Crosscope

Look at the group of people that you live life with. Are they the same people from one year ago? Two years ago? Perhaps five years ago? Who’s gone? Why? Are you in a different city, a different chuch, or a different small group? Did they upset you? Did you upset them? Did you stop calling them or did they stop calling you? Have you thought about calling them? Why haven’t you?
There is a joy that comes with adding new friends into your life. However, there is a danger as well. When you do life with someone, I mean be with them through some really hard stuff, you create a bond. What is strong enough to sever that bond? They didn’t agree with you, or you didn’t agree with them? Did they say something or did you? Perhaps it’s not that drastic. However, is going to a different church, small group, or job strong enough to end that bond? Now look at the people you live life with. Are they the same from one year ago?

mike Miscellaneous

Roland Thompson (Crosscope Contributor):
How has Jesus changed your life?

Kyle Hubbard (Future):
Well, at the moment of my salvation in April 2001, I was so rocked by the gospel and my sinful lifestyle that I experienced an immediate heart change. I went from a College frat boy who was knee deep in partying, drinking, and sex, to a College frat boy who was trying to find a new way of life that excluded all of these things. The times where I would put myself in sinful situations, God seemed to make the situation as unpleasurable as possible. Everything about the situation would fall apart. It was very obvious God wanted immediate change in my life.

RT: How has this affected your relationships with friends and family?

KH: My relationships with friends were effected the most. I separated myself from most of my friends to start growing my relationship with the Lord. I tried to hang around them initially but it was difficult for them to adjust or understand such a drastic change. It made me feel guilty, like I was less of a friend for not being involved in the things I used too. Several of those relationships sustained significant damage, and, at this point are nearly nonexistent. Others have now come to the faith and have apologized for not trying to understand my perspective. Most of my family members are Christians and are very proud of my spiritual growth. We do not agree on all doctrinal issues but our relationships have grown deeply since me conversion.

RT: What are your thoughts on the marriage of music and theology?

KH: I think that any person who is writing their own music will have to deal with this. The reality is that your theology will come out eventually. If you are a person who is not into theology much, that will come out in your music. If you are a heavy theological cat, then it will also come out in your music. When you are participating in the authorship of the words you are expressing in this art form, it will be a byproduct. I think that if you are being put infront of crowds of people, whether you like it or not, you are being validated by someone as a leader. What you say holds weight and your are held accountable to the body, and most importantly, to God Himself. This ain’t the world where you can tell people you are not a leader or role model. You need to be pushing people towards Christ through your music. So, Theology is a must! How can you do Christian music if you aren’t accurately pointing people towards Christ through His word. Theology is the study of God, how can you do music for Christ but your bars don’t talk about Christ? Theology is the foundation of the effects of salvation. Being saved is about having your heart and mind fixed on growing to know God more.

RT: So, you have a new album out. Tell us a little about it.

KH: yea, my album is called “Wake up Call”. Basically, my album is really aimed at believers. It is a challenge to the church to grow in the faith and help to move Christians from the place of contentment with a relaxed lifestyle, to a genuine pursuit of God and his work on earth. Also, it brings to light aspects of religious ideology that need to be changed. It’s a convicting album but a fun album. My production is upbeat and each song sounds different. I believe it will give you a clear concept of my theology but it is communicated simply, over tight beat. I see God doing his thing with it.

RT: Who are some “heroes” of the faith that you have been inspired by?

KH: My Mom! She used to be a heavy drug addict for years but when she gave her life to Christ, she moved away and dedicated her life to God and has never turned back. I grew up seeing someone who took their faith seriously. Also, my Pastor is a hero to me. He was one of the first black preachers I ever seen preach sound doctrine. Also, the way he treats his wife and hold downs his family is unreal. He truly treats his wife as his crown. Dude not only opens the door for his wife to get in the car every time, but he opens it up for her when she gets out. Everyone knows, next to God she is #1, even his kids are aware. I could go on for an hour with his diligence in our church and his home. He is a beast! Lastly, I hate to be cliché these days but brother Paul Washer is my hero. I admire his commitment to preaching Truth in a direct and unwavering way. He seems so concerned with Gods Truth being heard, that he says the most unpopular stuff. I am surprised he gets booked as much as he does to preach. I guess people are sick like me and actually like to be convicted when they hear a message. People call Joel their virtual pastor, well Paul is mine. lol

RT: What would you say to the young men out there after everything that the world has to offer?

KH: You are chasing things trying to fill that void in your life that this world will never fully satisfy! It only offers temporary satisfaction, that’s why you are always wanting something new. The feeling you get from things passes as lessens as time progresses. God is the only one who can fulfill your satisfaction. Your feelings for him grow and He becomes more important to you as time goes on. Chase after him and you will find that he gives your life the true meaning you are searching for.

For more info on Future check out http://www.myspace.com/futureinchrist. Future keep up the good work bro and keep pressing toward the mark!

roland Arts And Entertainment, Interviews, Miscellaneous born2di, flame, rap, Reformed theology, st.louis

Back in the day
God told Adam to stay away
From the off-limits tree
Or he would decay.
Then the serpent
Snuck up on Eve,
Who was looking at the tree.
He was looking to deceive.
He said, “Are you sure
God’s Word isn’t a lie?
Why not take a bite?
Go ahead, give it a try.
See, God knows when
You eat, you’ll finally see.
You’ll be just like Him.
He’s full of jealousy!”
Eve, who didn’t fully understand,
‘Cause she wasn’t properly told.
Adam, you foolish man,
Should have said, “Behold!
Do not eat of the tree of
Knowledge of Good and Evil.
If you do, we’re in for spiritual upheaval.”
But Adam decided to put in his own twist.
He called it the tree “in the midst.”
Eve was naïve, so she just believed.
Adam continued on,
Saying “Do not touch
Or we’ll return to the dust”.
The moral of the story is:
Don’t change the words on His
Lips, because death will be near.
Ensure that your understanding is clear.
Don’t just take a preacher or teacher
At his word,
‘Cause the day you don’t study,
You’ll be cut by the Sword.

Brian Arts And Entertainment

Intrinsically deceived

All because of Adam and Eve.

It started in the garden

Now my heart is hardened.

They took from the tree-

When I look within all I see

Is pain, hurt, lies

Disdain, unbelief,

Strife and shame-

Red blood pumping from a heart

That’s dark from the start,

Through my veins-

Producing an illusion of worth from birth,

When in actuality I came from the dirt.

I didn’t breathe on my own.

If that could happen,

Then I would be sitting on the throne.

But I do have a throne; it’s called pride.

I can peer into the vast opportunity

Of lust with these naughty eyes.

Haughty at the get go,

I adorn it with self: me, myself and I-

Sounds like verse 19 of Galatians 5

Fulfilling everything that is I-

Or what I can call my own-
I reap death cause the flesh is what I’ve sown.

When everything vanishes into thin air

And I’m sitting on this throne,

All alone all I can do is weep and repent to the ONE

That’s on the true throne.

You see, my mind and heart were numb,

But it didn’t even matter-

A daily struggle?

Yes, but I can persevere to the end

Through Christ cause he knows the last chapter.

So, now nine good things from Galatians 5:22 and 23

Are becoming more prevalent in me!

roland Arts And Entertainment

Roland Thompson (Crosscope Contributor): When did you first come to know the saving power of Jesus Christ in your life?

Damon Horton (Pastor, Truth Bible Fellowship): I first came to Christ on March 31, 1996. But on March 15, 2005 that’s when I honestly can say the Lord broke me and began to really reform my lifestyle, and I started taking my walk with the Lord more seriously. I no longer tried to see how close I could skate around sin, but rather I started to truly hate the sin in my life and desire God’s holiness in every area of my life.

RT: How has this affected your relationships with friends and family?

DH: When I accepted Christ in 1996, I left my friends in the streets. It was tough because I still had to walk to the same school, ride the same bus, and live in the same neighborhood that I did my dirt in. I literally had to fight my flesh daily to keep me out of the streets and with the Empowerment of God the Holy Spirit and being under His influence, by God’s grace, I stayed out of the streets. In 2005 my wife and I made some significant changes in our doctrine and practice of life that caused strife amongst a lot of our family members. They began to think we were in a cult because of how serious we were taking God’s Word. But, glory to God, the majority of our immediately family has made peace with us and they now actually attend the church my wife and I are planting. To God be the glory.

RT: How is this reflected in your music as an artist?

DH: Our music was no longer “battle rap” or Me-centered. After 2005, my wife and I strived to write music that would cover three areas: 1. All lyrics would forthrightly glorify God, 2. All lyrics would expose the unbeliever to a raw, solid presentation of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, and 3. All lyrics would edify the believers who are seeking to live Holy in a wicked and wayward culture.

RT: What would you say to those “pursuing” a career as a “Christian artist”?

DH: I would say, remain Bible-Centered in all your ways; get accountability from YOUR pastor in your local church. I have been ministering through Gospel rap since 1996, when I was 16 and I should have been sat down on numerous occasions when I was younger because sin issues that I was struggling with, but I had no accountability and I didn’t desire accountability. I desired a record contract, dropping CDs and being picked up on tours. Now my heart is for the Gospel to be preached to a culture that I see as a genuine mission field; they need the Gospel, not witty punch lines, not neck-breaking beats, but the Gospel, which is the power of God for salvation. So I would tell the young rappers to invest in books–solid theological books, consider going to a conservative Bible College, and invest in your ministry while you are young because you won’t be rapping forever.

RT: Let’s move onto the subject of Truth Bible Fellowship, your church plant in Kansas City. Do you guys have a specific “strategy” concerning evangelism?

DH: Yes, we do. First off, anyone who desires to co-labor with the Body at Truth Bible Fellowship has to be what we call a “Covenant member,” meaning they MUST go through our Membership classes. These classes are 10 weeks long and they deal with eight theological areas and two areas of missiology and evangelism. We are training the members of TBF to see themselves as missionaries to the lost in the entire KC metro area. In a city of two million people, only 400,000 have “religious ties”. That means 1.6 million people who have no ties to any religion call KC home. These are the people we are targeting. We want to reach them in the grocery stores, in the libraries, in the high schools, colleges, in the city parks. We believe that effective evangelism consists of three parts: 1. It’s Spontaneous and Strategic. We will plan certain events like our public launch, but at the same time we’ll live with the understanding that at ANY moment we have to give an answer to defend our faith no matter where we are. 2. It’s sincere, meaning that we must have a heart to reach sinners in culturally relevant ways that they can understand (i.e. rap, poetry, art shows, plays, etc.), and 3. It’s supernatural. All of our efforts do not save people; we realize that the regeneration of someone who is dead in their sins is NOT the work of the Christian. This work is reserved for God the Holy Spirit alone, but we as the Body of Christ must remain faithful to the job description we’ve been given in Matt. 28:19-20.

RT: We know your heart for sound theology. How will this be implemented in your new church plant?

DH: Which we are excited about, by the way! We have been told in the past that we’re too “theological” to reach the lost, which to me is an oxymoron. When you present the Gospel, you are presenting the study of God to people. Theology and evangelism must co-labor together. By training our people in Biblical theology and partnering their knowledge with a zeal and passion for evangelism, God will get the glory. What you will have is an ARMY of Bible-Centered, well trained and studied Christians walking the streets in the urban context, defending the Christian faith amongst the attacks and critiques of non-believers from all walks of life. And when they see that we not only KNOW what we’re talking about, but that we KNOW who we’re talking about, prayerfully the Lord will use this as a means to draw them to chop it up with us in the Scriptures. So theology and evangelism are married in and live together in harmony at TBF.

RT: Okay, so what would you say is your favorite song off of your album HELP WANTED?

DH: My favorite song is probably “The Exodus” because it was the first song my wife and I wrote together wwwwaaayyyyy back in 2005 and it’s been one of my favorites ever since, even though she’s tired of it. (laughing)

RT: Who has inspired you on your Christian walk, other than the Holy Spirit of course?

DH: There have been a lot of believers who have inspired me. Honestly, in no particular order, I would say my mother and my wife equally challenge me daily. They both lovingly correct me and are used by the Lord to keep me in line with my areas of immaturity. That’s real talk. The man I call pastor, Mike Piburn, has been a HUGE influence in my life over the past 4 years. He’s the man who helped curb my over-zealousness for theology and helped me become more practical in my pastoral thinking. He’s always there for me and is not afraid to correct me when I allow myself to get sidetracked. The men who are deacons at TBF also play a HUGE role in my life. I trust these men with my life (Dre Sr, Mike, Mikey, Pops, and LeCardio). Also, my family on the Kingdom City Record label; they have most definitely been there for me. My man Brian Dye in Chicago has been a true Barnabas to me, and lastly William “Duce, aka The Ambassador,” Branch has been lending me his ear and heart for advice and wisdom over the past four years. He’s given me pastoral instruction from an Urbanites perspective. But there are just so many people to name and my list goes beyond the John Pipers and R.C. Sprouls. (laughing)

Damon and his wife Elicia released their debut album titled “Help Wanted” a year ago this month. Click here to check out the promo video.

roland Church Plants, Exposition, Interviews, Theology Christian rap, Church planting, Kingdom City Records, Reformed theology

Do we automatically give Chris Tomlin, David Crowder, and Jeremy Camp thumbs up when they put out new albums? Do we sing the praises of Kirk Cameron’s movies just because of the message involved? I love all of those guys and the material they produce, but I can’t help but wonder if we give them an “atta’ boy” just because they’re Christian. Now, I do remember a time when I had Crowder’s “Remedy” album playing at work and a co-worker commented on how good it sounded. This isn’t coming from a practicing christian, this is coming from somebody who enjoys music. However, I was also playing a Tomlin song once when somebody commented how all it did was repeat itself over and over. This person was a christian.
Is it wrong to hold christian media at the same musical standards that we hold secular music? We know that the content 9 times out of 10 sheds a positive message; but what about that one time it falls flat? “The Glory Of It All” is one of my favorite Crowder songs. It’s just brillant. It makes you feel. It makes you think. To me, it transcends the “Christian” label and enters the “just-flat-out-great-music” zone. However, I feel the same way about The Drive-By Truckers “Two Daughters and a Beautiful Wife” and Bruce Springsteen’s “The River”. Both great songs that emote emotion and feeling. “Fireproof” brought a great message, but the film was uneven and, dare I say, unrealistic. In contrast, “The Wrestler” was a moving story about a man’s mistake’s and demons. So, is “Fireproof” better than “The Wrestler” just because it’s “Christian” media?
Now I do believe that “Christian” media should be viewed upon with a stricter set of standards; much like a Pastor or anyone who teaches the scriptures. However, we should call it like it is. If it’s good, it’s good. If it’s not, it’s not. Christian or not.

mike Miscellaneous

Here are some random thoughts for your weekend:
Just because it’s “christian” media, do we give it a pass on quality and creativity?
Do we spend too much time talking about how great we are?
Should we remain silent when a Pastor commits questionable acts?
How important is it to actually “go” to church?
Now ask yourself these questions. Think about your answers. I’m be posting my comments soon.

mike Miscellaneous

The 2009 Legacy Conference is drawing near. The early registration was set for February 2, but there were some technical issues with the website. Those have been resolved and until 11:59PM tonight, you may register for the discounted rate of $35. This is a great deal for such an amazing, edifying conference.

For those that don’t know about the Legacy Conference, it started out in January 2006 when 60 ministers from the Chicago area got together and were challenged by Soup Campbell, Dan Baugh, Lecrae, and others about the importance of imparting the gospel to the next generation so that they could do the same, and so on.

In September 2006, the conference was called The Heavyweights. I got to go to this conference with my friends Roland Thompson and Tom Jaeger. It was, to say the least, powerful. We got a lot of the Gospel and a lot of Christ at this conference. Some of the topics taught were the Cross, sanctification, and imputed righteousness.

In August 2007, the conference was renamed The Legacy. I, unfortunately, did not get to go, but from what I hear it was just as good, if not better than 2006. This past August, I went to the conference with Roland and Jeremiah “Kry” Jackson. This was another great conference.

Please check out www.legacy-conference.org for more details and how to register.

Here is a list of who will be there:

Blair Wingo, Courtney “JR” Peebles, Damon “Azriel” Horton, Dann Spader, Elicia Horton, Eric Mason, James Ford, Jr., Jason “JSON” Watson, Jason “Propaganda” Petty, Josh “DJ Essence” Wann, Lecrae, Marcus “Flame” Gray, Paul Washer, Shai Linne, William “Trip Lee” Barfield III, and William “Duce/The Ambassador” Branch.

Again, please check out www.legacy-conference.org and register today!

2009 Legacy Conference

July 30-August 1, 2009

Moody Bible Institute

802 N. LaSalle St.

Chicago, IL

Brian Personal Interests

When do we pray? Is it right before we eat at the dinner table? Is when we’re getting ready for a big job interview? Perhaps it’s as we sit in the doctor’s office awaiting the results of our bloodwork? In Colossians 4:2-4, Paul says “Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prision-that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.” Paul calls all Christians to have a life, a habit, a need to pray. In Matthew 21:22, Jesus states “And whatever you ask in prayer, you will receive, if you have faith.” So, should we ask for health, for that big promotion at work, or for Great Aunt Sally to have her cancer healed? Read what John Piper has to say about prayer:

“This is where I get the image that prayer is a wartime walkie-talkie, not a domestic intercom. It exists for advancing the mission, not for calling the butler to turn up the thermostat. Not that God is opposed to practical, nitty-gritty daily prayers. He simply wants all of them to relate to the mission of your life—that his name be glorified, that people live for fruitful ministry.

That’s why the first petition in the Lord’s prayer is “Hallowed be thy name,” and the second is “Bring your kingdom,” and third is “Cause your will to happen here the way the angels do it in heaven”—and only now, under this mission, comes the fourth petition “Give us this day our daily bread.”

So Jesus says that our prayers get answered in proportion to the way the word of Christ is shaping our requests according to God’s will (see 1 John 5:14), and that prayer exists for the glory of God, and that prayer is a wartime walkie-talkie, not a domestic intercom. All requests serve the mission, or the thing malfunctions in our hand.”
I love me some John Piper!

mike Theology

I just listened to shai linne’s sermon titled “The Sovereignty of God”, dated 11/29/08.  It is an incredible message about how God will do whatever He pleases.  It addresses why we were placed where we were placed and at the time we were placed.  God hand-picked the time of birth, time of death, and the circumstances we would live in.  This isn’t a weak God we trust in, but a powerful, masterful God who controls every aspect of our universe.  RC Sproul said that if there was even one maverick molecule in the universe, then God would not be sovereign.  If God is sovereign, then he is not God.  shai linne then continues to explain what modern day idolatry looks like. People think that if God does not fit their specific criteria, then He must not exist.  Such is the thought process of a fallen mindset; the created attempting to dictate the boundaries of the Creator.  I hope you listen to the sermon in its entirety, because it will bless you by helping you see more of who God truly is.

Link (Scroll down in the flash audio player until you see the sermon title, then press the speaker icon.)

Brian Exposition, Theology