Three Thoughts for Friday

I would really like to see some replies and responses to some of these things.  They have been heavy on my mind as of late:

-ONE-

After reading a particular article posted by a friend on Facebook, I cannot help but think of the generation of men that have risen up around me.  I am a 25-year-old male and I am right in the middle of this.  As I was reading, I could help but silently confirm what was being written.  In other words, I related to this article.  I can think of too many people – by relation and acquaintance – who are in this between state of teenager and mature adult.  Before you point fingers at me for being “ over-righteous,” to a lesser extent, I include myself.  There have been far too many times in my life when I should have made more mature personal and professional decisions.  I know we all make poor choices, but what really burns in me is the thought, "How are we going to turn around?"

-TWO-

As a result to a conversation had with another friend, I am beginning to wonder, “What is the purpose of education?”  Since 2008, I have actively engaged in a multitude of teaching communities, where emphasis has been placed on a variety of learning and teaching styles, methods and philosophies.  However, I’m starting if our society as a whole has lost the focus of what learning is all about.  Tests are great assessments, but by no means should they ever be treated as an indicator or a measure of growth; yet, that is exactly what they are across the country.  Teaching is a very social and relational occupation and because of that innate aspect, educators, especially in the primary and secondary levels, need to place less demand on retention of material.  Instead, I would much rather see educators offering opportunity cultivate godly virtues while also giving students time to discover the joy life-long learning through more independent methods.

-THREE-

On a personal note, I would like publicly confess that I am trying to be more loving of the people around me.  Maybe this is what I am trying to say:  I feel as though I have failed to be a good witness and a good friend.  Particularly, I feel as though I only love those who could love me in return.  But love has never and will never be about doing something with ulterior motives.  Love is reckless, spontaneous and has no favoritism; love is also patient, steady and kind.  I have wasted opportunities to share with God’s love with people who I have been in contact with, and I have failed to give my love to longer lasting relationships.  So please pray for me that I may love others in the same way that God loves them.

What's that Ruckus: #3

Even though most people (and fellow Christ Followers) haven't heard or don't approve of Christian rap, I found in incredibly profound when it's done right.  So, I've selected two songs from Lecrae's album "Rebel" that I think most Christ Followers will be moved by. I cleaned up the lyrics so they are readable by the common reader, so I hope you enjoy the efforts doing that because it wasn't easy.  If rap isn't your thing, please don't pass over this blog.  Just read the lyrics for now, however, I really encourage you to give each of these songs a try.  You might be surprised.

Lecrae - DON'T WASTE YOUR LIFE

[Hook]

Don't wanna waste my life

I know a lot of people out there scared they gone die

Couple of em thinking they'll be living in the sky

But while I'm here living, man, I gotta ask why, what am here for I gotta figure out

"Waste my life?" No. I gotta make it count

If Christ is real then what am I gone do about

All of the things in Luke 12:15 down to 21

You really oughta go and check it out

Paul said if Christ ain't resurrected then we wasted our lives

Well that implies that our life's built around Jesus being alive

Everyday I'm living trying show the world why

Christ is more than everything you'll ever try

Better than pretty women and sinning and living to get a minute of any women and men that you admire

Ain't no lie, we created for Him

Outta the dust he made us for Him

Elects us and he saves us for Him

Jesus comes and raises for Him

Magnify the Father, why bother with something lesser

He made us so we could bless Him

And to the world we confess him, resurrects him

So I know I got life

Matter fact better man I know I got Christ

If you don't' see His ways in my days and nights

You can hit my brakes you can stop my lights

Man, I lost my rights, lost my life

Forget the money cars and toss that ice

The cost is Christ

And they could never offer me anything on the planet that'll cost that price.

Armed and dangerous, so the devil just can't handle us

Christian youth them a stand with us

Living and driven, given a vision

Fullfilling the commission he handed us

London to Los Angeles, the rap evangelist

Ma daddy wouldn't abandon us

"I gotta back pack fulla tracts plus I keep a Johnny Mac"

So are you ready to jam with us, so let's go

gimme the word an let's go

Persecution let's go

Tribulation let's go

Across the nation let's go

Procrastination best go

Hung on the cross in the cold

Died for the young and the old

Can't say you never know

Heaven knows

How many souls are going to hell or to heaven

So we gotta go in and get em

Suffer, yeah do it for Christ

If you trying to figure what to do with your life

If you making money, hope you doing it right

Because the money is God's you better steward it right

Stay focused if you ain't got no ride

Your life ain't wrapped up in what you drive,

The clothes you wear, the job you work,

The color your skin, naw, we Christian first

People living life for a job

Make a lil money start living for a car

Get em a house a wife kids and a dog

When they retire they living high on the hog

But guess what they didn't ever really live at all

To live is Christ yeah that's Paul I recall

To die is gain so for Christ we give it all

He's the treasure you'll find in the mall

Your money, your singleness, marriage, talent, your time

They were loaned to you to show the world that Christ is Divine

That's why it's Christ in my rhymes

That's why it's Christ all the time

My whole world is built around him, He's the life in my lines

I refused to waste my life

He's too true to chase that ice

Here's my gifts and time cause I'm constantly trying to be used to praise the Christ

If he's truly raised to life, then this news should change your life

And by his grace you can put your faith in place that rules your days and nights.

Lecrae - DESPERATE

[Hook]

I'm so desperate, I can't believe I've sinned against You

Create in me a clean heart (I'm so sorry)

Your mercy is what I need

Woke up this morning too depressed and shamed to leave my bed

Can't stand to see my own reflection so I hang my head

Feel like a disappointment, like the scum of the earth

I'm so hurt I know You see, I can't cover my dirt

My souls dying hearts weak and I can't even cry

I'm sposed to run to You but why, I'm such an evil guy

The sun's shining but for me it's the darkest of days

Try to pretend it never happened but the guilt remains

I leave the house, it feels like everybody knows I did it

Feels like they reading my mind and know the sin I committed

Through your blood I'm acquitted, but my heart doesnt get it

Oh God, I'm desperate for help cause I'm grieving your Spirit

I couldn't sing in the Sunday service, Lord I felt fake

And when they started communion I just made an escape

I'm in need of Your grace, Feels like you hid Your face

Lead me back to cross and show me my sins erased

I'm waste deep in my pity, is Satan trying trick me

And tell me You won't forgive me cause it's starting to get me

Jesus help me quickly, I hate wrong I've done

I know we all fall but I feel like the only one

Feels like I should be shunned, should I punish myself

I know it's dumb cause by Your death all my sin has been dealt

But my sin is been felt, I didn't want to do it

But what I want to do I don't, I swear I'm going through it

Try to open my Bible, I need to read Your pages

I need you Lord but my guilt has got me feeling so faithless

Help me see where grace is, take me back to the basics

Help me find my joy in You, and not people and places

My sin is ever before me, I turned my back on You

Oh Father, break and restore me to bring me back to You

Have mercy on me God according to Your steady love

Wipe away my transgressions and wash me in Your blood

Create in me a clean heart, renew a right spirit

Don't hide your face from me God, Your Presence, keep me near it

I'm waiting patient on You ,Lord, I know You hear my cry

Restore Your joy in me, for You alone I live and die

It's You I glorify cause You don't want my sacrifice

You want me broken and contrite trusting in the Christ

I confess to You my sin and you show me mercy

I turn away from it demonstrating that You are worthy

Over lust, over pride, over all sin

Is my affection for Jesus is who died for all them

I was lost, now I'm found, I was toss to the ground

My sin weighed on me heavy but I am no longer bound

As sure as Christ wears the crown, I know that grace will abound

And even when I feel lost, I know in You I am found