Hip hop Devotions

Hanging out in the blogosphere so much, there are those great times that you stumble upon an unforgettable blog. This blog is called Hip hop devotions , intrigued by the title – I pounced on the blog, expecting a blog that glorifies and edifies hip hop as a music genre. Surprisingly it uses hip hop as a medium to glorify Christ — which I think is nothing short of revolutionary. Check out this hip hop snippet which entertained and (more importantly) inspired me. Art is not an end in itself, but god gives it as a gift so that we can fulfill our purpose – to glorify Him in everything we do. Check out this video I found on the blog:

The blog republishes a scripture, posts a short reaction and a related hip hop video. Christian artists, get inspired and learn! 🙂 Here is a scripture that I saw on this blog post:

Love Love Love Love So Lovely…

There’s more to sex than mere skin on skin.

Sex is as much spiritual mystery as physical fact.

As written in Scripture, “The two become one.”

Since we want to become spiritually one with the Master,

we must not pursue the kind of sex that avoids commitment

and intimacy, leaving us more lonely than ever—

the kind of sex that can never “become one.”

There is a sense in which sexual sins are different from all others.

In sexual sin we violate the sacredness of our own bodies,

these bodies that were made for God-given and God-modeled love,

for “becoming one” with another. Or didn’t you realize that your body

is a sacred place, the place of the Holy Spirit?

Don’t you see that you can’t live however you please,

squandering what God paid such a high price for?

The physical part of you is not some piece of property

belonging to the spiritual part of you.

God owns the whole works.

So let people see God in

and through your body.

1 Cor 6:16

Wanna see the scripture the hip hop way?

Praise God for the wonderful works he does through creative people.

Long Time, Time to See.

Hey all, it’s been a while since a post has straggled down this path.  To our two and a half readers, please pardon us.  Life is busy, but should never be too busy to share a good word or even better, THE good word.

You know, for a while now most of the messages shared with us by our own Pastor Matthew and of guest speakers has been about ours (yours, mine, his, hers) purpose; that is to say, the plan for our lives that God has for us if we pursue His will, and with it a sure path to changing this world for the better; for our own good; for the good of others; and for His glory.  It’s hard to figure out what that’s gonna look like for ourselves.  But, what’s great is that it does not have to be patterned after someone else.  God’s imaginative enough to create a unique yet equally powerful plan for every single one of our lives.

Enchantment by Marc Chagall

I was perusing the internet and, of course, Google came into play (what was life like before Google? Does anyone remember?).  I love the little colorful way they decorate their signage commemorating holidays or even artists’ birthdays, like our painter-friend, dear Marc Chagall, born 7.7.1887.  (good numbers, huh? three 7’s.)

Contrary to popular sentiment regarding the somber source of truly influential art, Chagall’s work celebrated blessings and with vibrant color he relayed his optimism as “an observer of the world through a stained glass window.”  And was even criticised for taking such a sunny stance.  How dare you be a talented artist…and be content!!?

The ChaGall.

La Mariée by Marc Chagall

Anyway, I just thought he’d be a great known artist to share.  He bucks the tortured trend.  He’s good at what he does.  And, through his “uncategorizable” style of art he shared with us his unabashed embrace of his Jewish culture and beliefs. 

That takes guts.

God bless you, sir.

Artist: Marc Chagall

White Crucifixion by Marc Chagall

 

Artist info gathered from Wikipedia.com

in AAW? ArT AtTacK Weekend 5/30-6/01.

G.i.g.a.t.t. In Action (on YouTube)!

Ladies and Gentlemen (echo, echo, echo).  We now present to you…the Gigatt Small Group!!!  Enjoy this short video.

Also find this video and more pictures on our FACEBOOK profile.

When in Doubt, Link.

Hey everyone!  We’re gearing up for our next Art AtTacK Weekend (May2-May4)!  So, I’m sorry there’s been no original content for a minute…but why stop that trend, now?

Here’s a couple of interesting links that a friend sent me, and now to you:

http://ignitedchurch.com/

http://www.ustream.tv/channel/great-florida-healing-revival (live footage of the revival going on)

Art AtTacK is on this Fri-Sun. May2-May4 in the Angelus Temple Family Center, 1120 Glendale Blvd., LACa 90026.  Our first event, Open Mic, starts at 7p on Fri.

Hey guys, break out the Kleenox. And, the same for you ladies.

*Amazing short films: (1) a live-action drama “The Bridge” and (2) an animated dramatization, “Everyday Life”

I know we complain about the high cheese factor of alot of Christian entertainment, but these pieces are two very diverse examples of how the message of Jesus Christ can be both heartfelt and presented skillfully and succinctly. 

Share Christ-based work that’s touched you.  If you have an example of well-composed, and mostly unknown work that you’d like to share (whether visual or audio), post a comment!

*films found on www.GodTube.com.

Seeds for a Purpose — Don’t Quit While You’re Ahead

I was back in SNR after a long SNS – Saturday Night Slumber. I was with Frederick, my brother, indecisive over going to SNR or taking my brother out to town. I didn’t want him to feel that I was saturating him with church, yet I was happy that he was enjoying it so much. He even asked me if there was a dream center in Pennsylvannia! The charm of the dream center is like a fast oncoming train — it hits you and runs over you hard. But because Christ is in it, you rise again. I felt a tug in my heart. I could not bear to be right next to Angelus Temple and not go. I had been “robbed” way too many times of this awesome weekend night service.

SNR – April 5 was about seeds. Seeds and Purpose.

Matthew 17:20
“I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for you.”

Pastor Brad Reed carries a container of sunflower seeds challenges the audience. Jesus does not use “seed” accidentally, because it is a pretty metaphor, or because he decided to be eco-friendly or reach out to the gardener market. Faith is akin to a seed because it is supposed to grow.

1 Peter 2:2
Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your salvation.

We don’t get salvation like we get a precious diamond that is too expensive to use, locked away in a safe. We get saved, and then we grow, we mature, and we bear fruit. It was emphasized in the sermon that seeds are planted not to remain in the ground, but to be transferred to another pot and another pot. And finally, the tree can be planted on the ground. “The seed must be cracked to get the life out of it.”

The saddest part is that a lot of people pull out of the ground before the harvest. Stop crawling to the end of the tunnel just short of the light. Stop running the marathon 0.2 miles away shy of the finish line. Pastor Brad said emphatically — “if you don’t finish the marathon, you don’t get any credit!” This is perhaps the most poignant part of Pastor Brad’s sermon – at least for me — because his words hit home. I had gotten out of my comfort zone, stepped up to serve God, yet was giving the doubting and fearful voices in my head more attention than I should. I went through the motions of serving God, hanging by a thin thread.

It’s time to stop running away, and it’s time to face His hands. The hands that will take me gently from my pot and start planting me on the ground. Success, getting there, reaching a goal, scares more people than we realize. Sometimes the finish line is just as scary as the starting line. More than sometimes, we start more races than we finish. The race of our Christian life is a race that’s not negotiable in God’s eyes. We must long for his “well done, good and faithful servant,” the same way that a little girl longs for her mother’s approving smile. Contrary to the popular saying — “Don’t quit while you’re ahead.”

If a seed does not later on produce fruit — it does not fulfill its purpose. If salt loses its saltiness, and light is hidden……

Matthew 5:14-16

14“You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. 15Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. 16In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”

We are seeds meant to bear fruit. Salt meant to be salty. Light meant to shine. Go, fulfill your purpose.

Art ATtaCk! April Edition ’08. Fri.-Sun. 4/4-4/6

Whew! It’s busy on the blog, huh?!  Here’s some more…ART ATTACK WEEKEND in LOS ANGELES, baby!  Be there, or be hexagon.

EVENTS!

Fri. 4/4. 6:30p-7:30p. Terrace Cafe.  Hitcliff, our resident DC Dancer, may be offering Ballroom Dancing for us laymen and ladies.  The class is a big MAYBE, but if you’re around you might just check-in a little before/during that time and see what’s up; then follow your lesson up with our “Open Mic” nite at 8pm.  Same place. Same nite.

Location: 626 Coronado Terrace, Los Angeles, CA, 90026. (213) 273-7075

This Fri- Sat. April 4-6th. is our monthly Art Attack weekend.  Here’re this month’s details, with one big change…

Fri. 8p-9p. Terrace Cafe– Open Mic. Music, dance, spoken word…fun! (If you have a short video to share, bring that, too! We’re gonna try to get the flat screen to cooperate with us this time…anyone know how to bribe a t.v.?  Just askin…)    

Location: 626 Coronado Terrace, Los Angeles, CA, 90026. (213) 273-7075

Friday l8 nyt art: Chalk-Alot is on hold this month, guys.  Why?  Read Sunday’s blurb.  But, our “Friday l8 nyt art” will return next month, and should remain rocksteady from that point on. Will keep you posted.

Sat. 3p-6:45p. Family Center Kitchen/Main Room – Creative Cookies  Cupcakes!  Just say, “Yum”.

Sun.

• 12noonish-1:30p. Art in Echo Park. 
• 2p-6p. Public Mural in Skid Row.  This is our community visual art, guys!

Come to Art in Echo Park or meet us there.  We leave for the mural @ 2:30p and will figure out carpooling with whoever’s there. 

The organization commissioning these community murals wants that block of Skid Row to be a light in a dark place.  So, we get a wonderful opportunity to be a blessing, touch lives we may never meet and be a part of something bigger than ourselves.  Join in! Bring clothes you can get messy in. 

So, yeah! Come out and exercise your right brain. Creativity is ageless, so there are no bones to break or tendons to strain.

I’m on a leash

“I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

This verse is so common to most Christians, that sometimes we lose touch of what it means. Never means never. As in not a single time. But sometimes we think if we’re not good enough, if we don’t pray enough, if there’s way too much going on…sometimes we think that he will leave. We’ve been stained by the way of the world — the an eye for an eye system, the i’ll scratch your back if you scratch mine system. The different thing about God is that he loved us first, and nothing we can do can ever change that. He gave his life for the forgiveness of our sins, and all he asks in return is for us to believe.

Sometimes, like a dog on a stretchable leash, I wander far from the Father, wrongfully thinking that I can do it on my own, my own way. But, no one can snatch me from his hand. God is pretty territorial about his property. If you let him, you can be his. We can be indian givers at times — taking back what we Christians have already reliniquished to God — our lives. We unwittingly kick him out the thrones of our lives and try to govern our own lives. Since we are by nature imperfect, this is bound to fail. The good news is you can’t go very far before God pokes you and tugs at your leash softly. Come back, he beckons. You’re going the wrong way. A great Sunday sermon bring us back. A friend gives us a call to check up. Out of the blue, someone offers prayer. If you open your eyes and ears, he is trying to get your attention.

A statement from the pastor at Angelus Temple last Thursday stuck with me.

“Loneliness is just a call from God for greater intimacy with Him.”

Let us seek him with all our heart in times of doubt and not stray away. He never left. He is softly prodding is to go back.

Back from slumber

Hey dreamweavers! I haven’t posted in a long time due to some avoidable and unavoidable circumstances. God has sent me a new macbook to inspire me to post again.:) I’m fast becoming a mac geek — well I have an excuse to spend so much time on the computer, I work in web marketing. 🙂 I’d like to congratulate Gigatt because our blog is now a PR 3! Wait, what’s a PR 3? We’re pagerank 3 now according to google — they rank as us 3 out of 10 in website importance. It just feels good, period. A lot of work is done to make that happen. I’d like to make it clear that Google, contrary to what most people think is not god — Jesus is Lord! All the time!

Gigatt has certainly come a long way since its conception. We’ve had good times and more good times. I even have a picture to prove it.:)  Just the lemons on the glasses of water is great proof  that we’re broke, but happy. (Wait, that sounds a little bit like Alanis Morisette).  Kidding aside, we were actually pretty blessed that night, that was the celebration of my and Lori’s birthday — we had a great chinese dinner. Awesome mongolian beef!

Readers, surfers, members, please feel free to leave comments. We’d love to have you.