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Break of Dawn By De La Soul
I have had the opportunity to few many blogs online but a favorite of mine is A Better Covenant. Writing on this blog is a brother I will call my friend, Lionel Woods. His mental game is like that of the old school hip hop group De La Soul. Now if you do not know who De La Soul is then you have missed an iconic group in hip hop. They brought to hip hop a solid base with the nutrients of hip hop laced throughout. They brought a fresh perspective on life in the midst of the chaos. They emerged on the scene during the Golden Age of Hip Hop. Dropping their album, 3 Feet High and Rising was a classic album for all the hip hop heads. They set a standard in hip hop that many have yet to attain.
Much in the same tone my man ,Lionel Woods has done the same for theology. He engages a text without presuppositions that many of us have when studying the bible. He asks the hard questions and gives his precise answers of why he feels the why he does. Whether you agree with him or not you must respect his gangster. ( his bible acumen) I have a had the opportunity to chop it up with him many a times via the Internet and I have seen how he has allowed the word of God to shape his thoughts and life.
Like De La Soul has managed to stay in the game for years as hip hop has gone through major differences, LW continues to allow the word of God to chisel his thoughts and actions. As I read his post today,You Only Voted For Obama Because He is Black!, I was again reminded of the genius wrapped in the vessel we know as Lionel Woods. When and if you read this, stay up brother and keep spitting from the heart. In the words of Corey Red, ” … spit like a tommy gun out the lung.”
Much Respect
As I study the book of Philippians, I came across an interesting comment form one commentator:
“. . . How is one to begin to attack selfishness and disunity? By subtly showing from the very beginning that in the Church seniority and high calling do not put one Christian leader above another (Paul and Timothy together are one—they are slaves of Christ Jesus) and that ‘church supervisors’ are not above serving, but are by virtue of their office, called to serve (to be diakonoi) ministering to the needs of their fellows.” -Gerald Hawthorne
I have lived all over the United States and I can tell you each place has its own nuances that make them different. But living in the South, has been an experience like no other. Here I find that many of the people have adopted a regimented lifestyle that they refuse to change. If it is not in their regular sphere of events they feel that it is wrong. This applies to their worship as well.
As I listen to the members of some of the churches here in the Columbia area. I find myself dismayed at the body of Christ and some of their tactics in the black community. Some of the things that are said and done in these assemblies are mind blowing. But once you introduce scholarship or any type of theological concept there is a brand of sorts that is labeled against you. Regardless of the fact, that you trying to present a weighty truth that is essential to the lives of others.
I heard people say things like,” I do not need to go to school or to read anything because the Holy Spirit gives me direct words.” Their thoughts rest upon a concept that going to to seminary or reading books from others will ultimately stop the flow of the Holy Spirit-I guess. To which I greet with an unequivocal, proverbial, “No it want.” What reading and seminary has done is enhance my walk. My uncle once said to me,” He never knew a person that went to school and got dumber.” Well this is the exact thing that I encounter here in the South. Some believe that the Holy Spirit will jst walk awaay from you becasue you had an A in Systematic Theology.
I am not saying that you need to go to seminary to pastor because that might not be an opportunity that is afforded to everyone. But you can learn and be challenged through the works of others. We have done ourselves a disservice because we refuse to dialog with those who do not think like use. Truly, it is in those very conversation with others that we really get to wrestle with what we really believe about the Scriptures and God. Scholarship of all forms give us the context and the frame of reference to work from within that will in turn help build a defense for what we believe.
Yes, we still need the help and guidance of the Holy Spirit but there also must be a true understanding to effectively disciple others. Dr. Eric Mason uses an interesting word,hybrid, to describe what we must become in the body of Christ. His stance is that we must be able to have dialog with those in academia but also have the street credibility with our brothers and sisters on the street that will allow use to share the gospel. Interesting dynamic nonetheless but shamefully true. And even those with the educational background always go the road of the less travel because they still go after emotionally lead services, without sharing the knowledge that I know they have in their arsenal.
So at the end of the day as I do my reading and reports, I wonder if scholarship is valued her in the south among the black community.
just my thoughts
This journey we call life can be a journey down a road that leaves you dumbfound at times. When you know what to do but ultimately do the exact opposite. I am not talking about outright grotesque incident but the simple things As saying hello to your wife when you guys are beefing with each other. Dealing with a co-worker that is straight up wrong in many of the things she does but claims she is the shining example of Christ.
These are things that at times make me want to throw up when it pertains to me. I have seen my own depravity on so many occasion and I just get sick of myself. My prideful need of not being played by the next man puts be in a position where I can’t show off God’s glory because I am trying to protect myself. It gets clearer and clearer on a daily basis why God would use the words a “peculiar people” when he started describing the body of Christ. We must stick out like a sore thumb and be distinctive in our lifestyles. Though we are around those who blend in with what this world calls normal.
God caling me back to him through the path of salvation was strictly his doing. I can’t see any other way I would have done it. Thank you God.
constant reformation
1 Corinthians 11:1 (English Standard Version)
Be imitators of me, as I am of Christ.
I have always been amazed how Paul conducted himself in things of God. Very astute and matter of factly when it came to issue concerning his walk. So when I think about discipleship the first thing that comes to mind for me is 1 Cor. 11:1. If you are proclaiming to disciple another, whether through relationship or pastorally, this needs to be your confession or mantra. If you can not say come and walk with me and I will show you what walking in Christ looks like then you may need to wait a while. This is not to say you will not error but when you do you are quick to repent and confess your error.
Paul places himself in the fire when he makes this statement. So would we if we choose to commit to a lifestyle of discipleship. We would place our lives on video for those upon whom we are discipling to view on the daily.. Our every move will be watched because we are imitating perfection and in order that man may see what the love of God resembles. Trust me we I say, we do a terrible job. That is why I am thankful for the grace of God to fill in he holes when I fail.
In my city, this is not the way that discipleship looks for the new believer. What discipleship looks like in my city is getting the pastor water and carrying his bible.(wack) I would challenge us all to consider our on lives as manual for others to read on what discipleship looks like. If that was the case I wonder how many people would really reflect the true essence of God.
just my thoughts
