Recently, Beyonce dropped a video album, “Black is King.” Before it even came out videos were popping up on YouTube accusing her of comparing Black people being kings to Jesus Christ being the king due to Kanye West’s album. Other accusations went out as well. I watched the film this past Sunday and it did not appear that she was trying to take away from Jesus Christ being the King of Kings. She simply associated Black people with being kings and royal because we are children of God. I do not believe that it is sin for Black people to see themselves as something positive such as a king or a queen. We are made in the image of God and we do take on royalty as we’ve been adopted into the family of God.

But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God’s special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. – 1 Peter 2:9

However, I will say there was a lyric where she said we are the living word. I’m not sure if she was saying that Jesus was Black because Jesus is the Word that was made flesh or perhaps, she was saying that we are a living representation of God’s word that was spoken in the Bible. Her meaning was unclear.

To be honest, I try to stay away from videos of people accusing other people of things whom they do not know and have not met. In our culture, there is a tendency to abuse celebrities as if they aren’t people. Just like I would not want someone to gossip about me; I try to practice the same thing regarding public figures and other people—because we all are just people.

Secondly, the accusations against celebrities on YouTube normally do not have any proof they are simply based on appearance and speculation.  The meaning of speculation is to form a theory or conjecture without firm evidence (Google Definition.) I was not trained to accept accusations about people without evidence. Being one who has been trained in media, we were trained to look up at least 2-3 reputable sources before reporting information.

Even the Bible says to not accept a charge against an elder except on the evidence of 2-3 witnesses. The Bible also cautions us of our tendency to judge by appearance; while God judges by the heart.

But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not consider his appearance or his height, for I have rejected him. The LORD does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart.” – 1 Samuel 16:7

God gets down to the meat and the heart of the person and the matter. This is the way that I desire to go. I am a person who values getting to the depth of things and not judging simply by the surface. In doing so, I have to rely on the Holy Spirit and the Word of God because it isn’t in my nature to judge according to the heart of a person or the matter. It’s simply easier to judge by appearance and that is what so much of us do.

Another scripture reminding us not to judge by appearance:

Do not judge according to appearance, but judge with righteous judgment.” – John 7:24

Art is subjective to the viewer. One person may see one thing and another may see something else. It’s okay to say this is my opinion. I perceive what the art is showing to be such and such. That creates a healthy dialogue, but it is totally different when we say this is what the artist meant without consulting or considering the artist who made it. It can be prideful to try to explain someone else’s work without consulting them. It can also be disrespectful.

A brother offended is harder to be won than a strong city: and their contentions are like the bars of a castle. – Proverbs 18:19

In our ignorance, we shut ourselves out of being in a position to share the gospel with the subjects of our gossip because we’ve already offended them through our disrespect. If God ever positioned us to be in relationship with the celebrities we’ve talked about; they would not have any respect for anything we have to share including the gospel because we’ve already messed up our creditability through gossip. It’s better to say I’m not comfortable with their art or I did not understand it or simply ask what was meant than to assume their meaning behind a particular thing.

I remember in the past watching a video about the Illuminati and how they would say if you see an album cover with one eye covered; that means that person has been initiated into the Illuminati. I ran into one of my favorite gospel rappers at a conference who had recently released an album with one eye covered. I went up to him and asked him if there was any particular meaning, he meant to imply with his last album cover. He said, “no, why do you ask?” I said because I’d seen a video sharing that when one eye is covered that means the artist has been initiated into the Illuminati. He was like aww Nah. I’m not affiliated with that.

It’s really simple to respect people in humility treating them like human beings rather famous or not, but as I shared earlier; we tend to abuse celebrities saying things about them we’d never say to their faces. We have to keep a clear conscious in dealing with all people including celebrities because Christ loves them too and died for them also. His will is for all men to be saved including celebrities. When we cast meaning on their art without proof putting them into hell, satanism, and blasphemy without proof; we’ve already condemned them in our minds.

Now, there is something called media semiotics where many artists and media creatives study other ancient cultures including the Bible and they borrow from those cultures making it their own for creative purposes. A good example of this is the film, “The Fog.”

In the fog, there is dialogue borrowed from the Bible. The purpose is to have an unfamiliar language said in a voice that appears scary to the audience. The film was somewhat of a scary film. They borrowed the below:

“This is the inscription that was written: mene, mene, tekel, parsin. – Daniel 5:25

The above scripture comes from a story in the Book of Daniel where a new king in Babylon had taken the holy instruments from God’s temple and used them as unholy. He had a party with the instruments that were to be used to minister to the Lord only. Defiling God’s instruments earned him a direct judgment from God. God sent a hand to write the above words on the wall. The king did not know how to interpret the words and he was scared. Daniel was summoned who interpreted them as saying that the king’s actions had been weighed in the balances of heaven and he has been found lacking. Thus, the judgment was to come.

That was the original scriptural meaning of the use of those words. However, they were used in the film, “The Fog.” To infer curiosity and fear. It appears foreign to those who do not know the Bible. Media semiotics is simply borrowing from various cultures and creating your own meaning for them.

Another example of this can be seen in the days of the week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The names of the days of the week have come from various ancient gods that we do not worship in America. However, because the names of the days of the week were borrowed from various gods doesn’t mean that everyone who says, Happy Tuesday is referencing a god. This is why it is so important to judge righteously and not by appearance.

The scripture speaks about these things in Romans 14. He warns us to not judge one another based on our convictions. One person has a conviction not to eat meat that is also offered to idols; while another says that God made all meat and thus, he eats all meat. God accepts both of them. Similarly, some people may love Beyonce’s music; while another feels it is a sin to enjoy her music. I don’t think we should fight with one another and accuse one another of not being saved if one listens to her song or if another does not. I do believe it is wisdom to guard our spirits from any music that is contrary to the Word of God.

I believe the greater focus should be on building ourselves up in God’s Word so that we can think and be discerning for ourselves. Understanding what the Word of God says should be the greater emphasis. Many believers don’t know that God is opposed to divination in the form of psychics, tarot cards, horoscopes, and zodiac signs, astral-projection, witchcraft, contacting the dead through necromancy, mediums, spirit guides, and worship of our ancestors. Some of these themes were seen in the film, which is in total opposition to God’s Word.

The above are clear sins laid out in Deuteronomy 18 in the scripture. It’s a form of idolatry because access to other spirits called familiar spirits are the gateway rather than the Spirit of God. We have access to know the future and in some cases to receive messages from our loved ones who have passed on through Christ and the Spirit of God only. Anything else is idolatry and God is opposed to it.

Finally, from what I’ve seen in the media, it appears that Beyonce made her visual album to share positive images of Black people and Black culture. She mentioned she wants us to see us from a position of royalty rather than less than. That is noble. It is a good thing. However, I would add  while that is good; there is a greater importance to see ourselves from our identity in Christ

For while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. – 1 Timothy 4:8

As Black people, we’ve dealt with the challenge for years of fully embracing ourselves due to racism in this country and even in the church. I think it is valuable and honorable what Beyonce is trying to do with her film. She encouraged Black women to embrace their beauty and not to believe the lie that we’d be alone because we are Black. However, we have to remember that it isn’t enough to simply build ourselves up naturally. We cannot afford to hide ourselves in pride or our own strength. We have to build ourselves up on God’s Word. That is what will keep us sound when the challenges of life come.

Building ourselves up simply after natural things alone is like a woman who becomes scorned by men, so she decides to only focus on building her career and becoming successful. When her career gets taken away; she has nothing left. However, the woman who builds her identity on what God has said about her in his Word will always have the strength to continue forward in life because she isn’t founded on natural and temporary things only, but she is founded on what is eternal the Word of God.

I completely believe in embracing our Blackness, but not without trusting in the Lord. We need more people who love being Black as God made us and being found as a true worshipper of Christ. We can have those who trust in the Lord, but who do not draw strength from the flesh, but we cannot have those who draw strength only from fleshy things—it’s simply dangerous and it will cause our hearts to turn from the Lord.

This is what the LORD says: “Cursed is the one who trusts in man, who draws strength from mere flesh and whose heart turns away from the LORD. That person will be like a bush in the wastelands; they will not see prosperity when it comes. They will dwell in the parched places of the desert, in a salt land where no one lives. “But blessed is the one who trusts in the LORD, whose confidence is in him. – Jeremiah 17:5-7

First, I watched the “Jesus is King” documentary, which was essentially a performance of songs edited together. I could feel the presence of the Lord while viewing the film and listening to the lyrics. Many have had their eyes on Kanye since his release last week of the “Jesus is King” album along with the film. I’m digging the album thus far with my favorite track being, “We Have Everything We Need.”

​There’s been controversy as usual when a public figure decides to declare Christ. Many condemn in an attempt to verify if the person is really saved or not instead of allowing the person to simply live out their new life as a Christian allowing God to reveal the wheat from the tare in the end. The hope should always be for all men to be saved as God has clearly outlined as His will in 2 Peter 3:9.
There has been more positive response however in the Christian Hip-hop world starting with Da’Truth, who shared the below on his Instagram:

Lecrae Responded to Da’truth’s post with the below:

I like the balance of accountability that Da’truth brings in his statement with the balance of God’s grace bought in Lecrae’s statement. Both responses are important. Are gospel/Christian artists creating what they feel will be more acceptable to the culture or are they creating what God has placed on their hearts to share? Da’Truth’s question could be a great heart check question; while Lecrae balances the statement by admonishing us to remember God’s grace over any feeling of condemnation. As God’s people, we are to grasp the truth and do better with it, not wallow in condemnation because of our lack of grasping that truth sooner.

Eshon Burgundy warned the body of Christ on his Instagram account by posting a video stating, in short, that believers should watch and pray not rushing to make Kanye’ a leader immediately as it’s too soon to tell what his motives truly are. While Ruslan shared the below scripture as a response to Eshon saying in essence that at this point it doesn’t matter what his motives are because the gospel is being preached:

It is true that some preach Christ out of envy and rivalry, but others out of goodwill. 16 The latter do so out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains. 18 But what does it matter? The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this, I rejoice.
Yes, and I will continue to rejoice, Philippians 1:15-18

Dee-1 is rooting for Kanye’ and his lifestyle change as a Christian. These have all been positive and well-balanced responses to Kanye’s new album and proclamation as a believer. What’s going through your mind as you view all of this? Leave your comments below.

There are many testimonies of women of God waiting on a spouse wanting to do things God’s way. However, men in the same position have not been shown as much as women have. Maybe this is because there are more women than men, but the lack of seeing single men in the forefront living for God can very easily harm the women living for God. It’s easy to become discouraged, angry, and bitter.

That anger, bitterness, and discouragement can become a trap that causes a woman to be stuck. This is why Satan loves to paint the picture that no men are standing for God in the area of sexual purity and obedience to God in the season of singleness.

This is also why we have to be intentional about what we hear and place our focus on. Many men are standing for God. I have some personal friends that I walk with and we encourage one another. Dee-1 just released an album called, “God and Girls.” On the album, he shares about how he’s had to turn certain girls down because they weren’t on the same page with him as far as honoring and walking with God.

Suffering for righteousness simply means to forego something that is needed at the moment for a greater purpose. Yeah, I could use a spouse and give my hormones some relief, but there is a greater priority of being able to honor God with my spouse and walk before the Lord in his purpose for my life. There is a compromise of self-seeking pleasure that has found its way into the body of Christ, and those who don’t yield to it often find themselves single a lot longer, but women of God aren’t the only ones.

Dee-1 not only shared about his standard, but he speaks about protecting and standing with real women of God. There is some real encouragement on that album. His song “Narrow Road” that features Christon Gray, discusses his decision to be sold out for Christ even in his desire for a godly wife.

Anthony Evans, son of Pastor Tony Evans is also one who has been single for an extended time as a man. I know at least for men of God who were virgins when they got married; It isn’t as talked about, but we aren’t alone as women standing in obedience to God. The enemy wants to make it look that way to get us down, but we gotta focus on the truth and not what things look like.

I’ve been in an awesome place for some years now as far as my contentment in the Lord as a single woman. I thought I was content before, but it’s gone to a whole other level. A huge part of that is the many trials and tribulations I’ve been through where God’s shown me that he is with me. It certainly doesn’t hurt to listen to albums dedicated to women, who are like me, such as Dee-1’s. He’s even got Johnathan Mcreynolds on one track where they discuss looking for a godly girl. Can you believe it? Women like you and me being celebrated? Yes! I’m here for it!
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The next time the enemy tries to torment you making you afraid that obeying God will mean that you will always stand alone; tell the devil he is a liar and re-shift your focus on the truth.

Recently, I attended a screening and intimate Q&A with KB as we watched his new short film drifting. The documentary is based on his song art of drifting. The film features KB & Joseph Solomon as they discuss the responsibility the believer has to hold true to the faith by producing fruit (consistent works that confirm our faith in God.)

The film warns against losing fear for God and using God in a capitalistic way to only make money off of being a believer instead of truly living as a believer. KB spoke of some brothers he’d been on the road with who were frequenting strip clubs and cheating on their spouses. It grieved KB’s heart and caused him to wonder how they drifted so far.

It caused a greater fear to grow in his heart to not allow himself to drift away from the foundation he has in Christ and the heart to seek to please God.  KB shared the below quote:
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“I do need to ask myself: Do I simply want Jesus, or do I just want what Jesus can do for me through my career?”

KB warned about having the right community around who has the same mission and goal to honor Christ with his music and career. He shared a greater need for us as believers to decrease our dependence on money, and to bridle some of our desires for things to avoid debt. This will put ministers in a greater position to continue to speak the truth rather it poses risk to decrease financial contributions or sales. In doing so, believers will be bold in teaching and preaching the truth with or without the financial support of others.
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Kb also mentioned the importance of dealing with sin referencing a passage in 1 Corinthians 5 where Paul admonished the Corinthian church to excommunicate a brother giving him over to Satan so that he would later be saved. See scriptures below:

For I verily, as absent in body, but present in spirit, have judged already, as though I were present, concerning him that hath so done this deed, In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,
To deliver such an one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord Jesus. Your glorying is not good. Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump? – 1 Corinthians 5:3-6

The above scriptures are telling of Apostle Paul responding to sexual immorality in the church that was being overlooked by church leaders. Paul was instructing them to deal with the sin or else it would get worse.

KB referenced an encounter where he and other church leaders had to apply the principle when dealing with a brother who was intentionally preying on women in the church using his knowledge of the Word of God to seduce women.
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When KB was asked about the questions he would like his community to ask him to ensure that he isn’t drifting he shared the below:

1. How are your eyes? (This ensuring accountability in avoiding lust)
2. Are you fighting against your inclination to value other women’s bodies over your wife?
3. He needs someone to ask him about his history on Instagram and/or his time on social media?
4. Do you feel like you are in a winter where it is dry and cold and you don’t know where God is etc.?

What season are you in?
Question #1 emphasized the below scripture:

The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light.
But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! – Matthew 6:22 (KJV)

This inferring that what you focus on will direct your whole body. People get caught up in sin for focusing on the wrong things. Finally, he shared that as we see others drift that we should go deeper into God and as we do; we will begin to see revival.

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Cece Winans is one of those artists where you already know that she will be coming strong. She is gospel royalty not only because she can sing, and comes from the Winans family, but because of her sincerity in her relationship with God.

Cece recently, stopped by Urban Praise Radio sharing how despite the much success that she has garnered throughout the years; it’s easy for her to stay humble. She sees staying humble as the most important thing.
She discussed how all of us have an anointing by God, and the importance of walking out our own individual anointing in which God has given us. She continued saying, “When we go before God in judgment, he will not ask us how many awards we’ve won, but he will say do we have his heart?”
Her latest record was produced by her son Alvin Jr. III. She had reservations with his ideas for the album, but finally submitted to it. She is proud at the depth displayed in the lyrics written by her son:

“Like the three Hebrew boys that day
Ooh, forced to take their fate to flames
I, too, have had the choice to break
And serve the world instead
But I stood on the Word and did not bow
Endured the steps the Lord allowed
I came out stronger shouting “WOW…
God’s never failed me yet!”

Above are lyrics written by her son from the song, “He’s Never Felled Me Yet.”

When asked about balancing life with family, she discussed how at one point she home-schooled her kids on the road bringing in a teacher. This went on for a few years prior to allowing the children to go back to school.

She closed out by stating that our relationship with God is the most important thing. The industry changes going up and down with popularity and acceptance, and if we get our acceptance from God we will be okay.

Her album is currently the number one gospel album, and in the top 20 urban right now. It is called, “Let Them Fall In Love” and was released February 3rd of this year.

Last week The Cross Movement was honored for nearly 20 years in Christian Hip-hop. They reunited at The Legacy Conference performing, and receiving the “Lifetime Legacy Award.”  They are what I consider fathers to a generation and to a movement of young people who have a heart after Jesus Christ. Because of their willingness to not only preach and teach the gospel through their music, but to live it out; They will not know in this lifetime the exact number of lives they have touched.

The best way that I can describe the impact of the Cross Movement is seed that keeps on growing and producing fruit long after the group has decided to retire. This in essence is the true gospel when we choose to carry our cross and live out our purpose in such an undeniable way. Our fruit continues beyond the work that we have done. Jesus our number one example displays this principle in the statement below when he said:
“Very truly I tell you, whoever believes in me will do the works I have been doing, and they will do even greater things than these, because I am going to the Father.” John 14:12
Jesus came and laid the foundation of how we ought to live in addition to all of the other great things that he did. However, before he went to be at the right hand of the father he shared that those who chose to follow him would do even greater works than he. In other words, it was only the beginning with him. He set in order as the foundation what was needed for the work of Christ to continue though out each generation in even greater capacity.

In similar fashion that is what we have seen with the Cross Movement, who laid a foundation of an uncompromising gospel in Christian Hip-hop. Now we see others after them who have continued to carry the torch such as Da’truth, Flame, Lecrae, Trip Lee and more.

These brothers came together with the sole mission to represent Jesus Christ in Hip-hop. When offered a huge deal with lots of money in exchange for not emphasizing or promoting Christ in their music; they immediately denied it with no question. That sacrifice may have looked foolish to some, but it is what caused them to stand apart and reach many who otherwise would not have had an ear let alone a heart for the word of God in such an in depth way. The group bought balance to subjects such as holiness, who Christ is, and even suffering for the name of Christ to produce a greater reward.

The story of the Cross Movement is such an amazing example of enduring and walking out our purpose even when it isn’t popular, looks crazy, or does not seem to yield immediate fruit. Whatever cross we are assigned to carry in life; will always yield our purpose and that purpose will continue long after we have retired if we remain committed to carrying our cross.

Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Matthew 16:24
We salute the Cross Movement and the great work that they have done!

Recently, I got the chance to sit in on an interview session with recording artist Jonathan McReynolds. He discussed several interesting things regarding himself personally, and his career. He started out talking about how he grew up in the South Shore neighborhood in Chicago. He shared how he was exposed to several different artists across various genres, and one day he made a CD filled with music for his family for Christmas and the CD was heard by a pastor who was working out with another pastor from Chicago. His message quickly began to spread via word of mouth.

After Pastor John Hannah heard the CD, he began to play it on the air, and booked Jonathan to sing at his church. Johnathan was in college at the time, and the night he sung at Pastor John Hannah’s church he sold one thousand cds at $10 making $10,000 in one night. That was enough for him to know that he should pursue singing more seriously. Not long after that Johnathan got a record deal.

This new journey has led to him meeting some amazing people that he never thought that he would meet such as Stevie Wonder, India Arie, and other admired artists. He shared that he stays humble because his family will not allow him to get lifted up in pride. They keep it very real with him. He recently was given a position by Huffington Post as a blogger. He shared how when writing certain posts, he will ask his mom what she thinks about it, and she will say, “ it is good, but make sure you explain to them what sin is.”

Hear more from Johnathan McReynolds on the below Periscope video found at this link Below:
Urban Praise – Jonathan McReynolds, Christ Rep. at Urban… | Facebook

Also, check out some video from his Album release held in Chicago from last summer:

Kirk Franklin keeps it real on: Religion, Marriage, What Guys Want, and Affects of sexual sin:

Recently, I had the privilege of witnessing an amazing interview of Kirk Franklin done by my big sister in radio Ms. “Effie Rolfe”. Kirk dropped some serious, yet real knowledge on us as he usually does in his own way. He shared his heart on how religion is not enough, and that relationship with Christ needs to be most prominent. Comparing religion to a marriage, the below quote was stated:

“Just like a Marriage does not guarantee intimacy; Religion does not guarantee relationship.” Kirk noted the lack of transparency in the body of Christ as displayed to unbelievers. He shared how many outside of the church view God as a school principal with a ruler ready to crack down on them for breaking rules, but that many don’t know that God is a father. They don’t know of the grace of God that holds back his coming so that more people can be saved. Kirk referred to God holding back his coming for others to be saved as the romance of God. This is the God that the world needs to see, not a religious hard pressed rule giver. He noted that there isn’t anything at all wrong with rules, but that rules without relationship leads to rebellion.

He was asked about an article that shared regarding a decline in men wanting to be married. He shared that men want to marry their home-girl. They want to feel like they are going to have a good experience in marriage. They want to see others who are married having fun and enjoying their marriage. They want to feel the same type of fun that they feel when they are watching a game.

He moved on to the affects of sexual sin stating that he wished he had someone to share with him how sexual sin would have affected him.  Because he had no one to share those types of things with him, he had to carry a lot of baggage with him as a consequence of sexual sin.  Mentioning what he called, “The good ole boys club”, where prior to marriage men sleep around, he says they aren’t told that type of lifestyle doesn’t prepare a man properly for a marriage. With that mentality, he says that many men mess up the marriage that they get into, “because one woman cannot do the work of ten.”

He ended the interview answering some light-hearted questions such as: Can he cook, what would he be doing with his life if he wasn’t into music, what is happiness to him, and finally advice for artists looking to go further in their craft. Check out his latest album in stores now, “Losing My Religion.” Also, Listen to more of Effie Rolfe on her show that airs  Monday – Friday from 11 a.m. – 2p.m.  at www.urbanpraiseradio.org

View the Periscope video interview below:

Lecrae on connecting with other cultures, how he overcame self-hate, and the anger and heart-break felt amid young people’s response to racism and violence

This past week I attended the Legacy Disciple Making Conference where a panel discussion was held on racism in lieu of all of the various events that have taken place in our country as it pertains to race relations.

The event was kicked off with the question where does racism come from. As the panel moved along, more in depth issues were covered such as diversity in leadership in the church, genuinely connecting with other cultures, how racism is not an American problem but a worldwide problem, and looking at people from a perspective from outside of one’s own.

Lecrae is quoted as saying, “We have to do away with the idea…, “Aren’t we all Christians or Aren’t we all Americans…?” What I think a lot of people do not take into account is your perspective of what Christian culture is or American culture is fueled by your own ethnicity and in your own personal culture. So when you say well aren’t we all Christians you’re saying aren’t we all like what I think Christians are or what I think Americans are. And we are saying why does it have to be about race?”

The above statement was the basis for which Lecrae declared the need to develop deep and meaningful relationships with people of different backgrounds from outside of one’s own culture. He also discussed how at one point he learned what were new and conservative perspectives regarding race and Christianity that caused him to hate his own culture at one point and time.

The most notable portion of the discussion was when Lecrae described young people in his area of Atlanta after the Michael Brown shooting. He noted how angry and heart-broken they felt and how they just wanted someone to grieve with them and allow them to grieve without reprimanding them as if it is no big deal.

Panel contributors were Joe Thorn, Elicia Horton, Lecrae, and Soong-Chan Rah. The panel was moderated by poet Joseph Solomon of Chase God TV.

See the video clips below: