Trip Lee’s book “The Good Life” comes out October 1st

Many know Trip Lee for his ability to communicate the Gospel in a relevant way through music. He has toured the world with reach records and has become a household name in Christian communities. At the tender age of 17 he was already producing thought provoking raps for Christ and writing devotionals for reachrecords.com.  Trip Lee’s last two albums charted number one in the Christian Music category when they came out and also charted highly in non-Christian categories as well. All these achievements are admirable but many haven’t noticed his passion to convey his worldview through other vessels besides rapping. On October 1^st you get to experience Trip Lee glorify the Lord in another way, as a certified author with a book published by “Moody Publishers”. His book “the Good Life” will be in stores across the country. It’s a book that examines what the “good life” really is and what it’s not. Make sure you support Trip Lee by purchasing the book when it comes. It will be an edifying read.

For a Free Download of the first chapter visit:

http://www.thegoodlifethebook.com/

37 and Rhyming - KJ-52

KJ-52 - "37 And Still Rhyming" from Story of Us Films on Vimeo.

In the world of Christian Hip-Hop not many artist stay in the genre very long. KJ-52 has remained one of the most noteworthy artists in Christian Hip-Hop for over a decade. He has collaborated with some of the best in Christian Music. You might have heard a track with him and Lecrae or maybe you heard a track with TobyMac, Newsboys, and Thousand Foot Krutch. Whatever masterpiece you heard it’s clear that KJ-52 has labored with an intensity that’s not easily matched, “Story of Us films” documents his honorable effort in their latest video “37 and Rhyming”.

South Florida's own "@2econdAvenue" produces for Lil Prophet

Here is a hot track by "Lil Prophet" that is buzzing all over the internet. It's called "I'm Changed" and it features "Mehlek P. Fisha". This track is significant for the South Florida Christian Hip-Hop scene because it was produced by local producer "2econd Avenue". 2econd Avenue is a rapper/producer that has performed  on the same stages as 2Edge, FayBN, and Carmen Sky. You might have seen him perform or maybe you just saw him supporting a fellow minister. He's a very humble man and makes it clear that Ministry is Major. I'm excited for his future in Hip-Hop. He is a producer you have to keep on your radar.

http://www.facebook.com/2econdAvenueMusic

Lecrae’s Latest Infiltration: Motion Family

Lecrae has been infiltrating the culture at high levels recently. In the last two years he has charted on major charts, rapped in the B.E.T cypher, released a successful mix tape with DJ Don Cannon and collaborated with big names like No Malice and Statik Selektah. Hip-Hop legends like Lupe Fiasco and Bun B have acknowledged the presence of Lecrae on the national scene. Big K.R.I.T and Lecrae will collaborate on his next album “Gravity”. The Christian Worldview is definitely being conveyed to many mainstream listeners through secular media. Whether Lecrae likes it or not he is the poster boy for Christianity in Hip-Hop. He is infiltrating mainstream Hip-Hop media like it’s never been done before. One of the latest ways he has done this is through working with “Motion Family”. Many of you missed this. Motion Family is a secular video production company that has produced for artist like T.I, B.OB, Yelawolf and Rick Ross. They were featured in the Complex 100 Most Influential Artists of the Decade. That same company directed and produced “Lord Have Mercy” feat Tedashii.  What does this mean? It means Lecrae is working with non-believers in the industry closer than in the past. Lecrae working with a mainstream company like “Motion Family” proves he is closer to impacting the household names of Hip-Hop like T.I. Some within the Christian Hip-Hop community have a problem with this and some don’t. Regardless of what side you take, you must admit that Lecrae’s journey to this position has been interesting. The idea of Lecrae finally collaborating with an artist like T.I, Yelawolf or B.O.B would cause quite a buzz. I mean he has already worked with their video company. Could a track with one of these artists be something we see in the near future? Only time will tell. He has already collaborated with Big K.R.I.T and he is barely a level below the likes of a T.I. Whatever happens let’s be confident in the fact that God knows what he is doing and will make sure that Lecrae is used for his Glory. 

Dee-1 Lives Out His Faith In A Secular Arena.

Dee-1 is a national Hip-Hop artist from New Orleans. Recently he has been releasing material consistently. If you do some research on him you will find out that he is a believer in Christ. He has said it in interviews and his lyrics. This is a big deal because Dee-1 is representing the truth in excellence. Those partaking in the secular lifestyle will be intrigued to find out more about the world view he subscribes to. Not only will people enjoy Dee-1’s music because it’s so creative they will be convicted to see a change in their lives.  Dee-1 is truly on a mission. He has already collaborated with artist like Murs, Lecrae and Mannie Fresh; you might have seen him in major Hip-Hop magazine XXL. Make sure you research him. Don't Sleep!

Hip-Hop Devotional inspired by Thi'sl - Hold On

Galatians 6:9 - and let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.

In this life there are many storms we will have to face. Sometimes we feel like throwing in the towel and calling it quits. If you have faith in God, lying down and dying is not an option. We have to persevere and understand that God is molding us for his purpose. You may be going through financial issues or relationships issues but understand that if you have the Holy Spirit, you have the power to overcome evil with good. One of the challenges we have is that we grow weary in doing good. We need to break out from that mentality and consistently renew our minds so that we don’t get burnt out. The rain may come down but remember that precipitation is what flowers need to come into existence. If you do not give up on your responsibilities you will make it to the top of the mountain. Whatever trial or tribulation is attempting to consume you cannot eliminate you’re purpose, only if you give it permission. Hold On and keep grinding!!!!   

The Spiritual Facebook Status

We live in the era of social media. You can start a business, community or a movement through social media. Networks like Facebook and Twitter are great ways to connect with other humans around the globe. Social media is also used to communicate world views, feelings and ideas in general. The sinful nature of humans has gone viral with this type of portal. Just take a look at your timeline on Facebook and you will realize that mankind needs Jesus. We all need Jesus. I feel that one particular area should be examined because of social media and that is the heart behind posting spiritual Facebook statuses. (Facebook/Twitter/Instagram).

No one can tell what’s in a person’s heart but you can see the fruit people are bearing and you can analyze yourself. One day I was thinking about Facebook and promotion and it came to my mind how some people on Facebook are always posting these super spiritual statuses. Is a super spiritual status wrong? Of course not, a matter of fact spiritual statuses can be very beneficial for those that need it. Can your heart behind posting a spiritual status be wrong? Of course it can. When you post a Facebook Status about God do you do it to get more traffic to your page? Do you live to see the Facebook likes stack like pancakes at IHOP? Do you post about God because you feel that people will show you love? If so then you just crossed the line.

 Having a booming Facebook or twitter page with a bunch of likes is cool and can be an honorable goal but when you do it just so you can get some kind of internet high you have missed the point. Your motive behind everything you do should be to exalt Christ. It’s extremely cliché but it’s true. Posting an annoying array of spiritual Facebook statuses for your own glory is not fulfilling the purpose you were created to accomplish. Be secure in your identity in Christ. You don’t need to post a million inspirational quotes to prove that you are regenerated. People can tell if you are an authentic Christian in other ways. People care more about actions anyways.

Lil Raskull - You Got To Respect Him

Christian Hip-Hop has grown significantly in recent years. We now have artist selling over 100,000 units and touring full time. It wasn’t always like this in Christian Hip-Hop. Many times we don’t realize the blood, sweat and tears it has taken for the Gospel Hip-Hop movement to get to where it is now. Many times we forget to acknowledge the pioneers of the game. One emcee that you got to show honor to because the honor is definitely due is Delbert Harris aka Lil Raskull, a Christian Hip-Hop legend from Houston Texas. Lil Raskull is a certified veteran that has been performing since 1993. He decided to dedicate his gift to God in 1995. Harris is known by many to be a legend in Christian Hip-Hop; he has toured across the nation and was an artist on one of the most influential record labels “Grape Tree Records”. Ras has sold thousands of units and is associated with top selling acts like Nuwine, Pettidee, Tre9 and LG Wise. Lil Raskull is an artist I feel that some new Christian Hip-Hop fans need to be introduced to. I started listening to Ras in middle school shortly after I got saved. He has always been one of my favorites. I remember “Down South” being one of the hottest Christian Hip-Hop records out. The ‘‘Buzz Word” is the album I purchased around 2007-2008. If you don’t know about Lil Raskull, research the man and get to know him. He is one of the greatest ever. His contribution to the movement should never be undermined. He represents the Christ in excellence. I noticed he hasn’t dropped as much material as he use to in the last few years but that’s because he is working on some other big projects God has for him. I hope he creates some more dope records in the future. If not, he is still a beast. You can’t take away anything he has done. 

Hip-Hop Devotional: Inspiration by Lecrae

Many of us have ambition. We have the drive to be something greater than what we are at the moment. It seems like mankind almost has an innate desire to progress to different levels of greatness. I believe that everyone is built to do something in this world. Where do I get this idea from? I get it from God’s word, the Bible. In the Bible it states that we are made in the image of God. We are like God in many ways. One of the things we were built to do is create. God is the creator so we naturally create. Everyone is creating something. The important questions we should be asking ourselves is “What do we create” and “why”. In the Bible it’s clear that man is fallen, you can read about that in Genesis Chapter 3 and Romans 3:23. Because Mankind is falling we are prone to do the opposite of what God wants us to do so because of that man will fall to many sins but the one I want to focus on is laziness. We know that we have to create something. Inside us we are wired to manifest some type of idea. You might have been predestined to create a rap career, a business, a basketball career, and political policies or maybe you were created to create a better social environment for the planet. Whatever idea God planted in your mind differs from millions of others in some unique way. One of the issues is how well you execute that idea. You are either going to log in the appropriate amount of hours to be successful or you’re going to be lazy to some degree. It’s very hard to live out what we were originally designed to do in the Garden of Eden (Genesis) because we struggle with things like laziness and pride. So many times as believers in Christ we create mediocre material. We need to allow God’s spirit to work in us and discipline us to overcome the desire to sit on our gifts. Another issue is that many of us create for ourselves. We don’t use our gifts for our creator. A lot of us are the greatest that will ever live at what we do but I have shocking news for you if you don’t create for the advancement of the Kingdom of God it means absolutely nothing. Many believers live like this. They may believe in Jesus Christ and trust in his saving grace but just because they are fireproof doesn’t mean they aren’t wasting their life. Some people know the truth about what they should be doing and how but just ignore God’s call; others don’t even want God at all they rather live for themselves. We all are inspired to create for different reasons. You are either inspired to be the best you can be in order to change the world for the Glory of God (Are purpose is to worship/give glory to God) or you are inspired to create for (yourself/wing it). We all want to create something in some way but if you want to create for the right reason you need to have the right motive/desire. You can only have that if God puts the right desire in you. If you want to be free from sin (Heaven or Hell) and live your life for the Glory of God instead of fleeting fortune and fame put your faith in Jesus Christ (God in the flesh) and repent from your sins. Be inspired to go pass the surface thoughts of life and dive into your purpose. Be inspired to do everything for God’s glory (1 Corinthians 10:31). Let Jesus Christ be your inspiration. If you are a believer let God inspire you to do work for his glory at higher levels. Bless

Devotion Record:

Can someone get saved through Christian Television?

Christian television is now global! It is the year 2012 and we have a diverse group of Christian TV spots like TBN, Daystar, Word Network and The Gospel Music Channel; there is too many to list every single channel. With all these different channels there is a lot of ministering going on. If you search for entertaining television content on a day of relaxation you’re almost always going to come across a Pastor giving a message on one of the faith based networks mentioned above. At first glance at one of these programs some Christian will feel the Lord’s will is being done and souls are being reached. Are these Christians correct, is Jesus working through Christian television?       

  

At the end of the day whether you agree or disagree with some of the elite televangelist the Gospel of Jesus Christ is getting proclaimed. There are a lot of televangelist that I enjoy and a lot that I’m not crazy about but regardless of how I feel about someone’s approach, an acknowledgment of scripture is penetrating the hearts of those listening to the programs. Even if a TV preacher is preaching with the wrong motives we should still rejoice because nothing can stop the Holy Spirit from speaking through the scriptures. The Apostle Paul said it well in Philippians 1:18 “But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motive or true, Christ is preached. And because of this I rejoice.”

Yes many preachers have been publicized as being fraudulent but we can’t stereotype every single human that steps in front of a camera and gives a word. Even if a minister is out of line the message they are speaking can still be powerful. If a minister is operating contrary to the word I would revoke my support in some way but I would never say they were not used by God because if the sermon has the saving knowledge found in scriptures like Ephesians 2:8, John 3:16, John 14:6, John 11:25, Romans 3:23, Luke 13:3, John 15:13, Romans 5:8, Luke 24:39 and 1 Corinthians 15:1 then something is being done correct. If someone is even sugar coating the Gospel, God can still work because he is sovereign and will find a way to reach certain people. As long as the essentials like Jesus being God, the Trinity, the Crucifixion, the Resurrection and salvation by Grace through faith is delivered in a sermon the sermon will be life changing. Those that twist the essentials should have a penalty flag thrown at them but that is a whole other story. God can still use their ineffectiveness and give followers of cults a revelation in some unique way.

            There are many testimonies of Christian television being used as a portal that transmits truth into the lives of people around the world. If you go to the testimony section of Hour of Power‘s TV show you will find things like a man named Jim Crosley saying “This is to say how very much I love Dr.Schuller and how he has saved my life to know and trust God and believe in Jesus Christ and what he did for me” Another program “The 700 club” has testimonies on their website where people talk about being healed, encouraged, inspired and saved through the programming.

            Christian television is spreading the Gospel to places some thought it would never break through. People are experiencing transformed lives. People are embracing the message and building a relationship with the Father. Because of that we should come to the conclusion that God can use television for his glory.