LaRosa Johnson {dot} com

Well, it’s 10:53pm and I have a slight headache. It’s not because I had a bad day though, it was a great day; as good a Christmas as could have been had with my family. Robin & I got out of bed around 7:30 am and woke the little one’s up (Ryan was already awake). We watched the little ones open their gifts in wonderment and surprise, excited with each new box they got to unwrap. Ryan was particularly excited to get his PSP (courtesy of Grandma Rosie & Papa Reese) and Madden NFL 09 to go along with it.

Robin mostly got gift cards & cash for gifts (minus the gifts I got her, and a few items of clothing); she was excited about that, knowing that she can go to the stores and get exactly what she wants. As for me, my gift from Robin was Vintage Hughes, a collection of poems & writings from Langston Hughes, my favorite poet. He was one of the reasons that I enjoyed poetry so much when I was younger; maybe reading this collection will help spark that flame again. My parents and in-laws got me clothes this year. My in-laws got me a shirt, tie & pants from the Men’s Wearhouse (with alterations included); and, my parents got me a suit, a shirt, tie & pants, and a casual outfit. I was glad to see those gifts. It’s been forever since I’ve owned a suit, and my wedding suit is too dressy to wear casually (if it even fits, as that was probably about 30+ pounds ago LOL). Either way, this is a great time to be receiving these gifts. With my training as a pastor, I know that I’m going to have to start preaching more, even at other churches, which is going to require me to dress up and/or wear a suit. So, it’ll be good to have those ready whenever the time comes.

After the morning festivities, the rest of the day was pretty much business as usual. I showed Ryan how to work his PSP and how to play & save his games. Then I setup all the play sets (the Bat Cave for Ramiah & a doll house for Leila) and other toys so that they could spend the rest of the day playing. It was fun to watch them play with their new toys, except for the (many) times where they were fighting because they didn’t want the other siblings to play with or even touch their new stuff. That’s really nothing new around these parts, but it’s always multiplied when new items are thrown into the mix.

Outside of that and Robin throwing down on a delicious dinner meal, the day was very laid back & relaxing. It was as pleasant and as warm (literally) a Christmas as we could’ve imagined. I really think that everyone enjoyed themselves, especially the kids. But now it’s time to rest and see if I can get rid of this headache as I put my feet up & listen to some Eric Darius on the sax.

Over the past few days I’ve engulfed myself in the study of Paul’s first epistle to the Thessalonians (aka 1st Thessalonians). When I first started, a lot of my study was spent reading the epistle in full, and re-reading it over & over again so that I could have a good feel for the layout of the letter and what it’s all about. I’ve also been gathering a lot of background information on the period, the people, and so on. So far, I’ve gathered quite a bit of interesting information and it’s been a fruitful study. I’ve read outlines and overviews, developed my own outline (at least very basic & skeleton in form), and now I’m finally to the point of digging into the verse by verse study.

Tonight, I spent a few hours studying 1 Thessalonians 1:1 and I’m surprised at the wealth of information that I’ve found in preparing the detailed outline for the opening greeting. In all the work I put in tonight, I didn’t get any further than "Paul, Silvanus and Timothy." In studying this part of the verse I was able to put together a six point outline, with sub points underneath most of the main points. One of the more interesting points that I found is that 1st & 2nd Thessalonians are the only two Pauline epistles that don’t contain any kind of personal elaboration such as "Paul, a bond-servant of Christ Jesus." And that’s just one of the things that I was able to discover in my studies. What’s more, what I’m finding in the rest of the verse is just as exciting. There’s even a text criticism issue at the end of the verse!

All of this really has me excited! When I first looked at this epistle, I thought it was a pretty simple book, especially the first three chapters; but, now that I’m studying it in-depth, it’s renewing my passion for studying the Word all over again. I wonder how I’ll get any work done, given that I spent three hours studying the names of the senders. Hopefully I’ll be able to get the first chapter outlined and finished by the end of the year so that I can get it to my pastor for review and to be ready to teach it at Austin Bible Church when my time comes. Plus, I need to be ready to teach it here come the beginning of the year.

I’m looking forward to diving back into this text tomorrow night! Until then, grace & peace!

Now that I’m done with the "Read.Pray.Worship.Live." series, I’ve been thinking about what to study next. I felt that the previous study was important because the basics are always needed, for new and seasoned believers alike. From there, I wanted to take it to the next logical step, but I really didn’t know where to go. So, I’ve been praying and surveying things at Trailblazin Ministries, and I’ve finally decided what my next major Bible study is going to be. I’m going to pursue a study on spiritual gifts.

Why spiritual gifts? Well, after surveying things on the website, I felt that this is an appropriate doctrinal study to undertake. There has been a lot of discussion on spiritual gifts on the message board, as well as a seeming misunderstanding between gifts, talents, and ministries, and so on. With that in mind, I also feel that after learning the basics it’s important for a believer to find out what their spiritual gift is so that they can begin employing it for spiritual service. So, taken together, it was quite obvious that this is the next study that I needed to do.

There are a few things I plan to cover over the course of this study, which will happen in several parts. Some of the things I’ll cover will include: the origin of spiritual gifts, a definition of all twenty (20) spiritual gifts, scriptural use of each gift, cessation of particular gifts, the purpose of spiritual gifts, and how to discover your spiritual gift. The one thing I will note, that in discovering your spiritual gift, it doesn’t involve taking a test or filling out a survey.

I’m not sure when the first study part of the study will be up on the website, but it’ll likely be some time during the first quarter of 2009, Lord willing & rapture pending. So, until that time, keep me in prayer as I undertake this study, and pray that the Lord would open my mind to understand & correctly divide the Word of Truth so that I can teach it to His people.

You know, over the past few days I’ve been doing a lot of thinking. Not that I don’t think, because I do more than I probably should, but I was thinking about holy hip-hop (or Christian rap) and a lot of the artists I listen to. Not that it matters all that much, but I started to wonder to myself, where are all of my doctrinal rappers at?

Let me qualify what I mean by that statement. When I listen to holy hip-hop music, it’s pretty easy to spot the artists that come from a prosperity theological background; it’s also pretty easy to spot those who are Reformed/Calvinists in their theology. And the more I listen to the music I own and review, it’s pretty obvious that a lot of the music that’s coming out, especially in the more preaching/teaching rap, is coming from this (reformed) belief system. So, I’ve been wondering to myself, where are the cats spitting doctrine who are doctrinal and dispensational in their theology? Why don’t we hear a lot (if anything) from this side?

On the one hand, I don’t really care; but on the other, I do wonder where these kinds of artists are. I enjoy listening to my shai linnes and Christcentrics, but there are so many times that I can listen to tracks like "TULIP" and "Mission Accomplished" or an album heavy in Covenant Theology like Voice’s The Process of the Pardon without wanting to stand up and object to the doctrine that’s coming through my speakers. Don’t get me wrong, I love these artists and will continue listening to them and purchase their music. I’m just curious to know where my likeminded brethren are at on the mic, that’s all. For all I know, they could be in my collection and not spitting the heavily theological rhymes or only covering material to a point where it doesn’t get into the "sticky" or dividing doctrines. Who knows.

I don’t have any point in saying this. It’s late and I’m up after taking a long nap after work, so I figured I’d share what’s on my mind. It’s just a thought; nothing more, nothing less…

No more study Bibles! That’s it! No more!

That’s how I felt last night when I found myself reading my Bible, prepping myself to begin my study on 1 Thessalonians. When I read Scripture, I always use my print Bible (electronic versions are strictly for studying) because I enjoy reading paper, holding the Bible in my hands, and flipping pages; plus, it’s much easier to stretch out on the couch and read with. So, I was using my MacArthur Study Bible and I was getting completely frustrated as I was reading the text. What was the problem? Simply put, the notes were overshadowing the text of the Scripture. I know I’ve stated this before, like when I talked about my plans for purchasing a a new Bible, but this is getting ridiculous. 1 Thessalonians is only five chapters long, but it felt so long because I was forced to read 10-15 lines of Bible text (not even 1/4 of the page) because of the extensive notes. Part of what got me so frustrated was the fact that I just wanted the Bible text and not the notes. I was literally frustrated to the point where I almost didn’t even want to continue reading.

Let me say that I’m grateful for the opportunity to even have a Bible, let alone a study Bible such as this one; but, I realize that it’s not something I want to use as my primary Bible, at least not anymore. I’m to the point now that when I want to read the Bible, I want to do just that; I don’t want to skim someone else’s notes on the text. That said, my NASB Wide-Margin Reference Bible is now a top priority for me, given last night’s frustration. It’s become the highest priority item on my Amazon wish list (see the link on my sidebar). As soon as I get the funds, I’m buying it, no questions asked (and maybe with express shipping LOL).

So, why the frustration with study Bibles? To be honest, I don’t know. Maybe because I’m gaining a new appreciation for the text of Scripture to the point where I don’t want much to distract from that. Study notes are nice and many times helpful, but I just want the Bible (and maybe some cross references). I think with that, it also has to be the fact that I don’t want the answer given to me and I want to figure it out myself. With a study Bible it’s so easy to glance down and see someone else’s interpretation of the text, but I don’t want to do that.

But I’m not saying anything that I haven’t said before. I just want that Bible; a solid, durable Bible with enough room for me to really start scribbling notes and make it my own. Until I get it, I’ll keep hoping, wishing, & waiting.

10. Dry Bonez Live – Love & Loss

Very fresh debut album from a solid group on an upstart label. I absolutely love the Midwest mainstream sound and the passion they bring.

9. Excelsius – Liberation

One of the most powerful albums of the year with a focus on reaching the lost. Probably Excelsius’ best work to date.

8. Young Joshua – Back to Reality

After dropping a solid mixtape, Young Joshua proves that he’s a solid emcee that listeners need to take notice of. Teddy P rocked the beats!

7. Brinson – Escaping Me

I admittedly slept on this album, but I’m so glad I purchased it. The preacha showed that he’s got the beats on lock and that he’s got rhymes for days. This stays in heavy rotation.

6. k-Drama – BoomBaptism

Back to his grind as an independent artist, k-Drama is back on top of his game, showing lots of growth as an artist and offering many nod worthy jams. Albums like this are why I love k-Drama; this is 14 2 Life taken to another level.

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