URC Weekly 8/21/2011: Moment of Truth
Hi Church!
I am a hip-hop music fan. Growing up in the 90s, I remember going on Napster, then Kazaa (like Limewire) spending hours looking for songs by 2Pac, Bone-Thugs-n-Harmony, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Snoop Dogg and other West Coast rappers. When I entered college, I got into East Coast rap: Biggie Smalls, Mos Def, Talib Kweli, Nas, Jay-Z, and etc. Lately, I have been re-discovering old school hip-hop like Pete Rock, Slick Rick, A Tribe Called Quest, Rakim and Eric B., Big Daddy Kane, The Pharcyde, Souls of Mischief, Wu Tang Clan…there are so many good artists out there in this genre!
I actually just heard “Moment of Truth” by Gangstarr. I love Gangstarr! I got all giddy when I ate at a yakitori joint in New York City because they were playing Gangstarr when I got there. Can I get a witness P Sam? Hahaha anyway, the second verse of this song ends like this:
So like they say, every dog has its day,
And like they say, God works in a mysterious way,
So I pray, remembering the days of my youth,
As I prepare to meet my moment of truth.
Doesn’t it sound like something that would come out from Proverbs or Psalms? Like every dog has its day, we all have our days to, whether you interpret it as good or bad. God does work in a mysterious way, for God makes all things work together for our good (Rom 8:28). We all know that prayer is essential part of our faith journey. Reflecting on our past is especially important, not to feel guilty about our mistakes but to appreciate the grace of God that always forgives. Isn’t it crazy how Guru (the MC of Gangstarr) puts these truths into a catchy rhyme?
More importantly, I’d like to bring your attention to the last line. All of us will face death one day. When we die, we will stand in front of God, who will reveal to us the Truth. I believe every question that we have about life and faith will be then answered. If our lives are lived in a way that takes this inevitable truth to our hearts, we will certainly live more passionately. I pray that all of us will be full of passion for God together, becoming a church of deep compassion. The word compassion itself actually means passion together (com + passion). Neat huh? Perhaps one day I will write rhymes of my own. But first, I will work on becoming more passionate. Won’t you join me?
• COMMUNITY GROUP: 8/26 (Fri) @ James’ (Hyonroh)
• CAMPING FEES: Please pay today if you haven’t done so
• BACKPACKS FOR KIDS: You can still bring your backpacks if you have them
• EXODUS: R2B’s new album is released today!!
• CAFÉ NIGHT: Multi-ethnic and multi-cultural event on 9/11 (Sun)
• GUEST SPEAKER: Our very own P Sam preaching 8/28 (Sun)
• MEN’S SMALL GROUP LEADER DRAFT: 8/28 (Sun) during worship
• PRAISE TEAM MEETING: 8/28 (Sun) for new CD and upcoming Joint service 10/2 (Sun)
• SENIOR PASTOR DINNER: 9/4 (Sun) with KMYA and 30s Group
• VBALL TOURNEY: 10/1 (Sat), Practice begins 8/28 (Sun)
• URC DIRECTORY: Updated information needed in September
• SNACKS: James Hyonroh Lee
• SCRIPTURE READING/OFFERING: Samuel Roberson-Yi
• DEVOTIONS: Philippians 4 – 1 Thessalonians 1
