noble vessel

A Spill: 10/18

2011-10-18T17:06:00.000-07:00

A few thoughts 10/18

Angry Negro Face.

Certainly this past week has been a bit of a roller coaster. There has been plenty to praise God for and plenty to make a brother want to kick rocks and also made me want to write in light of James 4:2. All of which corresponds with my reading through the Book of Job (Job’s friends Theology apparently leads them to be presumptuous, judgmental, and self-righteous douche bags that would rather have a theological peeing contest instead of comfort their friend) and Numbers (Israel struggled with contentment in the Lord just like ya boy). There is plenty of other things I’ve gleaned from my reading and experiences, but me being a jerk I won’t share and post about it. Pray for me. Alternatively I’ll spill a few other thoughts out on this blog tumblr thingy.

For a Christian combating temptation isn’t a matter of if you can, but do you want to?

It’s been well over 7 years since the Lord lifted the veil from over my eyes and allowed me to see how banging it is to know, believe in, and follow Christ. In those 7 years I’ve come to realize that when it comes to actively combating temptation it isn’t a matter of if you can do it, but do you want/desire to? Seriously think about it in light of scripture. When know that DESIRE is key when it comes to temptation giving birth to sin which we all know leads to death.

“When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their OWN EVIL DESIRE and enticed. Then, after DESIRE has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.” - James 1:13-15

Moreover, some other things that lead me to think it is a matter of want/desire is the reality….the fact…that God always leaves us with a fire escape i.e. a way out.

“So, if you think you are standing firm, be careful that you don’t fall! No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it. Therefore, my dear friends, flee from idolatry.” - 1 Corinthians 10:12-13

So if God in his faithfulness is always making a way to endure temptation how else do we choose to go that route? Granted, we do have the old sinful nature to contend with (Galatians 5:17)which is still very much apart of us which we could factor into this, but thanks be to God we’re baptized into Jesus’s death, burial and Resurrection so we’ve died to and are liberated from said nature (ref. Romans 6). So since we’re not slaves to the sin bound to our base desires and general jackedupness (yeah I brought that word out of the negro lexicon again) we’re without excuse right? Well we can’t forget the fact we’re still not perfect though when God sees us he see’s it (thanks Jesus 2 Cor. 5:21) we are still being perfected (sanctification) so that whole walking in the Spirit jazz is a bit inconsistent as our desires often conflict with what the Spirit wants and we know is right. I think Brother Paul did a lil spill about thisRomans 7 which ultimately led him to conclude:

“Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!” (Romans 7:25)

Now there are varying opinions among scholars, theologians, and pastors more learned than I on whether Paul is speaking from the perspective of someone who has yet come to the faith or someone who is already a Christian. Let’s assume it’s the later. It seems at the end of the day that what God is doing through Christ is our hope in light of contrary desires that often lead us to still choose sin when we know better and capable of resisting it. I could elaborate on that more but I’m a bit tired and what has been on my mind all day is what I’ll share is simple.

Seek God like crazy…pray for him to change my desires…stir my affections Lord for you and your glory so when temptation comes though I may have the inclination to give in to temptation a love, gratefulness and desire for you and your will far outweigh it. Please don’t allow me to forget all that you have done in Christ and just day to day to keep me and provide for me so faithfully.

That’s all I got on that. We are still responsible for our actions and choices however as we choose to do what is right it is also God working in us for his good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). Did I just blow your mind? No?! Okay. On that note I throw the deueces up with a Psalm of reflection and say God Bless to my two readers. lol Peace.

Psalm 103

Of David.

¹ Praise the LORD, my soul;
   all my inmost being, praise his holy name.
² Praise the LORD, my soul,
   and forget not all his benefits—
³ who forgives all your sins
   and heals all your diseases,
⁴ who redeems your life from the pit
   and crowns you with love and compassion,
⁵ who satisfies your desires with good things
   so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.

⁶ The LORD works righteousness
and justice for all the oppressed.

⁷ He made known his ways to Moses,
   his deeds to the people of Israel:
⁸ The LORD is compassionate and gracious,
   slow to anger, abounding in love.
⁹ He will not always accuse,
   nor will he harbor his anger forever;
¹⁰ he does not treat us as our sins deserve
   or repay us according to our iniquities.
¹¹ For as high as the heavens are above the earth,
   so great is his love for those who fear him;
¹² as far as the east is from the west,
   so far has he removed our transgressions from us.

¹³ As a father has compassion on his children,
   so the LORD has compassion on those who fear him;
¹⁴ for he knows how we are formed,
   he remembers that we are dust.
¹⁵ The life of mortals is like grass,
   they flourish like a flower of the field;
¹⁶ the wind blows over it and it is gone,
   and its place remembers it no more.
¹⁷ But from everlasting to everlasting
   the LORD’s love is with those who fear him,
   and his righteousness with their children’s children—
¹⁸ with those who keep his covenant
   and remember to obey his precepts.

¹⁹ The LORD has established his throne in heaven,
and his kingdom rules over all.

²⁰ Praise the LORD, you his angels,
   you mighty ones who do his bidding,
   who obey his word.
²¹ Praise the LORD, all his heavenly hosts,
   you his servants who do his will.
²² Praise the LORD, all his works
   everywhere in his dominion.

Praise the LORD, my soul.

A Spill: Becoming a Vessel for Honrable Use.

2011-10-01T12:34:00.000-07:00

2 Timothy 2:19-22 reminds me that having a desire to be used by God is one thing…but coupling that desire with the proper preparation is another. And by preparation I mean being in your right mind (spiritual instead of carnal ), striving for godliness, and doing away with wickedness and the very things that have burdened us in our youth (which in the context is not just talking about sexual desires as most would interpret verse 22, but desires we held/yielded to in general that were contrary to the will and ways of God.) To be a vessel for honorable use is to be holy. Set apart from the norms. In context (2 Tim 2:14-26) Paul illustrates what all that entails:

Not being quarrelsome or argumentative while avoiding ignorant controversies that they breed quarrels in the first place. (verses 14,23-24 also take note of 1 Timothy 1:4 and 6:4, Titus 3:9-10)
Studying so one can adequately handle the word. (verse 15)
Avoiding irreverent conversations. (verses 16-18) These verses provide us with an example of what happens to those who indulged in irreverent conversations, namely Hymenaeus who Paul previously talked about “handing over to Satan so he would learn not to blaspheme in 1 timothy 1:20)
Departing/Turning way from wickedness/iniquity and youthful passions. (verse 22a)
Pursing righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the name of the Lord with a pure heart. (verse 22b which echoes Paul’s charge to Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:11)
Being kind to everyone, be able to teach, patiently endure evil, and correct opponents with gentleness. (verses 24-25)

Something to chew on and conform to. No doubt as we pursue these things as God’s spirit enables us, we will be in our right mind and have the right motives when placed in positions where we can do God’s work in word and in deed. Peace.

I Rap and Wax Poetic from Time to Time.

2011-09-27T11:58:00.000-07:00

<p>&amp;amp;amp;lt;p&amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href="http://noblevessel.bandcamp.com/album/spills"&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Spills by noble vessel&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;&amp;amp;amp;lt;/p&amp;amp;amp;gt;</p>

Check out this miscellaneous collection of tracks I've recorded over the past 4 years. There are freestyles, songs, and spoken word on this also note some recordings are more polished than others. Instead of just sitting on them I decided to just give them away free. I know how Christians like free stuff. There is some very humorous, spontaneous, transparent, and honest content on this you may or may not like. Either way stone me later, it's free. Go get it. Peace.

Quick to listen, Slow to Wrath, and Slow to Speak by noble vessel

2011-09-24T10:53:00.000-07:00

Be quick to listen, Slow to wrath, and slow to Speak
And if you're mad yo turn the other cheek
Opposition? Do I gotta mention?
Instruct em'...gently and humbly

No pardon me but it seems like Christians, in this modern day society supplying peeps with Youtube, Blogging, Facebook tumblr, and Twitter have confused always voicing their opinion, being argumentative, and always trying to be right with piety. Now maybe it's just me? But do we always have to be inclined to speak? I mean sometimes, we do gotta HOLD OUR PEACE like we're going capiche? Then possibly we can become more synonymous with peace to those who are watching us. Perhaps just some reminders ta... heed: Quarreling, arguing, and delighting in fault finding just isn't becoming of someone following the King...of Kings. And when facing opposition the proper disposition is with humility and trembling... responding kindly and gentleeey... grace seasoning speech and able to teach. Then maybe just maybe the Lord will be granting these peeps a heart of repentance. Let he or she who has the ears to hear let them listen and gain wisdom.

Scripture references: Proverbs 19:20, Matthew 5:39, Colossians 4:6, 2 Timothy 2:23-26, James 1:19-20, 1 Peter 3:15

©2011 House on the Rock Media Group

Awestruck

2011-09-22T10:19:00.000-07:00

Something that hit me while thinking about David when he was entering in to battle with Goliath was that he wasn’t so awestruck by the enormity of the enemy he had to face, but the ability of his God to give him the victory. (1 Samuel 17:37) Note that earlier on in the chapter he did acknowledge that their was a legitimate enemy that needed to be faced, let’s not over look that, however going into the battle ultimately David’s focus was on the Lord and his might. There is so much to glean from this for our own lives. With that said, the passage has led me to start working on a blog that discusses how this IN ONE WAY relates to how we perceive God, the implications of what he accomplished through Jesus in the Gospel (namely the Resurrection), the Holy Spirit, and our battle with sin. Stay tuned.

A Spill: Bitter Pill

2011-09-01T15:59:00.001-07:00

Chewing on Hebrews 12:14-17 because it’s getting real. Over the past few years bitterness has been somehow I’ve had combat on the regular being involved in ministry and trying to foster strong bounds in christian community pouring into folks, praying for/with, encouraging, challenging, and even supporting folks only for them to leave me hanging like the Klu Klux. That goes for church fam, girlfriends, fellow artists, homeboys, to strangers. Honestly it’s a tad bit disheartening at times, making me wonder why have I always had the capacity to go the extra mile for folk often times to my own detriment in the end it seems. I know there is the saying you don’t give expecting to receive, which wasn’t my motivation in the first place, but when you look back in retrospect seeing what you have done for others only to be left without support during your own trial one can’t helped but be ticked off. Pray for a brother. All I can do is reflect on verses 1-3 of Hebrews Chapter 12 as well:

And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

Note verse 2 says “fixing our eyes on Jesus” so I do in passages like Philippians 2 where it talks about kenosis…Christ humbling himself and emptying himself of the Glory he had from the beginning by coming to earth as a man and displaying obedience to God even unto death yadda yadda yadda and ultimately being exalated, then Mark 10:45, and in then Gospels in general he got the raw deal more than once and in a major way, but was exalted.

All of that makes me think of, in the case of a believer stuff like 2 Cor 4…then Galatians 6:9 which reads:

And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

At the same time wondering when Lord, when?

Then the aforementioned verses in Hebrews 12 only make since going back into Hebrews 11 leading to

verse 8 coming to mind

“By faith Abraham, when called to go to a place he would later receive as his inheritance, obeyed and went, even though he did not know where he was going.”

What the feezy? lol

Reading further into Hebrews 13 you’ll find this encouraging promise in verse 5:

Let your conduct be without covetousness; be content with such things as you have. For He Himself has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.

It’s the word of God so..here is hoping doesn’t change his mind on these type of things throughout the ages (Numbers 23:19).

A Spill: When unchecked desire leads to Idolatry.

2011-07-06T13:16:00.000-07:00

1 They set out from Elim, and all the congregation of the people of Israel came to the wilderness of Sin, which is between Elim and Sinai, on the fifteenth day of the second month after they had departed from the land of Egypt. 2 And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, 3 and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the Lord in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”4 Then the Lord said to Moses, “Behold, I am about to rain bread from heaven for you, and the people shall go out and gather a day’s portion every day, that I may test them, whether they will walk in my law or not. 5 On the sixth day, when they prepare what they bring in, it will be twice as much as they gather daily.” 6 So Moses and Aaron said to all the people of Israel, “At evening you shall know that it was the Lord who brought you out of the land of Egypt, 7 and in the morning you shall see the glory of the Lord, because he has heard your grumbling against the Lord. For what are we, that you grumble against us?” 8 And Moses said, “When the Lord gives you in the evening meat to eat and in the morning bread to the full, because the Lord has heard your grumbling that you grumble against him— what are we? Your grumbling is not against us but against the Lord.”Ex 16:1-8 (ESV)

In light of reading Exodus 16 we may miss the fact that the people of Israel had a legitimate need and desire to be met. A desire that God gives all of us a desire for food, so we hunger because wee need sustenance. we get hungry. However, in light of their desire going unchecked they began to grumble against God and doubt his ability to meet their need despite him coming through many times before. Now God has given us a slew of desires and appetites for a variety of things in this life. Inherently these desires or good, but in light of our sinful nature they have been perverted. Often we overindulge in, improperly prioritize, and misinterpret these desires. DON'T allow your desires to dominate you and dictate your life or detract from your joy in and obedience to God and his ways. To do so ultimately leads to sin (James 1:14-15), specifically the sin of IDOLATRY (Colossians 3:5,6).

Let's be honest with ourselves, there are those times when as a result of not being able to get what we want and how we want it we become impatient, ungreatful, and irrational. This in turn leads us rebelling against God and resorting anything we see fit to satisfy our desires even if what we end up is just a poor and/or temporary subsitute for what we wanted in the first place. And when I rsay resorting to anything to reach that end I mean we tend to do just about anything, from stealing, cheating, lying, manipulation, abuse, explotation, and even abandoning responsibilities (be that people, places, or things). It' crazy to think that just because of our frustrations, anger and doubt we want try to supercede God's order, means, and timing for meeting our desires and abandon God's will for our lives to our own hurt and that of others.

Though we may not see it at the time when we do become disgruntled with God and stop seeking him we actually are elevating those desires above God. This is where the idolatrous nature of it all comes into play, becasue in essence we began to revere our desire and the object of said desire so highly we allow them to dictate how we behave and how we feel as we become discontent with and even disrespectful towards what we have, other people, and ultimately towards God. The later of which can be seen in the act of calling into question God's ability, character and wisdom on the matter. Moreoever, we may even stop seeking the Lord in the word, prayer, and fellowship choosing to suppliment those means of grace with other things that may provide more immedidate comfort and satisfaction. Sadly, those things we tend to run to can often be the very things that once held us in bondage, but we fail to see that part of their history in favor of the more immediate need they meet. The same thing happened with the Israelites in the wilderness (Exodus 14:10-18, Exodus 15:22-26, Exodus 16, Exodus 17:1-7, and their overt idol worship in Exodus 32) and happens with God's people even to this day which is why scripture uses their story to warn us (1 Corinthians 10:1-14). Why? Well, because we have the same sin nature and tendency to stray from God the Israelites had. So with that in mind we are called take heed and examine ourselves (1 Corinthians 10:12). In addition, to this we can actively combat this by turning to God, remembering where he has brought us from, and done for us in the past. This is the mistake Israel kept making over and over again with each new generation forgetting the might deeds of the Lord and straying after idols ( One specific example is Judges 2:1-14 and in general this is commented on at length in Psalm 78). As we resist that temptation and seek the Lord let us be confident of this, he will continue to be faithful (Lamentations 3:22-23, 1 Cor. 13, 2 Timothy 2:13, Hebrews 10:23) admist our current situations and into the future. Last but not least, let us remember that God doesn't leave us to deal with this on our own, so let us seek the help of our family in Christ when can trust to hel keep us accountable as the following Hebrews passage suggests:

Therefore, as the Holy Spirit says,

"Today, if you hear his voice,

do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion,

on the day of testing in the wilderness,

where your fathers put me to the test

and saw my works for forty years.

Therefore I was provoked with that generation,

and said, ‘They always go astray in their heart;

they have not known my ways.’

As I swore in my wrath,

‘They shall not enter my rest.’ "

Take care, brothers, lest there be in any of you an evil, unbelieving heart, leading you to fall away from the living God. But exhort one another every day, as long as it is called "today," that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have come to share in Christ, if indeed we hold our original confidence firm to the end. As it is said,

"Today, if you hear his voice,

do not harden your hearts as in the rebellion."

For who were those who heard and yet rebelled? Was it not all those who left Egypt led by Moses? And with whom was he provoked for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? And to whom did he swear that they would not enter his rest, but to those who were disobedient? So we see that they were unable to enter because of unbelief.
- Heb. 3:7-19 (ESV)

"Put to death therefore what is earthly in you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. On account of these the wrath of God is coming" (Colossians 3:5,6).

Hey you (me too)! Yeah you! Grow up already!

2011-05-05T12:49:00.000-07:00

Grow up already!I'm tired of seeing it in myself as well as my friends and family members who profess Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. And by it I mean behaving the same way they have always acted in certain situations thus exhibitng little to no growth when it comes those matters. Do you still respond to adversity, offenses, controversy, and disappointment the same way you did a year ago? How about 5 years ago? 10 years ago? Fam this could be a sign that you're not growing. And if you're not growing then you're not maturing. Yep, contrary to popular belief an increase in age when in comes to the kingdom doesn't always translate into maturity. You know what does? You guessed it, growth! This can be growth in areas of struggle as well as those you perceive you are strong in as you're a work in progress now until the day we meet our maker. With all that said then when tough times arise and you're tempted to respond the old way if we are growing there will some tension and conviction that compels you at some point do things differently and we do it. Also during those times we fail to respond the right way in that moment later down the line the Spirit should convict us and lead us to repent (not just feel sorry but want to turn away from it and turn to God and his ways). Moreover, as God often does, there will be times he will allow someone to bring our jacked upness (I know I made that word up) to our attention. Now how we respond during those times as well will expose our maturity or lack thereof. Do you acknowledge and own up to your mistakes or do you become embittered, take on the role of the victim, and blame/lash out at everyone else? Something to think about.

In Closing I have to say; no matter where you are in your walk I challenge you as as well as my self to ask God to help us examine ourselves, find areas we need to grow, expose the root cause, and trust (and live like it) he can empower us to change if we are not seeing the fruit of maturity in our lives. God has made a way for us to do the new things for us in Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17, Romans 6:4) believe it. Now let us put it on and walk in it (Ephesians 4:24) though it may be tough but rest in the fact as we work this out God is working in us (Philippians 2:12-13) and he is going to finishing what he starts (Philippians 1:6, 1 Thessalonians 5:23-25). Believe that. With that in mind let's grow up fam and grow out of our old ways.

"When I was a child, I talked like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I put the ways of childhood behind me." - 1 Corinthians 13:11

Some other word to chew on and digest concerning maturation and growth as well as walking in the newness of life. (Luke 8:13-15, 1 1 Corinthians 13:1-13, Ephesians 4:1-29, Philippians 3:1-16, Hebrews 5:11-6:12.)

Do You Think It Takes More Skill To Be A Christian rapper or a secular rapper?

2011-04-04T22:00:00.000-07:00

Honestly, I think its about what and what when you gage the rappers by what type of rap they do. I think with those artists that are more conceptual and thematic you will find equally skilled artists from a technical standpoint. No doubt, though I will give those rappers in CHH who expound on biblical text and doctrine the nod because it is hard work and time consuming in light of digesting and translating that content into coherent and high quality music. With all that said, I don't honestly think in general the average Christian hip-hop artists is doing anything that requires more skill than most secular artists since the content is matter of whats in you and where your treasure and heart is into. Lol I see parallels between secular cats who are mainstream and rehash the same topic about money, violence, sex, cars, and clothes with CHH dudes who flow about no longer chasing those things, going hard for the Lord, and are beasting in their walk to the point it's cliche. Then you have those back pack battle rap dudes talking about how nice they are and will eat an emcee a live being comparable to those CHH cats that ham it up about how humble they are and only do they thing for the Lord while staying in the word. Both try and be witty with nice punchlines. One is talking about how they're gonna kill a track the other is touching on how they're gonna kill their flesh. Just my two cents.

A Spill: Intelligent Fools.

2011-03-22T08:33:00.000-07:00

Intelligent Fools by noblevessel

When it comes to Christians, why consider us duped but then conclude you're rational by saying there is no actual absolute truth a statement that's in its self is an ABSOLUTE? Perhaps you haven't really thought this stance through considering everyday you hold fast to what can be considered moral absolutes? Don't believe me? Though you stay thinking that it's true "what's right for them is right for them and what's right for you is right for you," that really only sounds right in a vacuum where nothing "wrong" ever happens to you. Then by any chance that it do...You know...someone isn't even handed and does damage to you, then you conclude that they've acted in an inappropriate manner. Essentially you're holding them to some ideal standard you've gathered to be true.... an absolute that isn't only right by your understanding and applicable to you but also the trespasser who apparently doesn't have the same standards. Nevertheless, you still find that their actions are reprehensible because they've broken some kind of universal principle that perhaps is greater than what's right in the eyes of the individual. If it isn't true why would you feel within you that you've been wronged and that they should understand that their actions are indefensible? This is applicable to lies, cheating women and guys, or any act that's criminal. So when you're involved in general you do think people should do unto others as they expect people to act towards them too.

Sounds a lot like what Christians view as biblical truth don't it? Something you won't admit though cause that view can't coexist with relativism. You know what you consider to be the pinnacle of wisdom; folk following and doing what ever they FEEL is right within them. So if I follow this premiss you wouldn't be bothered if one of the homey's FEELS like pulling a knife on your wife and Children, doesn't he have the right to do so or does he have to FIGHT THE FEELING? Does anybody really have the right to deny his interest if he sees this as righteous in him despite his intent? Now you would probably be like nobody in their "RIGHT" mind would see this as righteous living but you SHOULD FEEL that it is...vial and if they ran afoul should now repent embracing the penalty that fits them.

Now would I be re miss to mention that if you embrace this position you're being hypocritical. How in one instance you can feel that no standard of WRONG or RIGHT can be penned to you, yet in another when you're WRONGED you're RIGHT to FEEL that there should be a penalty for doing what is against the rules. You know some standard that didn't just happen to come up out of the blue that you FEEL they should of knew so you have a RIGHT to rebuke. Now by this a truly rational man would then be able to fathom that perhaps all of man kind should live and be governed by some grander standard of truth.. something transcendental. The irony of it all when compared to relativistic philosophies when in practice we see that absolutes are essential to function as a society. Man made or from a higher being? Mocking our piety conforming to what are obviously absolute truths. I ask you who's really been duped? No need to embellish the truth when intelligent fools who resent absolutes refute with absolutes. The point has already been proved that it's at odds with saying there is no God and we're not in need of Jesus...the cross...the resurrection..if you've been paying attention following your own logic this would be inconsistent with insisting that there is no absolute truth so why are you still persistent? Now who's more irrational now you are the Christian?

A Spill: Empathy

2011-02-27T04:16:00.000-08:00

If I were to attempt a spoken word album it may sound something like this.

Empathy2 by noblevessel

This is my meager attempt at recording something on the fly. I’ve recently purchased some audio recording hardware and software, so I’ve been inclined to through trial and error dable in recording and mixing. Enjoy round number 2.

Empathy Lyrics

yo I glimpse purpose in the word then script verses about times I've been Left hurting when certain people and circumstances manage to make me feel worthless until I reflect on the price by which i've been purchased certainly some might have given their life for a Good person but how about for someone of my per·perverseness? In light of all of the dirt did in the light and the dark...with forknowledge of course Christ still Died on the Cross...Providing the Cost Accomapnying the wages of my Sin... A love of a friend so wonderous I had to repent but ever since I've come to know him I'm still blunddenring my bretheren much to my Chagrin and its troubling Romans 7 like makes me grab the mike and say something like Oh what a wretched man I that I am and the man that I've been and can still be battling my fallen humanity neverthless I've still been managing Under strain though at times I was feeling like I wasn't sane..Telling folks I'm alright but the reality was the opposite of what I was saying seemed like the only time there was peace is when ever slumber came I suddelnly could hardly stomach praying thoughts running all up in my brain leaving me wanting me to do something profane just to numb the pain...possibly hunger pangs that nothing under the sun could ever bring... to a hault or satisfy so my stomach is grumbiling.... without the bread of life that descended from above the sky....surely I'm suffering because thoughts of the sweet life be spoiling my appetite.....Ignoring the words of the Adonai that I "had to fight" ....ahh mann yeah The taste of manna's nice...and its known to passify cravings for things that reck my diet...I admit and recognize its so hard to swallow...God's truth but it takes root why that junk food runs right through my bowel's leaving me to wallow in my mess...fat in the flesh but the hungers never met...never content...and never satisfied..wondering why it cost you so much...seems like someboy selling lies that I seem to be steady buying though I know can't aford it but once again just ignored it...surely someone can empathize?

Jas Knight - Psalm 16

2011-02-14T14:01:00.001-08:00

I'm not ashamed to say this is one of the few songs that have brought me to tears. Awesome use of Psalm 16 for the lyrics combined with great vocal arrangement and instrumentation.

You can purchase Jas Knight's record "The Psalter" at the following links:

http://holyculturedownload.com/product_info.php?products_id=7634

http://www.amazon.com/The-Psalter/dp/B002LI3QHS

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/the-psalter/id327482161

A Spill: A Love Unconditional

2011-02-14T13:23:00.000-08:00

note: The following is my responses from a Facebook conversation I decided to re-up for Valentines day.

If there are people in our lives that are hard to get along with, and by human standards folk we would think twice about having much concern for, then I pray we are able to consider how God is using them to expose a part of our character that isn't like him.

For me it has been that my tendency to love and make sacrifices for others has been conditional instead of unconditional. In other words my efforts to take other's best interest to heart and respond accordingly hinged upon if they were doing the same or at least showing their appreciation for my efforts. Not so with the Lord as exemplified in the redemptive work of Christ.

‎"For while we were still weak, at the right time Christ died for the ungodly. For one will scarcely die for a righteous person—though perhaps for a good person one would dare even to die— but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us." - Romans 5:6-8

God didn't wait until we had his best interest in mind to demonstrate his love towards us; no while were were still sinners...those trespassing against him...doing what was offensive to him.. he chose to show us a love unspeakable.

Now granted there are time times the best for both parties can entail keeping one's distance. With that said consider I was just mentioning, mainly for my self (note my first comment), to "consider" if and how God could be using that person to expose something about ourselves by our response to their behavior or lack thereof. Just somethings to consider if we say we not only want to profess Christ, but live and love as he has loved us.

I don't know a specific passage, but I would gathered that love would also involve withholding somethings as well as giving. I gather there is a time and place for both to cultivate an appreciation for the later. The Lord does that to us at times. I know it isn't always black and white though. I do know this though a Hard teaching to follow

Luke 6:27-36

27 “But to you who are listening I say: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, 28 bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. 29 If someone slaps you on one cheek, turn to them the other also. If someone takes your coat, do not withhold your shirt from them. 30 Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. 31 Do to others as you would have them do to you.
32 “If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners love those who love them. 33 And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even sinners do that. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even sinners lend to sinners, expecting to be repaid in full. 35 But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.

Anyone out there with any thoughts about this?

A Prayer Request for Our Community.

2011-01-21T08:35:00.000-08:00

Would you join me and my church fam in prayer, for our community and the city in general, for safety, for spiritual & emotional healing for the fatherless generation committing these crimes, & that God would use our church among others to be agents of God’s peace & healing.

Random Thought

2011-01-13T18:26:00.001-08:00

A conversations fruitfulness hinges upon the amount of listening & comprehension involved in addition to how u value the other person and their thoughts/opinions. The later of which can determine whether your responses are meant to edify or tear down...cultivate a mutual understanding or impose your view. Do you only want to be heard only listening to interject with your insight...provides solutions..things to consider..

Still some lessons 2 b learned about listening & the adequate response. James 1:19-20; Proverbs 10:19, 10:32, 12:18, 13:3, 15:31-32, 18:13

Managing Your Appetite

2011-01-03T23:50:00.000-08:00

Andy Stanley - Session 4 from Ben Terry on Vimeo.

This is Andy Stanley's Message from a session at Passion 2011 on surrendering our appetites to God & Thinking of Long term implications vs immediate satisfaction. He is speaking in light of Gen. 25. This messages rocked me a good bit and had me twisting and turning from the applicable truth spoken in it. I have some notes from it. Much to chew on. If you're bit of a lazy bum I could shot them to you. Just kidding. Maybe.

Spill # 13: Concerning the Microwave Mentality & the Growing Culture of the Mass Consumption of Ideas & Information.

2011-01-03T22:07:00.000-08:00

There is so much good info & so many good resources available online in addition so many wise words in tweets & statuses. Often we can feel compelled to try to take it all in at once. Initially we may be rocked by these said truths and wisdom we stumble across in that momement & retweet/repost it, but do we ever really digest said it. You know, try to wrestle with, meditate on, and apply it beyond that moment we were introduced to it? Did it ever really sink in or did we overlook comprehension and resonance for a lil buzz? Yeah a lil buzz we can often get encountering truth and making it known we stumbled across it. Then immediately afterwards continue to move on to the next high we could find in another nugget of wisdom. The end result of cultivating such a habit is us becoming a people who prefer quantity over quality. Moreover, we become a people so busy salivating over a synopsis we pass over the meat and potatoes of the complexity of the subject it describes satisfied with the appetizer. No doubt this mentality transcends beyond our consumption of knowledge in cyberspace. Selah

PS. Interestingly enough, the implications of this trend made me think of The Parable of the Sower.

noble vessel - Life Music (Everyday I Wake)

2011-01-01T18:07:00.000-08:00

Sparked by Hebrews 12:1-3

© 2011 House on the Rock Media
Single from my upcoming album "Life Music LP" dropping sometime in 2011

Available for download at http://noblevessel.bandcamp.com/track/life-music-every-da...

Spills # 12 Concerning Midgets and the Book Judges.

2010-12-29T01:28:00.000-08:00

When it comes fighting the good fight of faith some people are simply satisfied w/ drop kicking midgets (Is that pc?). That shouldn't be the case in light of what Christ has accomplished on our behalf (1 Cor. 15:55- 58) and the reality of God's spirit dwelling within us (2 Timothy 1:7). Marinate on that for a 2nd. lol

Biggest thing I've learned from Judges and Israel's cycle of apostasy is that as time past it seemed to be brought on in part (the whole disobedience thing too.) by neglecting to remember where God brought them from & what he has already done for them. Fam lets not forget where God has brought us from and done for us via the Gospel in addition to what trials he has faithfully kept us through while meeting or even surpasing our needs. There is much to to be gleaned from the Israel's history in scripture as they are always analogous to our Christian walk. Example the writers use of it in Hebrews 3:7-19 & 1 Corinthians 10:1-14 also Romans 15:4 makes this point : " For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope."

ROBERT P. GEORGE & CORNEL WEST - The Scandal of the Cross

2010-12-20T21:36:00.000-08:00

Great conversation about greed, abortion, human dignity, compassion, democracy, and most notably the implications of the materialization of human beings. Seriously check it out. I don't necessarily agree with the assertion that the Gospel specifically addresses a radical call to love and view our fellow man in the manner West is presenting, but I do believe it is an implication of the Gospel. To be more specific I would said it is the inevitable response of those who have radically been transformed by the message of the Gospel and embrace the statues/values of God to whom they been reconciled and enabled to delight in via said Gospel. If you don't grasp the concepts they are discussing (ideology, libertarianism, oligarchy,etc) feel free to Google them you'll be better for it. Peace.

The Scandal of the Cross

Irreducible human dignity (08:27)

How to keep power from corrupting (09:34)

Cornel: Greed is bad (15:04)

Robby: The left is on the wrong side of history on abortion (07:07)

Compassion vs. love (05:11)

Building a deep and true democracy (11:00)

noble vessel- Random Selah Moment #1

2010-12-20T21:04:00.000-08:00

I could use some help with school.

2010-12-20T19:24:00.000-08:00

I'm not good at this fundraising stuff and I'm not sure if any would be compelled to help my cause, but here is a try. OK, this may come out of the blue, but I seriously could use you all's help. Currently I'm entering my final semester as a Theology Major at Xavier University here in New Orleans, but I am faced with a bit of dilemma I don't have the money to pay for my last and final course. Why you may ask? Well after working the past year for AmeriCorp I was hoping to Receive a $5,300 education stipend to help cover the cost of tuition and housing, but due to coming short 19 hrs of the necessary service needed it I won't get it. Now I have calculated that if I can get at least 100 of the people I know to donate at the most 10 dollars I can have 1,000 dollars I need to pay for tuition costs for the 1 class I have this semester. Regardless anything you can give would be appreciated or if if you know someone else that can donate feel free to forward the link. Thanks.

You can click the following link to donate. Every bit counts.

Does Orthodoxy always lead to Orthopraxy?

2010-12-19T16:35:00.000-08:00

When I ask "Does Orthodoxy always lead to Orthopraxy?" I am asking if either or not "right" beliefs lead to the "right" actions? Does it? Something to think about in light of ones intellectual ascent as a believer, student of God's word, and consumer of fine theological writings.

"What good is it, my brothers, if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save him? Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to him, "Go, I wish you well; keep warm and well fed," but does nothing about his physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. But someone will say, "You have faith; I have deeds." Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder." - James 2 :14-19

Take note of how even demons mentioned in James believe in "one God." Sounds like the right belief but we all know their practice doesn't translate into obedience to the one God they believe.

Branching off a bit, I also have to wonder what is the point of accumulating a knowledge of the truth if you're not experiencing it in your life and being changed by it? So many things to ponder. Digest truth and respond accordingly.

Play on Words Concerning Maturity: The Apostle Paul in Philippians 3:12-16

2010-12-17T11:03:00.000-08:00

Not that I have already obtained all this, or have already been made perfect, but I press on to take hold of that for which Christ Jesus took hold of me. Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.
All of us who are mature should take such a view of things. And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you. Only let us live up to what we have already attained.- Philippians 3:12-16 (NIV)

I thought this was a nice play on words in this section were the Greek adjective "teleios" translated as "perfect" in verse 12 and "mature" is verse 14 is used to make the point that if one really is perfected/mature the have arrived at the fact that they aren't mature/perfect..mpt all they can be...haven't arrived..still need to stive toward the high call aware they are wokrs in progress. Consider this "All of us who are mature should take such a view (what view? 3:12-14) of things. "- Phil 3:15

A Spill: The Wealthy, Trickle Down Economics, and Tax Cuts. Oh My!

2010-12-12T04:50:00.000-08:00

I'm far from an well read economist so humor me on this one OK? Well I've been thinking lately and even more in light of Obama electing to continue the Bush era tax cuts how can trickle down economics help to jump start an economy? Seriously, help me out comment below!) how can this really work when those who benefit from the tax cuts make up the smallest percentage of the population and are more than likely trying their best to stay wealthy by maximizing profits and minimizing their expenses. Regarding those who are business owners I see this being a big reason why they are hiring less or outsourcing jobs for the cheaper labor. Now am I bugging out for thinking that when it comes to those not benefiting from the tax break is that a larger percentage of their income is spent towards necessities , things like food, housing, & transportation, so they have less expendable income? Doesn't this group make up the majority of the population? What makes one think those you can label as wealthy are going to do more with their additional income than they are already doing with the expendable income they have now? Is it foolish to assume they have investd all that they see fit into what they want and need thus the reason why you can call them wealthy.

With all those things considered doesn't that mean that if given access to more expendable income this majority of people not benefiting from the tax breaks and have less expendable income c the greater spending power has the greatest potential to impact the economy? Think about it, this could only benefit businesses by increasing their business as the greatest number of people has more money to spend. Profits would increase and if the business aren't complete douche bags that will see need to higher more people to help with increased labor demands facilitated by the increased business. Though it probably isn't that simple or may not even actually work like that, but these were just some of my thoughts on the matter. It should be noted I'm not against businesses receiving tax cuts if it can actually stimulate the economy and foster an increase in jobs, but I would need to know exactly how not a just a bunch of rhetoric insisting it does. Also I see the benefit of taxes,where else would the money come from to maintain our nations infrastructure and fund things like public schools, but from time to time a need seems to arise to provide tax breaks as well.. Any way if you can school the fam on these matters holla back. Peace.