Da Word... 199! Protected

Good Morning!!!  What's new and hot? Things over here are going pretty well.  It's actually calmed down a bit!  And believe me, that is a WELCOME relief from the craziness of July... wowza!  Aight, on to... da Word!

checkit:

Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in him

- Proverbs 30:5

Niiiiiiiiiice!  Have I mentioned that the Proverbs are da bomb?  They are the BOMB bruthaz and sistaz! I can't help but dig the 'verbs potnas.  There are just tons of wisdom and encouragement laced within the pages of that book. If you are rollin' with Pops above, how could you not immediately feel strengthened by this verse right here?  Let's dig into it ;-D

The verse starts by saying that every single word of Pops above is straight FLAWLESS son!!!!  That is beyond ILL!  How much more confidence does it bring you to know that every word of Pops is flawless?  I mean, nothing less should be expected from the being who is God, who by and through everything was created and continues to have being.  But we forget it sometimes!  And then we start to doubt and lack confidence in our path.  Or we find ourselves wallowing in the valley of indecision.  Pops doesn't want us wallowing potnas.  His word is flawless!  There is no need for worry!  Cuz Pops ain't gonna lie.  And believe me, homeboy can and will backup what he says, shoooooot.   Therefore be freed and rest your confidence on the ultimate foundation that is Pops!

But that's not aaaaall, heh heh heh.  Pops DOUBLES as a shield!!!  Now that is not blanket statement.  There is a proviso (condition or qualification).  But wait!  Don't throw your hands up in despair!  That there proviso is just you taking refuge in Him!  That's it!  BAM!  That's all it takes.  And what do you get in return?  Pops above Himself becoming a straight SHIELD for you!  Potnas, that is a HOT deal!  You mean to tell me all we gotta do is take refuge in Pops, and He will bestow upon us His very self as our shield?  YES! 

I don't know about you, but I'm feeling pretty indestructible right now.  It's good to be reminded of the awesome situation we find ourselves in if we are indeed straight rollin' with Pops.  I can have every confidence in His words (including all those promises he has made!).  I can know that Homeboy will never fail me.  And I can rest assured that Pops above is my shield! 

Can you say these things too?

Da Word... 198! Love takes Action

What up!  I think I missed a week or two there, my bad!  Things have been really crazy of late.  I hope you all are straight chillin'!!!   Aight, on to, da Word!

checkit:

Dear children, let us not love with words or tongue but with actions and in truth.

1 John 3:18

Word.  The word love is tossed around so much these days, yoooo.... it's almost lost all its meaning!  Way too many peeps are absorbed in a "feeling" or some emotional experience.  At best, those sensations are fleeting!  Yeah, you get a swooning endorphin high because, biologically, that emotion is straight tingly!  But bruthaz and sistaz... it passes!  And then, what do you have left to fill the void?  Love ain't just a feelin'.

Love is neither mere words!  Any wannabe can say, "I love you dawg!"  Plenty of peeps say, "I love people!  ;-D"  But their actions show the contrary!  Love is validated by action.  People act when they are moved.  If one is not moved, they will not act.  And if one is not moved, that one does is not fully committed to the words of  expression he or she may have just uttered.  We can't just talk the talk!  We gotta  walk the walk! 

And love has got to be in truth!  Again, anybody can speak, and some people can even take action.  But guess what?  There are peeps who love and act discriminatingly.  Verse 17 puts it best, "if anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him."  Bonafide love is unconditional.  Let's not be imitators and posers, let's be the real deal!

Love is a combination of words, action, and truth.  Spoken words are validated by action, and action is validated by truth.  This strength of love cannot be shaken!  And, burthaz and sistaz, this is the best love imaginable!

Da Word... 197! Pleasing Pops

Good Morning!

Hope your 4th of July was maaaaaaaad explosive! It was pretty dope here in Boston. TRU! Did you peep the movie Transformers yet? If not... what are you waiting for!? It's AWESOME. Aight, on to, da Word!

checkit:

And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to him must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who earnestly seek him.

- Hebrews 11:6

Chapter 11 of Hebrews takes the term "by faith" and REALLY hammers it in. I mean, yoooo, by the end of this chapter you have a pretty good handle on almost every angle and perspective "by faith" represents replete with tons of historical examples of reppin' people and events. This verse right here speaks to the possibility of pleasin' Pops. How can we come to please the creator of the universe? I mean fa real, he created the universe! How can we possibly please Pops above? By faith ;-D

So what does that mean? There are two key phrases in this verse that break it down. First, any kat comin' to Pops must "believe that he exists." I mean come on, that's just practical. In general, one cannot please someone he or she does not believe to exist... especially in this case. Why? Cuz Pops calls us to a high standard that is TOUGH to meet. Now imagine trying to meet it if you lose the HIGHLY motivating factor that is Pops' existence. It's a little easier when you can say with conviction, "Cross the creator of the universe... what are you, CRAZY!?"

The second thing is that we gots to earnestly seek him. There are plenty of peeps who act like or say that they are seeking Pops. But the percentage those who are real and earnest about it are few. Faith is no joke. It ain't no walk in the park. It takes belief in the existence of a being you can't see or touch and a level of seeking that cannot be derailed. But when one holds these two keys, Pops above is pleased. And guess what? BAM!!!! Pops opens up the floodgates of unimaginable blessing in every form: knowledge, wisdom, character, joy, peace.... endless yo! You can't stop the blessings!

Believe He exists and earnestly seek Him. Pops will not fail you. He will return to you in measure as you believe and seek... and then some. He will show you beyond the shadow of any doubt who He is.

G-bless,

- patrick