Da Word... 220! Streams baby

Ever come into contact with someone who seems to just turn you on? And no, I don't mean in the sexual sense. I mean when you speak with this person you suddenly feel revitalized! In fact you may even feel ready to take on the world! You can't put your finger on it, but there's just something about this person that is just insanely refreshing. This may be a clue, checkit:

"Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, streams of living water will flow from within him."

- Da Christ (John 7:38)

The very next verse tells us that Da Christ was speaking about the Spirit. That's right, da Holy Spirit baby! And my man J describes it as streams of living water straight flowin'! Now that is hot. Not only does one who believes catch a supreme dose of Holy Ghost infusion, but he who believes becomes a wellspring of life himself! And that because the Holy Spirit that has taken up residence with him is spewing forth some ILL living water. Nice.

I don't know if you've read Acts, and some choice other books of the bible. But Acts talks about when the Holy Spirit first made an appearance after Christ done bounced. And yo.... it was OFF the HOOOOOOOK! Think about it, the Spirit of God teaming up with you!? Oh what possibilities then become available! And yeah, the apostles brought the ruckus. Numerous miracles, healings, speaking in other languages, clarity into scripture... the list goes on my friend. When you and the Spirit are straight rollin', everyone is blessed.

So check it, if you've got the Spirit, then the Spirit in you works through you to reach those around you. Hence, you've got streams of living water flowing from within you. Now water is necessary for all life on this planet. Without it, things are dead... dead... DEAD. It's no great wonder then when we get that nice glass of water we've been craving after some serious output that we feel so insanely refreshed. As water replenishes and revitalizes us physically, the Spirit of God revitalizes us in our inner most being -- spiritually, emotionally, mentally, physically, and more. And thus it is also no wonder that when you come into contact with a cat that rolls with the spirit, you seem to soar.

Let's endeavor to link up with the Spirit of God thus unleashing streams of living water from within. It's unlimited upside my friends... for everyone!

G-bless,

- patrick

Da Word... 219! Perspective

There are generally two ways to approach or perceive a monumental task. One can focus on the details and the sheer weight of what might seem daunting. Or one can focus on the potential impact and/or reward of pulling off such a monumental feat. The former tends to suffer quite a great deal more than he or she should, and more times than not fails (that sucks, suffer and fail!?). The latter on the other hand, heh heh, the latter generally seems to triumph (BAM!).

I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us.

- Paul (Romans 8:18)

Yeah! Now that's what I'm talking about! That's some ILL perspective! That kinda view on things will propel kats to maaaad heights! Fa sho' ;-D But the best part is that it ain't a pipe dream. It isn't some kind of fantasy or wishful thinking. No my friends, this is bona fide truth! Nothing worthwhile comes without effort, getting down and dirty. Those things that give us tremendous pride, joy, and sense of accomplishment are those where we've put in the time. Think about it for a hot second... yeah, see what I mean?

Walking the walk ain't no walk in the park, for sure. It's not easy standing up for truth and justice. It's not easy fightin' the raw desires of the flesh to keep yourself free from its chains. It's not easy being free! But yo, it's so worth it to be free!!! When we compare it to what Pops has in store waiting for us, maaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaan, all of this work towards growth and development and integrity will be like a drop in the bucket compared to the sheer elation and joy that will be bursting through when Pops says, "Well done! Well done!" And homie beckons us into his crib.

Is that the only time we'll feel it? At the ultimate moment of cribdom? Naw kid! The fruits of our walk will manifest even now! You'll see it when a friend finally gets it. You'll see it when you look around and notice that your circle of homies are genuine to the core. You'll see it when by your sacrifices and dishing out of love, families or even whole towns have a second chance at living. You'll see it in the smiles of those who cannot help themselves when you defend 'em, feed 'em, clothe 'em, house 'em. You'll see it when people begin to realize that you are the real deal. Yo, when people know that when the stuff of life comes bearing down they can come to you and get it straight, you'll see it. You'll be taken aback when you realize that people believe you are someone who will stand in the gap or walk side by side in the trenches. These rewards are intangible and non-perishable. These are things that last a lifetime and beyond.

So what's the word? Don't sweat the pain, just get in the game. Play your friggin' heart out cuz yo, you're about to catch and avanlache of blessing. Keep the perspective in all that you do! Homie, it's the recipe for coming out on top. Word.

G-bless,

- patrick

Da Word... 218! Daily

How is it that we surpass merely being good at a thing? Even natural talent can only get us so far. To surpass good and venture into great, maybe even legendary, we definitely have to put in the time. The Olympics attest to that in a major way. Gold ain't on your radar if you aren't hittin' it on the daily. Word.

"... He took the disciples with him and had discussions daily in the lecture hall of Tyrannus. This went on for two years, so that all the Jews and Greeks who lived in the province of Asia heard the word of the Lord."

- Acts 19:9,10

My man Paul was doing his thing, reppin' Christ. Homie is always reppin' Christ! This time he was in the synagogue for a period of time (3 months) speaking about da Christ. As typical, some peeps just grew staunch and refused to believe. Did Paul let that discourage him? HAH! Naw kid! He went on to phase two. He switched venues, took his disciples with him, and held DAILY discussions.

What's that do, hittin' things up daily? Daily action breeds perfection ;-D Heh heh. Now we'll never hit perfection, but we'll become quite legendary in any endeavor if we come at it daily, hard and heavy. Ever wonder why there seem to be a few humans who seem to be able to do the impossible? It's because they are hittin' it daily kid! Persistence, focus, and a clear goal. In whatever we pursue there is no standing still, we are either growing stronger or growing weaker. Think about that for a second....

So what can we learn from Paul? For one, if we want to get God, we gotta hit him up daily. If we really want to know who God is, what having a relationship with homie is truly like, we gotta check it out daily. If we wanna grow strong relationships with our fellow bruthaz and sistaz, we gotta engage in some real discussion... daily kid. And my friends, if we want to be effective in reaching people, we gotta hang tough and invest the time. The result? Olympic Gold! Aw yeah!

G-bless,

- patrick

Da Word... 217! Recognition

You know how some people instantly recognize when something is great and not to be missed while others fail to make that same realization? Ever wonder why that is? Is it because the latter is simply not paying attention to the subtle tell-tale hints? Or is the former just super adept at picking things up from the tiniest details? Hmmm....

Philip found Nathanael and told him, "We have found the one Moses wrote about in the Law, and about whom the prophets also wrote -- Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph"

- Philip (Luke 1:45)

In reading da word today, I came to Luke chapter 1. I noticed that as the first disciples were being called, it seemed each knew that my man J was the Messiah! Da Christ yo! But HOW in the world did they know? For a good portion of them, they just saw J and decided to immediately drop what they were doing and follow him. Seems absurd! But somehow they noticed something, and others of them knew that they knew our homie J was da Christ.

Peep the verse above. That is a MONSTROUS claim. Imagine being told all your life about some Messiah who is supposed to come and bring the ruckus. Imagine growing up where one of the "founding fathers" and downright PILLAR of your society spoke wrote about such a being. Oh and wait, don't forget all of the most respected and powerful members of that society also speak and write about this being. And suddenly your bro calls and is like, "Yo check this out! We've found the one Moses wrote about! And the prophets! The dude is here.... in da FLESH kid!" It would BLOW your mind and you would have to go check it out.

But how did these disciples recognize that J is da Christ, da Messiah? I don't know. But it begs the question, is it dependent on the state of mind of the individual? I'm sure it wasn't that hard to recognize that something was VERY different about this person called Jesus. I would venture to say that those who embraced that recognition were those who admitted to themselves that yes indeed, something about this person is different. They opened their minds up and didn't let themselves stand in the way of what was very obvious. It's when we ourselves don't want to accept a thing that we fail to recognize something great when it is staring us in the face. We've got some other agenda and we staunchly hold onto it despite the glaring obviousness of the thing in front of us. My friends, let's not allow our personal ambitions, vices, desires, and pride blind us from recognizing that which is great before us lest we miss out on beyond amazing realities. Word.

G-bless,

- patrick