5% Nation
(n) A group which started as an offshoot of the NoI. They teach that any large group of people, and more specifically, the African American nation, can be divided into three groups, the 85% = basically the ignorant masses which need to be led, the 5% = the people with true knowledge of self whose job it is to lead the masses and fight against the 10%, the 10% = people who have partial knowledge of self and use it to gain power and wealth by exploiting the 85, also referred to as "bloodsuckers of the poor". The chosen percentages are what they feel that the percentages are within the black community. These numbers are neither universal (all though these groups do exist within any large group) nor unchangeable.
I know this is a familiar hymn, but take the time to read through it slowly again. Use it to spend some time basking in the warm, bright light of God's grace.
Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what You are;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Your loving heart.
You have bid me gaze upon You,
And Your beauty fills my soul,
For by Your transforming power,
You have made me whole.
Jesus, I am resting, resting,
In the joy of what You are;
I am finding out the greatness
Of Your loving heart.
O, how great Your loving kindness,
Vaster, broader than the sea!
O, how marvelous Your goodness,
Lavished all on me!
Yes, I rest in You, Beloved,
Know what wealth of grace is Yours,
Know Your certainty of promise,
And have made it mine.
Simply trusting You, Lord Jesus,
I behold You as You are,
And Your love, so pure, so changeless,
Satisfies my heart;
Satisfies its deepest longings,
Meets, supplies its every need,
Surrounds me round with blessings:
Yours is love indeed!
Always lift Your face upon me
As I work and wait for You;
Resting 'neath Your smile, Lord Jesus,
Earth's dark shadows flee.
Brightness of my Father's glory,
Sunshine of my Father's face,
Keep me ever trusting, resting,
Fill me with Your grace.
I'm starting a Hip-Hop Dictionary here at nochapelbells.com. You might think that I'm doing this because I like hip-hop music or because I'm rebellious or because I like peanut butter--but you would be wrong on all those counts. In fact I even have deeper reasons than simple humor and pure novelty. Here are the purposes for my dictionary:
1. Understand that there are foreign cultures in your back yard. The hip-hop culture isn't even transplanted from a foreign country, like a lot of the cultures in the U.S. are. The hip-hop culture is an American phenomenon. Doesn't being totally ignorant of an entire wedge of American culture bug you? Just a little?
2. Cross-cultural experiences are funny. I've accidentally prayed for God to help us in our sins in Spanish. I've eaten cows stomach without knowing it. The list of great missionary faux pas is an endless source of sermon illustrations. What could be funnier than super-white people trying use hip-hop lingo?
3. Spice up your vocabulary and impress your friends with how "hip" or "fly" you really are.
A few caveats are in order here as well. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Don't try to use the words around some one who actually listens to hip-hop, unless you're trying to make fun of yourself. And understand that this dictionary is only an attempt to bring you a little closer to the modern world. A lot of the words I post will probably be a least a couple of years old, which I figure is a little better than where you started.
Two policies about the hip-hop dictionary. First, I won't be sending an email around every time I post new word. You just have to put me on your favorites and stop by at least 6 times a day. Second, we all know how boring dry, academic hip-hop education can be. So you have to put your knowledge into practice. So when you read a word's definition, you have to post a comment using that word in sentence. It's the only way you'll learn!
(This edition of the hip-hop dictionary is dedicated to Brett Ingalls--hip-hop extraordinaire and lover of the word "booya")
boo-yaa
1) (n) Totally dope, incredibly fine. Probably orignated from the "Boo-yaa Tribe".
2) (n) Impression of the sound of a shotgun, also "boo-yaaka". "Shotgun goes boo-ya"
3) (n) Marijuana, probably derived from Buddha.
4) (n) Crack, probably related from the fact that smoking crack is sort of equivalent to putting a shotgun to your head and pulling the trigger.
It's time for your visit. You promised the nice, old lady at the nursing home that you'd visit her today. Thoughts about your day fill your mind as you drive down to the home. You sign in at the receptionist's desk and return her fake smile with one of your own. You've done this a million times before. The visit is normal. It's the same liturgy: weather, health, family, and miscellaneous. Then its time to go, your watch tells you so. The goodbye is the worst part, it's so awkward. You're trying to say goodbye and apologize for not staying longer at the same time. You don't want to hurt her feelings. She is a nice, old lady. A feeling of sweet relief (something like satisfaction) sweeps over you as you head back into the real world. You've done a good thing, you feel better. After all, you promised her you'd come.
It's almost time. In two more minutes, you'll be with her. You're visiting your lover today. Your mind has already been through your last visit six times as you start thinking about what this time will be like. The door opens, and you see her. Your heart makes a tiny jump and your mouth wants to say ten things at once. You get alone with her as simple, satisfying pleasure erodes the idea of time. Laughter, whispers, looks, and tears mark the spectrum of human emotions as the hours go by. Only unavoidable, absolute necessity brings the sweetness to a close. And the goodbye is the worst part. Not because it's awkward, but because it's awful--you don't want to go. As soon as you leave her, you're already thinking about when you'll be with her again.
Is your time with God a dutiful visit or spending time with your lover? The difference is where you believe pleasure will be found. You don't anticipate, relish, or linger in self-imposed duty like you do indescribable joy. Is God the simple receiver of your religious activity or the place where every one of your cravings can be satisfied?
The fifteen minute visit of duty is the wicked lie of unbelief. Set your alarm clock early tomorrow morning, your Lover is waiting.
I can't juggle. One time someone gave me a book on juggling that came with little, cloth juggling balls. I think I read part of the book but I found out that those little cloth balls were perfect for throwing at your siblings.
No one ever told me that life is juggling act. (My parents probably did but I didn't listen) Responsibilities, jobs, relationships, classes, the unknown--all too big to fit into my tiny hands and falling to quickly for my little brain to orchestrate. But by God's grace we all juggle them.
Juggling can be tense at times. But God never gives me more than I can do at a time. And why can't juggling be just as fun throwing stuff at your siblings? Juggling life is only scary when I try to do it on my own or when I try to do it to impress God.
Here are some of the big things God's put in my life to juggle right now: Fiancé Sarah and I have picked a wedding date!! After much prayer, we believe that God wants us to begin our lives together August 6th, 2005. We are enjoying planning the wedding and hope to see a lot of you there. (I obviously could spend a lot more time here, but I'll spare you the gushiness) Hebrew People ask me how Hebrew is going. Hebrew is cool. What other language exists for thousands of years without vowels? How long would you last without vowels? As for how I'm doing with learning Hebrew, let's just say I have the sinking feeling of a helpless step-child when his father is coming up the stairs to beat him after a long night of drinking. Job I throw trash into trucks for a living. This is great exercise and an incredible body-building technique. I'm scheduled to be on Oprah the end of this month to promote my book, "Exercise is Trash." Seriously, I'm really enjoying getting away from my 12 grad credits and spending time being outside, away from the books. Teaching Children's Church This past week I wanted to make sure that my 1st to 3rd graders understood the song we were singing, "Grace is Flowing" I asked, "What does it mean that ‘grace is flowing like a river'?" I really didn't expect anyone to know and was getting ready to explain, but one little girl shot her hand up knowingly as soon as the question was out of my mouth. "Yes?" I said. "Jellybeans?" she said as if she was almost certain. Something tells me I really did need to explain that song. I love teaching the kids. The material we use is God-centered, theologically rich lessons that are simplified for children. The Lord has used the material a lot in my life as I prepared it. Last week we learned about not worrying.
These are just of few of the things going on in my life. God's helping me with them all. Anybody care to share your juggling act?
