Urban D -- Crossover Church

You ever met someone and whatever they do they just seem to reflect Christ.  That's what I see whenever I am around Urban D.  And take this from me, I am not one to put anyone up on a pedestal nor do I worship preachers.  It's just when I am around this brother, he is some meek and christlike.  First time, I saw I was like, this dude looks like a straight gangster, with the braids and street gear.  I am here chuckling to myself cuz that's funny to me. I have my moments when I allow Christ to shine through me, but I know I have so far to go.  For instance, when I get around my old crowd, I caught myself saying things I know good and plenty I wouldn't say if I was in church.  I sometimes feel like the Apostle Peter after he betrayed Christ 3 times before the cock crowed.  Guess what gives me hope.  When I hear Urban D talking about the times he backslide and sometimes reverted back to his old ways.  It gives me strength to know that it's just part of growing in Christ.  Christ doesn't want or need you to wait until you fix everything thats wrong in you.  That's what the Holy Spirit is for. This is the same spirit that lives in Jesus Christ, that wants to come and live in you.

Anyway, I gotta say that Pastor Tommy aka Urban D is one of the most laid back and righteous cats I have ever met and not only that; this dude can spit and he gives a mean sermon.  If you are ever in the Tampa Bay area be sure to stop by Crossover Church and visit the website for more info.  http://crossoverchurch.org/home.html

The Vision

The vision of Jesus Christ Ministries is something that has been brewing in my spirit for a long time.  I had this vision in my early 20s.  God gave me a clear picture of a ministry that reached out to youth, especially the youth of the Virgin Islands where I grew up.  I managed with the guidance of my mother and stepfather to stay away from the streets, drugs and gangs while I was growning up.  Unfortunately that is the norm in the Virgin Islands.  The majority of children are supported by single mothers and raised without a father figure present, especially a godly father figure. 

From my own experiences, I know first hand of the dire consequences that await those who fall to the path of the streets, drugs, gangs and the pursuit of fast riches.  I also know first hand of the demonic oppressions that rules of over the islands.  It seems that there is a darkness that has yet to be pierced that possess control of most of the inhabitants.  While most people live their daily lives and never even think or see this, God has pulled back the veil and shown me that there is a serious demonic hold on the Virgin Islands.  There are many God-fearing and faithful believers that reside there, but if you just take a look at the daily newspapers you could get a glipse of what prevails.  The youth are the ones mostly at risk, especially the young men.  They are drawn by the glamourful life of drugs and ill-gotten money. Almost daily, someone's life is ended by senseless violence.  I know this is not a very uplifting subject; but in order to solve the problems of the islands, we must first confront them.  The reason for this is because we have left the safety of Our Father and His Son Jesus Christ. That is the Truth, even though many are opposed to truth, there is no escaping from it.  We must be realists and confront the wares and devices of our immortal enemies.  There are principalities and powers that seek to destroy our very souls.  The most powerful tool that they wield is to cause us to refuse to acknowledge their very existence.  Satan and his cohorts, my friends, are very real; though he would have us reduce him to simply tales and fables, that is exactly what he wants, so he can go about with his plans unexposed.  Those who continue to walk into the traps and snares that he lays will know that the devil is real only when it is all but too late.  There are those who do not believe, and then there are those who openly worship Satan, believing that he is their friend, and that their best interests are his.  Think again, for the devil comes as a roaring lion as describe in 1.1 Peter 5:8 (Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour). 

Back to the vision.  The Lord clearly as day said to me to write the vision, to make it plain, so he whom sees it may run.  The vision was to develop a christ-based youth ministry and center.  The pilot center would be be developed on St. Croix with others to soon follow.  We would provide an outlet for young men, women and children to learn the truth about Jesus Christ, and nurture them as believers and evangalists to continue to spread the good news of Jesus Christ and His coming kingdom with the elements of music and media arts.

 

At first, I was excited and started telling friends and family about the vision. It was my very same friends and family members who ridiculed me and laughed at the vision.  They would say, "boy, you're not a pastor" and "chuups, you just like your Uncle Hill'.  I had to laugh at that last comment because I spent a lot of time with my uncle.  Most people ridicule him also because he wasn't very learned but he was a man of fire for God.  He also was human and made his share of mistakes. The sad thing is folks are so quick to judge you especially if you stand for God. The words of Christ ring ever so true; "If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you," 1.John 15:18.  So with that being said, I take it all with a grain of salt (please excuse the cliche).

Now more than ever God is impressing on my heart and mind to bring forth the vision.  While the vision is still in the blueprint stages, I feel moved to write the vision and allow God to provide the resources and people needed to bring it to fruition. I realize that I am just a vessel for the vision and lacking of the resources to do something this huge and exhaustive by myself.  I have often expressed this, but God has given me a word that He has more than enough resources.  If He has touch your heart with this vision, I am open to any assistance anyone can provide, be it prayer, finances, knowledge, or expertise.  Please feel free to contact me on my cell 813-380-5918 and leave me a message or drop me an line @ my email.  laurentgroup@live.com

Messianic Jews Spittin Lyrics Fo' Christ

These two youngsters are sick on the mic. Their lyrics are collegial.  Listening to the album, was like reading a modern day disertation by the apostle Paul. The duo quote not only the Bible but the Tamud.  I saw them live at Crossover Church here in Tampa.  They were off the chain, like two pitbulls straight out of Mike Vick's kennel. The only difference is they did it for Jesus. The crowd was really into them and so was I.  The reason, they were all about the Most High.  So I had to do it.  I copped the cd and well, it was worth every dime.

The intro sounded a bit corny at first.  I was like what the.... but I decided to give it a listen before I made up my mind and it was worth it.  The Fullfillment drops some knowledge about how Christ fulfilled the prophecies in the Talmud describing Jesus first coming as a lamb and predicting his second coming as a majestic lion.

The next track Genesis 18 sound at first like Busta Rhymes was going to jump out signing Arab Money LOL. Nah, but seriously the brothers get into the explanation of the album title, "Theopanies". They describe and explain who it was the prophets of old and patriachs of the bible saw, from Abraham to Jacob.

This description is found on the cd insert:

Theophany

Pronunciation: The-'a-fe-ne

:a visible manifestation of Diety.

The brothers get up in your face with "Brace Yourself.  This song seems it goes straight for those that question God's universal wisdom and gives the a taste of their own medicine. Ouch. Its seems like its coming straight from the mouth of God Himself.

There are a lot of gems on this album. Shamayim of Gold talks about the preparations God promises for the faithful. Salvation breaks down the price that was paid on the cross of Calvary. The beat is ridiculous. It rivals mainstream songs with the incredible flow. Stephen the Levite is the guest artist and flows like the nile on the track.  On the Theophanies interlude Dr. Michael Brown expounds on the subject of the album. The shofar, for those unfamiliar with Judaism the ram's horn  ushers in a beat that makes you want to roll your fist in circles and then point. I know I am wrong for that but I was doing the dance Busta did in Arab Money. This reports on Jacob's encounter with the angel of God and his transformation to Israel. I could keep but dancing like David did to this jam here.

Mercy feat. MuzeOne is a banger. Too bad they won't play this in the club. Then here comes the old school Eighties Mix bringing back of memories of jerry curls, gunned down jeans and breakdancing.  Heavy Laden tells a story of a believer down to his last straw. He come face to face with the God Man and starts complaining about his many problems.  Ironically Jesus looks on him compassionately and allows him to lay down his cross and pick a new one. The conclusion will have you thinking is that me?

These dudes take the album to the next level and slams the cd cover down on your fingers with Uncut and Raw.  They are taking it personal as they blast the crude and lubricious attitudes of the today's rappers as who do whatever it takes to sell records. Ouch.

Exodus 3 recalls Moses encounter with The Angel of God.  Passover Lamb expounds on the Exodus of God's chosen people from the land of Egypt and the step of faith it took to carry out the command of God to mark the houses with the blood of a lamb.

Crucifixion Description is quite graphic as it goes into a full blown step by step of the  pain and cruelty carried out by Roman crucifixion. I love the beat.  Its ironic, for this sound like it belongs on a love song, but if you think about, this is a love song.  Risen is a catchy tune about the resurrection featuring fellow labelmate Shai Linne. Judges 32 describes further theophanical encounters.

Only Hope is a reminder of all the worries of today's modern world and the one solution. Kashoh concludes with the prophet Isaiah vision of the coming king. 

Overall this album is a banger and will be a classic.  I know this is my first review but on a scale of 1 to 5, I have to give it a 4.7 so lets just make it a 5.

Check them out here!