Beat the Press

Now I can't remember the year, but many winters ago the John Marshall High School boys basketball team ran a suffocating full-court press defense the entire game each night they took the floor.  For the unfamiliar, a full-court press is when the team on defense attempts to smother the offensive team player for player; as close as possible without fouling them.  The goal is to not allow the offensive team to get the ball on the court.  If that happens, then the next goal is to make it extremely difficult to dribble, pass, and of course score. Each defender needs to stick to their assigned target like saran wrap.  Because the Justices were athletic, quick, and defensively skilled, they were pretty successful with this scheme.  Many teams would become frustrated; screaming at themselves for not being alert enough and crying to the referees for fouls.  In the end that all amounted to nothing and they would lose.  Still, with this brilliant plan, not even mentioning Jayem's talent, they were unable to reel in a state championship (I don't think they even won the Central Region the year I'm referring to).  Interestingly enough, it wasn't because there were many teams that were more talented than them, because that number was very small.  But those squads that were victorious had a keen understanding on how to beat the press.

Where It's Due

I think in my writings I've gotten somewhat ahead of myself and have left out some foundational pieces that are essential for life.  Maybe because of my studies or my observatory nature I've gotten conceited, but I have attempted to address the pressing objectives that I believe the Holy Spirit has been leading me to confront.  Still in doing this I've been neglectful; ignoring what all of this is truly about.  The revelation I received which is contained in those previous sentences is welcomed discipline.  Because all of what I pen is Spirit filled and driven, I'm thankful for yet another chance to get back on track.  Also, it's comforting to know that I'm being used, even with my failure to grasp the pinnacle of following Jesus the Messiah; and therefore I'm normal, relative, and in God's sight, important.  So in saying this....

Playin' Chicken

Say what you want about the media, but those sniveling snitches are some of the smartest, most crafty people on the planet.  In sheer brilliance, they bait your homegirls' president to admit he believes that marriage isn't reserved for just a man and a woman.  They recycle that statement enough for the social media reporters to run with it and so the he-saw-the-best-in-me Christians can make it known the "he" in the song was Obama and not Jehovah.  Next, they go to who they believe is one of the most successful Christians around to get his thoughts.  They don't get the answer they really want, but they get enough to work with...and it's on.  But real talk, those who take the homosexual stance in this Chick Fil-A issue have a point; although I doubt they know what it is. 

Crew Love

"Everybody wanna know what my Achilles heel is.  Love!  I don't get enough of it, all I get is these vampires and bloodsuckers." - Jay-Z, Monster 2011

Here, we see the self-proclaimed pagan god of hip-hop acknowledge that even though he is fiendishly murdering the competition (which he believes has made him a coveted but elusive target), the slaughter would be non-existent if he were to receive more love from his contemporaries.  I believe the love the artist is referring to isn't the Al Green Love and Happiness type, it's more like the Scarface My Homies kind.  It's plain to see that Jay craves for acceptance like the peons he makes fun of.  That's the common thread for all human beings...the feeling of unity with something, anything.

Same Feet, Same Hands

I literally used to do anything I wanted. Check that....75% of the time I did anything I wanted when I had to force it; and 97% of the time it was when there were wide open opportunities. Needless to say I had loads of what I considered to be fun, but unfortunately none of it was pleasing in the sight of God. Although it was diametrically opposed to any form of obedience to Him, I leaned on a couple of biblical principles-turned-excuses to clear my conscious. The "all have sinned and fall short (Romans 3:23)" worked pretty well. And the King David saga mixed with the type of teaching I was under really allowed me to make my dirt look clean. Even though I knew I was wrong, I was fairly good at manipulating myself by using the previously introduced verse; all the while behaving as ignorant as possible.  That being said, I look back on those days in embarrassment; thinking I was hot stuff but was really missing the freedom a life with Christ gives.  But here's where the ultimate give-and-take scenario comes to play.  Because of course this better knowledge of myself and my purpose has me grateful without question.  It's just that it would've been pretty cool if this renewed mind came with amnesia.