As I have been traveling in these last three months, I’ve gotten a lot of questions about why I’ve fallen back from Twitter and Facebook. Well, I wanted to articulate it in a blog before I decided to return. Considering that if I do return it will most likely be a reformed version of my previous experience.

Here are the top reasons I left the social media world for months:
*Note: I did not write this so that you would be more impressed with me. However, I do find myself quite impressed that I did step away from the instant gratification of social media. So insert applause now. You knew that was coming!

1. May I Please Be Your Idol?
• I believe many artists have fallen into the pressure of producing an image that appeals to a particular group of people that came before them or a particular group of gatekeepers. In order to impress these people, they build an image of someone they’re really not. Some may argue they are following Paul’s example, but there is a vast distinction between becoming all things to all men to save some and being a people pleaser. What there doing is creating a certain image so that people will think more highly of them so that they will become acceptable in their circles. I did this for many years in a church I attended. I felt filthy and told myself I would never do it again. The standard of what I post will be based on scriptures and the scriptures alone, not if this youth leader thinks his 13 yr old youth member doesn’t think its appropriate for me to talk about something. I will strive to be biblical with every word, however I will not be censored because it brings discomfort.

• I love people. The second greatest commandment is to love people. However, there can come a point in time when your love for people becomes counter-productive in your attempt to grow closer to the LORD. Because I love people and communication, it can be draining to attempt to respond to fifty percent of the people who reply to your tweet or post. I love all the people who think I’m worthy enough to mention on Twitter or Facebook, but we (supporters and myself) have to recognize the predicament I am in. If I reply to everyone, I no longer have a life! I no longer live missional in my community or spend time with my kids. Then, I become a dead-beat dad. No one wants that! But if I don’t reply to everyone’s request I’m labeled as conceited, arrogant and lacking compassion for those who support me. There needs to be a balance. I have to find it.

• I loathe Twitter thugs and Facebook gangstas who spend their lives attempting to unfold some great conspiracy. You, my friend, may need to take a timeout. I refuse to debate you over 140 characters. I’m sure I’ve said some things that have offended some people. I pray that the Lord continues to grow me in his grace, and that I become sensitive to others rebuke. However, there is a difference between confronting a brother in his sin and speaking tough over cyberspace. If I’m that much of a pagan, why do you continue to visit my page and follow me? So many cyber nerds find significance in slamming people over the net. They grow a little “WHO-heart” with every slanderous word. (*I’m in a Christmas mood with the “Whoville” reference.)

“ I HAVE AN 87% APPROVAL RATING ON MY TWEETS! THAT’S GOOD!”

2. It’s Still an Incomplete Form of Socializing
• There is so much that is lost in translation when speaking over the Internet. I find that so many arguments, debates and feuds are sparked because of miscommunication that comes from social media. Grown men no longer confront their frustrations face-to-face or even over the phone. I’ve found that many of my friends have become complacent with sending me texts about issues that need to be discussed in person or over the phone. I fear that social media will create a generation of people who send pertinent information via tertiary means. In the long run, I foresee people struggling to handle conflict in person, gossip becoming commonplace and spelling being abysmal!
• People assume relationships because you have spoken with them over Facebook or Twitter. My friends and I have had experiences with particular people who position themselves as friends to our family and spouses just because we are Facebook friends. These masters of cunning strategy use social media to create this pseudo association with intimate friends of ours. They think if they get close to our family, then we will listen to their music or give them a record deal. That’s actually the most ridiculous avenue to a relationship. And it’s quite scary too. I love to build relationships with people, but I meet thousands of people on the road. So please don’t hate me just because I don’t remember you poking me on Facebook!

“I FIRED MY MANAGER VIA FACEBOOK!”
HMM THAT’S NOT GOOD!

3. It Becomes Counter Productive.

• Although this time hasn’t quite become what I’ve wanted it to, I have found myself processing and producing more short and long-term goals. Social media has a way of distracting you from those things if you are not careful. Since there is so much information passing through the feeds, you can easily become tossed to and fro with each blurb that tugs at your interest. I’ve experienced countless episodes when I’ve had an agenda to send one particular feed in a short amount of time, only to be detoured by the flood of random thoughts and updates. This person over here is demoralizing a celebrity, while another person is suggesting you watch this video because it’s the funniest thing ever. Next thing you know, you’ve spent three hours looking up Twitter updates, Facebooking and staring at a screen the size of your palm that controls your world. We love information so much that if we are left out of any conversation we feel our day is incomplete. It’s ok to pass up on social media for a couple hours, days, weeks or not be on it at all. Read a book, write a prose or have a conversation with someone that doesn’t include lol, smh, or #justsaying.

“I FORGOT WHAT MY WIFE AND KIDS LOOKED LIKE!”
THAT’S NOT GOOD!

4. Am I Really Starved For Fame?

• It was healthy for me pass on the applause to refocus. I use to find my significance in replies and how much people posted stuff on my Facebook page. And when I first heard of Twitter I was extremely hesitant to join. I know that I have a “performance” issue, which means I spend a lot of effort trying to impress people with my humor and intellect. This is one reason I fear celebrity and popularity. I know myself, and I know how sinful I am. I’m thankful that the spirit of GOD is all-powerful and able to starve my flesh. It’s healthy for us to take sabbaticals from the applause every now and then. If you can’t see yourself living without the applause, then you probably are not fit to live for GOD’s glory alone.

“MY TWITTER GAME KILLS YOUR TWITTER GAME!”

I post this to challenge you, while at the same time explaining how the LORD worked in me these past three months. With a lot of prayer and Wheaties, you too can be like me! Get to work and maybe I will get back on Twitter/Facebook.
But I will not be a slave to anything.

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“Tumbling Down” by Mark J

As some of you may know, I have been pursuing a career in acting. I have been blessed with the opportunity to act in two films that will be coming out in the near future. All that said, I had the opportunity to work with a good friend and fellow artist Mark J. He is a veteran in the Hip Hop game. I’ve had the opportunity to build a great relationship with him and see his heart for the LORD. Check out the trailer for his new music video, which features a Young Denzel Washington A.K.A. Sho Baraka. His album, “An Everyday World,” is available on iTunes.

I am dead. I have been crucified with Christ.

The life I now live, in the flesh, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me. (Galatians 2:20)

I am not alive unless I am new. Christ came to provide that newness on the cross and sealed it by defeating the grave.  I am–by faith–seen as new. I am seen as righteous. I am seen as a child of God. (John 1:12)

John 3:3 tells us we must be born from above. The text continues and informs us anyone born of flesh is condemned, but those born of the Spirit are born anew.  So, I know I am “Brand New,” because I have been born anew or born into true life.

Ephesians 2:1 states that we are dead in our sins. Our disobedience brings us death, and we were born in disobedience; therefore, we are dead.  But Ephesians 2:4 provides hope in the truth that we are made alive by God’s loving mercy.

Amen!!!

We are born anew from death and sin’s penalty by faith in what Jesus accomplished in His living, dying and raising.

So anyone who has Galatians 2:20 stamped on their heart is Brand New–in a real, born of heaven in faith and newness of life sense.

That’s what my new single is all about: being Brand New!

I pray that you enjoy the song that is now available on iTunes and are encouraged by it to embrace, know more about, and proclaim the truth behind this Brand New life.

Get “Brand New” here!

God bless!

Sincerely,

Tedashii

With each passing day of the “Unashamed Tour,” I grow more impressed with the Lord. And as I grow more respect for the brothers I serve with, I also become less impressed with myself. The platform the LORD has given us must create a routine of daily dying to one’s self. As the Reach Records team proceeds in the great privilege to communicate the undying message of Christ via the vehicle of Hip-Hop, I’ve observed a few things that I would love to share.

1. You’re not impressed?!?

Each night, five artists, one DJ and a drummer hit the stage with the single purpose to make Jesus famous. It’s easy to lose sight of that with lights, sound, props and roaring crowds. Many people have many concerns. Many of these concerns are valid and some are not even worth repeating. One deadly lane that people of influence can find themselves moving in is one that brings confidence solely in their capabilities. Each artist put time and effort into what they will communicate on the stage. It’s easy to believe the cheers and applause are solely because of that work and effort. It’s also easy to believe that people will be more impressed with GOD because of the effort you put into your performance. These are dangerous thoughts that need to become subjected to the supremacy of Christ. I have no problem with people enjoying the gifts of other people. The scriptures encourage us to use our gifts for others (Romans 12:3-18). The problem comes when we begin to esteem people because of their gifts. This is how church abuse and exploitation take place. People with glamorous gifts become more important than those with less glamorous gifts. We also begin to exalt the gifts and not the giver of the gifts. All gifts are given from GOD as an act of grace for the service of the body.

I believe that I am an “AMAZING” rapper. I also believe that I am a sufficient communicator. But one of the most humbling moments on the tour comes after each concert. Every night, I sit and speak with people who inquire on what the gospel is and what it means to them. Each conversation can take an hour. In that time frame, I will throw out my favorite analogies, in the most passionate way I know with a heart that desires to see these people reconciled to GOD. But despite my confidence in my abilities, an individual’s heart is changed because GOD decides to illuminate it for the purpose of bringing them into a saving knowledge of Himself. I would think that people are impressed with me; in my perfect world, because they are impressed, they would love the GOD I love. However, I couldn’t be more wrong. Not only does my talking about the one true GOD I love not impress them, but they are not impressed with GOD himself. The only way they will be impressed with Him, is if GOD himself does the work turning a wicked heart around. It can be frustrating when you speak to a young man for 45 minutes and all he has to say at the end of the conversation is, “But all the Christians at my school are corny.” In these moments, it’s refreshing to realize that it is solely the power of GOD that impresses people and not the rapper rapping on stage in a nice outfit.

2. Manipulation

I’ve also come to understand the responsibility we have to steward this platform that the LORD has given us. GOD has graciously given us a stage, a mic and a following that trusts us to encourage the flock while also bringing truth to a lost world. James chapter three warns us to be careful with the responsibility of this platform. Many people will seek this platform and use it to gain material possessions or the manipulation of people for their own benefit. GOD has clearly communicated that he will deal with these people accordingly (Matt 7:21-23).

During one of our shows, I noticed that people follow commands given from the stage, often without critically thinking through them. Many times people in the crowd come broken, hurt, confused, without hope and looking for solutions to their problems. How easy is it for men to manipulate the emotions of people to get personal benefits from those who are vulnerable. We see many movements and individuals in prominent positions who do this very thing. It’s a pleasure to know that the lust of the eyes, lust of the flesh or pride of life do not drive my tour mates. We would easily turn over this platform for the sake of our sanctification, because if a platform ever gets in the way of a proper view of Christ, then your platform isn’t for his glory but for your own. I would hope that each individual would have a proper perspective of who we are. We are nothing special. We are sinners who need His grace like the rest of the body.

3. Hello Haters!

Every person who sees themselves doing good work for the LORD should expect that there will be naysayers. There will be attacks on your character, there will be people who don’t appreciate your gift, and many people will attack you just to make themselves feel validated garner attention. Many of them believe GOD has only revealed the truth formula to them and their comrades; therefore, they are more qualified to handle the platform. Many react out of jealousy. But in many ways some of us deserve the criticism from our contemporaries, because we walk around with our nose up as if we are superior to most. Even still, some have valid concerns to keep the church free from blemish. I guess my frustration rises when people esteem cultural standards over biblical truth. People have the right to not enjoy our music or gifts. But for an individual to spite our gifts because they think its satanic, without any biblical support, is weak and immature.

It’s funny to hear all the ridiculous criticism we get from people who hide behind a computer and avatar. Many of them talk a whole lot of junk but show up front row of the concert. Jerks!!! It would be wonderful if these perfect people understood that we are just regular people who are working out our salvation like the scriptures communicate. One day we will be like them.

At the end of the day, I just hope that all my brothers and sisters would genuinely celebrate the success of the Gospel in lives being impacted.

Just a few things I wanted to communicate this fall. If you want to check us out on tour here is the website.
www.reachrecords.com/unashamed

Stone me now and thank me later,
Sho Baraka

This is a guest post from Lions and Liars Co-Founder Adam Thomason.

What a welcome it was! I had the privilege to go crusade/tour the message of Red Revolution in South Africa with Sho Baraka, Dawntoya, Kevin Rudd and little one Zipporah. There was so much love, so much beauty in culture and creation; the fields are ready to be harvested there. It was very tough to come back. The people that impacted our experience the most where Johnny C, Noeline, Clive, Peter C, Marlon, Jeremy K, the kids at the Poolsmoor Prison, Gerald P, Olivia, Grace, Benoit, and Dj Easy. That list of names may be insignificant to some, but they were revolutionary to our souls as we fleshed out the Gospel.

The reason we went, initially, was to spread the message of Red Rev in Cape Town. One year ago, I had the privilege of going to preach at a Lifeway International conference in Colorado. After I gave the message of Red Rev, the Lord allowed Noeline, who is from South Africa, to be burdened by the truth of that message and the need for it to go forth in South Africa…

Read the rest of this post at theredrevolution.com.