Friday's Weekly Rap-Up - May 23, 2014 - "Darkest Hour" - No Malice, Lecrae - CNN, Bill Weir, Interview with No Malice

"Darkest Hour" - Lecrae, No Malice

Earlier this week I came across a post on Rapzilla chronicling a CNN Tonight interview from host Bill Weir that took a behind the scenes look at two rappers, Pusha-T and No Malice, brothers who once performed as The Clipse. As Rapzilla points out regarding the rap culture, "Few media outlets have embraced the challenge of looking deeper into the complex struggle of right and wrong that has always been the invisible narrative of the culture." Rappers are usually glorified for their lyrics and actions, especially when it comes to pushing and using drugs, drinking, violence, sex and making money, without any question of motives, or the impact they have on culture.

Wier asked both brothers about their lives. Pusha-T showed off his fashion boutiques, clothes and business ideas, while No Malice showed Weir the Virginia Beach home where he and his brother began selling crack cocaine and started rapping. No Malice was a bit uncomfortable talking about his past, as one might be when admitting to selling crack on national television.

No Malice said “When I think about my infidelities…the heartbreak that I caused my wife, that I caused myself. When I think about her forgiveness, how the Word of God repaired us and nothing else. When I think about that; to me, it’s a no brainer. I can’t return to that lifestyle and that kind of way. I don’t have a choice.” When asked about returning to rap for a Clipse reunion, No Malice is adamant that he is not interested. It seems that he is satisfied in his life in Christ, rather than performing for crowds and raking in cash and notoriety. His decision just doesn't make sense to a watching world that does not see Christ as their ultimate treasure. It surely doesn't make sense to those reading XXL. It doesn't make sense to those watching MTV. And it surely won't make much sense at BET's 106 & Park. Jesus tells us that those who know him will be hated and mocked.

In the book of Colossians, Paul reminds the church at Colossae, as well as Christians, that before we are in Christ we were all alienated and hostile in mind, doing evil deeds. But now, Christ has reconciled sin for us through his death, making us holy and blameless before our father. In his second letter to the Corinthians, Paul reminds us that we are new creations in Christ.

When we hear interviews like this with No Malice and see fruitfulness of the Spirit, it is an encouragement to all who are struggling with some form of sin, not just pushing drugs or promoting cash, women, cars and clothes. We can be sure that Jesus is better. We can be sure that Jesus uses different art forms and methods to bring glory to himself, and to encourage others in faith.

Following Jesus certainly won't make much sense to those who find comfort in fame and material possessions. Through his testimony, we can be sure that pushing rocks is of no satisfaction compared to standing firm on the rock of our salvation.

"Darkest Hour" - Lyrics

Bonus: "Lord Have Mercy" - Lecrae, Tedashii and No Malice

Friday's Weekly Rap Up - February 7, 2014 - "Testify" by Shai Linne

This past weekend Sojourn Heights was graced with a visit from Steve Timmis, the Lead Pastor at The Crowded House in Sheffield, England, and Global Director of Acts 29, a church planting organization.

Steve brought us some thoughts regarding the mission of the church, centered on the study of Acts 4:32 to Acts 5:17. Mission was defined as "the word of God extending." This passage in Acts shows just that. Steve summarized this account of the early church using three adjectives. The mission of the church during this time was stunning, sobering, and spectacular. The snapshot of the church in Jerusalem being of "one heart and soul" is stunning. As you move into Acts 5, the account of Ananias and Sapphira is sobering, in that it is a reminder that the Lord desires our holiness. And finally, the spreading of God's word was spectacular, seeing that many people were being healed and also believed in the Lord.

It is not much different now:

• When a body of people is of "one heart and soul" in our time, it is seen as surprising and compromising. How could anyone forfeit their personal agendas and be united in all things?! It doesn't make much sense to most of our modern world.
• Most people are not concerned about their holiness much anymore, but that there is a portrayal of holiness to others in the world. We're more fearful of the consequences of our sin, as opposed to fearing the presence of that sin itself.
• And, finally, there are many signs and wonders happening today. But, I suppose these things are not seen as spectacular, as we now seem to find almost anything to be "spectacular". The adjective seems to be used too liberally, and maybe we lose sight of the small, but miraculous acts happening within our midst.

As a reflection, Steve asked the question, "What would be sensational, inexplicable, or spectacular in our neighborhood parishes?" It got me thinking throughout the week, and our parish had the ability to think through that question on Wednesday. It is sometimes easy to overlook the seemingly small changes in people's lives without thinking about the fact that one's acceptance of the Lord's grace can impact families for generations to come.

In our parish there are some of us that have been Christians for almost all their lives. There are some of us that have been raised in the church, but only had head knowledge about the Lord, refusing until later to allow that knowledge of his grace to soften our hearts. There are also those that were not raised in the the church, and are new to the faith, being challenged by long standing practices, patterns of thinking and routines. People's motives and thoughts are questioned, not for the sake of correction, but for the sake of growing in holiness and understanding of the Lord's work in our lives. When we look a bit closer, these changes in all of our lives are spectacular.

These accounts reminded me of Shai Linne's song, Testify, which chronicles the story of Mike, Sue and Cece, three characters that lived incredibly different lives, but still came to the same saving understanding of the Lord. This is a parallel of what the members of our parishes and churches have experienced. There are spectacular changes in some lives, and spectacular graces evidenced in the Lord sustaining the lives of believers.

Let us be generous so that we have more and more in common. Let us be pursue holiness so that we can be impactful in mission. And, let us not lose perspective of the truly spectacular works that the Lord is working within us, and within those close to us. Let us testify!

Call Your Grandparents

Grandpa at my cousin Jenna's wedding

My grandfather Norman Casimer Andrews went to be with the Lord today. It's been a tough day to say the least. A flood of memories comes back as I remember my time with him, but we should take comfort in the Lord's sovereignty. I can assure you that my grandfather was surrounded by our family, and my grandmother.

My grandfather was ready to go. This past weekend he told my parents and grandmother that he was "..ready to be with the Lord." It is amazing that God has created us with this recognition, but it is a further comfort in the truth that this Earth is not our home, and that we will never see death. We were made to be with the Lord. Jesus came at Christmas that we might have eternal life. “I came that they might have life, and have it abundantly” (John 10:10). Paul, the author of Corinthians encourages us in 2 Corinthians 1:3-5, that God is our comfort.

Admittedly, I've struggled with the idea of death over the past month or two. I think the fact that my grandfather was nearing his passing was one of the reasons. There were days within the past few months where my eventual death was the first thing on my mind in the morning, paralyzing me from true fellowship and instilling fear in almost everything I did.

It was a dark week and a half, and I am still wading through many of my thoughts. I plan on heading to Michigan to be with family, and can relate to the words of pastor John Piper when he speaks about returning home, and especially when seeing family. Piper says,

"Do you feel restless for home? I have family coming home for the holidays. It feels good. I think the bottom line reason for why it feels good is that they and I are destined in the depths of our being for an ultimate Homecoming. All other homecomings are foretastes. And foretastes are good."

 There are very few times that I can remember my grandfather instructing us in something of great depth, as it was normally something trivial or to do with fishing or horse racing, but in these past few days I probably learned the most from him. It was apparent that he did not fear death and that he knew it would be his time.

The Lord graciously gave my grandfather many years, surrounded by a loving wife, four successful sons and their wives, and all of us grandchildren. In his final days he got to be near, or speak to, many of us.

I was able to speak to Grandpa Andrews yesterday for about 30 seconds. I made sure to tell him that the Lord loved him and that I loved him. With that, he briefly told me two things. First: That "We love you too". After being married for so long, it really does become your mentality that you and your spouse are a unit! And secondly, he wished that Emily and I would have a wonderful wedding. That one struck a chord. It's a great final memory of my grandpa, and the fact that we were on his mind during his last few hours of life brings joy to my heart and tears to my eyes. I would have loved to have celebrated our marriage with him. I was able to celebrate their 50th anniversary by singing their wedding song to them, "Let Me Call You Sweetheart". I will be thinking of him on March 16th as Emily and I are married. It's my hope that our family will be able to look to death, not with fear, but with comfort, knowing that Christ's death and resurrection destroyed the power of sin and death. Oh how freeing! It's my hope that we can remember this truth, and look to the Lord for our eternal rest.

Singing "Let Me Call You Sweetheart"

I always enjoy calling my grandparents, and even more so after having moved to college and then away from Michigan. Their wisdom and experience are invaluable, even when we find it pretty intolerable as children. Their stories remind us of much simpler times. We heard about the numerous jobs my grandpa seemed to hold, selling copiers and having served in the Coast Guard. He would always tell us about the time when he was allowed to steer a ship into port. And for the record, I will never believe this one! Us grandchildren remember his Mobil coffee mug that he used in the car to take us all up north to our cottage. Or the time he had to come get us grandkids from the Detroit Zoo because our Grandma had locked her keys in her car, while it was running!

I will continue to call my grandmother, hopefully even more often now. We'll talk about the weather, how her garden is doing, and most importantly, how the Tigers are doing. And, I'll be sure to comfort her, tell her I love her, and that the Lord loves her, just as I did with Grandpa. Our grandparents are gifts of great treasure and a grace from the Lord, so, go ahead, call your grandparents.

Common Graces Are Great, But...

In a recent conversation with a yet-to-be-Christian friend, I was asked a question (and I am paraphrasing here...)“Why is it that I see Christians still struggling with certain things, but sometimes see non-Christians not struggling or being extremely blessed?” I was pleasantly surprised by the question, and admired their inquiry.

The fact that someone is a Christian does not mean they will live a life free from suffering or hardship. Actually, for Christians, we should be expectant of suffering like Christ, and suffering for Christ. He came to earth and was afflicted, so we should not expect anything different. In the book of James, we are implored to count it joy when facing trials of various kinds, and to exercise patience in suffering. Most of this suffering and trial accounted by our biblical authors has less to do with personal loss and suffering, as opposed to the suffering and persecution gained from the faithful declaration of the gospel. Typically, when afflicted, it is for God’s glory, others’ good, our own growth, or for credibility that helps bring healing and life to others (Driscoll, “Who Do You Think You Are?”, 104-107).

For a split second after the question was posed, my thought was, “Yeah, there are definitely people more blessed than I am.” But my immediate consideration of their blessing was in material and circumstantial blessings, and not in the blessing of the saving grace of Christ. Thankfully, the Holy Spirit allowed me to differentiate between saving and common grace. In my response, I was able to explain that there are those outside of Christ who enjoy the benefits of what can be called common grace. These are graces that the Lord allows all people, even those outside his covenant, to enjoy.

If you live in the South, Chick-Fil-A is a great example of a common grace. (You in the South may not see it this way, but just ask those of us transplants from the North!) As a fellow northerner, my pastor in college at Michigan State University, Kevin DeYoung, shares in this view. (Here’s an awesome Chick-Fil-A song…) Having grown up in Michigan, Jet's Pizza is something I consider a blessing of common grace. It is such a grace that I packed a whole pizza in my luggage on my return from Detroit to Houston! The music we enjoy is a common grace given to us by our Creator. God has graced athletes with talent to amaze us. This is no more apparent than in the Olympics, where the best athletes in the world compete for their nation’s honor. As someone that participated in collegiate athletics, I have been able to see God's gift of athletic talent in men and women. Executing a set and spike in volleyball, making a double play in baseball or softball, or swishing a three-pointer in basketball all take tremendous levels of talent. Even if these athletes do not ascribe God glory for their talent, I, as a Christian, can. Finally, the grace that God has given the United States has allowed us to be free from oppression of many forms, and has allowed us to reach an economic status that few other nations can dream of matching. However great these things are, these graces are just mere shadows of the blessing and amazement we shall experience when we are to be with Christ.

I will freely admit that it is sometimes difficult to take joy in others’ common graces. For me, this includes people’s vocations and relations. Vocationally, I compare myself to others in the form of earnings, position and prestige. In relationships, it is easy to become frustrated with the fact that I have not enjoyed a relationship that has evolved into a marriage. Many of my friends have enjoyed this, and I am thankful for them, as I've learned much from them, and take joy in their friendships. As hard as it is to remember, as Christians, our identities shall not be shaped by the comparison of common graces, but instead by the saving grace of Christ.

Saving grace is found only through Christ, saving us from sin, and allowing us to freely live to glorify God. It is not that others are more blessed because of their increased common graces. As Christians, we can rest in the blessing that is saving grace. Common graces are great, but nothing compared to saving grace.