons on the Altar,

Cause I know Your Grace is Amazing

and Just like you did with Issac,

You have sent Your Son to save them.

Angel of the Lord, Preincarnate

Swear By Yourself, Oh my King!

Surely blessed as Your descendant

You rule my everything… Amen

A Prayer a Day : Day 1 and 2

2012-01-03T07:27:00.000-08:00

And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed. - Mark 1:35

These past few months God has revealed to me how important daily prayer is and how paramount it is to our growth as christians. So, what i've decided to do this year is add one short daily prayer to the blog.. I missed yesterday so ill add both yesterdays and todays to this post.

Day 1: Lord help me not to try to be super spiritual religious guy but just be completely obsessed with Your Son.. Amen

Day 2: Lord help me not to walk past the dead when I possess the Word of Life.. Amen

Jeremiah 29:11 - A Biblical Exegesis

2012-01-02T08:20:00.000-08:00

For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. - Jeremiah 29:11

Christians have a tendency to take the Scriptures and make them about us not knowing that doing that is very unbiblical. This video is a sobering look into how important proper biblical interpretation is and how that will flesh out in our lives..

You can make interpretation easier for yourself by using commentaries. They are a good way to know what a certain verse is referring to and how to read it in context. And if you are looking for one I would recommend Bible.cc it's a great tool that offers multiple translations/commentaries all in one spot!

Gay Marriage

2011-12-30T10:06:00.000-08:00

This article offers some great insight into the problems that will accompany institutionalizing same sex marriage. History has told us time and time again that the loosening of sexual norms will not only lead to break downs in the family but in society as a whole. I've included a snip from the article below.

THE SOCIAL RISK OF DECONSTRUCTING THE FAMILY

In the early twentieth century, the British social scientist J.D. Unwin conducted a massive study of 6 major civilizations and 80 lesser societies covering 5,000 years of history in order to understand how sexual behavior affects the rise and fall of social groups.[49] The study Unwin conducted included every social group on which he could find reliable information. He set out expecting to find evidence supporting Sigmund Freud’s theory that civilizations are essentially neurotic and destroy themselves by restricting sex too much. But to Unwin’s surprise, all the evidence he discovered pointed exactly the other way.

Freud had said, “It is natural to suppose that under the domination of a civilized morality (one that restricts sex) the health and efficiency in life of the individuals may be impaired, and that ultimately this injury to the individual, caused by the sacrifices imposed upon him, may reach such a pitch that the civilized aim and end will itself be indirectly endangered.”[50] This led Freud to think civilization was unstable and perhaps self-defeating, so that he once wrote Albert Einstein saying he feared by limiting sex, civilization “may perhaps be leading to the extinction of the human race.”[51] Freud especially feared total sexual abstinence outside monogamous marriage. Some restriction might be tolerable, but that was dangerous.

According to Freud, “It is now easy to predict the result which will ensue if sexual freedom is still further circumscribed, and the standard demanded by civilization is raised to the level...which taboos [prohibits] every sexual activity other than that in legitimate matrimony. Under these conditions the number of strong natures who openly rebel will be immensely increased, and likewise the number of weaker natures who take refuge in neurosis...[When] civilization demands from both sexes abstinence until marriage, and lifelong abstinence for all who do not enter into legal matrimony,.... We may thus well raise the question whether our civilized sexual morality is worth the sacrifice it imposes upon us.”[52]

Freud was not a social scientist and never proved his theory. But he did think someone should try, saying, “If the evolution of civilization has such a far-reaching similarity with the development of an individual, and if the same methods are employed in both, would not the diagnosis be justified that many systems of civilization have become neurotic under the pressure of the civilizing trends?...we should have to be very cautious and not forget that, after all, we are only dealing with analogies....But in spite of all these difficulties, we may expect that one day someone will venture on this research into the pathology of civilized communities.”[53]

Unwin accepted Freud’s challenge, setting out to study how sexual morality affects civilization and especially whether Freud was right about restricting sex to monogamous marriage threatening the survival of societies. He did indeed find strong evidence linking “the cultural condition of any society in any geographical environment” with “its past and present methods of regulating the relations between the sexes.”[54] But rather than being injured by restricting sex to marriage, Unwin found in every case the “expansive energy” of a social group comes from restricting sex to marriage, and sexual license is always “the immediate cause of cultural decline.”[55] In other words, all the evidence he discovered showed that the survival of civilization or society depends on keeping sexual energy focused on supporting family life and not allowing individuals access to sex in ways that do not support family life.

Unwin found, without exception, that if a social group limited sex to marriage, and especially to lifelong monogamous marriage, it would always prosper. There was “no recorded case of a society adopting absolute monogamy without displaying expansive energy.” He said, when sexual standards were high, “men began to explore new lands...commerce expanded; foreign settlements (were) established, colonies (were) founded.”[56] In contrast, if a social group lowered standards so that sex was no longer limited to marriage, it always lost social energy. And again he found absolutely no exceptions, saying, “In human records there is no instance of a society retaining its energy after a complete new generation has inherited a tradition which does not insist on pre-nuptial [premarital] and post-nuptial [extramarital] continence.”[57] In every verifiable case, he found once a group became sexually permissive, “the energy of the society...decreased and finally disappeared.”[58]

He came across the same pattern over and over. A society would begin with high standards limiting sex to one partner in marriage for life. This produced great social strength and that society or culture would flourish. Then a new generation would arise demanding sex on easier terms and would lower moral standards. But when that happened the society would lose vitality, grow weak, and then die. He explained that “In the beginning, each society had the same ideas in regard to sexual regulations. Then the same strengths took place; the same sentiments were expressed; the same changes were made; the same results ensued. Each society reduced its sexual opportunity to a minimum and, displaying great social energy, flourished greatly. Then it extended its sexual opportunity [lowered standards]; its energy decreased, and faded away. The one outstanding feature of the whole story is its unrelieved monotony.”[59]

Therefore, based on overwhelming evidence, Unwin decided, “Any human society is free to choose either to display great energy or to enjoy sexual freedom; the evidence is that it cannot do both for more than one generation.”[60] Not only was Freud wrong, he was dangerously wrong. No matter how strong, no society can ever avoid losing social strength once it lowers sexual standards, and once it does, signs of growing weakness appear within one generation. Freud thought restricting sex to marriage threatened the survival of civilization and might even threaten survival of the human race. But Unwin discovered that restricting sex to the traditional marriage structure makes societies strong and that easing sexual standards supporting the traditional family structure always leads to social collapse. Based on Unwin’s findings, there is no other outcome, and if we heed his findings, it means we must realize that deconstructing the family to justify lust will certainly threaten the strength and survival of American society as a whole....read more

Enjoy The Drive

2011-12-29T10:14:00.000-08:00

There is nothing that irks me more than the way people drive (I got issues).. People literally speed home, weaving in an out of traffic whole way breaking countless laws, just to get home and lay on their couch and watch tv. So anyhow on my drive home yesterday i conjured up this poem titled... "Enjoy The Drive."

Right lane rolling

reggae blaring,

people driving by,

i'm not even caring.

Sunlights a symphony

Drivers in a hurry

Destination no where

No need to worry.

The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards

2011-12-27T10:48:00.000-08:00

via : http://www.whatsbestnext.com/2011/06/the-resolutions-of-jonathan-edwards-in-categories/

THE RESOLUTIONS OF JONATHAN EDWARDS IN CATEGORIES

As I’ve been working on my book on gospel-centered productivity, Jonathan Edward’s resolutions have been very relevant and significant. Edwards is an example to us of true productivity — he shows us that true productivity is about a life well lived and that, even more, a life well lived is a God-centeredlife.
Edwards also shows us that a well lived life doesn’t just happen; it requires intentionality. And intentionality manifests itself in certain “mechanisms” that help us maintain our intentionality. Edwards’ resolutions are one example of such a “mechanism.”
So Edwards is a good example not just of a life that is lived well, but also of the “practical side” of how to actually build that intentionality into our lives, rather than just letting it remain a vague wish that never takes deep root and makes a real difference.
Toward that end, it’s worth reflecting on and giving some thought to his resolutions. Many of you are familiar with them, I’m sure. What I’ve tried to do here is put them into a few categories that can perhaps help shed some additional light on the resolutions and how Edwards lived his life.
Obviously these categories are somewhat subjective. In one sense,everything could fit under the “spiritual life” category, for example. And things could be divided into more categories than I have here. But I hope that these categories help cast some additional light on Edward’s resolutions for you — and how you think about these areas of your own life. For example, we might not typically put something like resolution 7 (“Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life”) under “time management.” But I think it is extremely relevant to time management, and seeing it in that light helps us re-orient the way we think about time management for ourselves generally.
You’ll notice also that I’ve categorized this post under “managing yourself.” That is to underscore the point — which I think is often overlooked — that when we are talking about the spirituality of someone like Jonathan Edwards, we aren’t talking about anything different than the basic reality of how to manage our own lives. Managing yourself is actually a very spiritual thing, and ought to be understood in that light, rather than as simply a mix of secular disciplines (though there are many “secular”-seeming disciplines involved, especially as life gets more technological and complex).
The Resolutions of Jonathan Edwards (1722-1723)
Being sensible that I am unable to do anything without God’s help, I do humbly entreat him by his grace to enable me to keep these Resolutions, so far as they are agreeable to his will, for Christ’s sake.
Remember to read over these Resolutions once a week.

Overall Life Mission
1. Resolved, that I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory, and my own good, profit and pleasure, in the whole of my duration, without any consideration of the time, whether now, or never so many myriad’s of ages hence. Resolved to do whatever I think to be my duty and most for the good and advantage of mankind in general. Resolved to do this, whatever difficulties I meet with, how many and how great soever.
2. Resolved, to be continually endeavoring to find out some new invention and contrivance to promote the aforementioned things.
3. Resolved, if ever I shall fall and grow dull, so as to neglect to keep any part of these Resolutions, to repent of all I can remember, when I come to myself again.
4. Resolved, never to do any manner of thing, whether in soul or body, less or more, but what tends to the glory of God; nor be, nor suffer it, if I can avoid it.
6. Resolved, to live with all my might, while I do live.
22. Resolved, to endeavor to obtain for myself as much happiness, in the other world, as I possibly can, with all the power; might, vigor, and vehemence, yea violence, I am capable of, or can bring myself to exert, in any way that can be thought of.
62. Resolved, never to do anything but duty; and then according to Eph. 6:6-8, do it willingly and cheerfully as unto the Lord, and not to man; “knowing that whatever good thing any man doth, the same shall he receive of the Lord.” June 25 and July 13, 1723.

Good Works
11. Resolved, when I think of any theorem in divinity to be solved, immediately to do what I can towards solving it, if circumstances don’t hinder.
13. Resolved, to be endeavoring to find out fit objects of charity and liberality.
69. Resolved, always to do that, which I shall wish I had done when I see others do it. Aug. 11, 1723.

Time Management
5. Resolved, never to lose one moment of time; but improve it the most profitable way I possibly can.
7. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if it were the last hour of my life.
17. Resolved, that I will live so as I shall wish I had done when I come to die.
18. Resolved, to live so at all times, as I think is best in my devout frames, and when I have clearest notions of things of the gospel, and another world.
19. Resolved, never to do anything, which I should be afraid to do, if I expected it would not be above an hour, before I should hear the last trump.
37. Resolved, to inquire every night, as I am going to bed, wherein I have been negligent, what sin I have committed, and wherein I have denied myself: also at the end of every week, month and year. Dec.22 and 26, 1722.
40. Resolved, to inquire every night, before I go to bed, whether I have acted in the best way I possibly could, with respect to eating and drinking.Jan. 7, 1723.
41. Resolved, to ask myself at the end of every day, week, month and year, wherein I could possibly in any respect have done better. Jan. 11, 1723.
50. Resolved, I will act so as I think I shall judge would have been best, and most prudent, when I come into the future world. July 5, 1723.
51. Resolved, that I will act so, in every respect, as I think I shall wish I had done, if I should at last be damned. July 8, 1723.
52. I frequently hear persons in old age say how they would live, if they were to live their lives over again: Resolved, that I will live just so as I can think I shall wish I had done, supposing I live to old age. July 8, 1723.
http://www.whatsbestnext.com/wp-admin/post.php?post=5412&action=edit&message=9
55. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to act as I can think I should do, if I had already seen the happiness of heaven, and hell torments. July 8, 1723.
61. Resolved, that I will not give way to that listlessness which I find unbends and relaxes my mind from being fully and fixedly set on religion, whatever excuse I may have for it-that what my listlessness inclines me to do, is best to be done, etc. May 21, and July 13, 1723.

Relationships
14. Resolved, never to do anything out of revenge.
15. Resolved, never to suffer the least motions of anger to irrational beings.
16. Resolved, never to speak evil of anyone, so that it shall tend to his dishonor, more or less, upon no account except for some real good.
31. Resolved, never to say anything at all against anybody, but when it is perfectly agreeable to the highest degree of Christian honor, and of love to mankind, agreeable to the lowest humility, and sense of my own faults and failings, and agreeable to the golden rule; often, when I have said anything against anyone, to bring it to, and try it strictly by the test of this Resolution.
33. Resolved, always to do what I can towards making, maintaining, establishing and preserving peace, when it can be without over-balancing detriment in other respects. Dec.26, 1722.
34. Resolved, in narration’s never to speak anything but the pure and simple verity.
36. Resolved, never to speak evil of any, except I have some particular good call for it. Dec. 19, 1722.
46. Resolved, never to allow the least measure of any fretting uneasiness at my father or mother. Resolved to suffer no effects of it, so much as in the least alteration of speech, or motion of my eve: and to be especially careful of it, with respect to any of our family.
58. Resolved, not only to refrain from an air of dislike, fretfulness, and anger in conversation, but to exhibit an air of love, cheerfulness and benignity.May27, and July 13, 1723.
59. Resolved, when I am most conscious of provocations to ill nature and anger, that I will strive most to feel and act good-naturedly; yea, at such times, to manifest good nature, though I think that in other respects it would be disadvantageous, and so as would be imprudent at other times.May 12, July ii, and July 13.
66. Resolved, that I will endeavor always to keep a benign aspect, and air of acting and speaking in all places, and in all companies, except it should so happen that duty requires otherwise.
70. Let there be something of benevolence, in all that I speak.

Suffering
9. Resolved, to think much on all occasions of my own dying, and of the common circumstances which attend death.
10. Resolved, when I feel pain, to think of the pains of martyrdom, and of hell.
67. Resolved, after afflictions, to inquire, what I am the better for them, what good I have got by them, and what I might have got by them.
57. Resolved, when I fear misfortunes and adversities, to examine whether ~ have done my duty, and resolve to do it; and let it be just as providence orders it, I will as far as I can, be concerned about nothing but my duty and my sin. June 9, and July 13 1723.

Character
8. Resolved, to act, in all respects, both speaking and doing, as if nobody had been so vile as I, and as if I had committed the same sins, or had the same infirmities or failings as others; and that I will let the knowledge of their failings promote nothing but shame in myself, and prove only an occasion of my confessing my own sins and misery to God.
12. Resolved, if I take delight in it as a gratification of pride, or vanity, or on any such account, immediately to throw it by.
21. Resolved, never to do anything, which if I should see in another, I should count a just occasion to despise him for, or to think any way the more meanly of him.
32. Resolved, to be strictly and firmly faithful to my trust, that that in Prov. 20:6, “A faithful man who can find?” may not be partly fulfilled in me.
47. Resolved, to endeavor to my utmost to deny whatever is not most agreeable to a good, and universally sweet and benevolent, quiet, peace able, contented, easy, compassionate, generous, humble, meek, modest, submissive, obliging, diligent and industrious, charitable, even, patient, moderate, forgiving, sincere temper; and to do at all times what such a temper would lead me to. Examine strictly every week, whether I have done so. Sabbath morning. May 5,1723.
54. Whenever I hear anything spoken in conversation of any person, if I think it would be praiseworthy in me, Resolved to endeavor to imitate it.July 8, 1723.
63. On the supposition, that there never was to be but one individual in the world, at any one time, who was properly a complete Christian, in all respects of a right stamp, having Christianity always shining in its true luster, and appearing excellent and lovely, from whatever part and under whatever character viewed: Resolved, to act just as I would do, if I strove with all my might to be that one, who should live in my time. Jan.14′ and July ’3′ 1723.
27. Resolved, never willfully to omit anything, except the omission be for the glory of God; and frequently to examine my omissions.
39. Resolved, never to do anything that I so much question the lawfulness of, as that I intend, at the same time, to consider and examine afterwards, whether it be lawful or no; except I as much question the lawfulness of the omission.
20. Resolved, to maintain the strictest temperance in eating and drinking.

Spiritual Life
Assurance
25. Resolved, to examine carefully, and constantly, what that one thing in me is, which causes me in the least to doubt of the love of God; and to direct all my forces against it.
26. Resolved, to cast away such things, as I find do abate my assurance.
48. Resolved, constantly, with the utmost niceness and diligence, and the strictest scrutiny, to be looking into the state of my soul, that I may know whether I have truly an interest in Christ or no; that when I come to die, I may not have any negligence respecting this to repent of. May 26, 1723.
49. Resolved, that this never shall be, if I can help it.
The Scriptures
28. Resolved, to study the Scriptures so steadily, constantly and frequently, as that I may find, and plainly perceive myself to grow in the knowledge of the same.
Prayer
29. Resolved, never to count that a prayer, nor to let that pass as a prayer, nor that as a petition of a prayer, which is so made, that I cannot hope that God will answer it; nor that as a confession, which I cannot hope God will accept.
64. Resolved, when I find those “groanings which cannot be uttered” (Rom. 8:26), of which the Apostle speaks, and those “breakings of soul for the longing it hath,” of which the Psalmist speaks, Psalm 119:20, that I will promote them to the utmost of my power, and that I will not be wear’, of earnestly endeavoring to vent my desires, nor of the repetitions of such earnestness. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
The Lord’s Day
38. Resolved, never to speak anything that is ridiculous, sportive, or matter of laughter on the Lord’s day. Sabbath evening, Dec. 23, 1722.
Vivification of Righteousness
30. Resolved, to strive to my utmost every week to be brought higher in religion, and to a higher exercise of grace, than I was the week before.
42. Resolved, frequently to renew the dedication of myself to God, which was made at my baptism; which I solemnly renewed, when I was received into the communion of the church; and which I have solemnly re-made this twelfth day of January, 1722-23.
43. Resolved, never henceforward, till I die, to act as if I were any way my own, but entirely and altogether God’s, agreeable to what is to be found inSaturday, January 12. Jan.12, 1723.
44- Resolved, that no other end but religion, shall have any influence at all on any of my actions; and that no action shall be, in the least circumstance, any otherwise than the religious end will carry it. Jan.12, 1723.
45. Resolved, never to allow any pleasure or grief, joy or sorrow, nor any affection at all, nor any degree of affection, nor any circumstance relating to it, but what helps religion. Jan.12 and 13.1723.
Mortification of Sin and Self Examination
23. Resolved, frequently to take some deliberate action, which seems most unlikely to be done, for the glory of God, and trace it back to the original intention, designs and ends of it; and if I find it not to be for God’s glory, to repute it as a breach of the 4th Resolution.
24. Resolved, whenever I do any conspicuously evil action, to trace it back, till I come to the original cause; and then both carefully endeavor to do so no more, and to fight and pray with all my might against the original of it.
35. Resolved, whenever I so much question whether I have done my duty, as that my quiet and calm is thereby disturbed, to set it down, and also how the question was resolved. Dec. 18, 1722.
60. Resolved, whenever my feelings begin to appear in the least out of order, when I am conscious of the least uneasiness within, or the least irregularity without, I will then subject myself to the strictest examination.July 4, and 13, 1723.
68. Resolved, to confess frankly to myself all that which I find in myself, either infirmity or sin; and, if it be what concerns religion, also to confess the whole case to God, and implore needed help. July 23, and August 10, 1723.
56. Resolved, never to give over, nor in the least to slacken my fight with my corruptions, however unsuccessful I may be.
Communion with God
53. Resolved, to improve every opportunity, when I am in the best and happiest frame of mind, to cast and venture my soul on the Lord Jesus Christ, to trust and confide in him, and consecrate myself wholly to him; that from this I may have assurance of my safety, knowing that I confide in my Redeemer. July 8, 1723.
65. Resolved, very much to exercise myself in this all my life long, viz. with the greatest openness I am capable of, to declare my ways to God, and lay open my soul to him: all my sins, temptations, difficulties, sorrows, fears, hopes, desires, and every thing, and every circumstance; according to Dr. Manton’s 27th Sermon on Psalm 119. July 26, and Aug.10 1723.
Aug. 17, 1723

The Incarnation (Spoken Word)

2011-12-24T08:33:00.000-08:00

"Here's a side to the Christmas story that isn't often told: those soft little hands, fashioned by the Holy Spirit in Mary's womb, were made so that nails might be driven through them. Those baby feet, pink and unable to walk, would one day walk up a dusty hill to be nailed to a cross. That sweet infant's head with sparking eyes and eager mouth was formed so that someday men might force a crown of thorns onto it. That tender body, warm and soft, wrapped in swaddling clothes, would one day be ripped open by a spear." - John MacArthur

The Straight & Narrow

2011-12-23T07:01:00.000-08:00

Enter ye in at the strait gate,.... By the "strait gate" is meant Christ himself; who elsewhere calls himself "the door", John 10:7 as he is into the church below, and into all the ordinances and privileges of it; as also to the Father, by whom we have access unto him, and are let into communion with him, and a participation of all the blessings of grace; yea, he is the gate of heaven, through which we have boldness to enter into the holiest of all by faith and hope now; as there will be hereafter an abundant entrance into the kingdom and glory of God, through his blood and righteousness.

This is called "strait"; because faith in Christ, a profession of it, and a life and conversation agreeable to it, are attended with many afflictions, temptations, reproaches, and persecutions. "Entering" in at it is by faith, and making a profession of it: hence it follows, that faith is not the gate itself, but the grace, by which men enter in at the right door, and walk on in Christ, as they begin with him. - Gill on Matthew 7:13

Dubstep Christmas - Happy Humpday

2011-12-21T07:20:00.000-08:00

The Gospel in The Stars

2011-12-17T03:10:00.000-08:00

Psalm 19

The heavens declare the glory of God;

the skies proclaim the work of his hands.

Day after day they pour forth speech;

night after night they reveal knowledge.

They have no speech, they use no words;

no sound is heard from them.

Yet their voice goes out into all the earth,

their words to the ends of the world.

In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun.

It is like a bridegroom coming out of his chamber,

like a champion rejoicing to run his course.

It rises at one end of the heavens

and makes its circuit to the other;

nothing is deprived of its warmth.

Tonight the stars speak of your infinite love

And it serves to remind me
That what I have means nothing at all
Compared to your glory, Oh lord
How long till your voice speaks clearly?
How long till your arms envelope me?
I cry be my strength when I am weak
Oh Lord have mercy on me please
My spirit is willing but my flesh is so weak
I cry in your arms now
God grant me the strength to rest in you
I lift my hands and cry

Johann Sebastian Bach: Composer to the Glory of God

2011-12-12T08:40:00.000-08:00

My cousin recently put me onto this lil tidbit of info that I thought was amazing. Bach 'arguably' the greatest composer of all time was a reformed Christian and he used to finish all his compositions with his trade mark signature 'SDG' which means Soli Deo Gloria or Glory to God Alone.

If you are a fan of modern music do realize that Bach paved the way for your style of music. I'm just constantly re-amazed how God is the author of all things and all things are created to give glory to His Son - Colossians 1:16.

For more info on the subject check out- http://www.reformationsa.org/articles/Johann%20Sebastian%20Bach.htm

Heart Check

2011-12-10T11:46:00.000-08:00

Do you ever get annoyed by the way people Facebook? I know I do. I'm like 'uh what is the point of posting an update about your son taking a dump in the middle of the floor?' Or what is the point of posting a pic of every meal you ever eat and so on, all the while i do the same thing. It's like everyone has their own Facebook 'religion' and if you don't follow mine you're not 'cool'.

Facebook religion reminds me a lot of man made religions, man made religions have a tendency to give us a superior complex, or make us feel like we are better people than others. I'd be hard pressed to say that, whether every person believes it or not, every person is religious in some sense.

You might not be one of the traditional religious cats but you have a set of morals/guidelines you follow and you feel these are superior to everyone elses. You also feel that if you were to meet God based on your set of morals that you follow, or based on the way you live your life you would be cool with Him. You might not say this aloud but i bet if you really sat down and thought about it thats how you feel.

But is this a wise stance to take? I recently was watching this video (below) and it made me ponder this subject.

You ever seen that before?

Whats crazy is from our viewpoint we all know the girl was not a good person, she was a cheater, liar, she would choose to give food to a stray dog over a homeless person, etc. But whats craziest is this woman is willing to divulge all this info for some green pieces of paper. And then at the end of it she's not even willing to admit that she believes she's a bad person. I mean everything is screaming in her face 'you suck at life' but she's not willing to admit it. She's literally mad and doesn't even know it.

If were honest we can look at her and see much of ourselves. I can look back at the lifestyle i was living (dead in), heavy into drugs, heavy into drug dealing/scamming, heavy into cheating on the girl of my dreams, heavy into everything bad.

My religion was evil and i chased this religion and gathered people around me to be part of this religion. I look back at the way I was living, the things i was doing and it just baffles me that i'm alive. I was full fledged church member of the thug life, and i remember i didn't think i was a bad person. Regardless of what everyone thought i honestly I didn't care because i was gonna do mine and if God wasn't cool with me thats on Him. I was kind of at a point where i didn't believe in God but i was ready to go to hell if there was a God.

I wouldn't be surprised if the majority of people feel the way i felt. Maybe not everyone was ready to go to hell but I bet if everyone thought about it for a while they'd see that they've created this belief system where if God isn't cool with the person they are then thats on Him.

Have you ever thought that? The reason this is not a wise stance to take is because its based on personal feelings. You take the wildest thug/rapist and he thinks he's a good person, you take the most religious cat on the block and he thinks he's a 'good person.' But who's standard of Goodness should we be following?

The bible tells us that Gods standard of Goodness is perfection. God has revealed in all of us that we are not, good, via our sins and our sins put us at odds with Him. Are you a sinner? I know i am. My thoughts alone on a daily basis condemn me, constantly hating on people with no cause. Constantly rebelling against God and doing things my way, neglecting my kids for television, blowing up at my kids over little nothings, white lies, etc..

I'm clearly a sinner but whats the ultimate solution? If I fix these problems on my own i become prideful and get a religious 'superiority complex' if i don't conquer these sins on my own i become prideful or self loathing and hate on others and gain a religious 'inferiority complex.'

This is where christianity stands alone. God reveals these sins not only to show us our desperate need for Him but also to show His relentless love towards sinners. Christians have nothing to boast in besides God.

Christ is our righteousness, Christ is our sanctification, Christ is our salvation. If we have a sin that is owning us we see the Cross where Christ paid the penalty for that sin. If we have a sin that is or has been conquered we see the Christ where He has been the sanctifying agent in our lives.

Our only boast is Christ and that should not give us a superiority complex but a humble boldness to serve and Love Him with our whole hearts. And through this Love for Christ, Christ reveals the truth in Himself.

The greatest question you could ever ask yourself is who is gonna pay for your sins? About 4 years ago, via Gods grace, i stopped following my religion, fell on my face before God and asked Him to forgive me for rebelling against Him and running away from Him, to take over my life to change me, to make me love Him. I can look back at the last 4 years of my life and they have been the only years of my life i've actually been alive.

I can thank God now that my past, present, and future sins have been payed for on the cross and i don't have any sort of guilt over the things i've done. Yes there is pain, but the guilt is gone..

I can thank God that knowing Him has taken me higher than any drug, drink, feeling could ever take me, a transcendence that is beyond anything I could ever imagine and can only be found in Him.

I can thank God that knowing Him has changed my heart to care about things that matter. Namely, serving my wife, family, friends and others, giving to the less fortunate and denying self for the greater good of others. And above all things a zeal for God that can only be explained as supernatural.

And lastly i can thank God that all these changes have ONLY taken place through the Grace of God and His Son.

Whats your religion? Is your religion "I asked jesus into my heart and because of that i'm good to go?" Is your religion "i go to church and because of that i'm good to go?" Is your religion "i'm a good person and because of that God loves me?" Is your religion the thug life like mine used to be? The only religion that will stand before God is no religion at all. All man made self righteousness will falter before a perfectly holy and just God.

But there is One person who can and does stand before a perfectly holy and just God.. That is the God man, God Himself, Jesus Christ and through Him we can have confidence to enter into the presence of God..

Do you know this God that I know? If not i pray you do... Seek Him...

Grace and Peace

Pray For Justin Bieber

2011-12-07T02:22:00.000-08:00

Google has a keyword tool where you can see how often anything is searched monthly on google.com. So just to give you a frame of reference on how influential this kid is and why christians should be praying for him i've put together a few searches of 'important people.'

First i checked how often God gets searched monthly (55,600,000) The number is obviously rounded. (you can click on the images)

Second I checked 'Jesus' who comes in at about (25,000,000) searches per month.

Third I checked, our president, Obama who came in 4th in the list at (13,600,000).

Next I checked Lebron James who came in at a whopping (1,800,000) monthly.

Lastly i checked Bieber who came in at (37,200,000) searches per month.

It's an understatement to say this kid influential. He may not be your version of Christian but i see him bearing fruit of righteousness/salvation. Lets continue to pray that God will open His eyes to the Glory of His Son.

Are You Alive?

2011-12-05T10:18:00.000-08:00

To live is the rarest thing in the world. Most people exist, that is all. - Oscar Wilde

- To know Christ is to live. (John 10:10) (Col 2:13) (Ephesians 2)

- To know God is to live. (John 17:3)

- To seek and find wisdom is to live. (Proverbs 8:35)

- To give is to live. (Acts 20:35)

- To deny self is to live. (Luke 9:23) (Matthew 10:39)

- To exalt Christ is to live. (Philippians 1:21)

The Attributes of God - Shai Linne

As always if you want any content on this site (albums, sermon jams, sermons, anything) Hit me up at inhalejesus@gmail.com and ill hook you up.

Grace and Peace

Reflections of Grace

2011-12-01T13:24:00.000-08:00

Toy truck in my morning coffee,

How many times do i have to tell you?

Daddy, i am very very sorry

Baby, my forgiveness will never fail you.

My walls have become a canvas,

You're not supposed to be in this!

Daddy, i am very very sorry

Baby, my forgiveness for you is endless.

Throwing fits at bed time

We have to go through this again?!

Daddy, you're not my friend anymore

Baby, my love for you will never end..

Seeing Brayden in my reflection,

How long will You put up with me?

Daddy, Why do You even love me?

Baby, My Grace stretches beyond eternity.

My children have taught me much about the kingdom, above all things forgiveness. I don't know how many times we've told Brayden not to do certain things and he just never gets it. It's almost as if there is someone else inside him that has to rebel. Brayden seems to want to do whats right but for some reason he always has to do what he's not supposed to do.

I mean as i reflect upon these things I know I didn't sit down one day and give him a lesson on the best techniques of lying, yet he lies like he's been taking lessons from Casey Anthony. I know i didn't sit down one day and teach him to how to throw fits when i tell him to do something.. Yet anytime I ask him to do something he doesn't want to do (most often whats best for him) he throws a tantrum like he's at a rave back in the 90's.. So why does Mr Brayden do these things?

The bible tells us that the 10 commandments or 'the law' was not giving to us to follow but in fact to show us that we are sinners.

(For by works of the law no human being will be justified in his sight, since through the law comes knowledge of sin. - Romans 3:20)

You ever notice how its hard to drive the speed limit? We have to drive at least 5 mph hour over and it ,in fact, feels awkward to drive the speed limit, we even drive past cops going over the speed limit (at least i do sometimes). Well thats exactly what God is explaining right here in this verse. Laws show you that you can't and won't keep them. Thats whats going on with Brayden and thats what goes on with us.

The bible tells us in (i'd recommend reading all of romans 5) romans 5:8

'That God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.'

The verse proclaims that Gods love is demonstrated in Christ dying for sinners. A friend once told me that there are two ways you can measure the love of God.. One way is by the value of the treasure that he chose to give (Jesus) and the 2nd way is by the lack of worth for those to whom he chose to give Jesus to, namely us or 'the world'..

You put those two things together, that Jesus is of infinite value and we have no merit of that gift and you know God and you know what Love is..

We have been taught this misconstrued version of christianity. Christians are 'good people' who have it 'all together'. 'Church is a place for good people, not bad people, We seek God for things, etc.' I don't know where these beliefs came from, I know pre-christ I believed the same, but they are definitely not biblical christianity.

Christians are people who recognize that they are not good and are in need of a savior. We follow God not to be good but to know God. We seek God not for presents but for His presence. And knowledge of the goodness of God and the embrace of His presence begins and ends with the person and work of Jesus Christ..

I love Brayden. He throws fits over the littlest things, rarely obeys me, hits, bites, lies, fusses, whines, etc.. That doesn't stop me from giving him the world, loving him and always forgiving him no matter what he does. But me spoiling my son with little toys and love even though he's a bad boy most the time doesn't near compare to what God has given us(sinners) in Christ Jesus.

Gods Choice? Pro- Choice?

2011-11-28T11:36:00.000-08:00

Was Jesus Pro-Choice?

I feel the greatest destroyer of peace today is "Abortion", because it is a war against the child... A direct killing of the innocent child, "Murder" by the mother herself... And if we can accept that a mother can kill even her own child, how can we tell other people not to kill one another? How do we persuade a woman not to have an abortion? As always, we must persuade her with love... And we remeind ourselves that love means to be willing to give until it hurts... - Mother Teresa

To say a child is unwanted says nothing about the child, but it says much about the person who does not want his or her child... - Jean Staker Garto

Live Big by Becoming Small

2011-11-23T19:43:00.000-08:00

How much larger your life would be if your self could become smaller in it; if you could really look at other men with common curiosity and pleasure; if you could see them walking as they are in their sunny selfishness and their virile indifference! You would begin to be interested in them, because they were not interested in you. You would break out of this tiny and tawdry theatre in which your own little plot is always being played, and you would find yourself under a freer sky, in a street full of splendid strangers. - G.K. Chesteron

Suspicion is the New Religion

2011-11-17T08:37:00.000-08:00

“You cannot go on ‘seeing through’ things for ever. The whole point of seeing through something is to see something through it. It is good that the window should be transparent, because the street or garden beyond it is opaque. How if you saw through the garden too? If is no use trying to ‘see through’ first principles. If you see through everything, then everything is transparent. But a wholly transparent world is an invisible world. To ‘see through’ all things is the same as not to see.” - CS Lewis

Children

2011-11-08T18:22:00.000-08:00

“Because children have abounding vitality, because they are in spirit fierce and free, therefore they want things repeated and unchanged. They always say, "Do it again"; and the grown-up person does it again until he is nearly dead. For grown-up people are not strong enough to exult in monotony. But perhaps God is strong enough to exult in monotony. It is possible that God says every morning, "Do it again" to the sun; and every evening, "Do it again" to the moon. It may not be automatic necessity that makes all daisies alike; it may be that God makes every daisy separately, but has never got tired of making them. It may be that He has the eternal appetite of infancy; for we have sinned and grown old, and our Father is younger than we.” ― G.K. Chesterton

Unity

2011-11-05T12:25:00.000-07:00

John Mahshie - Unity

As a Christian, I am very much aware that our divisions grieve the Holy Spirit and hold back the work of Christ; as a logician I realize that when two churches affirm opposing positions, these cannot be reconciled.

But because I was an unbeliever for a long time, I perceived something which perhaps those brought up in the Church do not see. Even when I feared and detested Christianity, I was struck by its essential unity, which, in spite of its divisions, it has never lost. I trembled on recognizing the same unmistakable aroma coming from the writings of Dante and Bunyan, Thomas Aquinas and William Law.

Since my conversion, it has seemed my particular task to tell the outside world what all Christians believe. Controversy I leave to others: that is the business of theologians.. - CS Lewis

That's My King

2011-10-28T20:19:00.000-07:00

Is it possible to fully describe Jesus Christ? Many have tried, but one of the best attempts ever made was by Dr. Shadrach Meshach Lockridge, who during a sermon in 1976 gave a six minute description of Jesus Christ which came to be known as "That's My King!" due to his repeated refrain. Little did he know that three decades later it would be put to music on the Internet and become a viral video watched by millions around the world. Please watch this and be blessed

The Fall?

2011-10-21T08:25:00.000-07:00

God calls what you will witness in the imagery of this video 'the fall'. But the actual song is about Gods perfect creation "In the beginning."You will have to listen through the album(Gungor - Ghosts upon the earth) to catch this and honestly if you don't you're missing out.

Rarely do 'musicians' these days, especially in popular culture, tell a cohesive story from beginning to end in their albums. I believe an entire album is canvas and for the canvas to be beautiful the entire canvas must flow.This album is one of those albums, so if you plan on listening or have listened to this song please take the time to sit down in a room or go on a long walk and listen straight through this cinematic masterpiece.

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/ghosts-upon-earth-deluxe-edition/id455864024

As always if you can't afford the album, please don't steal it, i'll buy it for you.

Grace and Peace

Could this be staged?

2011-10-18T17:43:00.000-07:00

Unity and Diversity in the Body - 1 Corinthians 12

¹² Just as a body, though one, has many parts, but all its many parts form one body, so it is with Christ. ¹³ For we were all baptized by one Spirit so as to form one body—whether Jews or Gentiles, slave or free—and we were all given the one Spirit to drink. ¹⁴ Even so the body is not made up of one part but of many.

¹⁵ Now if the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁶ And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I do not belong to the body,” it would not for that reason stop being part of the body. ¹⁷ If the whole body were an eye, where would the sense of hearing be? If the whole body were an ear, where would the sense of smell be? ¹⁸ But in fact God has placed the parts in the body, every one of them, just as he wanted them to be. ¹⁹ If they were all one part, where would the body be? ²⁰ As it is, there are many parts, but one body.

²¹ The eye cannot say to the hand, “I don’t need you!” And the head cannot say to the feet, “I don’t need you!” ²² On the contrary, those parts of the body that seem to be weaker are indispensable, ²³ and the parts that we think are less honorable we treat with special honor. And the parts that are unpresentable are treated with special modesty, ²⁴ while our presentable parts need no special treatment. But God has put the body together, giving greater honor to the parts that lacked it, ²⁵ so that there should be no division in the body, but that its parts should have equal concern for each other. ²⁶ If one part suffers, every part suffers with it; if one part is honored, every part rejoices with it.

²⁷ Now you are the body of Christ, and each one of you is a part of it. ²⁸ And God has placed in the church first of all apostles, second prophets, third teachers, then miracles, then gifts of healing, of helping, of guidance, and of different kinds of tongues. ²⁹ Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Do all work miracles? ³⁰ Do all have gifts of healing? Do all speak in tongues ? Do all interpret? ³¹ Now eagerly desire the greater gifts.

Do we believe?

2011-10-12T09:22:00.000-07:00

So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ. - Romans 10:17

So then faith cometh by hearing - Preaching the Gospel is the ordinary means of salvation; faith in Christ is the result of hearing the word, the doctrine of God preached. Preaching, God sends; if heard attentively, faith will be produced; and if they believe the report, the arm of the Lord will be revealed in their salvation.

Braille - Native Lungs

2011-09-30T05:13:00.000-07:00

I'm pretty late on this one and have been meaning to post about it but just keep getting sidetracked.. Anyhow, the album is absolutely ridiculous, a must download for any hip hop fan.

Like always with Humblebeast you can download the entire album for free at humblebeast.com. But please support these young men of God by donating to their ministry. They give every single album that they release away for free and have families to feed.

Grace and Peace

LOL

2011-09-28T05:49:00.000-07:00

Abortion - When is it ok?

2011-09-27T11:19:00.000-07:00

Many people say there are certain circumstances when it is ok for an abortion to happen, one main one being rape. But why would you kill a baby for the crimes of its father? Which is worse murder or rape? Is it really the womans right to murder an unborn child in the belly of its mother, the one place it should feel the safest? And the travesty is people take sides on this subject based on political positions rather than whats right and whats wrong. We have allowed political correctness to slither in and become our moral compass rather than the God who made us..

Below is an eye opening video on the subject.

Keeping this in heavy rotation!

2011-09-23T17:03:00.000-07:00

What's the Gospel?

What’s the gospel? I’ll put it in a sentence.

The Gospel is the news that Jesus Christ, the Righteous One, died for our sins and rose again, eternally triumphant over all his enemies, so that there is now no condemnation for those who believe, but only everlasting joy.

That’s the gospel.

You Can't Outgrow the Gospel

You never, never, never outgrow your need for it. Don’t ever think of the gospel as, “That’s the way you get saved, and then you get strong by leaving it and doing something else.”

No! We are strengthened by God through the gospel every day, till the day we drop.

You never outgrow the need to preach to yourself the gospel.

How the Gospel Strengthens

Here’s an illustration, and I use it not because it’s any big deal to speak from my life, but because it’s what I walked through and where I most pointedly in the last year experienced the power of the gospel to make me strong. (Many of you are walking through things much heavier than prostate cancer—much heavier.)

Do you remember the verses that I shared with you back in February that were almighty for me? It was that moment right after the doctor says, “I think we need to do a biopsy,” when this stab of fear comes. It didn’t last long, mercifully.

And then came—what? 1Thessalonians 5:9-10. It’s just as pure gospel as you can get.

God has not destined you for wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ,who died for you so that whether you wake or sleep you will live with him.

Settled. Peace like a river.

The Gospel Is Perfect for Your Needs

That’s just gospel—perfectly timed, perfectly applied, perfectly suited to my need. That’s why the Bible is so thick—because there are so many different needs that you have. And there are suitable places where the gospel is unfolded for you, so that if you immerse yourself in the whole book, always with an eye for what Christ has wrought for you and purchased for you in this thick, glorious history of God’s interaction with people, he will give you what you need.

Therefore, everything in me says, and I hope to say until the day I die, “Now, to him who is able to strengthen me, according to Paul’s gospel, to him—to that God—be glory forever and ever.”

God came into history in Jesus Christ; he died in order to destroy the power of hell and death and Satan and sin; and he did it through the gospel of Jesus Christ.

A Plea to Believe

I know that there are people reading this who are not trusting Jesus Christ, and therefore can only expect condemnation. So I’m just going to plead with you here at the end, lay down that rebellion. Lay it down. And simply embrace the gospel that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, the Righteous One, died for your sins. He was raised on the third day, triumphant over all his enemies. He reigns until he puts all of his enemies under his feet. Forgiveness of sins and a right standing with God comes freely through him alone, by faith alone.

I plead with you, don’t try to be strong in your own strength; it will not be there when you need it. Only one strength will be there—the strength that God gives according to the gospel.

Don’t put it off.

- Piper -

Birthpangs to Birthgains

2011-09-22T19:58:00.000-07:00

We all seek perfection

The road to the fountain

Our youth is the complexion

The face of a mountain.

It can only be scaled,

The fish taken off the fryer,

Only when we've sailed,

The seas of the fire.

The Sun of God is setting,

In thrones filled with sorrow,

The pain of God is begetting,

the gains of tomorrows.

Son shine will surely shine,

Always blind the surest sin

Saint your mind, rewind

Press Play to begin.

Must read: 'In Jesus Name'

2011-09-13T18:36:00.000-07:00

What does it mean to pray in Jesus’ name?

Here’s Jesus Himself using the phrase ‘in my name’:

Many will come in my name, saying ‘I am He’ and will lead many astray. (Mark 13:6)

This is a very strong understanding of ‘in my name’. Here to act “in Jesus’ name” is to act as Jesus and to appear to others as Jesus.

continued..

Porn and Violence

2011-09-09T21:26:00.001-07:00

Just did a rather interesting study on porn and violence and found some pretty crazy stuff..

(The below excerpt was posted in 1991)

The Effects of Pornography
Defenders of pornography argue that it is not harmful, and thus should not be regulated or banned. Citing the 1970 Presidential Commission on Obscenity and Pornography, they conclude that there is no relationship between exposure to erotic material and subsequent behavior. But two subsequent decades of research based on the increased production of more explicit and violent forms of pornography has shown the profound effects pornography can have on human behavior.
Psychologist Edward Donnerstein (University of Wisconsin) found that brief exposure to violent forms of pornography can lead to anti-social attitudes and behavior. Male viewers tend to be more aggressive towards women, less responsive to pain and suffering of rape victims, and more willing to accept various myths about rape.
Dr. Dolf Zimmerman and Dr. Jennings Bryant showed that continued exposure to pornography had serious adverse effects on beliefs about sexuality in general and on attitudes toward women in particular. They also found that pornography desensitizes people to rape as a criminal offense.
These researchers also found that massive exposure to pornography encourages a desire for increasingly deviant materials which involve violence, like sadomasochism and rape.
Feminist author Diana Russell notes in her book Rape and Marriage the correlation between deviant behavior (including abuse) and pornography. She also found that pornography leads men and women to experience conflict, suffering, and sexual dissatisfaction.
Researcher Victor Cline (University of Utah) has documented in his research how men become addicted to pornographic materials, begin to desire more explicit or deviant material, and end up acting out what they have seen.
According to Charles Keating of Citizens for Decency Through Law, research reveals that 77 percent of child molesters of boys and 87 percent of child molesters of girls admitted imitating the sexual behavior they had seen modeled in pornography.
Sociologists Murray Straus and Larry Baron (University of New Hampshire) found that rape rates are highest in states which have high sales of sex magazines and lax enforcement of pornography laws.
Michigan state police detective Darrell Pope found that of the 38,000 sexual assault cases in Michigan (1956-1979), in 41 percent of the cases pornographic material was viewed just prior to or during the crime. This agrees with research done by psychotherapist David Scott who found that “half the rapists studied used pornography to arouse themselves immediately prior to seeking out a victim.”
The Final Report of the 1986 Attorney General’s Commission on Pornography lists a full chapter of testimony (197-223) from victims whose assailants had previously viewed pornographic materials. The adverse effects range from physical harm (rape, torture, murder, sexually transmitted disease) to psychological harm (suicidal thoughts, fear, shame, nightmares).

At the time I was just like, uh whatever floats your boat bro, but now that i've gotten these statistics and studies and looked into the subject, it has completely opened my mind to the wickedness of porn. It's a travesty how lightly we take this subject. If those were the stats in 1991, when i would assume the internet wasn't too popular, can you imagine the impact porn is having on society as a whole now? Check this quote i found on another site..

A friend of mine who heard about this series sent me some links to share. She’s continuing to track down some additional resources, but she remember when studying marketing in college a few years ago she learned how the porn industry strategically marketed toward 11-17 year olds knowing that they were the largest user base and that if they got hooked (addicted) as a teenager, they’d be a customer for life. She remember reading how the porn industry used school textbooks to learn what kids would be searching for when working on projects to optimize search results so that kids would likely stumble across their content. I don’t have the study or documentation to back that up, but my friend is looking for that resource now.

Grace and Peace

Laughter is the best Medicine

2011-09-09T06:35:00.000-07:00

tell Him

2011-09-03T11:26:00.000-07:00

However, as it is written: "No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him"--1 Corinthians 2:9

All thoughts Captive

2011-09-02T08:09:00.000-07:00

For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow and destruction of strongholds, [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments and theories and reasonings and every proud and lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought and purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)..." - 2 Corinthians 10: 4-5

I went through a time a while ago wondering how to actively take every thought captive into the obedience of Christ. It’s all well and good to quote all these scriptures – but to actively apply it is where the rubber meets the road.

Every thought that is not wholesome, or is proud, or not in line with God’s word and purposes, or negative thinking, we need to “lead away captive into the obedience of Christ”. In other words, it needs to come under the Lordship of Christ. I was wondering about this especially in the area of negative thinking. What I discovered that helped me was, reading and speaking out God’s word, singing and listening to praise and worship music, and speaking out the name of Jesus. As we focus more on God, we will find these wrong thoughts will soon decrease, because we’re re-aligning our thinking. We have to actively stop ourselves dwelling on it and to fill our minds with Godly things. These are the weapons of our warfare. And by doing this we will pull down the strongholds in our thought lives.

To tear down strongholds in our lives
We need to take every thought captive to Christ

© By M.S.Lowndes

Weezy growing up?

2011-08-31T09:18:00.000-07:00

The fact that you saw the world

affected all your decisions

You had a lot of dreams

that transform to visions

But it wasn’t your fault

Wasn’t in your intentions - lil wayne

Is that maturity I smell? Before Paul wrote most of the new testament, he was out murdering christians. Continue to pray for Lil Wayne.

Top video is song + lyrics/bottom is official/both recommend

Wonderful Wonderful World

2011-08-30T11:47:00.000-07:00

This world is a great sculptor’s shop. We are the statues and there’s a rumor going around the shop that some of us are someday going to come to life." — C.S. Lewis (Mere Christianity)

Guilt of Sexual Sin

2011-08-20T17:55:00.000-07:00

Eye opening video.

Guilt is a tool satan uses to relinquish the fire in a saints heart.

Don't be owned by your guilt, be free by the Gospel!

When a Woman Loves

2011-08-11T10:57:00.000-07:00

Found this song and have had it on repeat all day.. The artist has epitomized what I believe love to be. The song not only makes me think of God and His relentless love for His people as seen through the person and work of Christ.

But also my wife, who put up with my crap for a long time.... why she stuck with me is honestly beyond me. But thats what love is, it is in a word; unbelievable. And when i grew up, through Gods grace, and recognized this it floored me and helped me to start reciprocating the love back to her..

We've been so indoctrinated by television/movies that people have this idea that there is this mythical creature out there 'the one' the prototypical woman or man, and there's just no such thing because humans are sinful. You learn to love and what love is through broken hearts and grace upon grace upon grace..

My wife has taught me much about love and the love of God and i am forever indebted to her.

i've been writing a lot of poetry/rhymes lately so i've included some lines on the subject:

love has no boundaries

because love never ceases

and you only find true love

in a heart broken to pieces

where offenses abound

love always increases

because love, that is true love

is a love that never ceases

Grace and Peace

Get your FACE in the BOOK

2011-07-22T13:55:00.000-07:00

Did you lose Christ by neglecting the Scriptures? You must find Him in the Scriptures.

Losing Christ

2011-07-07T12:41:00.000-07:00

I sought him, but I found him not - Song of Sol. 3:1

Tell me where you lost the company of Christ, and I will tell you the most likely place to find Him. Have you lost Christ in the closet by restraining prayer? Then it is there you must seek and find Him. Did you lose Christ by sin? You will find Him in no other way than by the giving up of the sin, and seeking by the Holy Spirit to mortify the member in which the lust doth dwell. Did you lose Christ by neglecting the Scriptures? You must find Him in the Scriptures. It is a true proverb, “Look for a thing where you dropped it; it is there.” So look for Christ where you lost Him, for He has not gone away. ~ Spurgeon

Let us possess our possessions.

2011-06-21T07:37:00.000-07:00

Possess Their Possessions.

Obadiah 17

Christ is ours, but who knows all that is ours in Christ? He is our jewelry vault, but we do not open its doors and take out all its treasures. We see the blessings of the covenant, but we do not feed on it as we might. We do not drink deep from it and satisfy our souls. I fear we do not fully enjoy our possessions.

It is your high privilege to have access to the mercy seat, but do you use that access? Do you come often and boldly to the throne of grace (Heb. 4:16)? Do you avail yourself of your opportunities? Do you make the most use of prayer (James 4:3)? Do you really stand where God would have you stand? Are you as rich as Christ has made you (Rom. 9:23)?

We may have great possessions and yet be practically poor because we are miserly with our expenditure. All things are ours (1 Cor. 3:21), yet we live as if nothing were ours. Like a horse shut out of the pasture, we nibble around the edges; far better to be like sheep that enter and lie down in green pastures (Ps. 23:2).

Oh for grace to appropriate those treasures of the covenant that make the soul “rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory” (1 Pet. 1:8)! I pray that we will not look in the windows of the banquet hall but that we will sit at the table and possess our possessions. Why should we hunger and thirst when Christ has give us His flesh to be meat and His blood to be drink (Matt. 26:26–28)? Why should we hang our heads when the Lord loves us? We should have His joy in us, “that our joy may be full” (2 John 1:12). Why are we so dispirited by infirmities? We know that Jehovah is our strength and our song, but we do not possess our possessions.

Let our prayer be that we may use and enjoy to the utmost all that the Lord has given in grace. Let us possess our possessions.

Spurgeon, C. H., & Clarke, R. H. (1999). Beside still waters : Words of comfort for the soul. Includes index. (173). Nashville, Tenn.: T. Nelson Publishers.

Josh Garrels - Love & War & The Sea In Between

2011-06-15T09:35:00.000-07:00

Josh Released his 6th album today and God bless him he's giving it away for free. You can visit his website (www.joshgarrels.com) to download.

Enjoy

2011-06-14T19:37:00.001-07:00

Kid Cudi and the Pursuit of Happiness

2011-05-28T08:59:00.001-07:00

"I'm on the pursuit of happiness and I know everything that shine ain't always gonna be gold. I'll be fine once i get it, i'll be good"

I recently heard this song and at first glance I completely missed what he was saying. I thought he was talking about the norm you hear in pop culture hip hop, 'get high, get drunk and be happy'.. But in actuality he's saying just the opposite, "been there done that and its a fantasy" and you can see this played out in the video. It's breaks my heart to look through the comments on the youtube video and see that the youth have missed the meaning of the song.

Maybe they tune out after the first verse and don't listen to the chorus, like i did? I would assume most these cats would listen to the song more than once and eventually hear it? I would assume that since they are claiming this is a 'stoner song' that their third eye would catch it.. But you know what they say about those who assume things.

It's funny i once pursued this lifestyle as a means to an end. As if it was gonna bring the happiness that i so desired. I partied hard and let me tell you only by the grace of God am I alive today to tell you about it. It took God to break me out of my addiction and make me wake up to the realization that I was chasing a fantasy that was enslaving me and holding me back.

I finally thought to myself, 'If you're only happy when you're faded then will it not eventually get to the point where you're faded all the time?' It's a scary thought to think about... Addiction is so prevalent in our culture. We seem to have this idea that if we only get wasted a few times a week that we're not addicts. If you really think about it it's pretty insane to think that this lifestyle will not have a major impact on our entire lives, not only on a personal physical level, but even when you look at it from a business perspective you can see how much of hindrance this lifestyle can be. Think about all the time wasted, your late teen/early 20's are some of the most crucial years of your life and will lay the foundation for the rest of your life. I wrote a poem on the subject..

They say time is never wasted

if you're wasted all the time

But life is so precious

that wasting time should be a crime

and even though we know this

we'd rather waste it getting wasted

how many drinks do we have to taste

to see the problem that we're facing

how many times have you said it

i'm never drinking again

sooner or later you regret it

and you're back at it again

but hey its not a problem

addicts are worse

they drink every single day

and i only drink when i thirst

it seems like its a curse

Cast within our members

drinking weekly since highschool

you think the mind won't remember?

and It won't be opposed

to the change you wish to achieve?

you think It will just let go

when you say you wanna be free?

you think it will let you see

all you're meant to see?

you think it won't hold you back

from all that you can be?

High functioning drunk

or whatever you wanna call it

but just so that you know

you might just be an alcoholic

and all that time you've wasted

getting wasted all the time

all that time will shine

in the back of your mind..

Ultimately the solution for happiness is outside the finite. We were created with a soul that will never die, the only thing that will satisfy this is something else that is eternal, namely God. How long will we stay on this pursuit of happiness seeking saviors that never satisfy? Only time will tell..

When Does God Become 100% For Us?

2011-05-22T08:11:00.000-07:00

What the Bible teaches is that God becomes 100% irrevocably for us at the moment of justification, that is, the moment when we see Christ as a beautiful Savior and receive him as our substitute punishment and our substitute perfection. All of God’s wrath, all of the condemnation we deserve, was poured out on Jesus. All of God’s demands for perfect righteousness were fulfilled by Christ. The moment we see (by grace!) this Treasure and receive him in this way, his death counts as our death and his condemnation as our condemnation and his righteousness as our righteousness, and God becomes 100% irrevocably for us forever in that instant. - Piper

Crying Out

2011-05-18T07:17:00.000-07:00

"But recently it seems to me that passion is fading
It’s almost like I forgot my Holy Dad was amazing"

This song is pretty on point with me right now. I have no desire for God, have been dominated and indifferent towards sin, haven't been praying nor reading my bible. I'm reminded of the quote by John Owen "Be killing sin or sin will be killing you". I'm reminded of the quote by Timothy Brindle that the way the way to destroy or defeat sin is knowing, cherishing and worshipping Christ. I'm reminded of the words that John Pipers mother wrote in his bible when he was a young boy "Sin will keep you from this bible or this bible will keep you from sin."

And lastly i'm reminded that despite all this, despite my indifference towards God, despite my indifference towards sin, despite me knowing how to defeat these problems and still not even seeking the solution, despite my shortcomings, failures, and despite me being pissed off at God, despite all of this Gods love for me hasn't changed. And this is the beauty of Christianity, because my right standing with God isn't based upon me and this is why no other religion, philosophy, worldview, belief system or whatever can touch the Gospel. There is nothing more amazing than seeing the depths of depravity in my own heart and then looking at the depths of the infinite living Gods grace and love that was shown at the cross for me. All i can really do is wonder, why?

Lies My Pastor Told me

2011-05-17T13:51:00.000-07:00

Lies My Pastor Told Me CH4 from Humble Beast Records on Vimeo.

Braille - Native Lungs

2011-05-13T14:48:00.000-07:00

Braille - Native Lungs has been released you can download the album for free HERE (as well as a bunch of other free albums from Humblebeast)

Our Story

Hello everyone!!! My name is Bryan "Braille" Winchester. I'm a Hip-hop artist from Portland, OR and co-founder of the record label Humble Beast. I've been writing and recording music for around 16 years and I've been doing it full time as my career for about 10 years. I just finished recording my 7th solo album titled "Native Lungs". I knew I wanted this album to be special so I decided to do things a little differently then I have in the past. On April 11th 2011 I left my home in Portland, OR and headed to Side 3 Studios in Denver, CO with the lofty goal of recording and mixing "Native Lungs" in 5 days. Why only 5 days? Honestly, that's all I could afford but I felt it was important to step out and take the sonic quality of my music to the next level. I recorded my last 4 albums at home on less then $5,000 worth of equipment. It's been fun and challenging learning how to make the most out of what I have but it was time for a change. I brought my friends Odd Thomas and Xperiment with me to Denver so they could film, have creative input and add any final production touches necessary. We've already edited footage from the first two days so I'm going to post those videos below.

Day 1 - http://www.vimeo.com/22400064

Day 2 - http://www.vimeo.com/22718680

It goes without saying, the recording experience was incredible. The environment and equipment within the facility provided the necessary inspiration to push me harder then I've ever been pushed. Most of my rhymes were edited on the spot and every song was carefully constructed with diligence and focus. At the end of the 5 days we had 12 songs finished and we even attempted to get some final mix downs. Once we got home, we listened to the record a couple times and it became obvious that we didn't have sufficient time to complete the mixes. With my budget already tapped out.... this put me in a position of either releasing the album in rough draft form or saving up money all over again to return to the studio and finish the mixes. I've paid for the album thus far out of my own pocket, mainly by saving up money I've made from guest appearances and concerts. Already nearly $7,000 has went into the album. This money has been used to pay for production, travel and studio time. And that doesn't even account for the value of the all the free labor myself and the Humble Beast team has invested.

The Impact

I don't have a dramatic story about how my career will be over if I don't raise this money. The truth is, I've already been making music full time for the last 10 years. Through the good times and the hard times I've continued pressing forward because I know this is bigger then me. I've been blessed in my music career as an independent artist and I truly have no regrets. I've traveled the world and have been able to connect with thousands upon thousands of people over the years. I'm so thankful for these opportunities, the Lord has truly brought me this far by his grace. One of the unique things about Humble Beast is that we GIVE AWAY all our music for free. Not just my album, but every album we release on Humble Beast is available as a free download worldwide. Despite giving away the albums for free, we still feel it's important to strive for excellence in everything we do. Our intention is to give away at least 100,000 copies of "Native Lungs". It's with this goal in mind that we decided that we didn't want to cut any corners while producing the final product.

The album "Native Lungs" features production and contributions from Evidence (Dilated Peoples), S1 (producer of Kanye West "Power") Ohmega Watts, Theory Hazit, DJ Official, Trox, Notti, Xperiment, Odd Thomas, Calvin Valentine, DJ Cassidy, Rob Swift, DJ Revolution, DJ Idull and more. I personally feel like this is my best sounding album. With all the hard work that's went into the album so far, I started thinking deeper about how it should be finished. After doing some research and making a few calls I discovered the missing links. The money from this campaign will enable me to fly back to Denver and finish the mixes for the majority of the album. It will also enable me to hire Eddie "Engineer Extraordinaire" Sancho to mix the two lead singles. On top of that, it will enable me to hire Tony Dawsey at Master Disk to do the final mastering. These engineers are some of the best in the business for the style of Hip-hop I make. They've had their hands and ears on many albums widely regarded as Hip-hop classics.

What We Need & What You Get

Our goal is to raise $5,500 total. As I mentioned above, the funds will be used to complete the mixing and mastering of "Native Lungs". Below is the 3 step process that needs to take place in order to finish the record.

1) I need to go back to Side 3 Studios during the last week of May so I can touch up the mixes on 11 songs with mixing engineer Frank Azzaro. (I will be paying for my own plane ticket back to Denver, CO) ***UPDATE*** We've raised enough money to complete this part of our goal!!!!

2) Hire Eddie Sancho in New York to mix my two lead singles "Feel It" and "Nightmare Walking". ***UPDATE*** Eddie Sancho has already began mixing the song "Feel It" ***UPDATE*** We've raised enough money to mix BOTH singles

3) Hire Tony Dawsey in New York to master the entire record. Me, Odd Thomas and Xperiment will be flying to New York on our own dime so we can attend the mastering session in June and collect video footage from the experience. ***UPDATE*** We've raised enough money to make a deposit for our mastering session in June.

With all these elements in place, we are confident that the record will sound as good as it possibly can. No corners will be cut and the final product will be available for free download WORLDWIDE from HumbleBeast.com on Aug. 30th. Any money we raise beyond $5,500 will go towards promoting and marketing "Native Lungs". We already have two music videos in production - as well as plans and ideas for two more. Not a penny will be wasted and we will work together to make sure every step is pursued with careful consideration.

I tried to create some PERK packages that make your support worth it. Read over all the PERKS and see if any stick out to you. Your time, consideration and support is extremely meaningful to me. It's the relationships I've built with the listeners over the years that has kept me motivated to pursue music with as much passion and intensity as I do. Although I've been a full time independent artist for over a decade, I've never had a chance to complete a record of this caliber. By working together we can push this whole thing over the top and set the standard for all my future releases (as well as albums from other artists on Humble Beast).

Other Ways You Can Help

You can help me spread the word about this campaign by sharing it on your facebook page, blog or twitter. It's not all about money either - never has been for us. It just costs money to make high quality music. Your prayers are also greatly appreciated. At the end of the day, I'm just trying to faithfully serve and steward over the gifts God has given me. More then any of my own plans or ideas.... I genuinely desire that God's will is done in all this. And because I trust God - I trust that his plans will be fulfilled.

Another way you can help is by spreading the word about the album "Native Lungs". On Aug. 30th when it drops anyone in the world will be able to download it for free. As mentioned above, our goal is to get it in at least 100,000 peoples hands. By showing people the "Making of Native Lungs" videos you can help us build the anticipation. We are excited to watch this whole thing unfold - it's an honor to co-labor with you all. MUCH LOVE

Created By
	Humble Beast

Why does God let us suffer?

2011-05-07T09:11:00.000-07:00

We might never know why God lets us suffer so much, but we know one thing: If there was any way around it, God Himself would not have come to suffer. Since He did, since He suffered indescribably and even died, the picture has changed. He has taken His own medicine, so to speak, and therefore we can trust Him. The cross of Christ is thus the only credible theodicy. One cannot argue with a martyr. And if God Himself is a martyr, well, then there is no arguing with Him, is there? - Jacob Schriftmam

He was despised and rejected by mankind, a man of suffering, and familiar with pain. Like one from whom people hide their faces he was despised, and we held him in low esteem. Surely he took up our pain and bore our suffering, yet we considered him punished by God, stricken by him, and afflicted. But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. We all, like sheep, have gone astray, each of us has turned to our own way; and the LORD has laid on him the iniquity of us all. - Isaiah 53

I love Him, I love Him not..

2011-04-28T08:59:00.000-07:00

Here's a poem I wrote with some thoughts that have been on my mind lately..

I got this beef with God
that I just can't explain
He wants to maintain this change in me
but I'd rather remain the same
There's this force that He's fighting
I seem to be in the middle
part of me says I love Him
but oh that love's so little..
The question that I ponder
that haunts me and doesn't make sense
why does this God of wonder
love someone that hates him
The cross is so crazy
Just think about it for a moment
the divine guide of the skies died
to give life to His opponents
Wrap your head around that one
think about it for a thousand years
We will never ever comprehend
The love that Christ truly is.
So lets seek Christ first
and then seek Christ often
and then see Christ clearly
and be raised from the coffin

Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous person, though for a good person someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Since we have now been justified by his blood, how much more shall we be saved from God’s wrath through him! For if, while we were God’s enemies, we were reconciled to him through the death of his Son, how much more, having been reconciled, shall we be saved through his life! Not only is this so, but we also boast in God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have now received reconciliation. - Romans 5:1-11

He broke it

2011-04-27T18:49:00.000-07:00

While they were eating, Jesus took bread, and when he had given thanks, he broke it and gave it to his disciples, - Matthew 26:26

"So Jesus took bread, gave thanks, then He broke it. What a powerful dramatization! Jesus says “This is my body” then He tears it apart. It’s almost stomach churning when you realize that the cross is just hours away. THIS IS MY BODY – TORN APART! But it’s only as the bread is broken that it can be given out to others. And it’s only as Jesus dies, that He can give life to us." - Glen Scrivener

read the sermon in its entirety here

Rock Bottom

2011-04-26T06:09:00.000-07:00

Sometimes God let's us hit rock bottom to show us He's the rock at the bottom.

Shai Linne - Slow down

2011-04-21T08:05:00.000-07:00

Download Free Mixtape

Many people have this idea in their head that they are gonna get right with God down the road, possibly when its more socially acceptable, maybe even after they've had their fun, but right now just isn't the right time for God. The problem with this way of thinking is it is full blown rebellion against God and the longer someone puts off completely submitting their life to God the more beef they create between themselves and Him. And eventually, if they continue on this path of rejection, they will choose to die in rebellion and go to hell rather than take the hand of the author and creator of life.

I was once in this spot.. and i got to the point where i had made it up in my mind that i'd rather die and go to hell than follow God but God obviously had different plans. It's funny i'd thought that if i came to God i'd be missing out on all life has to offer.. I'd been brainwashed into thinking that drugs, sex, frivolity, etc was how to enjoy life.. But the truth is i was missing out by not being on point w/ God. Think about it, He is the author of life therefore He knows how to maintain it most efficiently to our benefit..

I plea with you, if you haven't, to lay down your life completely to God and His will (every single day), give your life to Him and see life through a new set of eyes, hear life through a new set of ears, feel life through a new heart and be lifted higher than anything has ever taken you..

Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent. - John 17:3

¹ As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, ² in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. ³ All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. ⁴ But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, ⁵ made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved. ⁶ And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus, ⁷ in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. ⁸ For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— ⁹ not by works, so that no one can boast. ¹⁰ For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. - Ephesians 2

Trip Lee - Brag on my Lord

2011-04-20T19:36:00.000-07:00

Therefore God exalted him to the highest place

and gave him the name that is above every name,

that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,

in heaven and on earth and under the earth,

and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord,

to the glory of God the Father. - Philippians 2