Video: Da' T.R.U.T.H.: Lost

Like the song, like the video. Well done! And a nice shout-out to P4CM, who make the "Ex-" shirts that were featured in the video.

First-Class Citizens, All

When reading through the Bible last night, I came across a passage in Philippians that hit me:

“Then make me truly happy by agreeing wholeheartedly with each other, loving one another, and working together with one mind and purpose. Don't be selfish; don't try to impress others. Be humble, thinking of others as better than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:2-3, NLT)

What touched my soul most about this passage is the exhortation to think more highly of others. This sounded like a good statement for me to focus on in my journey toward being more openly loving to others. (I don't necessarily harbor a lot of hatred, though, like anyone else, I have had my share of dislikes when it comes to people. My biggest problem is being an introverted person, with baggage rooted in fear, and struggling to get beyond myself to establishing meaningful connections with others.)

Think about it: If we are honest with ourselves, the people we gossip about, scream at in our minds (or aloud), and otherwise harbor negative feelings toward are ones to whom we have assigned second-class human status. We are not considering them on our level (of intelligence, compassion, whatever), and we are certainly not loving them. We may not even call them by their names in conversation, instead resorting to “that woman,” “him,” or something worse that we'd never want to escape from our mouths.

How would your attitude change toward someone if you upgraded your perception of them? Someone with whom I face a struggle currently immediately came to mind for me. If you consider your “problem person” the same as you, or better, it becomes impossible to think about them the same light as before.

There are many areas of life that can be challenging, but the hardest has to be doling out love unconditionally, in the spirit that Jesus intended. I thank God for the ways He has changed my spirit so far, and I look forward to more work!

Music Brief: Jas Knight's "The Psalter"

The best albums, secular or Christian, are ones that you can play all the way through and use for all occasions. Everyone has that one album they can go to for dinner when company's over, driving on a sunny day, cleaning the house and vibing to in an introspective moment. Jas Knight just offered you another of those releases to keep on hand, with "The Psalter."

Knight presents this jazzy, neosoul offering as a contemplation of the Psalms. A Psalter is a collection of the Psalms for worshipers in olden times; Jas' Knight's Psalter covers several Psalms, repeating key verses that can be meditated on, with the mellow music serving as a willing vehicle for the uplifting reminders. "This is soul music," Da' T.R.U.T.H. aptly announces on "Psalm 91." Other guests include shai linne and R-Swift.

My Top Tracks:

• Psalm 100: Smooth sound, but joyful regardless.
• Psalm 136a: Enduring love, midtempo groove.
• Psalm 91: Bouncy encouragement for the faithful.
• Psalm 29: Dramatic rendering of God's power.
• Psalm 37:A funky faith proclamation.

New Sho Baraka Song

Sho Baraka dropped a song called "Word" yesterday. It may ring a bell with those of you who attended the Don't Waste Your Life concert.

"Word" will be on Sho's full-length release next year, titled "Lions and Liars." (For more on the release, and more on Sho, check out my recent interview with him for DaSouth, here.)

The song features a minimalist 808 and soul-clap beat. On the song, Sho sometimes clothes his words in a Jamaican-style accent, which coordinates with the woman on the chorus with an exotic dialect. "I walk with boldness like Revenge of the Nerds," Sho says of the strength he gets from the Word of God.

He also gives a shout-out to the Bible for shaping his life for better--encouraging him to serve wifey with breakfast, give to the poor, and to repent when he realizes he's been doing wrong.

Sho is keeping tight wraps on "Lions and Liars," but if this song is any indication, the album should attention grabbing and thought-provoking.

Until then, "Word" is available on iTunes and Amazon. There are also special promotions for the song on the Reach Records site. Get it for free by telling five friends, or if you want to pay, Reach allows you to name your price.

Late Pass Music Brief: Jade Harrell's "Class Reject"

I gotta admit that sometimes I judge by the cover. In a positive way. A close examination of wording and images has often led me to thoroughly enjoyable entertainment that I would've never known about if I hadn't been nosy.

Jade Harrell's "Class Reject," released this summer, is the latest Exhibit A for me in this line of thinking. Her CD caught my eye in the urban section of my local Christian bookstore. Her punky hair, Day-Glo clothing and the title's defiant nod to not fitting into the norm stood out with panache.

I was not disappointed by dropping my cash on her album. "Class Reject" is a light-hearted, pop-leaning concoction of dance and rock, with reggae and even a retro R&B moment. Harrell's willingness to bend genres to her versatile alto is enjoyable.

My Top Tracks:

• Into the Music: Futuristic escapism at its best.
• Me and My Radio: Worship: No club, DJ needed.
• Who Are You: Empowerment celebrated, with Ayiesha Woods.
• The Unseen: Stay faithful; don't line-walk.
• Don't Leave: Praise clothed in 60's soul.
• You and I: Crazy in love with Christ.