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Got a Cabin in Manolo
I bought this album a few days ago and “cabin in manolo’ has been on repeat since. I discovered something very special when I decided to research the word Manolo – because I didn’t know what in the world Manolo was. Here is what I found:
“The song is primarily about comparing the Bible, the unchangeable Word of God Himself, to a firearm, a weapon that can be used offensively and defensively on a daily basis to change the world for the greater good. The name “Manolo” is a variant Spanish translation of the name “Emmanuel”, meaning “God with us”. This song is about the reassurance God gives us through His Word, something that we can actually use to change the world around us for His will. The name Manolo also implies a “high life” of wealth and fame, and the artists admit in the song that, not only are there critics out there that are trying to bring them down if they slip up, but they are also admitting that they are normal sinful individuals as any human is, and they must regularly stay in the Word of God if they want to be protected and continue to serve Christ.”
This song ministers on so many levels, and “to say that you have a “cabin in Manolo” is to say that you have a reassurance in knowing that Jesus Christ is with you.” I also find it interesting and creative – the artist’s play on words and how he compares the physical cabin rentals in Drake Bay of Costa Rica, where there are actually cabins in Manolo, to a believer’s inheritance in Christ. For this artist, “the term “manolo” which is often used to refer to a neighborhood of high wealth, implies accepting Christ and owning a cabin in heaven (God’s infinitely wealthy Kingdom). You should know today that you have an inheritance if you are in Christ as you rap along with Trip Lee.
Lyrics right here:
[Intro: Trip Lee]
Yessir
Gawvi, get ’em
Why we do it?
Why we do it?
[Hook: Gawvi]
I do it for the turn-up (gat gat)
Got that ammo locked and loaded
I ain’t talking bout no burner
Flip a page I’ll explode it
Got a cabin in manolo (nolo) manolo (nolo) manolo (nolo) manolo
Got a cabin in manolo (nolo) manolo (nolo) manolo (nolo) manolo
Got a cabin in manolo
[Verse 1: Trip Lee]
Trying to tell them boys
I never leave da crib alone
Cuz I keep one in my car and I got two at home
They diff’rent kinds but they do the same thing
Double-edged double-barrel (bang bang) Yessuh
I’m out here facing dragons, I ain’t out my mind (bang bang)
They comin’ for my soul so it’s bout that time (bay bay)
Them lies they trying to kill me if you don’t believe me
I don’t care, I don’t care
I can’t take it easy
I’m flippin the page, I’m trigga happy a clip in the gauge
Clickin and hittin the stage, hit you with truth thats in every phrase
He cut me deep I’m
Divin’ in, Divin’ in
When I ride I got to (fly fly)
Come alive again
That’s right (when I ride I got to)
Come alive again, You know we got it
Come alive again, uh huh
Manolo mayne
[Hook]
[Verse 2: Lecrae]
Manolo, manolo?
I’m out here going postal
My partnas think I lost it, my momma think I’m loco
I keep my shooter close tho, You know it’s fully automatic
Shoot you straight, man that trigga’ll do you plenty damage
I got enemies I can’t see’em all but they lurkin’ (lurkin’)
I flip that page on em my trigga finga stay workin (pop pop pop)
I got plenty ammo got old and new they both testify, my lord
And ain’t nobody playin with you, gone mess around, and come test the fire (hah)
And I ain’t gotta say no more, gonna kick kick bang and the thing gone blow
Red Letters like a red dot on yo door (yep yep yep yep yep)
All yall gone with a dash on the backseat
That’s me with a clip full of black ink
Ima hit yall with it till I split yall widdit (man down man down)
Had a bad week, bad week (man down, man down)
[Hook]
[Outro: Trip Lee]
I be a sheep I’m a dummy
Sometimes it ain’t even funny
Them lies are sicker than poison pours while the truth that is sweeter than honey
And we know that He got us
He is with us can’t block us; Ibaka
———-
His word is my weapon
It’s going Brrrr-aaat!
[Hook, first half]
7 Reminders to take your christan life, ministry and leadership to the next level
As we read the books of Timothy, it is clear that Paul is writing to a young man, living in big city and ministering to a mega church. He, (Timothy) is not only overwhelmed by the enormity of the task of ministry and leadership, but is also caught in the crossfire of life. He is too sickly, timid and isolated.
Paul himself, writing out of a Roman dungeon, drops 7 words – 7 reminders to help lift Timothy out of his dungeon of despair, rekindle the fire in him and take his Christian life, ministry and leadership to the next level.
Teacher
It is not how well we preach or teach… It’s how well we live especially in tough times.
“What you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.” 2 Timothy 2:2. Timothy is reminded of his calling to impact others. To watch his life and doctrine; be steadfast in good times and bad – and be a good example of faith and trust.
Soldier
The war on terror; the treat of ISIS can’t compare to the battle that rages for your soul.
“No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him.” 2 Timothy 2:3, 4. Timothy is reminded that soldiers obey orders strictly; do not get tired of their duty, but stick to it; and never dream of turning their back and running away when the fight intensifies on the battlefield.
An Athlete
The Christian life, ministry, leadership is not a sprint it’s a marathon. Train and prepare yourself for it.
“An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules.” 2 Timothy 2:5. Timothy is reminded that just like athletes, he must follow the rules of a disciplined Christ follower. Godliness, sincerity, pure motives, prayer, meditation, truth-speaking are just a few practices that help him win the price.
A Farmer
The Christian life, ministry and leadership is not just a walk in the park. Only the tenacious succeed at it.
“It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops.” 2 Timothy 2:6-7. Timothy is reminded that – yes, the task is difficult; and working hard is essential, but he can find joy in the process by doing his part and letting God do His. If he is patient enough, and never give up, he will share in the harvest.
A Minister
If there is anything pure, authentic in him/her; anything with an aroma of life to the believing and death to the unbelieving – you are standing in the presence of a minister. God’s man.
“Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a minister who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” 2 Timothy 2:15. Timothy is reminded that he is a minister, not a fake or a counterfeit. He is a minister who renders unadulterated service to God and his people. One who doesn’t compromise truth, but is fearless and straightforward as he lives out and proclaim the word.
A Vessel
Everybody wants to be used, but not many want to be vessels.
” Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable.” 2 Timothy 2:19. Timothy is reminded that the “world is yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him.” (Moody)
A Servant
The only thing that should matter to you is that you are His.
“The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil.” 2 Timothy 2:24. Timothy is reminded that he is a servant of the Lord. He belongs to the Lord. When critics turn against him, he must never forget that he is the servant of God, and God will defend him.
Conclusion
If the christian life was a portrait, these 7 reminders would be the perfect word-picture to describe it. If the Christian life was a song, these 7 reminders would be the perfect lyrics to sing. If the Christian life was a strong tower, these 7 reminders would be the building blocks of enduring character.
- Never forget your calling to be contagious in your faith
- Never forget your duty as a good soldier
- Never forget to discipline yourself in this race that we run
- Never forget your responsibility as a minister
- Never forget what it truly means to be set apart for noble purposes
- Never forget to whom you belong
By so doing, you paint the perfect picture; you pen the perfect lyrics; you built the strongest tower of what the Christian life should look like.
Equality
I am at Starbucks the other day, and as I sipped my White Chocolate Mocha, this woman and her husband walked in and sat on the couch just in front of me.
I wasn’t eve dropping or anything, neither was trying to be intrusive. Everyone could hear her. She was a that loud.
Very casually, she said to her friend, on the phone – “I rear-ended a car this morning. The guy in the other car was a dwarf. So he stepped out of his car, walked over to mine, and said, ‘Mame, I am not happy.'”
She said she looked “DOWN’ at him and said, “well, I am not sure which one are you?”
Giggles.. giggles… giggles…
After laughing a few seconds with her friend, she looked at me, kind of surprised that I was not laughing at her joke, and said, “hey, would you like to take a look at the bug that invaded my pomegranate tree? They are bizarre.”
I didn’t want her to hear me say, “no Mame, you are bizarre.” So I kept my thoughts to myself and took a look.
I was upset about of the fact that she rear-ended a car, could had hurt or killed the man, and walked away cracking jokes about his height.
Why do we take pleasure in belittling others? Why do we think of ourselves better than others? What is it, within our nature, that seek to humiliate others?
Tribalism
Cast System
Racism – discrimination and prejudice
Stereotypes
Profiling
Bullying
Are all geared toward making others less than who they are – human beings, made in the very image of God.
What is it, that makes us think we are any better than others?
I’ve come to realize that this a disease of the soul that only God can cure. Sometimes we expect too much from people blinded by demons of racism and hate. We fail to realize that only a true conversion, repentance, and redemption can heal a heart of bigotry.
Having said that, I also think each of us need to make conscious efforts to improve our relationship with people who are different from us.
I know what it means to be the only black family in my town. I know what it means to be the only black family in my predominantly white church – the one I pastor. It is amazing to see what God can do when you make the effort to get to know others. You soon find out that your story is not different from their story at all. You begin to see OTHERS clearly.
With just a little effort, Shelby Steel says, a relentless, everyday, earnest and practical sacrifice, we can bridge the ever-widening gap between the races, by an adherence to the principles of fairness and equality.
These principles, “even when somewhat ambiguous, have the power to assign responsibility and knowledge” to help us act wisely and treat others with dignity and respect.
No matter how different we are, we can learn to love one another and see each other clearly. If we can begin to treat each other properly and see each other as equals, in fact, more than that – as the bible says it – “see others as better than ourselves” – we would be on the way to curing the disease of belittling others.
Bloodlines: John Piper ‘ s Story of Race And Grace
The Monkey Trial: An Epic battle between Science and Religion; Faith and Agnosticism
What goes in, Comes out
Tonight, the Season Premiere of most Fall TV Shows begin. I want to take the time, in this post, to encourage smart choices in what we watch this Fall.
It is imperative that we avoid the seduction and not fall into sin this Fall by what we watch on TV.
We must do everything to avoid the very appearance of sin and evil.
Remember, whatever goes in will eventually come out.
Above all else, we must guard our hearts, so that they stay tender toward the Lord.
Time is very precious, therefore, don’t waste it.
There is nothing wrong with watching TV, but the 5 to 7 hour the average American puts into it, and the wrong kinds of programs, can sap all of one’s energy for spiritual things, dry up one’s spirit, and lead to all kinds of temptations.
Let common sense and the word of God guide us in our choices of what to watch. Also let us be responsible with the time He has given us as well. Here are a few verses from Ephesians 5:1, 3-7 AMP to help us make better choices:
Imitators of God
THEREFORE BE imitators of God [copy Him and follow His example], as well-beloved children [imitate their father]. And understand that immorality (sexual vice) and all impurity [of lustful, rich, wasteful living] or greediness must not even be named among you, as is fitting and proper among saints (God’s consecrated people).
Filthy Entertainment is no entertainment at all
There be no filthiness (obscenity, indecency) nor foolish and sinful (silly and corrupt) talk, nor coarse jesting, which are not fitting or becoming; but instead voice your thankfulness [to God].
Live as Kingdom People
For be sure of this: that no person practicing sexual vice or impurity in thought or in life, or one who is covetous [who has lustful desire for the property of others and is greedy for gain]–for he [in effect] is an idolater–has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and of God.
Beware of deception
Let no one delude and deceive you with empty excuses and groundless arguments [for these sins], for through these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of rebellion and disobedience. So do not associate or be sharers with them.
God bless us all this Fall with a harvest of righteousness.
General Butt Naked
In the late 90s a madman named Joshua Milton Blahyi, better known by his nom de guerre General Butt Naked roamed the streets of Monrovia killing, eating human flesh and drinking human blood. initiated as a priest at an early age over an African traditional religious cult and endowed with demonic priestly powers, Joshua Milton Blahyi, better known as General Butt Naked and his men fought completely naked during the Liberian Civil War because they believed that supernatural powers were given to them through this strange ritual. Together with his men, General Butt Naked set the city on fire and killed hundreds of thousands of innocent people.
Within that period a brave group of believers was praying for God to kill the General. During one of their prayer meetings, someone began to prophesy that God wanted them to change the way they were praying. Instead of praying for the death of the General – they were to pray for his salvation. So they did.
Soon after, The General responded to an invitation to attend a church service. It was at this service he got saved. He walked to the altar to ask Jesus into his heart for the very first time, and the power of God came upon him.
According to him, for three days, what seemed like black smoke left his body while he laid on his bed. He got delivered, filled with the Holy Spirit and today he goes around preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Today, AL Qaeda, ISIS, Boko Haram, El Shebaab and other murderous, tyrannical and terrorist organization are roaming the streets of our world beheading innocent men, women, and children.
But I still believe in the power of prayer.
- It was a prayer that gave Joshua the edge when Moses lifted his hands.
- It was a prayer that gave Jehoshaphat the victory over the Ammonites (a great multitude from Syria).
- It was a prayer that moved Zerubbabel’s mountains.
- It was prayers that shook the place the disciples stood in prayer.
- It was a prayer that got General Butt Naked converted and it is a prayer that will shape history again.
Today I am blowing the trumpet in Zion; I am sounding the alarm. Today I am calling God’s people to a new level of prayer and intercession for the nations of the world. We cannot afford to idly sit by and do nothing. “Give God no rest” until He breaks the power s of this great evil.
I am confident that this too shall pass. I have already seen the end. WE WIN! So “don’t be afraid. Just stand still and watch The Lord rescue us again. These band of terrorist we see today will never be seen again. The Lord Himself will fight for us. Just pray and be still.” (Inspired by Exodus 14:13-14).
From Southwest with Love.
I would like to first of all ask you to kindly take some time at end of this post, to share your pleasant or not so pleasant experiences – church hunting or just visiting for the first time.
As a pastor, I don’t get the chance to visit other churches. Simply because I have to attend and lead mine every Sunday.
But from time to time, when I’m away church traveling, I put it on the top of my list.
It is at this time that I feel how uncomfortable it is for people looking for a new church or just visiting one.
To say the least, my last two visits were really bad. I was in Nashville, Tennessee visiting a church and almost felt invisible. It wasn’t that people weren’t talking among themselves, it seemed like they were too focused on who they knew.
I stood alone for about 15 minutes just next to the pastor who briefly looked at me, than turned away and continue talking with this group of five guys.
After Church, I sat for a few minutes hoping some would at least personally ask me my name, where I was from and if they could help me get connected to their community.
To be honest, at one point during the service, I was given a lot of info about how to connect. Even though, I had already made up my mind that this was a church I would never visit again, I was still hopeful that wasn’t going to lunch all by myself. So I sat there waiting for an invitation. But it never came.
What if churches intentionally created a culture of hospitality, and environment that made visitors feel welcome?
What if, as Church members, we made it our duty to step outside our clicks and infinity groups and actually welcome new people into your circles?
Southwest airline was in the news lately. According to Forks Magazine, a ton of people are celebrating and sharing their enthusiasm flying with Southwest.
For Southwest, this is not happening by chance. It is happening because the company has taken the time to instilled in every employee three values:
a warrior spirit
a servant’s heart
a fun-loving attitude (the way Southwest spells “love”)
What if churches, churches leaders, congregants had a warrior spirit – not afraid or shy to step across the room and make someone feel welcome and comfortable in church.
What if churches, churches leaders, congregants had Servants’ heart that did everything to put others first? What if they had deep empathy – not that fake smile that strangers usually give as they walk past other strangers?
What if churches, churches leaders, congregants had a fun-loving attitude that didn’t take themselves too seriously?
What if churches, church leaders, congregants had genuine and authentic love and friendship? What if they were Christ centered, gospel oriented and Holy Spirit empowered?
I think we will all have phenomenal churches. What about you? Unfortunately, only a few churches are doing exceptionally well in this area.
If Southwest can do it, I don’t understand why every church is not doing it. This stuff originates with us. We are the role model.
I value your opinion.
Thanks for the feedback!
From Walter with luv…
That I may discover God’s highest and best usage for my life
The world is yet to see what God can do with and for and through and in and by the man who is fully and wholly consecrated to Him. I’ll try my utmost to be that man.
DL Moody
Take my life, and let it be consecrated, Lord, to Thee.
Take my moments and my days; let them flow in ceaseless praise.
Take my hands, and let them move at the impulse of Thy love.
Take my feet, and let them be swift and beautiful for Thee.
Take my voice, and let me sing always, only, for my King.
Take my lips, and let them be filled with messages from Thee.
Take my silver and my gold; not a mite would I withhold.
Take my intellect, and use every power as Thou shalt choose.
Take my will, and make it Thine; it shall be no longer mine.
Take my heart, it is Thine own; it shall be Thy royal throne.
Take my love, my Lord, I pour at Thy feet its treasure store.
Take myself, and I will be ever, only, all for Thee.
Lord, this is my prayer today… Let me be a sanctuary, pure and holy, tried and true. Let me be a vessel of honor ready for the master’s use. I make myself available to you. In Jesus Name – Amen!
This old hymn was written by Frances R Havergal
Walter Bright 
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