Idolize

Look the lights are bright as the stars in the sky
and the talent here is somewhat divine
and the hype isn't light
in fact millions watch every night!
and I scratch my head and think
and the voices scream all around me
they sing and it's sounding
good but not quite Godly
We are all of God but human
and doin our best, blessed
However, when we we can't get lost
or consumed inside, begin to idolize
someone who is not God
Yeah I'm a fan but have balance in my plan
So realize the blessings God provides
and give praise for his grace
but watch out and don't fade
into a fanatic overreaction
realize you are made
good and you should continue to grow into
your into your potential... now that's a show!

I apologize for not blogging more often. However, great things are happening and I'd like to share and testify a bit. First, this past weekend I helped out on a music video for and upcoming rapper, Benny Cassette. It was a lot of fun and exciting to see the ideas and concepts behind a music vid. Then there was Chaminade Prom. I was chaperoning and dance patrol. I made sure people were dancing and if they weren't I'd give them some pointers. Incredible night and the Post Prom was insane! The school invested so much into this after prom party were they had everything from poker tables, to a money tank, but life size bowling, and of course pop a shot. (I won 30 games in a row!) On Sunday I worked at Apple. Met a woman named Hope. Gave me a boost knowing Hope exists... I knew it did. After Apple work I went to a Confirmation for a Middle School Student I was sponsoring. Beautiful to see God grace in action.

This morning I woke up to the news of a death rapper "Dolla" he was signed to AKON's Label. Didn't know him too well but listened to a track where he prophesied about his death. He said it... and it happened. Well, I said something that happened as well. Last week I said, "I was going to be at the American Idol finale." Today in class I found out that my student, Sam, had 4 tickets to tonight idol finale show!... We left school a bit early with permission from parents and drove down to the Nokia theatre. It was Me, Sam Leon, Colby Hurst, and Amir Farry (all three are my students). We get our tickets and we are IN! Wow... just to see the sights of the massive Nokia Theatre and the amazing American Idol set up.

Once we arrived at our seats Sam disappeared. 5 mins later he's by the stage!! We take off weaving in and out of security and make it to the front. I started talking to a woman in charge to see if it was possible to stand in the pit area right in front of the stage. She said no... As I continued talking to some of the fans. She walks up to me and says I felt like being nice today and hands me a pass! I'm In!! Watched the entire show 3 feet from the stage. The judges were right behind me. I spoke to Randy Jackson and asked if he turned his swagg on this morning... he said yeah dawg! Meanwhile, Sam became a seat filler in the front seating area, and Colby and Amir had to go back to our original seats. The hype was crazy and both Kris and Adam did a swell Job. Carrie Underwood rocked as well.

However, I came to a realization while being there. The whole Idol concept really came to life. I noticed people were so consumed by these performers. The truly idolized them! It made me think about idols... we aren't supposed to have any... except God. I almost felt as though some of these fans around me in the pit lost themselves in their desire to scream and connect with the artist. It would be soooo amazing if we gave God praise just like they praise the Idol Finalists. As much as I love the spotlight and performing... I don't want to be an Idol. I want what I do to give God glory only!

Overcome the Silence

"Shhh... be quiet
Don't move me I'm silent
I will praise you lord
but not if it requires 

me to sing out
Sing loud
Ahhhhh I'm get uncomfortable
Anyway God loves me now
I came to listen and receive
But am I a vessel of his peace?

I only shake hand when we give the sign of peace 

I have a fake smile 

I judge people quietly 

When the priest speaks... it's just so tiring

I want to believe 

I think I do.. What's my favorite scripture... 

I'm really not sure 

I like this

one hr a week and I'm a disciple 

yes... I know what I might do

nothing.. unless I have to 

oh it's time to eat I really am hungry... "

No longer can I stand it
Vocally we are weak
We don't speak
How do we contribute to a world in need?
Financially... Okay
But where's the community?
Where's the excitement
Right now I see a frightening future
If the end us coming
Would Jesus want to celebrate in a home that lacks so much life?
Would he appreciate our refrain?

Don't know but I have a recommendation
Step outside your box
Praise to unlock
Who you are
Who you were made to be
Now do you want to be silent I'd sing?

This blog was written as I sat in Mass this morning... It was Mother's Day and the entire congregation seemed lifeless. No one sang, it was boring, and somewhat dull. Church isn't supposed to be entertaining, but it helps when you try to make it an enjoyable experience. I was thinking "Would God even want to go to church here?" Honestly, If we are trying to build His kingdom everyday show some enthusiasm.  We need to bring energy to the Lord and inspire his people. Today, the pastor at the Hip Hop Service, I went to (post mass) spoke on "Where are all the Christians?". Church isn't packed, some people aren't dedicated, they fall away, and it's because they can't say, "Yes" and be all in! It's not follow me sometimes.. it's all the time.  I want so badly for people who have never experienced God to get connected and follow through as a disciple. That's what's on my heart right now. 

Delight

Oh Father I am thankful for your ability to provide joy while I embrace your holy noise

See.. my heart is open wide... enough to sense you through my sickness

to experience your gifts through my weakness and realize it's realness 

It's realness that grows us... it is our born nature

yes we stray due to misunderstood behavior 

Uhh... huh we get distracted 

but let's slow it down a bit 

let's go back to basics 

take out a mirror

tell me what you see 

without your style, haircut, or jewelry 

do you see you are a child

of the most high king? 

Forget the hype 

He likes the raw kind 

kids that are straight up walking truth 

that bleed love 

and they listen good 

their talents are outstanding 

but the only reason they are standing 

is because the hand of God surrounds them

Find union in the divided 

don't give up on trying 

detoxify your mind 

and release positive thoughts, kind

See we are who we are because God is who He is

so let us see each other be honest and live 

yeah, it's a journey... for me it's letting go 

it's using worship as my fuel 

I want to be raw... to the core of my being 

reaching a peak where God and I can be 

I will work in Him and He will work in me 

we will be a team and proceed on our journey 

I will get there... I want to 

God I'm thankful for all that you are... 

Cleanse my heart 

Lead me to your kingdom

You are my Delight.

-Amen

This week has been a rough week... mostly because I've been a bit sick. When your half a person... it's hard to act like you have full life. Anyhow, today was a great day.  There are times in my life when I really feel God delighting in my joy. He does certain things that may be small... but are huge in my mind.  Today, he brought one of my favorite female Christian Artists to Moorpark (30 mins from me!). Bethany Dillon released her first album at age 16. God has touched me through Bethany's music in some interesting ways. Allow me to explain:

1) I first saw her open for Matthew West, also a Christian Artist,  in San Antonio 5 years ago. The concert was sold out, packed, and they locked the doors. I asked to get in to use the restroom... I did... and all of a sudden this really young usher says to me, "Are you looking for a seat?... Follow me". He brought me right to the front and BAM! there I was!! Bethany was playing and I was thinking "who is this girl?... Her voice is incredible!! Her lyrics deep and full of faith." I became a fan instantly. I'd pray her music on the way to school and started incorporating tracks into our youth retreats. Bethany lyrics touched a lot of people....

2) Flash foward 2 years. I'm a sophomore in college at Chaminade University in Hawaii.  My roommate and I had devised this plan to run around the island in 6 days to raise money for impoverished children and spread awareness for physical fitness. It was a couple days before we were scheduled to begin our run and everything seemed to be going wrong. I was in desperate need of a sign to keep going. I remember sitting in my friends car praying "God do you really want us to do this?".  I had just purchased Bethany's 2nd CD Imagination and it was playing in the background as I prayed. Then these lyrics jumped out at me and I had to replay the song.... they said 

When there's nothing to believe in, I belive in you

Forget the past and let my hand in yours be the proof
Though the strong could be my company, you're the one I choose
So remember, I believe in you

I immediately knew that God believed in me and that's what mattered. I could doubt myself all I wanted... but God believed in me! We completed the run, but it was that song that gave me confirmation!

3) I use Pandora (www.pandora.com) it's a website where you can create your own radio station based on a song or artist you like. I was listening to my Bethany Dillon station... good stuff as usual... I thought to myself "I wonder what Bethany is up to?" I pulled up her home page and BAM! I found out she was performing in California this Friday!  What are the chances... she could be anywhere in the world and she was 30 mins from where I live!  Even though that my not seem like the most exciting story I knew God wanted to delight in my joy of praising Him at Bethany's Concert. 

She had a lot of great things to say and please continue to pray for her and her ministry. The pic above is me and Bethany... I told her to strike her rapper pose... not bad.