The Jay-Z Controversy

How do I start this? Cause I honestly I fell people are tripped out on these word in the wrong way these about the lyrics but I can understand why people are tripped out by what Jay said in the line ""Hail Mary to the city your a Virgin,
and Jesus cant save you life starts when the church ends."

The response that Pastor Justin was Zealous but it lacks the proper contextual interpretation, Pastor Justin is banging dude tho make sure yall check out P4cm. But disagree with his veiwpoint.

But This Video I feel gives a good explanation of contextual interpretation

The Video above breaksdown the lyrics and contextualized what was said in accord with verse, if wish more indepth info on the video click here

But my commentary is going be very simple and short but really I gonna break down the lyrics by looking a what came before that line and what came after:

City of sin, it's a pity on the wind
Good girls gone bad, the city's filled with them
Mami took a bus trip, now she got her bust out
Everybody ride her, just like a bus route
Hail Mary to the city, you're a virgin
And Jesus can't save you, life starts when the church end
Came here for school, graduated to the high life
Ball players, rap stars, addicted to the limelight
MDMA got you feelin' like a champion
The city never sleeps, better slip you an Ambien

As you can see the song is not done once you hear controversial line. Jay goes on to speak about the good girl gone bad more so being trapped in the New york life, so you see the from that perspective Jesus is not saving her, not in the theological idea that Jesus doesn't bring salvation, but in since that Chruch going has not given her a life to live, hence the line "Life starts when the Church end."

She starts her real lifestyle after see leaves church, which is the Highlife being tricked out with Ball players and Rap star. Jay doesnt talk theology he's speaks on a girl caught the New York life, for Jay the verse is about how it goes down in NY.

Now I dont think Jay should have said that but as my friend said Why are we surprised that unbelievers act like unbelivers (Rom 8:6-8 people) We said shouldnt be alarmed the unbelievers are not going to honor God but we also should not misinterpret what people say and conclude something that's not in proper conxtext. Jay is speaking theology just because we listen two lines of a song and then use a self serving bais to make our on statment of what is said. The Response Christians should have is to preach the gospel, go about our business and be aware how can utilized culture to be ministers (Like we could do with this instead of ranting about it on our comptures LOL)

Peace Phil 4:9

Studious

Honestly I don't like School right now this is my senior of College after this semester I'm set to graduate. But I got so much work to do, I blame myself because I'm a procrastinator and I decided to Psychology classes what was I thinking. I was thinking I would enjoy them until I found how much work they are when you're not a psychology major. I'm a Sociology major I'll admit Psychology makes some sense depending on the school of thought. But I write this realize how much do we really work at a challenge in our life? When adversity comes do we try to shy away or do we trust the Lord and take the Challenge? I pray those that read this take time to think about the Challenges and adversities you are facing but you are avoiding. Those thing are really opportunities for you to grow in God, your character, and your thinking.

James 1:2-4
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

Peace (Phil 4:9)

Platforms

I write this blog after tweeting some of my thoughts on twitter (follow me @shanekidd) Cause I desire say more on how this has affected me. In the light of the recent fall of some dear brothers in the Christian Hip Hop this is need for me to make me and others examine ourselves and our platforms.

In the year 2009 we've had The Ambassador fall do to Moral Failure in his Marriage, Red Cloud having to deal with substance abuse, and lately add Da Truth having a Moral Failure in his marriage too. This has been a rough year along with that the Passing of Enock, who was a founding member of The Cross Movement, there's alot to reflect upon.

With the fall of Duce (The Ambassador) and Da Truth they really hit home both being heroes of mine. Duce's first album being my introduction to Christian Hip hop and my inspire to know more of God and to do Music. I've gotten know the brother outside of concert setting while not really just tight with the brother but I having a face to face relation with him has be cool. So hearing what happen made me sad I'm encourage to know he's in the Lord's hand and with a community to help be restored. Then Da Truth that made me upset especially with him being a man of bold statments about being an Open book but there seems to have been some missing pages. I definitely pray for true repentance and that he be encouraged by the body in this time.

With Red Cloud cant say much but I has sadden by the brothers struggle prays that he seeks the Lord.

Enock that was a real brotha I've enjoyed "Awe-thentic" which was a very real project was glab to see him be able to bare his soul and have God exalted through his struggles. He play a great role as memeber of The Cross Movement. I pray he be remembered for his Authenticity and Honesty.

But going back to the falls of The Ambassadorand Da Truth I have 3 thing to consider:

1. The Sinfulness of sin and how neglecting communion with Christ can have us drinking from broken cisterns Jer 2:13

Sin deadly and it has us find our satifaction in anything other than Jesus Christ, when we allow sin to rule in our lives we cause communion with God to be declined. While God Doesnt leave and forsake His people sin makes us not draw near to God. We are to have the Holy spirit within us be satisfied with Him but sin has us find pleasure that wont truly fulfill us.

2. The need to rebuke and gentlely restore those in need of repentance and those who have repented Gal 6:1

We gotta call sin for what it is SIN, and be able to rebuke our brothers when they are in sin. Our rebukes should be out of desire to see them reconciled to God and repent. As Christians we got to learn to be gentle in how we handle restoration, be encouraging but not sugar-coating.

3. Don't be quick to desire the stage w/o having proper STEWARDSHIP in ALL AREAS of life and invest more in people than peformance.

This more so applies to Christian artist but ever if you are not a Rapper or Minister, if you are Christian this is for you. We are called to Love Our neighbors our platforms are to build up the BODY NOT US. So to invest in you performance you focus on the limelight over the lifetime, people are a lifetime investment and represent truly how good of a steward we are over the thing of God not skills and gifts.

With these said I close remembering Enock how he was a brother who fell just like Duce and Da Truth but saw a need to be reconciled to God before he got back on the scence and even after he got back he made sure not to neglect his relationship with God, his family, and his community.

So definitely let's not be so quick to desire large platforms without knowing the cost if we're not ready for them, because a High stage can make for a hard fall.

PS check this Old blog by Sho Baraka Called "Who Wants the Stage?"