2008

Ok, so every year a friend and myself try to come up with a slogan right before each new year. It has to be something either descriptive of the past year or our ambition for the new year. And it also has to rhyme. That usually leaves it being corny. That being side its that time again and we've decided. Well, almost decided. Right now we're going with "Clean Slate in 08" (we stay corny with it). A close second was "Get it Straight in 08" but clean slate just fit better.

CLEAN SLATE IN 08

That goes for everything. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Looking foward, not behind, and doing the best with what we have. We're cleaning our plate of leftovers and crumbs to make space for what 2008 has to offer. Better yet, what God has on our plate for 2008. Major life decisions will be made this year and we're going to run with it.

For dogfight! that includes new website, new songs, new videos, and new shows already cooking in the kitchen!!!

I hope you take the time to ponder 2007, learn from your mistakes and move into 2008 with a Godly focus and excitement.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!

other good slogans that didnt make the cut:
Step up to the plate in 08
Don't be late in 08
No fake'n/hate'n in 08
Doing whatever it takes in 2008
No time to waste in 08.

Holy or Alternative?

In response to a blog by G Craig Lewis

Should I be offended by Mr Lewis' blog? Should I get defensive? Let's see: I do "Holy Hip Hop". check. I used to be in a Christian hip hop dance team. check. I've performed at a Christian club and will be back there sometime next month. check. I'm going to a Fall Festival at church tomorrow on Halloween. check. check. Ok so I have every right to be offended and defensive. Don't I? Well, I'm not. I actually agree with a lot of what he said.

Yes. We do need to be set apart. Holy. We should die to the old man and hate the things of this world. Not find less harmful alternatives to what the world offers. I agree. However, I think Mr. Lewis is fighting this battle on the wrong stage. This battle is fought and won in the Spiritual. Instead of fighting Holy Hip Hop or BET's Sunday Best, we need to focus on the hearts of men. Who cares if your music has a "crunk" bassline and you're two-stepping to it? I care more about their hearts, their Spirits. While readers of Mr. Lewis' blog might walk away wanting to stop listening to hip hop, stop watching BET, and stay home on halloween; they might be a little disappointed to find out that they can't. Gasp. God and God only can bring about that change in their hearts. And when God is done, it'll be beautiful. But let's not ridicule the works in progress.

What else? I know Christians get tired of hearing "Don't judge me" comments but read Romans 14's take on it. Here's just a couple of verses:

5One man considers one day more sacred than another; another man considers every day alike. Each one should be fully convinced in his own mind. 6He who regards one day as special, does so to the Lord. He who eats meat, eats to the Lord, for he gives thanks to God; and he who abstains, does so to the Lord and gives thanks to God.

The whole chapter has a lot to say about this. Like Lewis says, read it. Its very similar to these issues.

Bottom line is this though. We are supposed to be Holy like God is Holy. Set apart. But God is Spirit. Now how does that translate into the physical?

SPOKEN WORD

ok, i shouldnt grow weary doing good
but i'll be lying if i said everything i did was good
I know you understand but I dont think they would
if they only knew the truth, my enemies could fill up lakewood
church,
ugh, sometimes they the most difficult
put you on a pedastle, then throw you underneath the bus
just because you cussed, or you made them look bad
whoever said I was good, we never should brag
but we do, cuz we think we have conquered these things
and we can stand, on our own, oh the trouble we bring
So once a week we put on our best suits,
to cover the pain but does that really impress You?
are we doing you any good, tellin the world "look at me
I got saved, then got paid, and i am always happy
and i never make mistakes, and i'm never gonna break
and i'm never gonna wanna see you every living bone ache"
its so crazy man!
how people want you to be friendly but dont wanna be your friend
its a crazy trend
Till we grow in Your Grace this insane cycle will never end


Some of my favorites:
inertia justice:


Amena Brown




and more Amena

Music

I was part of a discussion on the message boards at www.dasouth.com/forum involving the purpose of music. The discussion led us to analyze a popular song by Kirk Franklin and special guests. This also led to a discussion about secular artists singing Christian music.

Does God Exist? The Face-off on ABC Nightline

On one side, the atheists: Brian Sapient and Kelly (no last name?). On the other side, the Christians: Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort. The atheists are from the Rational Response Squad; and the Christians are from The Way of the Master. Great Debate. I'll wait until the end to tell you who I think won.



The debate was in response to a piece Nightline did on RRS' blasphemy challenge. I had heard about the blasphemy challenge but didnt realize ABC actually covered it. This does make me sad. First, it seems they dont know what "blaspheme" means. It is not to deny the existence of; it is to speak evil or reproachfully about something . Do your homework guys. Its still sad that they are leading all these people to commit what they believe to be an unforgiveable sin. The text on their website says:

"You may damn yourself to Hell however you would like, but somewhere in your video you must say this phrase: "I deny the Holy Spirit."

To top it off, whoever takes the challenge gets a free DVD. I'm not sure what they hope to accomplish with this challenge but lets get on to the debate itself.

The debate was Ray and Kirk's claim that they could show that the existence of God can be proven, 100 percent, absolutely, without the use of faith. I watched both online and on TV; and I thought the TV version was actually fair. The host, Martin Bashir, seemed to lean towards the atheists. However, he seemed a little more fair on the TV version. In fact, online, it seemed it was the whole world against Ray and Kirk and they stood their ground.



Comfort started off and eventually did mention the Bible in his opening arguments. Brian was quick to point that out in his rebuttal. They tried to shoot down every single one of Ray's points and to be honest it wasnt that hard. The atheists had strong rebuttals and were very prepared. I was a little disappointed in the Christians and felt they could have done a better job, but by the time Kirk got the chance to speak, i figured it all out. I dont think Ray and Kirk were there to win the debate. They were there to share the Truth of Jesus Christ. While the atheists were using sarcasm trying to mock them, they were sharing the gospel to millions of people online and on network TV. Genius! Like Kirk said, viewers would get the opportunity to choose for themselves. Either to have faith in the big bang, or to have faith in a Creater God. I choose the Creator God.

If you missed the debate, check it out here:
http://abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=3156022

I'm an uncle...again. Plus Mutemath

So I got the news yesterday that my sister safely delivered her first baby, a boy. Woohoo! I would tell you how much he weighs but I don't remember. Isn't that sad? Nah. I remember the gender that's gotta be good for something. For those keeping track, that's the 2nd niece/nephew in as many weeks (different sister). And once again, it looks like I'm losing the bid to get her to name him after me. At least she's not asking for money like my other sister did. I mean, what can a brother do to raise an army of Topettes. And don't tell me get my own kids. Lets be realistic here.

Enough about me. Well that's not really possible but we'll act like it is. I went to see Mutemath this past Sunday. Great show (thanks Sketch). So much impressed me about this band especially the drummer, Darren King. Dude killed it. Totally killed it; the drumset and the mic stand. Take it from another drummer, kid is that good.



It was obvious these guys put in a lot of work into their live performance; complete with synchronized fluorescent lights in the background and a guy playing the bass (not bass guitar). Great set altogether, I def got my money's worth. Check them out if you can, or catch their really cool video (www.mutemath.com). They are one of the hottest bands right now. No lie.

Couple of interesting notes about the show; this was my first experience in a club where I wasn't performing. Felt a little weird in the beginning but it was cool. I still dont see myself making a habit out of this.

It was an awesome feeling hearing the crowd sing "Its such a beautiful surrender" amidst the cigarette smoke and heavy alcohol.

CONTROL by MuteMath

Take control of the atmosphere
Take me far away from here
There is no better loss than to lose myself in you
In a parachute to glide, I am captive in your sky
Surrender has somehow become so beautiful

Take control of the atmosphere
Take control of the atmosphere
You can take my world you can fill the air
Take control, take controlIt's such a beautiful surrender

It's such a beautiful surrender
It's such a beautiful surrender
It's such a beautiful surrender

Move me up through the darkest clouds
Till I've lost in the sun every shadow of doubt
There is no better find than to find myself with you
In a fog you are all I see I'm inviting you closer with each time I breathe
Surrender has somehow become so beautiful

Take control of the atmosphere
Take control of the atmosphere
There is no reason I should breathe unless you're in the air
Take control

Its such a beautiful surrender
Its such a beautiful surrender
And I'm calling outwould you take control
And I'm calling out

The introduction...

I thought about taking time to introduce myself but I changed my mind as it would take too long. Well I guess I could mention the essentials or better yet the multiple personalities.

There's that guy that is totally in love with Jesus. He wishes everything he says and does pleases His Savior. He can't stand it when he messes up, which is quite often. He is actively involved at his church, Braeswood Assembly of God (http://www.braeswoodchurch.org), especially with the Singles Ministry. Dude co-teaches one of the dopest classes ever.

Then there's the musician. Dude plays the saxophone, the drums, and occasionally the keyboard/piano. He also rocks the mic as dogfight!(www.myspace.com/dogfightmusic). As a fan, dude loves most genres of music, mostly inspirational. From British rockers, delirious? to the late Rich Mullins; from POD to Tye Tribett; from the Cross Movement to LA Symphony. We could go on for days about this.

We can't forget the geeky software developer,

or the wanna-be long distance runner.

And there's more. Believe me.