Saturday, July 31, 2010

St. Anthony's Parish Performance (MAUI, HI)






So... I was extremely blessed to come out to Hawaii to perform and speak at the St. Anthony's Back to School Mass. We got it poppin for JESUS!!! Here's my rap and reflection during mass. Enjoy! -Joe

Out with the old

In with the new

Something’s gotta change

And they better happen soon-

I'm talkin people of faith

We better regroup

What's it gonna take

For us to include?

All god's people

In everything we do

And not just stare

Like we don't really care

Bout the problems that lie

in front of you!

I can't deny

Our world is starvin

A limited supply

Of love is harmin

Being ignorant

Is very alarming

Quit the excuses

Before you start em

yeah

Go ahead

and buckle your seat belt

Because we need help

It's gonna be a ride

On our journey to be well….

We were made good

But don't live as we should

Please go read a book

And get off facebook

Our intellect is melting

If knowledge is power

Then where is the well spring

Listen to the words God uses

When he tells things

It's very clear

He speaks to every ear

Our Time is runnin’ out if the end is near

So let us pray____ right now right here

Then let us praise____ real loud with cheer

And let us Face____ our every fear

Respect our body as a temple that's dear

Do you feel me?

If you do say yeah

Do you feel me?

If you do say yeah

Do you feel me?

If you do say yeah

Now everybody give God a hand.

Have you ever met somebody, or have known someone, maybe it was you… who promised to make a commitment but kept pushing the deadline back. For example I’m going to start my diet tomorrow or I’m going to quit smoking after this cigarette?...... We all have been in that position at one time or another. We sometimes are lazy, lack discipline, and the will to do what’s right. Kanye West says it best in his song “Addictions”. He raps “ Why everything that’s supposed to be bad make me feel so good? Everything they told me not to is exactly what I would?” We face the temptation to do what feels good at all times. The temptation to not listen to what God is telling us.

In Jeremiah, the Lord is telling us to Stand in His house speak to His faithful and tell’em like it is. He doesn’t want us to censor what He says or make it sound like it isn’t a problem. Not listening to God is a problem! God wants us to repent but He can only do so much. We need to do our part. When I was a kid If I wasn’t obedient to my parents I’d get in BIG trouble. The same applies to our Father in heaven. After Jeremiah shares every word God is telling him to share this with the faithful… what do they say to him? They say he must be put to death. So if you preach what is right you rest on the possibility of Martyrdom. Those that don’t know the truth might want to kill you. Keep it together and know our job as Christians and Believers is to live our life as a living sacrifice. We imitate the ultimate Sacrifice. Jesus.

Speaking of Jesus. What a guy right? He was non-stop. In today’s Gospel, Christ was going through some stuff. He was in his Native place, His home, speaking to those in the Synagogues. Instead of listening with an open heart and ear… they were skeptical. They questioned him. They had little faith…. They had little faith!

So what does Jesus say to them?... “fine you don’t want it you don’t have to have it… If can’t be respected in my own home… I am without honor. Jesus left and didn’t work mighty deeds because of their lack of faith.

What does this mean? Our faith in God allows him to work in us and around us. As we grow older sometimes we try to out smart God and stray for our child like faith and complete dependence on God. A movie comes to mind that demonstrates this perfectly. It’s called Angels in the Outfield -Disney

Basically. Roger, age 12, is a foster kid who barely get’s to see his family. He asks his dad “when are we going to be a family?” His dad said, “When the Anahiem Angels win the pennant”. (baseball team) The Angels were in last place… yet as a kid Roger says a prayer to God asking to help the angels to victory. He has faith. Miraculous things start happening. The team is playing better and growing stronger. Roger had a “why not faith” He believed! God’s actual angels start helping the Baseball players catch balls, make plays, etc. His little partner in crime JP who’s the cutest little black dude around age 8 or 9 says “it could happen”. Roger and JP are both able to see the angels too!! Seeing angels is absurd to most, but having a child like faith allows them to say “it could happen”? This is key…. We need to have a why not faith mentality. Sometimes we quit before we even start. Sometimes we set ourselves short because we doubt. Doubting is the opposite of faith… don’t do it! We need to say “Why not… it could happen”. I can get straight A’s… why not? I can be the most valuable player on my sports team… why not? I can pray over people and heal them in the name of Jesus… why not? It could happen! Jesus tells us in the book of Matthew… “With man it is impossible, but with God all things are possible.”

1) Be obedient to God. Do whatever Asks you. Listen. Live your life as a sacrifice. Some people might want to kill you. Pray for them.

2) Have faith. If you want Jesus to hang around and work in you fully you have to let him know you believe in whole heartedly. Your faith activates His willingness to do mighty deeds in your life. Remember Why not… it could happen!

Do you feel me?

If you do say yeah!

Do you feel me?

If you do say yeah

Do you feel me?

If you do say yeah

Now everybody give God a hand!

Wednesday, July 7, 2010

change in a way

All new...
somethings gotta give
happen at will
still is sit and wonder
you got to
there's no other way to find out what to do
seek and you shall find
however when I write
I allow truth to unwind
(sigh)
I want to become better in a few areas
first to be more in tuned and communed with God
that takes time, dedication, and an open spirit to work with
discipline in many regards is my biggest flaw
it seems fixable but yet I hold off
I already know what I have to do
it's just a matter of doing it
greatness comes through much sacrifice
live twice... nah it only happens one time
so I want to live right

I'm not so confused just amused
at the space I've been placed in at the moment
it's not vacant but I'm not sure if it has room for two
huh... maybe its a decision
to stay or go
give or take
a choice to make

Right now I'm not so in the moment
more thinking into what the future's holding
and honestly I hope it's glowing
in fact I don't doubt it and thats why I'm growing

Lately I've been pretty inspired to write
tell stories through lyrics
so God I just pray
you help me to change in a way that pleases you
sometimes that's all it takes
much love and good night!
hope you had a nice day.