The Finale: Be a Lion

A few years ago, I got a new CD called "Lions and Liars" by Sho Baraka  who was an artist with Reach Records. I took some time to post about this project once.


You can check out the series that I wrote about it here if you want to.
As I went through these posts again, I realized that I never finished posting everything that I had hoped to in this series. It's sort of cheesy, but I loved it then and I'm still challenged by this man now.


I recently found a drafted post that would have served as the conclusion... 
If you read that series you know how much this project blessed me. If you read this blog then I hope you begin to know how much the idea behind this project impacts the person that I am. 


Here's the post....Here's a summary of my aim. Sometimes I seem to forget. Sometimes I get sidetracked. It's always there and God is always bringing me back around to remind me of what is important in this life. 


HERE'S THE "DRAFT" FROM EARLY 2010:


In the words of the man, Sho Baraka himself (taken from an interview):

"Ultimately, what I'm trying to communicate is that no matter where you serve, no matter what you do...If you're a teacher, if you're a doctor, if you're a hip hop artist, if you're in an office, if you're working a 9 to 5, if you're a stay at home mother, if you're a dancer....No matter where God places you, master that arena for the glory of the Lord. That's what lions do. They know their territory and they take over. There are so many lies that we have to fight against. Whether it be the world, the flesh, satan, or the ways of contemporary culture. Be a lion for the Lord and roar!"

"You have a responsibility to articulate the correct theology. To correctly reflect the Lord and His Church. Be mindful of your life. Do not let sin and pride well up within your heart. Make promoting the Gospel the focus of your life. We'll all have to answer to what we do for the Lord."

Be a lion for Him, ROAR with a big lion shout!




BACK TO THE PRESENT:


On a side note, Sho Baraka has branched out from Reach Records. I don't know him personally so I can't know exactly what or why he's doing what he is. I do know that he continues to pour himself out for the Gospel and his culture through promoting art that points people to the Gospel and the beauty of all that God has made. 

Be a Lion pt. 4

"Joy is a young sister, singer by title
She's on her Paula Abdul, she left American idols."

Hebrews 12:1-3

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Consider Him who endured from sinners such hostility against Himself, so that you may not grow weary or fainthearted."

*A series of posts encouraging all of God's people to master the arenas that He has placed them in for His glory.*

Be a Lion pt. 3

Marco is a trainer, he's training Raheem
He is teaching him to be a man in and out the ring.

Titus 2: 2, 6-8, & 10

"Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness...

Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us...

showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior."

*A series of posts encouraging all of God's people to master the arenas that He has placed them in for His glory.*

Be a Lion pt. 2

"Raheem is a boxer, he's beaten the best;
But the hardest fight is when he is daily fighting flesh."

Romans 8:12-17

"So then, brothers, we are debtors, not to the flesh or to live according to the flesh.

For if you live according to the flesh you will die, but if by the Spirit you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live.

For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”

The Spirit himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, and if children, then heirs—heirs of God and fellow heirs with Christ, provided we suffer with Him in order that we may also be glorified with Him."

*A series of posts encouraging all of God's people to master the arenas that He has placed them in for His glory.*

Be a Lion pt. 1

"Pam is a podiatrist, yeah, she has beautiful feet."

Isaiah 52:7

"How beautiful upon the mountainsare the feet of him who brings good news,
who publishes peace, who brings good news of happiness,who publishes salvation,who says to Zion, 'Your God reigns.'"

*A series of posts encouraging all of God's people to master the arenas that He has placed them in for His glory.*

Lion's Anthem

Even though this is not my favorite song on the album, it does have some of the best lyrics.

Here are the lyrics:

~Verse 1~
This counter culture rapping
False Idol smashing
Tap a friend ask them, is this lion attacking
We're ready for action, break the cage we were trapped in
You might want watch out my dude
Get your L's up
Let me tell you about some lions who's running the streets
Pam is a podiatrist, yeah, she has beautiful feet
Raheem is a boxer, he's beaten the best
But the hardest fight is when he is daily fighting flesh
Marco is a trainer he's training Raheem
He teaching him to be a man in and out the ring
Joy is a young sister, singer by title
She's on her Paula Abdul, she left American idols
Yeah I know a doctor, his name is Jason
He prays the Lord keeps working on his patients (patience)
Yeah Yeah the saints up in the house
If you're repping in the jungle, give a big lion shout to

~CHORUS~

Gentlemen, Royalty, Priesthood, Peace Makers, Leaders, Unashamed Brothers get your Ls up
Ladies, Queens, Princesses, Trendsetters, Righteous, Virtuous Sisters, get your L's up
Lions, Lovers, Servants, hate sin, hate lies, Household of Faith get your L's up
So get your L's in the Air


Verse 2

Look at Sarah she's a beast with a comb and hairbrush
Yeah she does hair but she really knows the Heir
Who makes the flattops, wave, and the shiner
I guess its safe to say she knows her Designer
Carlos sells shoe like nikes, chucks, and timbos
So in many ways he used to save souls
Jimmy a fisherman he's got new purpose
he's fishin for souls yeah he's causing networking
Paul trades stocks and he keeps that money coming
When it's 99 cents he's trying to make it 100
But my man Paul's not defined by the dollar
He's clothed in righteousness whether white or blue collar
Ming works at a law firm out in Las Vegas
But his favorite thing to do is that cross examination
Ok, the saints up in the house
If you're repping in the jungle, give a big lion shout to

CHORUS

Verse 3

Ahmad writes for magazines English was his minor
When he walks in the spirit he has a ghost writer
Kiesha owns a bakery with her husband Ramon
They always tells their kids not to live off that bread alone
Keith plays basketball and everywhere he goes
He a defense for the faith, he stays in the zone
Theo is an officer, this might sound crazy
He's the only cop I know that wakes up to die daily
Dane teaches kids how to multiple and add
She knows that 3 equals 1 that's that biblical math
I know a Lion Steve who wears post office blue
Even on his off days he delivers Good News
My cousin at the IRS his name is Thomas
On many different levels he deals with false prophets (false profits)
Yes, Lord! The saints up in the house
If you're repping in the jungle, give a big lion shout to

CHORUS

*For everyone wondering what "get your Ls up" means:

Sho Baraka is known for getting the crowd to use their index finger and thumb to form an "L" and wave them in the air when he raps. This was especially popular with his song "Higher Love". In this case, he's calling for that as well as getting up and BEING a lion! *

Come back next Friday for a big lion shout!

Lions and Liars

The first project of 2010 released by Reach Records was the cd "Lions and Liars" by Sho Baraka.

Needless to say, I was counting down the days until it was added to my iPod.

As with most cds, I do not like every song, but I do enjoy most of them!

I'm going to be posting about it once every week for a while. So, you might as well make yourself familiar with Sho Baraka and the inspiration of the album!

Join me as I have joined Sho in finding out what it means to

master the arena that God has placed you in for the glory of God!

Be a lion: run the jungle, master your arena. Make God known.

*A series of posts encouraging all of God's people to master the arenas that He has placed them in for His glory.*


CHECK OUT THE POSTS IN THIS SERIES BY CLICKING ON THE LINKS BELOW:
Lions Anthem
Be a Lion pt. 1
Be a Lion pt. 2
Be a Lion pt. 3
Be a Lion pt. 4
Be a Lion Finale