New Music!!

I'm really banging this new album by Hazakim called Theophanies like a madman right now. For those of you not familiar with Hazakim and their music, here is a little background of the group from their current label home: After reading this, peep the video link and listen to the poignant lyrics of the song "Crucifixion Description." Enjoy!
From www.lampmode.com
Founded in 1997, Hazakim (Hebrew for "strong ones") consists of emcees/producers, Michael and Anthony, who also happen to be blood brothers. Due to an upbringing in the Messianic Jewish movement, as well as multicultural roots which include Jewish ancestry, their sound possesses a trademark Hebrew influence which sets them apart from other hip-hop artists. By applying as their motto the charge of Rav Sha’ul (Paul) in II Timothy 4:2, "preach the Word, be urgent in season and out of season; convince, rebuke, and exhort - be unfailing in patience and in teaching", using the medium of hip-hop culture and through the scriptures they strive to:

-Convince the non-believer of the Messiahship of Jesus and their need for Him as Redeemer and Lord.

-Encourage and admonish the believer to trust the Word of God in faith and knowledge.

-Adhere to and teach the sound doctrine which was taught by the Lord and his disciples.

Blending hip-hop and apologetics (an explanation or defense of the Biblical faith) they present what they call "Hip-Hologetics". This was also the title of their freshman release which sold tremendously well as an independent effort without national distribution. The success of "Hip-Hologetics" earned the duo several awards and allowed them to travel across the U.S. spreading the good news of Jesus the Messiah. Several songs from "Hip-Hologetics" were heard all over the world via radio, internet downloads and radio stations.

From their fresh vocal delivery to their poignant lyrical content and their soulfully creative production; by God’s grace, Hazakim has been in the lab perfecting their craft and are hard at work to bring you more Hip-Hologetics! They have devoted their gift of poetry to the Lord, making Him the focus of every rhyme. Through the power and sovereignty of God, they strive to be teachers and ministers - an effective evangelistic voice to this generation. Amazingly, they have seen the Lord use this ministry awesomely in leading the lost - Jew and gentile, young and old - to the Messiah. After all, it is not the method, but the message in which lies the power. As spoken by Anthony of Hazakim in a recent interview, "…We believe that the Lord has big things in store for Hazakim, to His glory." So be it!

http://www.tangle.com/view_video.php?viewkey=ec3e970d22a86698ac8c

Free Copy of Bibleworks 8!!

Our friends over at Cal.vini.st are giving away 2 copies of BibleWorks 8!!

Details here:

http://cal.vini.st/2009/06/cal-vini-st-first-anniversary-giveaway/

Apology and Disclaimer.........

Brethren, and others who may read this blog

I feel it necessary to issue an apology for the last posting, which you may or may not have read. The point of that post was, as you may have guessed, the video. What I did not take into full consideration, was the blog which the video was posted on, and that is a serious error on my part. In everything we are called to do as believers, we are to exercise discernment. I did e-thumb through many links on the site, but one link (that could possibly have the most adverse affect on viewers), I neglected to view myself. I made assumptions that I should never make about any material without validating them through careful examination. I don't feel it necessary to go into detail, as that may actually have the opposite effect of my desired end.
I removed the link from my blogs, but want to make clear that I in no way espouse the doctrine voiced by the writer of the said blog, and in fact see it as a gross misrepresentation of the Biblical text, at best. With that said I will be much more careful going forward, and praise God for oversight within His Body.
Pray for me as I for you,
DeJuan

Phenomenal Proclamation of the Gospel

Phenomenal proclamation of the truth of God. That is all.

***Link removed until I can find just the video***

I'll be Back like I Left Something!

Just a quick post to let you all know that I am still among the breathing!  It's been a long while, huh?  Yeah, well I've been away and since I have, I've learned a few things that I'd like to share with you.  I've also seen a few things that, if I can remember where I saw them, will post up for you.  Anyway, I guess the bottom line is I'm back (sort of).  I'm at least back in such a way that it probably won't be months between posts.  I've missed writing *typing* and will be doing more of it both here and at www.streamsofthought.com  Hope you're looking as forward to it as I am!

Grace and Peace,

Mr. Hiatus :

Drops has a March Giveaway!!!

This month on Drops of Thought, we are giving away a copy of the book, "Worldliness," which is a compilation of sorts edited by CJ Mahaney.  This is a great book and one that we are excited to give away to one fortunate reader.  The rules are simple: Just comment on this blog how you define "worldliness" from Scripture, and our "Drops" panel will simply vote for their favorite.  Feel free to include examples of your definition, and if so lead, ways to combat the particular brand of worldliness from a Scriptural perspective (in an attempt to edify as well).  

Thanks, and good luck! (as if there were such a thing) 

Oh, and for those unfamiliar, here is the Amazon description of this book:

This resource uncovers the presence of worldliness and helps believers learn to relate to the world while resisting its influence in their lives.

People today are saturated in technology and prosperity. They are bombarded with endless luxuries: clothes to wear, cars to buy, vacations to take, entertainment to enjoy. Yet this world, which offers so many pleasures, is actively opposed to God and the truth of His Word. How, then, is the believer to relate to the world in which he or she lives?

Worldliness: Resisting the Seduction of a Fallen World uncovers the presence of worldliness—the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes, and the boasting of what he has or does. Worldliness then reveals how Christians are to engage a fallen world and boldly preach the gospel, yet not be conformed and ultimately seduced by the system of this world.

As readers learn to identify the presence of worldliness in the areas of media, modesty, music, and material possessions, they can begin to resist its influence in their lives and instead pursue eternal godliness.

It's Hard Not To, Ain't It?

Philippians 2:14,15

 ¹⁴Do all things without grumbling or questioning, ¹⁵that you may be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and twisted generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world,  [emphasis mine]

Yes, I'm talking about grumbling, murmuring and complaining.  In the world, we expect to hear unbelievers complain like it's nobody's business.  They don't depend on the Lord and His goodness, nor trust in His Sovereignty to cause all things to work together for good.  It's tough to be content under those circumstances I'd imagine. They don't have the benefit of being taught from the Bible of the sufferings of the Saints before us; they don't have the benefit of seeing the suffering of Christ in relation to their own "suffering."  Unbelievers compare their suffering, for the most part, to what they feel they deserve.  Yet, they're unaware that we all deserve Hell.  Believers should not be so unaware.  Paul tells us in Philippians that he learned contentment, and that contentment he learned was solid in WHATEVER state he found himself.

Saying that just gave me two points that should really cause believers to at least hesitate before freely offering up joy-killing complaints:

1. God is good and can be depended on-Complaining undermines faith and thanksgiving.  Can one complain and be thankful at the same time?  Yeah, if that one has a forked tongue and a double mind.  It sounds like this, "I'm thankful that God gave me this job, BUT.........." Uh Oh, dear believer.  You should probably really think twice about continuing that statement.  True thankfulness doesn't have a but.  

2.God is Sovereign-Romans 8:28 says that if you belong to the Lord, He is working everything out to your good and for His glory.  Where can we find space to complain in light of that? Is there ANY circumstance that is not under the authority of the Creator of the World?  Is your situation outside the scope of God's Sovereignty?  All things work together for the good of the believer because God orchestrates these situations for the sanctification of His children.  That is, the aim is Christlikeness-Trust the Lord that He's accomplishing that in you through this light affliction.  

Listen, I'm talking to myself just as much as anyone here.  I find myself at times complaining about the most trivial things.  Once I stop and listen to myself, I realize I'm being a kill joy to whoever's lucky enough to have to listen to my murmuring.  Complaining is a sin, plain and simple.  If I continue to let this little fox get into the garden of my Christian growth, it will spoil the vine of evangelism, peace (external), and joy in my life.  All because I think more highly than myself and my trials then I ought.  Sad shame that would be.  

I know this is Drops of Thought, and I'm supposed to be brief, so I'll just leave you with some wisdom from the Word of God:

In everything give thanks, for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. 1 Thessalonians 5:18

Rejoice in the Lord always. Phil. 4:4; Rejoice always. 1 Thessalonians 5:16; Count it all joy when you fall into various trials. James 1:2  (Joy in trial, not complaint)

Why should any living mortal, or any man, offer complaint in view of his sins? Lamentations 3:39 Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. Luke 13:2-3 (We all deserve Hell, so anything short of that should cause us to rejoice not complain)

The sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us. Rom. 8:18; For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, is working for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory. 2 Corinthians 4:19 (Basically, in light of eternity and God's sanctification of His own, all affliction should be endured without complaint)

Shall not the Judge of all the Earth do right? Genesis 18:25 (Sometimes we believe that something is not right with our situation.  Like, "how could I be going through this," as if God does anything other than that which is right. Even the smallest complaint (I don't like this food) wreaks of ungratefulness and a sense of entitlement that runs counter the tenor of the Whole Bible.)

My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness. 2 Corinthians 12:9 (I think that says enough) Look at the context in which the Lord says this to Paul........

Finally, who of us has gone through that which our Savior has?  Have I been beaten beyond recognition, spit upon, pierced with a spear, hated, ridiculed, mocked, and murdered? No, but I'm upset because things aren't going my way and I have to do something I don't want to. I hereby resolve to put away all complaining in my life by God's grace. I repent of the ease with which I complained up till now too.  If I have brought you down, or provoked complaint in you by my complaints, I apologize.  If you are an unbeliever that I have shared the Gospel with, and I tainted my testimony through complaint, I apologize; and although that won't amount to a good excuse for you on judgement day, I promise I realize the hindrance that could've been.  Please forgive me and obey the Gospel.  If you are a friend of mine who I've told to trust God during one of your afflictions and you've heard me complain as if I don't heed my own advice, I apologize and ask your forgiveness.  

Lastly I'd like to say Praise God for the mirror of His word, His grace to show us us, and the enablement and motivation He gives to turn from sin and to Him. 

Grace and Peace.