Sunday, 5 September 2010

Poetry: The Pen

Again and again, I draw for the pen
But misusing the pen only brings pain
Let’s not confuse the issue at hand
I know what I am doing everytime it comes out
And everytime it comes out I begin to write
And write, and write, and write

Don’t get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with writing
We were all created to write
Infact, we all have a God given right to write
But for every line, there is a place and a time
And an appropriate season for sentences to be created

Unfortunately, these days sentences are being created anyhow
And out of their proper context for that matter
Pens being flung around left, right and centre
With the onslaught of ink destroying what’s left on the page

So please, I beg, read between the lines
The verses in this piece should not be taken for face value alone
This is much deeper, so deep you may not catch it straight away
So today I pray he opens your mind
But while your busy trying to figure out the context of this rhyme
I’m about to ask God to forgive me for the misuse of my pen
For I truly need to repent
For it is only then, he will see my heart
Which was hardened like the tip of a pen
So if the pen truly mightier than the sword
Then I literally put pen to paper
And with Jesus, I begin a new page


*****************

(DISCLAIMER:- this is a poem about sex written from the perspective of a male)

——————

Wednesday, 1 September 2010

Gasping4Air - The Venting Series:: Blog 2 - ''You Are Not Alone''



“I’m alone with my thoughts, I'm in the dark like throw me a torch" - Nick Brewer

A line from one of the rated emcees around at the moment and with good reason too. After listening to his mix-tape ‘’Alone with my thoughts’’ (available for download here; www.sendspace.com/file/5fk3z4), it really got me thinking. What does it really mean to be alone?

Have you ever felt like you're in the midst of people, in amongst "friends", in the presence of others or in the company of loved ones - but still felt very alone? Maybe you (like me) have well over 200 contacts on your Blackberry Messenger list, but you might as well have only 10.

They say that no man is an island. If this is so, why are there days where we feel "Lost"?

If you follow me on Twitter - or are friends with me on Facebook - you may notice that I make no secret of my past struggles with depression, which has tendencies to creep in now and again. I’m not looking to gain sympathy, but simply want to encourage that one person who may be in the same place, dealing with this same pain.

It’s a shame that these days in the Christian arena, believers are forced to put on a facade of everything being okay 100% of the time - when deep down they know this isn't really the case.

Honestly speaking, I believe that there is nothing wrong with saying "I'm not in the best of moods right now" or "things could be better". The counter argument many Christians may give would link to what they call "negative confession" - but I'd rather attribute it to making an observation and stating the obvious.

My encouragement to anybody in this position or feeling this way is simple. You need to understand that you are not alone. 1Cor 10:13 says;

"No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it."

There is NOTHING (and I say nothing with all confidence and boldness) that you are going through that someone somewhere at sometime has gone through/ struggled with AND not come out of. Therefore in saying this, the first step is to honestly trust God for that "way of escape".

Secondly, if you keep yourself isolated you will feel alone. The issue I had was that a lot of the time I wanted to be left alone, and I got exactly what I wanted: I was being left alone. I would then turn around and complain that no-one cared. My advice for those of you in a similar place is to find those you love, and keep them around you - if you keep yourself to yourself, you will fall into the place where you feel friendless and forsaken. Do not get me wrong, there is nothing bad in wanting to be alone – perhaps in those times of solitude one simply wants to gather their thoughts, plan for the future or just breathe. My friend, go ahead. The point of this blog is not to become too over-dependent on people, but instead understanding ones identity in Christ.

Finally I will say this; there will be this void in your heart which you feel may never be filled. So you try everything and its dog to try and fill it; Food, sex, money, relationships, friends, power, respect, an influential job etc. Again the issue is that this void can only be filled with the Joy of Christ, the knowledge of his work for us and the grace and peace which comes from salvation.

A lot of the times we don't see this as sufficient, so we add all those other things to try and compliment Christ in filling that void. Fortunately for us, that won't work!

So in closing I will say this; as an artist that goes around encouraging and ministering unto others I must first, like David (1sam 30:6), learn how to encourage myself. I say this to encourage you. Do not fall into the trap of depending on other people for reassurance or continual affirmation.

We need to comprehend that people are fickle and can say one thing one day and another thing another day. Take courage from the Lord, surround yourself with those you trust and continue doing you in Him. It’s not easy as you will have those low days, but think of it like this;

Anytime a visitor (friend, relative, associate) comes to your house, no matter how long they stay for, they WILL leave. It maybe 9 minutes, 13 weeks or even up to a year - but remember they are only visitors; your place is not their residence.

So see depression and loneliness as an unwanted visitor which at some point will have to leave.

So here you go, here's your torch. I guess now it’s in your hands.

It’s up to you to decide to flick the switch.

Keep Breathing!

Wednesday, 25 August 2010

The Venting Series :: Blog 1 - ''Dear Future Wife''


Dear Future wife,

I don't ask much from you, although in reading this it may seem like
I'm about to ask for a lot. I don't consider myself to be like most
other men, but then again most other men claim not to be like most
other men, making them like most other men. But I really am one of a kind, as you'll soon see. So before we meet, take time to read - it'll
only do you a few favours. So let's go...

Dear future wife, an important note to you, I expect you to put me
first above all things. The truth is, if you esteem me above the
things which you deem as important, then you're already on the right
track. Conceited maybe? Most definitely not! Reason being, that I do consider myself to be the jealous type. So a word to the wise, keep your eyes on me.

Okay, maybe that wasn't the best way to start this letter, but I think it’s important that we set the record straight. That's the reason why a lot of relationships fail before they even start rolling; the underlying truths are ignored and left in the blocks. I'd rather we had a good start, run with endurance and attain the gold medal which awaits us at the end of this race. But anyway, back to the matter at hand.

Dear future wife, other than faithfulness, I expect nothing but commitment and devotion from you. Seeing as I did find and choose you, I feel it only befitting you give yourself in your entirety to me, and I mean to me. Not to anyone or anything else. Your heart, your mind, your soul; Your love, your time, your efforts and conversations; that which encompasses you in your fullness to be sacrificed for the one you proclaim to love. I say this because if you truly loved me indeed, you wouldn't just love me with words alone, but also in deeds.

Dear future wife, there is no way in heaven you can even attempt to call me superficial; simply because if it were to be based on looks and looks alone , you'd still be single. No doubt about it. Everybody knows you're actually not that attractive, in fact your quite ugly! (I wont even apologise for the harsh truth). But me being me, I am more than willing to look pass that and perpetually love you regardless of your dreary and wretched appearance.

I'm not asking you to slave trade away in the kitchen, an old friend named Martha used to do that for me, but she later realised that all I wanted was quality time. All I want, not need, is for you to be daily demonstrating my essential nature; namely love, towards me. I'm talking about washing my feet with your hair using a bottle of finest 'kinda love'. I'm talking about reminiscing of our meeting at the
well, before screaming to the world that you've just met the one 'kinda love'. I'm talking about that me kinda love.

So in closing, I leave you with this. It is important to know that you will mean everything to me, for you I'll be willing do anything and with you everywhere I will go. Everything I have, I have given to you; and everything I am, I am in you. You are my diamond in the dirt, whose value will only increase on the day we consummate our union. I already know who you are, as you have no choice but to answer to my call, one ring, a symbol of an unending, everlasting love. Forever at your beckons’ call, never will I be engaged.

So dear future wife from this day I take you as my bride.


Love, your father in heaven

Yahweh

Tuesday, 8 June 2010

Give Me A Reason

You say Jesus is real, prove him to me.... Give me a reason......

Saturday, 20 March 2010

Read Between The Lines (A broken 16) – ‘’Freestyle Verse’’




Below is a freestyle verse I wrote some time ago. Read the lyric first and then follow me as I break it down so you can understand the mindset behind this simple 16 bar verse.


His glory is ever apparent
Can’t match his apparel
Apron of grace May come before, April
Wrath which is after
Depravity, starter
Salvation the main course
Sufficient so filling
No blanks, forget the seconds not needed
Our main aim, take down the minutes
Meetings, convene with the king on a regular
Talk, no cellular
Truth, no secular
Length by breath
I’m the gap, he’s the area
Eradicated debentures
Now I’m on an adventure
Journey of life
He’s the pro, I’m the amateur
Training me, that makes me a passenger
MSN messenger, passing the word
Desperate for him, maybe call me a scavenger
You’ve played the field, missed the goal
For the wrong side
Ferguson, Cappello, Bro let him manage ya







‘’His glory is ever apparent
Can’t match his apparel
Apron of grace May come before, April
Wrath which is after
Depravity, starter
Salvation the main course
Sufficient, so filling…’’


The glory of the Lord is evident to all men whether we can see it or not; and this glory which is unmistakable is what he clothes himself in. This is the Lord God in his complete might and sovereignty (Isa 6). In saying this, what he wears alone can never me matched talk less of his nature. And one of his garments is grace which he shows before the outpour of his wrath simply as a result of our sinful nature. But although we as mankind may have started with depraved natures, God still offers us a plate of salvation, sufficient to fill any appetite.



‘’…No blanks, forget the seconds not needed
Our main aim, take down the minutes
Meetings, convene with the king on a regular
Talk, no cellular
Truth, no secular…’’



As Christians, once we have been fed with this plate of salvation which he has so graciously offered and provided for us, it becomes compulsory to meet with him on a regular (prayer, fellowship, studying the word…etc). This is service, and is the least of what is expected of us. Desiring to know more of him and making it a point of duty to run to throne instead of running to the phone in our times of need.




‘’… Length by breath
I’m the gap, he’s the area
Eradicated debentures
Now I’m on an adventure
Journey of life
He’s the pro, I’m the amateur
Training me, that makes me a passenger
MSN messenger, passing the word
Desperate for him, maybe call me a scavenger
You’ve played the field, missed the goal
For the wrong side
Ferguson, Cappello, Bro let him manage ya’’



The last part of this verse simply puts us as humans into perspective with respect to God. So many times we get it twisted and think of ourselves higher than we actually should. Accrediting salvation to our own works, making ourselves look more ‘’God-like’’ and demoting God to a more ‘’man-like’’ status; failing to understand that in light of everything we need him more than He needs us. ‘’ MSN messenger, passing the word...’’ This line simply reminds us of our great commission to make the gospel known to all men reminding them that sin has a very heavy wage, and we can never pay it ‘’Eradicated debentures’’.


And this is a ‘’Broken 16’’



#MakeMeAMan - My Twitterings (pt 1)


THE OTHER DAY ON TWITTER I WAS NOTING DOWN SOME THOUGHTS ON BIBLICAL MANHOOD - HERE THEY ARE. LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK...



* You can spend hours in the gym, but how are you building your mind? - #MakeMeAMan

* Full of integrity, honour, self-less and a provider for all. - #MakeMeAMan

* To understand real manhood, Jesus Christ should be your first point of reference. - #MakeMeAMan

* In the bible, there is no such thing as adolescence. There were only boys and men. Maturity is more than age. - #MakeMeAMan

(1Cor 13:11) - #MakeMeAMan

* If you have a girlfriend but your still romancing other women. That's a no no! #MakeMeAMan

* "I refuse to be 32 making mixtapes, raving with children, two are my own" - #MakeMeAMan

* A woman is not a sexual object that can be used and played with anyhow. Women are jewels men are to love, respect and cherish. - #MakeMeAMan

Interview with Rapzilla (www.rapzilla.com)

Hey guys, check out an interview I did with american Hip Hop website Rapzilla.....

Tuesday, 12 January 2010

WELCOME EVERYBODY.... The journey BEGINS......

Hey guys, welcome to my new blog page. Anybody who knows me will know that I have a lot to say, but unfortunately twitter (www.twitter.com/tripleomusic) does not have enough characters, and facebook (www.facebook.com/tripleomusic); well that’s just facebook. So I decided to create my own little space.

I have already uploaded some pieces of writing (see below) unto this page. These are pieces I was blessed enough to write in 2009. But it’s a new day, and I have some new words.

This blog (as with my album, out later in 2010) has two main purposes. Firstly, I desire to journey into the heart of God whilst examining the heart of man. So expect edification, honesty, REALNESS; but most importantly, THE GOSPEL (Rom 1:16).

That being said, I hope you enjoy yourself, and feel free to comment on anything I have written. If you don’t agree with anything I’ve said, let me know. If you’re blessed by anything I’ve written, let me know. If you just think I should shut up and get out of your face, please go to another BlogSpot…..haha… (I’m joking, let me know).

So until I write again, keep breathing….!

Titanic Relations: A Sinking Ship (Part 1)

Ok, where do I start? Well as I am writing this, gently playing in the background are the sounds of ‘’Shekinah Glory – the Jazz Tribute’’, an album I absolutely love but would never have known about if I hadn’t been introduced to them by a FRIEND in the first place. This is an example of how one conversation can have a domino effect, with its results having an unpredictable yet life changing influence on something as small as my taste in music. Who would have figured???


The oxford dictionary would define the word ‘friend’ as;

1. A person attached to another by feelings of affection or personal regard.
2. A person who gives assistance; patron; supporter.
3. A person who is on good terms with another

If asked to give my own definition of the word ‘friend’ I would say;

“A friend is an individual who looks past the faults of a brother/sister and endeavours to love them despite their inadequacies and imperfections. This same individual will very rarely hesitate to go that extra mile in order to practically demonstrate their devotion ensuring the complete well being of this person they consider to be closer than an acquaintance. Love, commitment, honesty and faithfulness are at the foundation of the relationship at hand, knowing fully well that the moment one of these characteristics go missing, the connection is in danger of breaking.”

Forgive my long winded definition, but to me that’s how I felt friendship can be best described, (apologies if you do not completely agree with this definition). Unfortunately what looks good on paper and what is put into practice are two different things. That’s the common trend with people like me, it always seems to be a ‘’do as I say, but not as I do’’ thing. There’s a word for people like us, ‘’HYPOCRITES’’.

So many a times I get people coming to me and complaining of how certain individuals in their life just abuse their kind nature and the love in which they pour into that particular relationship. This annoys me even to the point of anger at times. But here’s the joke, I find myself guilty of the very same things. Whether it is developing relationships with the opposite sex with no intention of commitment, not being faithful to a promise ‘I didn’t have to make’, MONEY ISSUES, or just a general lack of appreciation; these things are on the contrary to the definition I gave above.


Prov 16:28 - ‘’A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends.’’

The first hole in my ship, Gossiping; and the truth is that we’re all guilty of it, FACT! Problem is when it comes out; Are we genuinely sorry that we gossiped in the first place, or just sorry that we got caught? A question I commonly ask myself. I remember when I would try and justify it by saying that ‘women gossip, men exchange information’, how sad is that…lol. A true friend will respect the privacy of the individual whom has decided to confide in them, whilst also deciding not to fruitlessly comment on matters which don’t concern them. Slander is dangerous, but yet we still do it. We need to learn how to control our tongues. Let us be quick to hear and very slow to speak.

So this is the first thing I feel I need to repent of. Publicly, I apologise for any kind of inappropriate discussions I’ve had with you or about you; both in private and in public. As a brother in Christ I have been called to build up the body, not tear it down. Forgive me….



Prov 18:24 – ‘’A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother’’

I thank God for my music; I constantly get to meet a lot of great new people I otherwise may never have met. The problem is, not all of them have been called to be my friends. A lot of people may feel that the more people you know and the more friends you have, the better off you’ll be. LIE!!! … I know one person in particular who can testify to that. The moment you try and turn 900 associates into 900 friends, you’re in for a big problem. Practically, it just won’t work. You remember my definition above, well try FAITHFULLY applying that to 15 PEOPLE, trust me it will be a struggle, talk less of 900. GOOD LUCK!

This is probably the second hole in many of my ships. No matter how much I give, there will always be a conflict of interests. In the long run, I end up loosing out. You cannot afford to be giving yourself to anyone and everyone; in the long run certain relationships will give way. I guess I need to repent for not prioritising those relationships which are truly dear to me. The superficial syndrome we all tend to exhibit of neglecting your trusty favourite toy for something new and shiny, just because it is new and shiny.

I have a lot more to say, but let me allow you to breathe for now. Marinade on that and digest this …

Part 2 coming soon….

(written on the 1st November 2009)

The Ass in your life


Hey guys I really felt I should share this with you, as this is the place that I am in at the moment. My hope is that at least one person reads this, gains something and draws closer to the Christ through my honesty. It must come to a point where we realise that our lives are really not about us, instead we live solely for the glorification of him.


‘’Do not plough with an ox and a donkey yoked together.’’ (Deuteronomy 22:10)


By nature Oxen and a Donkey’s are two animals which are very similar, but yet very different. Oxen are large and heavyset cattle trained as draft animals and are usually used for ploughing, transport, hauling HEAVY cargo, grain-grinding by trampling or by powering machines or anything which really requires a lot of strength, perseverance and sometimes even speed. Donkeys on the other hand are relatively more agile in stature and petit in frame, and are notorious in reputation for their stubbornness. Their most common role is for transport; whether riding, pack transport, or pulling carts. What is clearly evident from this brief comparison is that donkeys are considerably smaller, weaker and in some cases slower than Oxen.

Therefore, from a biblical perspective and on a common sense level, getting these two different types of livestock to perform a heavy duty task TOGETHER and in UNION would not be considered very practical. In fact, some may even consider it foolishness. What would end up happening is that one (most likely the donkey), would end up being a hindrance to the other (in this case the Ox). The whole purpose of their union would be defeated by the fact that they were NEVER really suited to jointly complete the task at hand.

I bet you can guess where this is going…lol


‘’Do not be unequally yoked…’’ (2 Corinthians 6:14 - Amplified Bible)
‘’Do not be bound together…’’ (2 Corinthians 6:14 - New American Standard Bible)


I know that there is more to this scripture, but for the purpose of this note I only want to focus on the first part. Speaking from experience, a lot of people these days are in such a rush to jump into relationships, especially ones they are not ready for. When two individuals enter a relationship which is outside the good and perfect will of God, this will always end up bringing nothing but pain and anguish for the two parties involved. Emotions are placed above the voice of God and impatience is manifested. This should not be the case, especially when as believer’s we know that patience should be characteristic deeply embedded into our Christ-like nature and demeanour (Gal 5:22). Although in saying this I can and will hold my hands up to say that I am guilty of this very same thing.

The issue is when you start something you are not meant to start; God will always finish it in a way which brings nothing but the glory unto his name. As Jonah figured out in the bible; you can do it the easy way or the hard way, but either way you will end up doing it His (God’s) way.

So, what does this mean for us (myself included)? This means that we must continue running this race of life, fixing our eyes solely on Christ. So you’ve been talking to this person for a couple of months, you both go church, pray over the phone, have some level of accountability and everything else which is considered the right way to handle relationships. These things will not necessarily justify your relationship. The thing is, in life everyone is running a race and as you’re running you really need to ‘’Usain Bolt’’ it! Stay in your lane, don’t watch anyone else purely focusing on your end goal, and doing all of this whilst running your hardest and your fastest.

Here’s the beautiful thing. In doing this, all you’ll end up doing is running with someone the same speed as you and with the same goal as you. Everything wil just flow, nothing but poetry in motion; and all of this on God’s time, not ours. It will all happen so effortlessly, as your ‘’LIFE-LONG FRIENDSHIP’’ coincides with the good and perfect will of God. In union you continue moving, working and running in harmony, and in the fullness of God’s purpose. Up until that time when you cross that finish line and the father says ‘’Well done my child, you have done me proud.’’

Just like the Ox and the Donkey, unequally yoking or binding yourself with someone who is not where you are or where you desire to be on all levels (spiritually, physically, financially, mentally, emotionally…etc), will only slow you down. So on a personal note, I can only apologise for slowing you down. I'm sorry.

And for everyone else, I will leave you with this. If you consider yourself to be an Ox, who is the Ass in your life?


(Written on the 22nd May 2009)

Top of Form

Bottom of Form

A ‘’but’’ or a ‘’because’’? Will you run to the Christ...


Do you truly desire to see him? Is your situation a ‘’but’’ or a ‘’because’’? Will you run to Christ?

Luke 19:1-9 gives the account of one mans desire to see the Christ. If we properly evaluate Zacchaeus and his position he had enough reasons to be bitter and to shy away from the Messiah on his arrival.

He was a tax collector by trade, a cheat by nature. At those times, these types of people were detested, hated with a passion were likened unto sinners (Mark 2:15, Luke 15:1 and throughout the new testament in general). Zacchaeus was not only a tax collector but he was a CHIEF tax collector. Meaning he was the Chief of the ‘’chiefs’’…lol, the top guy who was treated as the lowliest low of society.

Not only that, but Zacchaeus was living in Jericho which was already a cursed city (Josh 6:26), he was a man of great wealth (Luke 19: 2), which subsequently placed a question mark over his salvation (Luke 18:24-25); with the icing on this bittersweet cake being his SHORT stature.

So in essence he was a hated man, in a hated position, living in a cursed placed with his salvation in the balance and to top it all off, he was a little guy. To be fair to the dude, he had every right to be resentful and dissuaded. And with Jesus around he could have easily said… ‘’I do want to see the Messiah, this so-called saviour, ‘’BUT’’ I’m a hated man in a hated position, living in a cursed placed who is short in stature and unsure of my eternal destination.’’

But instead he went out of his comfort zone, climbed a sycamore tree and said ‘’ I want to see Jesus ‘’BECAUSE’’ I’m a hated man in a hated position, living in a cursed placed who is short in stature and unsure of my eternal destination’’. Jesus saw the desire of Zacchaeus to meet with the Christ and gave him the greatest gift ever given to man, LOVE. This love is God, who is Christ, who our ETERNAL SALVATION. This now meant Zacchaeus had a new start (Rom 8:1, 2Cor 5:21). His sin sickness was cured and his debt was paid.


There are many of us (myself included), who are like Zacchaeus, and are locked in or have passed through one sin/trail/tribulation/temptation/situation or another.

Whether you are struggling with of pride, sexual sin, disobedience, arrogance, laziness, lack of faith, peer pressure, hatred; whether you have been sexually abused, raped, had an abortion, committed murder; whether you’re addicted to sex, drugs, television, face-book, music or anything else, Jesus calls you to come as you are.

The things listed above and so much more may be ‘’buts’’ in your life, keeping you from the forgiving and cleansing power that is in the blood of Christ. They may be things stopping you from coming out of your comfort zone and going that extra mile to meet with the merciful God that is JESUS. But instead, I encourage you to turn those ‘’buts’’ into ‘’be causes’’.

You maybe saying; ‘’Jesus, I want to run to you ‘’BUT’’ I am struggling with pride, sexual sin, disobedience, arrogance, laziness, lack of faith, peer pressure, hatred; I have been sexually abused, raped, had an abortion, committed murder; I am addicted to sex, drugs, television, face-book, music or anything else…’’

But instead, why not say; ‘’Jesus I want to run to you ‘’BECAUSE’’ I am struggling with pride, sexual sin, disobedience, arrogance, laziness, lack of faith, peer pressure, hatred; because I have been sexually abused, raped, had an abortion, committed murder; because I am addicted to sex, drugs, television, face-book, music or anything else… Jesus I come to you as I am’’.

My earnest prayer is that just ONE soul is blessed by this message, and TODAY makes that decision to ‘’RUN TO CHRIST’’. What are you going to do?


(Please feel free to send me any prayer requests, so I can join you in agreement in regards to any issues you may have).

Jesus loves you.

Love, a humble bondservant of the Lord.

Triple O

(Written on the 13th January 2009)