1 Peter 4:7-11 rap

D-Train's latest rap: (each paragraph is a verse)

So as we draw near to the end of the age
Don’t think you can just sit back and disengage
He’s comin’ back soon, cause the end’s close at hand
So hey! Don’t go buildin’ your house down on the sand
Stay sober and alert; keep your wits about you
Even when you’re scorned, whipped, mocked, beaten, and lied to
It’s either black or white; there ain’t no gray
So keep your eyes wide open—better watch and pray

But above all things, even greater than before
Let your love abound, still more and more
Keep on lovin’ your neighbors, your fam, and your friends
Perfect love casts out fear, and hides a multitude of sins

Then in the midst of the comin’ disaster reality
Be kind to one another and offer hospitality
But do it out of love, don’t grumble or groan
He sees the small things you do, and He’ll make um’ known

Now all have gifts and talents that are different from each other
Yet you only have them so you can serve one another
Give out of your freedom with a smile on your face
So that you may be good stewards of His many-sided grace

Now when speakin’, let him speak the very words of the Lord
And let him serve with the strength not earned by a sword
So that God would get the glory through Yeshua and then
To Him be the glory and the power. Amen.

Please leave critiques and/or more creative title suggestions now.

Also—if you are a graphic designer/artist/good with pics, I need a logo with my rapper name (D-Train) if you feel so inclined and/or up to the challenge.

“I Just Can’t Wait To Meet The King!”

This is a parody of "I Just Can't Wait to Meet the King" from The Lion King. Except this time it's about forerunners preparing the earth for Jesus' second coming! You might want to listen to the real version first or while you read these lyrics, just to make sure the tune makes sense with the words.
Cause I mean, after all, He is a lion... and Simba did leave for a time and then come back...

KEY:
Simba's lines : John the Baptist—or just a forerunner student
Zazu's lines : Teacher
Chorus : Forerunner students & teachers


I'm gonna be a messenger, so Enemy beware!
I've never seen a generation quite like this before.
I'm gonna be a forerunner and hasten back the Lord.
I’m fasting now, I pray in tongues, I'm a warrior in prayer!
In this season to the Lord you must cling.
Oh, I just can't wait to meet the King!

When we sing the Word,
Inside my heart is stirred,
Lord use me, I cry,
Teach me to prophesy!
Gaze upon His beauty all day,
Go fourth and prepare the way!

As the river starts to run, your Bible is not a toy.
As His fire consumes my soul, no man can steal my joy!
If this is where the Spirit is, then this is where we’ll stay,
So eat the scroll and know His Word; you’ve got to watch and pray!
In just a little while the bells will ring,
Oh, I just can't wait to meet the King!

Everybody look left
Everybody look right
Everywhere you look His glory’s shining bright!
Now go!
Let every student see what is in store,
Don’t be content now, but contend for MORE!
Holy Spirit is not a one-time thing,
Oh, I just can't wait to meet the King!
Oh, we just can't wait to meet the King!
Oh, I just can't wait...
Just can't wait…
To meet the King!

Spiritual Violence rap (Matthew 11:12)

My first fully completed rap! Yay!

Verse 1:
So what’d you come out to see? And does it make sense?
A reed shaken by the wind or a man in soft garments?
A prophet? Yes, I say more than a prophet,
Behold, I send my messenger, and Satan can’t stop it.
For of those born of women there’s none greater you see,
But the least in the Kingdom is greater than he.
For all of the prophets prophesied until this man, John,
And if you’re willing to receive it, (he’s) the Elijah to come.
For as forerunners we have a mighty weapon,
It’s called gettin’ on our knees and makin’ intercession.
Together we cry out to the great I AM,
And in one voice we’re a corporate battering ram.
We the violent don’t rest, give the demons no peace,
We keep on runnin’ while we pray and don’t cease.
Puttin’ on the armor of God, we’re makin’ war on sin,
We be shutin’ doors that no man can open.

Chorus:
From the days of John the Baptist until now,
The Kingdom suffers violence and this is how:
Take the sword of the Spirit into battle and cry,
We be makin’ intercession ‘til He splits the sky.

Verse 2:
Being filled with Holy Spirit even from birth,
John was one of the happiest men walkin’ the earth.
After much prayer and fasting one can assume,
The only title he wanted was "Friend of the Bridegroom."
Comin’ out from the desert, he had a message to preach,
And sayin’ he was radical ain't a figure of speech.
While preparin’ the way, he called all men to rejoice,
John wasn’t just an echo, he was a voice.
While sent to bear witness to the light within,
He ate all the locusts and wore camel skin.
So different from all others livin’ in that day,
John’s source of joy came another way.
He came cryin’ out from the desert place,
"Prepare the way of the Lord" and seek His face.
Throughout his ministry, God’s drum he came drummin’,
People get ready, Jesus is comin’!

(Chorus)

Verse 3:
Jesus said we should pray and not lose heart,
Fightin’ distraction and fatigue, now that’s the hard part.
So we keep prayin’ in tongues, callin’ on that reservoir,
It’s speakin’ mysteries, but it’s not that bizarre.
So as we draw near to the end of the age,
God’s raisin’ up His prayer rooms, He’s settin’ the stage.
He’s got the whole thing planned, so have no fear,
He who has ears, let him hear!
As burning and shinning lamps in our generation,
We keep on contendin’ for revival in our nation.
We try to flee all sin, keep our bodies full of light,
In other words, livin’ now is truly a fight.
Though others might consider how we live an obscurity,
We’re called to pursue lives of holiness and purity.
While radically confrontin’ all that this world can scream,
We forerunners might as well be swimmin’ upstream.

(Chorus—2x)

Whattya think??

Flooding Waters

O how I love the sound of rain… to sit in a house with thin walls and listen to beads of water beat up against the windowpanes and walls of wood that separate me from the world. United with raging wind and pounding thunder, the sound of rain makes heart untroubled in peace. An oxymoron? By no means. Somewhere in the midst of the virulent storm I take a deep breath and everything troubling my mind seems to fade away.

What did Noah think of rain? As he sat in the ark and heard crashing waves for the first time, did he enjoy the thudding waters and claps of thunder although he had no language for it? Did he meditate on the peace of God? Did he watch in awe as rips of lighting raced across the sky? Did he feel his heart beating in his throat as the turbulent rapids struck against the boat, knowing all former life was now being stripped away? Did it make him forget the scoffing voices that were by then drowning in oceans which never before existed?

Rain breaks up the trepidation which once separated one from God. It consumes the insecurity that crept in unnoticed, leaving a vacant lot in your heart that only He can fill. It shatters the façade of deception which the soul has built since the last time the clouds burst. It causes one to let go.

Rain causes one to hope. I believe it’s the only act in nature that truly reflects the emotions and power of God. He weeps over the oppression of His people, so He sends healing rain. He changes the atmosphere. And oh what a day it will be when rain falls upon America again…

Then after the downpour has ceased and the morning rises, it’s suddenly spring. The ground is moist with dew and I take what will probably be the deepest breath for a long time. Silence meets serenity and for a moment I can breathe. I listen again. Birds. O how I love the sound of birds singing in the morning…  

Type A Disgusting Splatter

I cleaned my microwave today. Eww. Grunge work of the third degree.

As I was scrubbing I began pondering all the gore and atrocity involved in cleaning the kitchen and decided to voice my indispensable opinions concerning the three levels of what I like to call "Kitchgrimes," commonly known as kitchen cleaning jobs. In this post I hope to clarify myths and truths of kitchen grunge work and de-mystify the practice of Kitchgrimes to which we all are subject to in our daily lives.

First, if I may, I will bring to light the three degrees of Kitchgrimes. Both obscene and distasteful in nature, yet inevitably true. In order to fully conquer your kitchen, you must first gain knowledge of the three areas in which you are most likely to lose your sanity while making spotless your area for food preparation. They come in waves, or as stated more easily, types. Which can be recognized with numbers or letters. We shall illustrate using the latter.

Type C: The Floor. Aside of sweeping and moping the revolting tiles, one must also remember to cleanse the zone just below the cabinets. Inhabiting the area are scraps of raw noodles and ice cubes fallen from the fridge mixed with wads of dust and whatever bugs the Raid didn’t kill by the sink. Ugh. The boredom involved in watching paint dry would be more bearable than even this.

Type B: The Dishes. The heart of this Kitchgrime lies in the purging of all leftover food particles and condiments off of the family’s favorite mugs and dishware. Smudges of mustard and half-eaten fries fuse in a swirl as they are sucked down the garbage disposal never to be seen (or heard of) again. That is, of course, unless a spoon gets in the mix and later calls on your talents as a plumber to retrieve the long lost and nearly departed silverware. Grotesque, to say the least.

Type A: The Microwave. At last we reach my original task. As I gaze at the spots made by exploded spaghetti sauce, gobs of melted cheese, and egg batter slime, my stomach begins doing pirouettes. Yuck. I would rather eat Spam.

I wish there were some other nasty noise I could portray with words that I haven’t already used to paint a picture of the emotions one feels while cleaning the kitchen and experiencing these things which I have described. But alas, other than mimicking the sound of throwing up, (which I am not going to even attempt with letters) I have none. I suppose I’ll leave that to you. If you have anything to add to the gore involved in the cleaning of one’s kitchen, please let me know.

Happy Kitchgrimeing!