I remember the ‘good ole days’ (last 2-3 years) where at times I would act out with complete and blatant disregard for those around me. Even as a Christian there were times when I’d “pop off” at the mouth, or say what I felt because I was “justified”. Not much has changed since the beginning of time; there’s nothing new under the Sun (Ecclesiastes 1:9).
When I look at today’s youth (ages 11-22), I ponder over how much I have been graced to mature. Quicker to listen, slower to speak and much slower to get angry, although there are still several things I will not tolerate (James 1:19-22). Indeed I have been saved from the curse of giving into my own desires (of the flesh) and wanting to act any sort of way because I can…who should stop me?
The only way is to stop the music.
Oh great and vengeful God. The God of Wrath, the God of Mercy, the God of War & Peace. Be with us on this day as we test ourselves against your precepts, as we wrestle to become standardized by your laws and as we struggle to grow in becoming more like you. May we grasp the understanding of how our outward appearance really does reflect who we are inwardly. Let us not be fooled by the trickery and deceit so easily woven into the fabric of culture by the ‘Prince of the Air’. Bless us this day in revealing what we must change, cut off, and continue to operate in so that your will may be done. Amen.
I’ve never been one so arrogant as to think I had the right to talk down to folk who were less knowledgeable or needed my assistance. Throughout the course of this journey I began to understand that perception is important and even more significant is the fact that people understand your genuine authenticity when it is displayed.
For the duration of my time as a teaching assistant I created videos to blog about my interactions with students. This included the extremely bizarre all the way to complete and utter foolishness. What I realized during the makings of these videos was that God was constantly working on my heart to understand how people are and how they think. Whether it makes sense or not isn’t of any concern.
If you see (or have seen) the videos you may say that I went HAM over all of the things I had to deal with. Truth of the matter is I did nothing short of telling the truth; however, this idea of going HAM (Hard as A Mother***) was something that was officially introduced during my time as a TA. Also, during that time was the idea that being foolish was cool; at least the chorus would suggest such, “I’m so foolish…”
Stereotypically there was/is this idea of the angry black man (A.B.M). Some may have referred to it as some sort of syndrome or disease. I know what it’s like to have people respond in fear to how you’re acting. In many cases I may act a certain way in order to illicit a response. Back in the day I did it because it was cool to go HAM #trendy Now I can say that this isn’t the case, although every once in a while you may have to show your true colors. These situations are rare; few and far between.
In Genesis 9:20-27 we see one of Noah’s sons who attributed to the populating of the earth post-flood (and the first time rain had fallen on the earth) is cursed after originally being blessed by God. Ham wandered in and came upon his “father’s nakedness”, after Noah had become drunk (typically associated with going HAM). Scholars would suggest that Ham either sodomized his father or had sexual relations with Noah’s wife. Either way to be cursed by the man who brought you into this world is not something you easily overcome. Ham is the father of Canaan and…I’ll let you research what happened to the Canaanites.
#culturalContext
Aside: I’m urging Kanye to go back to school.
The cover of his 5th album was in essence him going ham before releasing the song HAM #Nakedness. H.A.M. is the first single off of Kanye West (Ye) and Jay Z’s (Ye’s big brother) collaboration album Watch the Throne. Notice the homepage for the site #lookFamiliar
From: watchthethrone.com
It could just be a plus sign…I don’t know; maybe it’s “positive” for something.
SN(Side Note): I had a conversation with my little brother last weekend and stated, “Most (secular) music from here on out will be garbage because there’s nothing else to talk about…they also are no longer able to hide what is now and has been in plain sight” #getYaSpectacles #quoteMeOnIt.
Some of the first comments I see on new music include: ‘Not what I expected’, ‘Not worth the money’ and my favorite ‘What happened?!’.
From: watchthethrone.com
There are no coincidences:
From: fearlessentertainment.com
SN2: Shouts out to my former Youth Pastor who talked about the “Music in You”. I wasn’t there for everything, but know that I didn’t forget.
The quick skinny:
- I used to go ham before it became a cliché, now I move in a different direction; guess I found my leeway #searchedAndrescued
- Everything happens for a reason
- Kanye’s anecdote that all he needs is “women” and religion is beyond tasteless in my mouth
It’s simple really. We all have this internal struggle for power and control of our lives. Think on these terms: self-control, self-esteem, self-help…do you see what the problem is?! They’re all centered around self and not Christ. It can be really easy to become full of the flesh (FoF) and go HAM on folks, but is that really how you want to mar your reputation? Allow Christ to change you from the inside out. You’ve got to bury this approach and line of thinking. At times when I go slightly “ham” it comes from within the deepest depth of my soul; a place where it is locked away with a key unless I choose to bring it out. It’s a choice, not a condition.
Read-Ephesians 2:1-10, Prince of the Air, The Devil in Depth, Leeway, Quick Laugh
- Know you really are doing more than just “jamming to beats”
- Expect to be affected by everything that you allow to surround you (Ears, eyes and mouth)
- Your outward persona is a reflection of your inner priorities
- Stay on God’s wavelength; it takes diligence but it’s worth it
- Even in listening to Christian Hip-Hop, the Preacher, or your friend who has been saved all of their life; dig in the Scriptures for ya self
Bob Ya’ Head #DoubleFeature
I Love Music (Trip Lee ft. Sho Baraka)
Real Life Music (Trip Lee)
