Drowning

I'm writing this the morning after giving a talk to my churches youth group. I had 10 minutes whereI choose to dive into Matthew 13:44 (The parable of the hidden treasure) and explore the idea that our lives, our actions should be built upon the Gospel. It was a talk written to root home 20 odd kids from a mix of backgrounds to put Jesus at the centre of what they do. (I'll upload it as a transcript at a later date)

I spent time diving into the passage and thinking about how I could relate it back to them in preparation.

I came up with stories, illustrations to help them understand what I was getting at and how it should impact there lives.

After all that time and effort, I hoped that I would be able to do a good job.

I didn't... I stunk!

As I reflect, I'm starting to feel like I'm in the losers cafe in the apprentice! Picking it apart it became clear where I went messed up. I went on for too long, had too many ideas mixing in together. The journey wasn't clear and I lost some of the youth along my way. I did a rubbish job.

Maybe I'm a bit harsh on myself but as I begin to critique myself I can't help but feel that God could never use me in this way again. That I'd blown it!

I'm sure we all think like this from time to time. How could God use me when I've failed?

But we forget. The Bible is a book full of failures and God still uses them!

In Matthew 14:22-33, Matthew tells an account of the disciples out to sea, when they see Jesus walking on water. Not knowing that it was him at first Peter cries out “Lord, if it’s you, tell me to come to you on the water.” (verse 28) and of course Jesus replies "Come". When Peter steps out of the boat, he takes a couple of steps and then seeing the storm and the rain starts to sink.

What Jesus does next is amazing! Peter failed. He lost faith in Jesus and put his faith onto him. He was drowning. He was about to die! Jesus could have left him there and let him drown.

But he doesn't. Jesus stretches his hand and pulls him back up. Peter didn't deserve another chance yet Jesus saves him, challenges him and gets him back in the boat. Jesus wasn't done with using Peter because he stuffed up!

In whatever we do to live for Jesus, we are free to fail. Jesus won't let us drown. We will learn and be brought back to the boat to step out again.

I may not have done a good job out of my talk, however I was faithful. I stepped out of the boat and Jesus didn't let me drown! Jesus isn't done with me yet. He can still use me in whatever way he wants.

My 5 Favourite Christian Hip Hop Artists

When it comes to music, I listen to a wide range. But there is one genre that I wax lyrical about. That's Christian hip hop! One of the reasons why I love this genre of music is that the artists aren’t just musicians, there fundamentally observers and theologians. These 5 and others all speak into culture and actually make some really deep observations.

For example Trip Lee – rapper with Reach and teaching pastor at Cornerstone church, Atlanta- has released a track speaking in to the Ferguson and Garner situation which is hitting the black American community (see track here). As result of their focus on the lyrics, they're also amazingly grounded in theology and the gospel. Jackie Hill Perry spoke at the Southern Baptist Ethical and Religious Liberties conference on her struggles with homosexuality. If you listen to her on the panel, it’s a purely gospel mindset which is shaping her life and her art.

I could go on, but I know with my limited knowledge about the genre that I won't be able to do it justice. So let me go through and introduce you to my current 5 favourite christian hip hop artists.

Beautiful Eulogy

When you think of Hip Hop, the first thing you'd probably think of is the heavy bass and beats. However, this trio from the Humble beast label show that it doesn't need to be the case! Based in Portland, the artists Braille, Odd Thomas and Courtland Urbano lays down more acoustic beats to create an original sound. Urbano takes inspiration from Folk, electro-hip hop, soul, and many other genres to create a unique and beautiful sound, making it a lot more accessible.

It's not just the beats that our fresh, the lyrics themselves are absolutely enriching! With Odd Thomas' background in spoken word and Brailles experience in the art, creates a listening experience which allows you to listen to clear gospels truths. The trio take great care in ensuring that their music don't just enrich the listeners ears, but their souls as well take the lyrics from Acquired in Heaven;

Your glory never fades
The lamb of God who was slain to wash away sins stain
We were ransomed by Your blood

Your loss was our gain

And You live forevermore

It's just beautiful!

Tracks to listen out for;
Beautiful Eulogy
Entitlement
Vital Lens
Acquired in Heaven.

Shai Linne

When you think of rappers, what do you imagine the source for their materials lie? Life, money, desires.... I can bet you anything that the last thing you'd think of is Wayne Grudems Systematic Theology! Shai Linne as a rapper has created the term "lyrical theology" which he defines as; "the study of God within the context of hip-hop". He takes inspiration from explaining particular doctrines of scripture - whether that's Election or the Millennium - to even expounding passages in the bible.

Not only is he brilliantly well thought out, but he's also amazingly humble. On several tracks he adds caveats on how he could be wrong and gives the passages that he uses to back up his point, and encourages the listener to go away and think about it themselves.

Tracks to listen out for;
Justified
Stories
Jesus is Alive
Theology Q&A

Propaganda
Another spoken word artist from the Humble Beast crew, I first became aware of him from watching - and loving - his G.O.S.P.E.L (God our Sins paying everyone life). 

Propaganda's focuses on a wide range of issues, from staying accountable God as well as standing up boldly for one's faith both in word and in one's life. But Propaganda's art gives a different perspective on subjects. For example , Precious Puritans - a track challenging pastors hero worship of puritan preachers - highlights that they were fallen sinners, slave ship owners etc and summarizing it by highlighting that God uses sinners for his glory. A really challenging track!

Tracks to listen out for;
Precious Puritans
Redeem
Crimson Cord
Daywalkers

Lecrae
With other artists mentioned in this list, the acknowledgements are only from the niche of the christian hip hop scene, however Grammy award winning Lecrae is also getting recognition from the secular scene.

The reason behind Lecraes success probably lies behind how real his lyrics are. Not afraid to hide anything, Lecrae opens up about his struggles and his pain. A clear example of this is "Good,Bad,Ugly" where he opens up about being sexually abused as a child and that experience shaping his view of women, and how Jesus breaks through his situation. It's Lecrae's humility which is shown through his music and his desire to let his faith shine through in a secular world.

Tracks to listen out for;
Prayin for you
Messenger
Background
God is enough

Jackie Hill Perry
With currently one record to her name, Jackie Hill Perry is one to watch! With her debut album exploring the joy than can only be found in Christ, you can tell that she’s been on a journey to get there. Her album is littered with fantastic beats with lyrics that point to Jesus in ways that challenges you and make you long for more of him. 

Tracks to listen out for;

Art of Joy
Better
Educated Fool