IT'S LIKE PUTTING GOD IN A BOX

While hanging out in one of our christian music community, i found this post by a member called "Stofer" its really uplifting and i thought i should share it

He said "recently i have specifically sought out a diverse cross-section of artists to review my tracks for me...i have asked not only rappers but artists of all genres...not just believers but people who are actively anti-religious...the most amazing responses ive gotten are not from other Christian rappers, but from people who ordinarily would not give our chosen music style a second's thought...rock-n-roll singers have told me that they dont listen to rap because of the negative images that it portrays, but i have gotten supportive comments based on the positive message portrayed through a stereotypically sin-filled genre...and people who have openly admitted a hatred or distrust of anything faith-related have acknowledged the inviting (not condemning) nature of this Christian rap...i think people have a tendency to have tunnel vision when it comes to the scope of so-called holy hip-hop...i have been guilty of narrowing the audience to fellow believers and fellow hip-hop heads...this is kind of like putting God in a box, though, and if theres one thing ive learned since my rebirth as a Christ follower, its that He is capable of using our puny efforts to accomplish unfathomable results...i believe this niche industry can lead to enlightenment across the spectrum...this is not just music for any of us...this is an active ministry to share the love of God through the outlet He has blessed us enough to be involved in...i honestly expected hostility from listeners...people who think its not rap cuz its Christian, or not Christian cuz its rap...but that has not been the case at all so far...i think the Almighty will use what we offer for His glory to minister to the exact audience He has created us to reach..."
This is so profound as HOLY HIPHOPPERS we should be bold and take our message out there where it is needed not just in the church and see how God can increase Us. He is already there waiting for YOU and I.
have a bliss day
source http://www.christianrapandhiphop.com/profile/stofer

Should Christians Get Tattoos?

Christians getting tattoos is a timely and controversial
topic. Google this issue, and you'll see opinions varying from "Go for
it!" to "You'll go to hell for it." Many Christians have grappled with
the tattoo question.

What does the Bible say?

Ink opponents typically ignore the verse that says God "inscribed" a picture of his people on his palms (Isaiah 49:16, NASB; the Amplified Bible says "tattooed"), and instead ominously quote
another Old Testament verse: "You shall not make any cuts on your body
for the dead or tattoo yourselves: I am the Lord" (Leviticus 19:28,
ESV). Understanding the context of the Leviticus verse, however, is
imperative.

God gave this command to the Israelites around 1444 B.C. (right after the parting of the Red Sea) to forbid them from practicing the idolatrous customs they'd picked up in Egyptian captivity. Their
captors had a nasty habit of slashing themselves to express grief and to
appease their pantheon of imaginary gods. The Egyptians also tattooed
their bodies with symbols of pagan gods. So Jehovah, the only true God,
essentially said to the Israelites, I don't want you to practice those
silly superstitions anymore. You're my people, and I love you. The heart
of God's message isn't about body art, but about reminding the
Israelites they belong to him.

The great news of the gospel is that Old Testament law no longer binds Christians. Avoiding tattoo parlors or Red Lobster doesn't make you righteous—Jesus' death and resurrection do! While you need to remember
your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit (1 Corinthians 3:16;
2
Corinthians 6:16),

How does this affect me?

Before you get the tattoo, journal through Psalm 139 to remind yourself God thinks you're beautiful with or without embellishments. And remember, the butterfly you get now will likely
resemble an amorphous blob when your skin succumbs to the stretches and
wrinkles of age.

Most important, consider your motives for getting tattooed. Certainly some people do so to rebel against authority; if that's your reason, remember all things are permissible,
but not all things are beneficial (1 Corinthians 10:23).
Still, other people get tattoos for positive and deeply spiritual
reasons. I recently went on a mission trip with a young man who had the
story of the Crucifixion tattooed on his arm. He told me the tattoo was a
great catalyst for dialogue with teenagers turned off by conservative
church culture.

In the end, don't worry too much about how you decorate your exterior as long as you devote your interior to Christ.

What Is The Gospel?

What is the Gospel?
In the simplest terms, the Gospel is the redemptive message of Jesus Christ and Him crucified. It is the chronicle of his life, death, and resurrection in order set mankind free from the power of sin and death. To be a Christian means to believe that he is, in fact, the Savior foretold in the Old Testament of the Bible and that he died for the sins of all mankind. In his death, he paid the penalty for all sin. In his resurrection, he forever conquered death. As a result, his sacrifice makes the gift of salvation and eternal life available to every believer. Following is an overview of the Gospel, what it means to be a Christian, and how to become one.

to be continued...