I Call Him G.O.D.!!!!!

Going Fishing…

“Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”  -Mark 1:17

Fishers of Men, fishermen, that’s what we are to be. You gotta love the imagery of the Bible, simple and to the point. I think sometimes the simplicity is what gets us, we just have to make things complicated, either that or we tend to overlook or downplay the simple truths of the Bible

I remember a few years back I was on a fishing tangent. I was trying to learn to do some new things, and fishing was on the list. I never really caught anything, unless you count the seaweed and the shoe I pulled out of the Sacramento River.

One day one of my young nephews invited me to go crayfishing with him. I had never been before, and I wanted to make sure I had everything I thought would help me catch a lot of crayfish. I can’t help but laugh at myself as I think back to all of the gear I brought with me that day, only to see my nephew walking up with just a five gallon bucket and some string. He took one look at my stuff and informed me that the only thing I needed out of all the many things I brought was a net.

I couldn’t argue with him after all I had never done this before,and although he was only 11 or 12 years old, I got the feeling he knew what he was doing so I just went along with him. I watched in amazement as he took the string and then pulled something out his pocket. It appeared to be something wrapped in a paper towel. Amazement turned to extreme curiosity, as he opened the paper towel to revealed what appeared to be several small chicken bones, and judging from the smell it was fried chicken that had just recently been eaten.

My nephew proceeded to break one of the bones and tied it to the end of the string he had. By now I was begin to question his ability to catch any crayfish, but I didn’t say anything, I just watched him as he worked. He tossed the chicken bone into the water, not too far out just near the shores edge. He waited for about a minute and then began to slowly pulled the string in.

To my surprise there were crayfish of all sizes clinging to the bone and the string and as he pulled the string there was even a trail of crayfish chasing after that chicken bone. I would have still been standing there with my mouth open, had he not summoned me to grab the net and scoop them up and place them in the bucket. Within a matter of minutes we filled that five gallon bucket with crayfish.

I learned a valuable lesson that day, and I constantly revisit and remind myself of what I learned that day. You see as Christians we are called to be fisher’s of men, but most times many of us are like I was that day…we show up with the right gear, the right text, the right sermon and our ten point lesson plans you name it we have it…but sometimes we just need the simple truth and a string to toss out a line and then reel it back in and then scoop up those who respond to the bait.

We forget that witnessing is like fishing, when you go fishing you bait & gear that is appropriate for the type of fish you are trying to catch…but when we go fishing for people we tend to think that the same bait and same gear works for all people…let me break it to ya…it doesn’t! We think that if we say all the right words, the people will automatically responds…not so.

I don’t know about you but I have yet to go fishing and stand up in the boat, and say “Fish I am here to catch you…Jump Into my Boat! and then the fish respond by jumping in the boat. I wish it worked like that…but it doesn’t. Likewise when it comes to people, you need to consider your audience, the “fish” you are trying to catch and then use the appropriate bait.

As fishers of men we need to be more clever, especially seeing that many people have a twisted view of God and Jesus. It’s time that we start following the Master Fisher and start reeling them in! Think on it…

Grace & Peace
Holy Ridaz

Meeting The Needs of The People?

Question: When you teach/preach/minister to people do you do so to meet their needs, or do you merely relay content and information?

I can admit that sometimes as a teacher I have been more involved with my content than with being in touch with the needs of my students/audience.  It happens to the best of teachers at times.  There is nothing wrong with being thorough, but at the same time we must learn to follow the example set by the master teacher, Jesus Christ.

Jesus always taught and ministered to the needs of the people.  He didn’t waste time giving them arbitrary facts that would not help them.  No He spoke directly to the issues and problems that they were facing.  Even when He dealt with people who were not sure of what their problem/need was, Jesus would skillfully expose their need in a way they coud clearly see it and He would then proceed to address that need.

A classic example is the Woman at the well, in John chapter 4.  Jesus not only reveals the woman’s need to her, but by the time He addresses it it does what “need centered teaching” does, it motivates or moves the student into action.  The woman goes into the town and compels everyone to come and meet this man who had just read her like a book.  Many people come from the town to hear Jesus and become believers as well.

Is your teaching/preaching/ministering like that?  When you are done are the listeners moved or motivated into action?   Your 27 points on the Book of Galatians might be informative and even intriguing, but when all is said and done does it help your students/audience with the needs they have?

If we want to be effective  when we are ministering to people, at some point we are going to have to connect with them and minister to their needs.  At some point we are going to have to follow the example set by Christ.   Let’s start meeting the needs of the people…

-one

Da Ridaz

Which Jesus Do You Serve?

Too many people are wearing their cross on a chain around their neck and not picking it up and carrying as Christ calls us to do…beggin us to ask the question which Jesus are we following…

It’s Time to…Arise

Sometimes life can be overwhelming for some of us…especially during this time of year. We just want to encourage you to hang in…♫cause joy comes in the mornin♫…so rise…♫

Shacah – Arise

Heart Medicine

The Bible says laughter does the heart good like medicine so here’s a little heart medicine for ya today

That’s It No More Holy Ridaz!!!!!!!

Yeah you read that right….No More Holy Ridaz!!!

Okay…not really.  Actually we are launching a new spot, getting a new look and intensifying our efforts to reach a generation in desperate need of the truth.  We will still be maintaining our spot here at wordpress.com and in the coming weeks we will be making a few changes and then  our post here will pick back up.

Swing by our new spot at holyridaz.com

The Lost Reviews; DJ SKillspinz – The Foundation

When I heard that DJ Skillspinz had a new project, The Foundation, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on it!  I have always had a fascination with the DJ.   Not just the dude who spins records at a party or a wedding…I’m talking about the true mixologist who cuts and scratches and can literally make the records talk to ya.  I’m talking about those guys who are like a gourmet chef combining all types of musical elements to create a 5 star gourmet feast.  I’m talking about cats like DJ Skillspinz!

1997/98 was when I really began to cut my teeth on Christian Hip Hop, and it was a few years later  when I heard a track titled  “4 Way Stop”  It featured four DJ’s working together, all of them  cutting and scratching together in harmony it was AWESOME!  The 4 DJ’s were DJ Maj, DJ Dust, DJ Form and DJ Skillspinz.  It was the first time I actually began to wrap my mind around the concept of a Christian DJ/Turntablist using their talent to mix and scratch like a glorified hip hop worship leader or choir director.

Within the first few minutes of listening to The Foundation, by DJ Skillspinz, I was (continue reading)

Technical Difficulties…

We must be stirrin somethin up LOL…been havin a bit of techincal problems…but think we have them all worked out and will be back in business by this evening.

The Preacher and The Emcee….

And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature…
-Mark 16:15

The emcee is but one element of Hip Hop, but this one element has become the most influential component of Hip Hop. Ironically the emcee began as the sidekick to the DJ. These days that equation has almost been completely flipped it almost appears that the DJ is either a sidekick or completely forgotten about.

Because of the emcee’s visibility and position, most people measure the Hip Hop Culture by what they see and hear from the emcee. With this being the case it is somewhat understandable that the Church tends to frown on Hip Hop and sees it as the root cause of the urban community’s problems.  Negative images and messages aside, the preacher and the emcee are not that much different than each other.

Comparisons

Both the preacher and the emcee have been known to address social issues.  Both engage their audience with various “call and response” type deliveries.  Both use their creative abilities to make their messages relate able to the audience.   Both are unique art forms..and both can lose credibility when they lose touch with their audience.

In preaching you find different and varied styles of delivery, some whoop and yell while others eloquently encourage and even others skillfully use tone, rhythm and rhyme.  The emcee is no different some “spit passionately”  some get the crowd hype and others skillfully arrange and deliver words that will hit and cut you before you can even say ouch!

In the case of the Holy Hip Hop or Christian Hip Hop, the emcee is basically an Urban Preacher whose message is delivered in the style and the language of the Hip Hop Culture.  These Christian Emcees likewise are just as varied in their styles and methods of delivery.  Some are deep theological thinkers and expositors (Cross Movement, Shai Linne, 116 Clique to name a few)  Some are modern day teachers/storytellers (G.R.I.T.S., Know Da Verbs, ect) and then there are some who are akin to a modern day apostle paul…what we like to call “redeemed T.H.U.G.S. (Totally Humbled Under God’s Sovereignty), these are the cats who were once filled with zeal but working for the wrong side…and having been redeemed they are just as passionate and fearless about spreading the Gospel (Gospel Gangstaz, Pettidee, Mynista ect)  and the list goes on as there many different styles and types of emcees.

In many ways the Christian Hip Hop-er’s seem to have a distinct advantage over the preacher in the sense that they are using the tools and the language of the culture to engage them and lead them into the truth….whereas the Church and the Preacher are still struggling and wrestling with whether or not The Hip Hop Culture is the enemy.

At some point The Preacher and The Emcee are going to have to reconcile and begin to work together for the good of the Community.  They should follow the example set in Scripture…Jesus always engaged the culture (it always upset the religous leaders…but He did it anyway)  The Apostle Paul not only engaged the Culture but he would use their customs to illustrate and present the Gospel to them.

The simpe reality is the both The Preacher and The Emcee can learn from each other…and the Church itself can learn a few lessons from Hip Hop as well…

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Peep one of these Christian Emcees in action…the audience gets more than just a song…

LeCrae – Outer Conduct

Party Like a Rockstar?

This one is just for fun…a little something to kick start your week…it’s a little short from our buddies over at Syntax Records.  Enjoy!

Syntax Short – He Took The Last One

this weekend it’s All Eyes On Me!!!

The All Eyes On Me Achievement Awards that is…

The All Eyes On Me Achievement Awards, (formerly known as the Texas Holy Hip Hop Achievement Awards) kicks off this weekend June 20, 2008. This years event promises to be the biggest yet, as this year the event goes national.

In case you are unfamiliar with The AEOMAA, this event recognizes the artists, retailers, pastors, media representatives, DJ’s, graphic designers, vendors and others for their outstanding achievements and contributions in the inspirational hip hop music industry. There are more than 30 different categories in which the Awards are presented to the genre’s upper echelon of power movers and shakers. This will be the 7th annual presentation of the show.

This year for the very first time the show will be National, and to celebrate the occasion the plan is to honor and recognize the gospel rap pioneers who blazed trails and opened doors for urban ministers that followed.

This event kick-offs with a concert, and will include artist development workshops, discussion panels, a full-fledged ceremony complete with media red carpet, performances, and an after party. (What’s an award show without an after party)

The list of past performers, attendees, and participants include: MTV’s Sway, The Sugarhill Gang, George “P-Funk” Clinton, Pettidee, Urban D, Fred Lynch (aka Doug Tray) creator of The Epic, Lil Raskull, Lil Keke, Special Ed, I.D.O.L. King, Mark J, Mr. Del and many many others.

The Good people of the AEOMAA would be most honored by your participation in this event.

If you would like to know more about the awards show visit The All Eyes On Me Achievement Awards

You can register your company for the Media Red Carpet at: Register Here

A HIgher LOve…

“Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” Jesus replied: ” ‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’^[ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” Matthew 22: 36-40

When questioned about what the most important law, Jesus responds with the above verse…a verse the people posing the question should have been familiar with. The command to Love the Lord with all of their hearts was written in their original law. It’s interesting that Jesus made no other other mention of any other activity, ritual or practice…and yet we seem to keep coming up with a list of things that people should or shouldn’t do…what they can or can’t say…what type of music is or isn’t acceptable to God. (I guess some of us are just smarter than Jesus)

Jesus stated that ALL of the Law was summed up in Loving the Lord with all of your Heart, Soul Mind and Strength…you see when you present your heart to the Lord…and focus all of your energy into Loving Him and developing a relationship with Him…your behavior…your thoughts and everything else will fall in line. If you really want to see change for yourself and the people you are trying to reach, then you must discover a Higher Love…a Love that exist above and beyond your own ambitions, your own preferences and your own way of doing things.

The simple truth is it is an all or nothing equation…until you go all out and Love God with ALL that you have…and Love Him more than Life itself…you wont see true victory and success in this Christian walk. It’s time to go “all out” or “fall out” cause there aint no middle ground Homie!

Go ALL Out! Discover and Tap into that Higher Love…you wont regret it….

Sho Baraka, Higher Love

Man Shall Not Live By Bread Alone…

…but some steak and some provolone and a little mayo…

Just kidding fam

It’s been a little Hectic around here..but we are getting back into the groove. A lot of fun things coming up this summer. We recently received a copy of The Hip Hop Church and it is compelling stuff. If you haven’t read it we recommend that you do. We will be talking more about it in the future. So far this year there have been quite a few new releases on the holy hip hop front, we will be talking about this as well. On the industry side of the house we also want to get into something that has been bothering us lately. We understand that sometimes you have to get ya grind on…everyone is always looking for those free resources they can you to help them get ahead. Well as the old saying goes there really isn’t such a thing as free…someone somewhere is paying or had paid the cost. The issue we are having is that many of you(artist) use the services of some of these free file transfer/download sites. It seems like a good idea to you because of the cost Free, but hwat you may not have considered is the fact when you customers or of brothas and sistas in Christ go to these places to download the files, they are bombarded with all kinds of ungodly advertisements…we can do better…if that means taking a little extra time and finding a site that doesn’t do that, or if you have to pay for a decent service…trust God to provide the means…but whatever the case it’s time we start looking out for each other and do all that we can to not be a hindrance to any one else…can we get an amen LOL

That’s enough preachin for now. Hope you enjoyed your holiday and pray that you have a blessed and prosperous week. Remember to pray for those who are in positions of authority (it’s scriptural) Peace & God Bless

The Ambassador (of Cross Movement) teaches us how to order a philly cheesesteak (funny stuff)

A Time To Mourn…

Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. Romans 12:15

Hey fam,

This morning the Ridaz are blogging with somewhat heavy hearts. We learned late yesterday evening that one of our fellow bloggers and brother in the faith, John Dobbs of “Out Here Hope Remains“, lost a child. John Robert Dobbs, was 18 years old and would have graduated this Friday. It is always a sad occasion when we lose someone, especially when that someone is young…and even more so when it is your child. (we know…we’ve been there)

Scripture reminds us that we should rejoice with those who may be rejoicing, and to also weep or mourn with those who are in mourning. Today our hearts, thoughts and prayers go out to the Dobbs family. Please join us in praying that they find peace, help and strength during this time.

In a related note also keep the family of Steven Curtis Chapman uplifted, his five year old daughter died yesterday after her older brother accidentally ran over her in the driveway.

We want to leave you with this to think on…we must be vigilant to make the best and the most of the time we have been graced to have with each other…the “twinkling of an eye” comes sooner for some people. You never know when it’s the last time to tell someone you love them…so do it now…in the words of Pettidee “Don’t wait until they die to put them on a t-shirt…put them on one now…”

As always fam…think on it and pray on it.