Cross Kulcha

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2011-06-12T13:14:00.001-05:00

In my preparation for a speaking engagement on Father's Day 2011. I was looking at videos that could help illustrate the points the team would want to communicate and I came across that, which was totally unrelated to the message next week... but very powerful.

One Rib Less

2010-12-09T10:51:00.006-05:00

A few weeks ago I had an assignment that required me to prepare a sermon, on a passage of my choosing. I chose Genesis 3. Though the focus was on Genesis 3 I read two chapters before and one after, in order to fully understand the passage. However, I must confess that my interest in Genesis 3 emerged from discussions with my friend and mentor.

During preparation and research I had a question - “Why did God make woman from man’s rib and not from the dust, like he did man?” I posted the question to my facebook wall and I did get a few interesting responses...

“…makin us from the man's rib makes us similar to him, able to identify with him but at the same time having our own identity” - Shivonne Johnson

“So that we are all connected... every man is born from a woman... who in turn was created from a rib” - David Soutar

The Perfect Help Mate

The Lord God exclaims “It is not good for the man to be alone…” (Gen 2 v18) and initiates an exercise in which man names all the animals. However, when he’s done the author makes note that “no suitable helper was found.”

The Creator of the universe now puts on his scrubs, injects a divine sedative and begins surgery. Sculpting the perfect mate for Adam, from his rib. In essence he creates both male and female from the same lump of clay. This would be the second time in this account where we see Yahweh take a hands on approach - the first being in Genesis 2 v5-6, after bringing everything into being by the power of His word.

The woman was created as man’s co-equal. Being from Adam, Eve would share a common bond, including “the breath of life.” She would also complete Adam by providing companionship and share in his responsibilities - “work the garden and guard it” (Gen 2 v15).

Matthew Henry puts it this way, woman was “Not made out of his head to top him, not out of his feet to be trampled upon by him, but out of his side be equal with him, under his arm to be protected and near his heart to be beloved.”

Battle of the Sexes

Like all Yahweh’s creations, man and woman were to be fruitful and multiply (see Gen 1 v22- 28), with the exception that we should have dominion over all the other creatures, not over each other.

The conflict of man ruling over woman and the fight for wives to submit came about as a result of man’s disobedience to God’s word (Gen 3 v16). I do believe that in God’s perfect world man is the head of his family but that is no reason for him to lord it over his spouse for “the two have become one”.

I close with the words of Adam, she is “bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh”.

Level 3:16 - Tell Em (Internal Conflict)

2010-11-17T13:10:00.003-05:00

Title: Tell Em (Internal Conflict)
Artiste: Level 3:16
Website: www.crossmovement.com/artists/level316

It could be worse...godliness + contentment = joy

2010-02-19T14:45:00.005-05:00

As a child growing up I complained a lot when I didn't get what I wanted and my mother always said "Give thanks! 'Cause someone out there could be worse off than you.." With that I would shut up and give God thanks, because she was right.

Even in my adult life I find those words lingering in the back of my mind whenever pessimistic thoughts perch on my shoulder and whispered their plot. Added to all that I recently decided to do a photography challenge - 28 RAW . The challenge requires me to take at least 1 photo a day for 28 days, in February. Some how it forces me to look at life through a viewfinder and I'm enjoying learning about the people and things around me. I think my appreciation and perspective on life has grown and changed.

My perspective has changed so much that I can remember my first car accident, about 2 years ago, on impact profane words seeped from my lips (not something I'm proud of as a follower of Christ). However, this morning while on Highway 2000 the engine of the car I was driving caught fire... yes I was flustered but upon regaining my composure and extinguishing the flames (with help from other motorists) my wife and I had to stop and give God thanks... for what Jamaican people call "Small Mercies"

I think too often we buy into the lies of our society, that tells us that if we don't compare to the Jones we shouldn't be satisfied or be thankful. But true satisfaction comes when there is joy... and joy comes from being content. I wish I could always be in the place Paul writes about in ^{1 Timothy 6:6-7... when he says "But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it..."}

Remember it could be worse... so give thanks!

Divine Mathematics

2009-12-10T16:41:00.003-05:00

I'm a music lover and for a long time I've been critical of Jamaican music, namely Gospel Reggae/Dancehall. Why? I felt like we weren't putting out our best. When I think of how most (if not all) our dancehall artiste do single upon single before releasing an album, yet a Jamaican Gospel Artiste has several albums in no time, I get peeved.

I believe that as Kingdom people we should always do our best. I know walking the good walk is easier said than done (thank God for the Holy Spirt) but I'm always challenged by these 2 passages of scripture:

I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves. (Matt.10:16 - NIV)

Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are serving. (Col.3:23-24 - NIV)

While watching Religious Heart Talk some time ago I was glad to know that the culture was changing. Dj Nicholas mentioned that they try to use the best producers and musicians in the industry in an attempt to ensure that the music is of the highest quality. I am pleased to hear this but believe that the ounce is also on the songwriter to deliver the message in a more creative format.

Dj Nicholas has now exemplified this quality in his latest song, Divine Mathematics. The way the song is constructed you hear the biblical undercurrent, he uses a refrain and a rhyme scheme that embodies the mathematical concept. I'm not sure I like the words of the hook, but it's a hook.

Overall I'm proud and wish Dj Nicholas all the best. May the Lord continue to give him and those around him an new vision and 'marketing strategy' to impact today's world and our young people.

'A Israel weh seh!'

Listen to the words of this song and let me know what you think...

Camel or Mule...which are you?

2009-07-11T00:14:00.005-05:00

Some time ago I had to prepare a small group study so I started doing some research which lead me to a Jewish idiom. This all started because I had dinner with Messianic Jew and he was speaking about giving with a good eye (another Jewish idiom) - Ten Be-ayin Tovah.

"Any-who!" I digress...back to the camel and the needle eye. In St. Matthew 19:24 Jesus says "...it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to enter the kingdom of God." In Sunday School I was told that this was a place in the middle east (during Jesus' time) and that was that. I've come to understand that this (needle eye) was a gate the merchants and travelers would have to use when the came to a city/town during the night, since the main gate would have been closed.

Now to get the camel through this gate; the eye of the needle, you would have to take off all the baggage and have the camel come through on its knees. If your camel was not mistreated this wouldn't be such a difficult task. So what was Jesus saying?

He's saying that the camel quicker come to it's knees, loose it's baggage and go through the eye of a needle than we would humbly approach the throne of God, seeking to become enlisted as citizens of His kingdom.

Some how understanding this Jewish saying has made me appreciate this scripture more and I want to be at a place where I (without hesitation) constantly approach the throne of my King.

Are you as stubborn as a mule or a camel...? Selah

Dwayne Tryumf

2009-06-18T14:39:00.004-05:00

I love GHHP (Gospel Hip Hop) and I like bars Dwayne Tryumf spits in this video...

For more Dwayne Tryumf CLICK HERE

Who is this Jesus the Christ...???

2009-06-18T11:55:00.008-05:00

Yesterday at the beach I was speaking with a Rastafarian who spoke about the Christ but failed to identify who the Christ is.

Who is Jesus the Christ?

Some folks actually thought Christ was Jesus last name but no. It's His title. Christ comes from the Latin Christus which means anointed. When translated in Hebrew means Messiah (māšīaḥ). Others thought Jesus was another prophet and some intellects think he was a lunatic.

I believe that sometimes we are too rational / intellectual for our own good. The intellectuals of Jesus day asked this question "Who can forgive sins but God alone?"...Well that would mean only one thing right? Duh!

I submit to you the simplest and the most truthful answer Jesus the Christ is the exact representation of God in earthy form. Just read Hebrews 1:3. In simple terms He is God in flesh.

A Real Good Video...Agent Sasco's Same Thing Again

2009-06-12T23:58:00.001-05:00

I normally post videos of Gospel Artistes but today I wanna post a video that has spoken to me on so many levels. One issue that is hard for me to deal with every time I watch the video is my cousin being shot by police officers and them telling my family that he had a gun on him, when he didn't.

The Bible says "let no man boast about tomorrow because we don't know what it brings" - Proverbs 27:1 (paraphrazed).

Lecrae - Don't Waste Your Life

2009-06-06T07:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Don't Waste Your Life
Artiste: LeCrae
Website: www.reachrecords.com

It Leaves an Impression...

2009-04-28T09:43:00.003-05:00

Have you ever read the Bible and you feel as if it just doesn't connect or make sense? Sometimes I do and yesterday was one of those days.

I had a some quiet time with the Lord yesterday morning and while I was reading, Proverbs 27, I felt as if the passage of scripture had no impact and I was reminded about something I shared with a group years ago.

Years ago I was speaking to my peers and I shared with them that sometimes when you read the Bible and you won't see or feel anything. I used an analogy (not sure how original it is) of a type writer with no ink being used to type a document and though there was no ink, if you held the paper up to the light you would see the impressions the type writer left. That's what often happens when you read the word of God - it leaves an impression.

Challenged by my own words and I'd like to challenge you. Read your Bible as often as you can so that God may make an 'impression' on your hearts and lives.

Trip Lee (ft. Tedashii) - Real Vision

2009-03-15T23:55:00.002-05:00

Title: Real Vision
Artiste: Trip Lee featuring Tedashii
Website: www.reachrecords.com

Read Your Bible, Understand It, Apply It

2009-03-09T21:08:00.005-05:00

As I child growing up I didn't read my Bible very often, I must confess I didn't find it to be interesting. My eyes mainly saw the pages of scripture minutes before I attended Sunday School, as I swatted the memory verse and prepared to sing "Read Your Bible Pray Everyday."

During the latter part of my teenage years I started to seek God for myself and I found I had a lot of questions. I was no longer being spoon feed and I was becoming more like the Bereans (in Act 17:10-15), who searched the scriptures to ensure that what they were being taught was in the Bible. I found myself wanting to know more and I started staying up later combing through scripture, ensuring I understood what it was saying and why.

Since then, whenever I read the scriptures I have a desire to know the context of that scripture - Why it was written? Who it was written to? What was happening during the time it was written? - before applying it to my life.

I've also come across many individuals who take verses and various passages out of context, giving it another meaning, and it bothers me. At a seminar, recently, this was highlighted by Joanne Jung who explained a Bible study method known as the Inductive Bible Study (which was basically what I've been doing. I Just didn't know there was a name for it).

Joanne Jung encouraged the group to ask ourselves these 6 questions when applying this method while reading a passage of scripture:

Who? (eg: Who wrote it? Who are the main characters? etc...)
What? (eg: What are the main events? What are they doing? etc...)
When? (eg: When was it written? When did it take place? etc...)
Where? (eg: Where did it take place? etc...)
Why? (Why was this written? Why did this happen? etc...)
How? (eg:How is it done? How is this truth illustrated? etc...)

What I have found is that these steps help a lot in understanding scripture along with additional resources. Such as:

Study Bibles
Concordances
Bible Dictionaries
Commentaries
Lexicons

(* not an exhaustive list)

Nooma videos are also good resource tools. On that comes to mind it Dust which expound on Matt.4:18-22. Lets take a look!

I truly believe that when we understand scripture, then we'll be better able to know and understand God, as well as His purpose for our lives.

Health Conscious Til Them Fool!

2009-01-06T16:36:00.009-05:00

Over the past 5yrs or so Americans have become so health conscious. I remember when fast food restaurants like McDonalds and Burger King were forced to add salads to their menus because of the 'health boom' and even the whole issue of trans-fats being used. It was as if there was going to be an epidemic of obesity.

I noticed that some how this health conscious vibe trickled down into our culture and Jamaicans were trying to avoid certain foods.

What a found to be odd though is an advertisement I was watching the other day on TBS. It was an ad for 'beer' and they made sure to focus on the fact that the beer has X amount of calories and X amount of carbs. And I thought to myself "Dem health concious til dem foooool eeehhh!"

It's as if the ad was saying drink 'ALL' the beer you want and don't worry bout your figure. How much sense that mek?!?!

All this reminds me of a scripture in Timothy that says "For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear." (2 Timothy 4:3 - NIV).

Danah Cameron says "TV has become our Bible!" and it's true. Television has become our conscience but it's only telling us to do what we want to hear.

Quote - Oliver Holmes

2009-01-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

"Man's mind, once stretched by new ideas, never regains its original dimensions."
- Oliver Wendell Holmes

Retooning the Nativity

2008-12-30T00:38:00.002-05:00

I've always found it interesting that bible stories get a little warped. Like Adam and Eve ate and apple, Jonah was swallowed by a whale etc... How do we teach people the truth without warping it. Well IgniterMedia has addressed one such bible story - the Nativity - using a simple video.

Get Your Gospel Reggae this Christmas

2008-12-17T13:25:00.003-05:00

GET YOUR GOSPEL REGGAE NOW

Flame - Goodness to Repentance

2008-12-05T06:00:00.001-05:00

Title: Goodness to Repentance
Artiste: Flame
Website: www.flame314.com

10 Cool MySpace Pages

2008-11-26T11:11:00.008-05:00

I love music and from time to time I spend my days looking to MySpace pages and listening to music and I want to share 10 Cool Christian MySpace Pages (not in order of importance).

1. The Katinas

2. kj52

3. Group 1 Crew

4. Ayiesha Woods

5. Craig C

6. Pigeon John

7. SwitchFoot

8. Third Day

9. Mary Mary

10. Canton Jones

Pigeon John - Life Goes On

2008-11-19T06:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Life Goes On
Artiste: Pigeon John feat. Abstract
Website: www.pigeonjohn.com

Matisyahu - King Without a Crown

2008-11-10T06:00:00.001-05:00

Title: King without a Crown
Artiste: Matisyahu
Website: www.matisyahuworld.com

Quote - Nolan Bushnell

2008-11-01T06:00:00.000-05:00

"Everyone gets an idea in the shower. But the successsful ones get out of the shower, dry off, and do something about it."
- Nolan Bushnell

Papa San - More Life

2008-10-29T06:00:00.000-05:00

Title: More Life
Artiste: Papa San
Website: www.myspace.com/papasanminister

Canton Jones - Stay Saved

2008-10-24T06:00:00.000-05:00

Title: Stay Saved
Artiste: Canton Jones
Website: www.cajointernational.com

Sex with Mom and Dad - A Weh Dem a Program?

2008-10-16T20:53:00.006-05:00

I watch television a lot during my free time and as I approach that age, where I consider my linage, I consider what would be suitable for my children. Therefore I have times when I watch television programmes with a skeptical eye and recently I came across an interesting television series on Music Television (MTV), Sex with Mom and Dad. Yes another reality programme!

What is MTV's Sex with Mom and Dad all about ? Well the creators of the series believe that though sex is prominent in our media not a lot of families speak about it with their teenagers. In some cases it may be the teen who wants to foster a relation ship with the parent(s) where sex can be discussed openly. And in other cases it may be that the parent(s) want to speak to the child about sex, sexual issues or sexual behaviour. All this is facilitated by Dr. Drew.

Dr. Drew uses various techniques to engage the parent(s) and the teenagers which actually work and help to create an open environment, though not all parties are eagerly receptive. At the end of the day the teens come out learning "Sex Education" and in some cases do test for Sexual Transmitted Infections (STIs). Most teens end up promising that they will use contraception or prophylactic but continue indulging in promiscuity.

What Do I Have to Say?
I think the program comes across as a good programme because it helps to bridge the gap between parent(s) and children allowing them to talk about sex. I won't go into what could possibly happen after the cameras are gone!

MTV's Sex with Mom and Dad is missing a vital component, discussions of sex within the proper context, marriage. I believe the enemy is good at giving us half truths and stirs us to use 'what ifs?' in order to justify our actions. He's been doing it from the beginning of time, check Genesis (Gen.3:3-4). Sex with Mom and Dad gives us half truth and is a good attempt but not good enough.

Have you watched the programme? What are your views?