Eyes and mind of Jesus Christ.

Ever looked at a person a certain way or treated a person some kinda way like eww.

YOU DON'T LOOK LIKE A RAPPER WRITTEN BY GARRY E SHEPARD JR.

Yesterday Friday, June 7, 2013 I performed at a youth service at Ark Of Refuge C.O.G.I.C in New Haven Ct with the support of my Wife, Mother in law, my son and my church family. I enjoyed myself immensely.  I did my song, If I only Knew. At first, when I was rapping I noticed that some people were trying to figure out what I was rapping about, and I was expecting for the youth to really get into  it but i only realized that it took them a while to get the story of my rap. After I was finished I received applause which I didn't expect!  I was told I didn't look like a rapper, that mad me laugh. Some said I didn't think you had it in you. as I wrote about the Christian Hip Hop Image,  these thoughts came to my head, "I feel like if you don't have an image that some are used to then some have a problem connecting with your rap maybe its just me." I'm not offended at all, it just made me realise that you cant judge a book by its cover! To God be all the Glory, cause I know that at the end of the day it not about me! PEACE!!!!!!  

The realization of it all. written by Garry E Shepard JR.

5/15/13

                                                               The Realization of it all    


The Lord spoke clearly to my heart, he let me know that he wants the glory from me. All this time I've been trying to seek help from people as far as recording my music but something always come up. God has blessed me to write and compose musical tracks but because of my heart's desires, God is preparing me for my time will come. Proverbs 16:3 is my main focus because as I'm committing my thoughts, concerns, cares unto the lord he's working them out. God shares his glory with no one. I have come to peace with the fact that as long as what I do is within God's will I shouldn't worry about when but how I need to stay focus on doing the Lord's work.

Rejoice for your Brothers and sisters in Christ.

                         

                         
                         

    WRITTEN BY GARRY E SHEPARD JR.

Rejoice with your brothers and sisters when they reach when God uses them whether it's for Singing Gospel, Gospel Rap or preaching. Not only because the Bible says so but because rejoicing  with our brothers and sisters keeps us in the right spirit. The flesh loves to have it's way selfishness is it's number 1 appetite. I'm still waiting to record and share my music for awhile but I make it my duty to support others as God blesses them with opportunities to use their gift to bring him Glory. My time will come and I would want the same. It's not all about the recognition but  you would want to be appreciated for what you do and you should. I've been blessed to fellowship with some humble brothers and sisters doing kingdom work for God so as I end this I ask that you continue to rejoice for your Brothers and Sisters on the frontline for your time will come.

The Process. By Garry E Shepard Jr.

                                                   
                                                                THE PROCESS
                                                      BY GARRY E SHEPARD JR.

I'm sitting here thinking and still trying to record my EP. It's taking a time I did a rough draft but that's all I'm looking for help but everybody, is doing their own thing one person was nice enough to help but haven't been in contact since then. I even ? is it worth it, is Gospel Rap really for me. I loved rap all my life you all should know  from my first blog a little of what I been through. I'm happy for those that are doing shows and established but to be honest whether secular or Christian everyone is still all for themselves. I'm not calling anyone on the carpet, I'm just expressing what I'm going through I know someone can relate to how I feel. If it was up to me I would record myself. I also don't like asking because I feel like I'm bothering a person. I don't want anyone to take this the wrong way but I'm stressing the process of ministering in music the hardest part for some such as myself is getting my God given gift to the world to hear. Some don't realize how stressful it can be and the time it takes write or make tracks and the disappointments of seeing neither being used. I will leave this with you in order for you to be an Artist you have to put in work and have patience because unless you come across the right person or receive an record deal know that you will be putting in work for a long time but it will all workout in the end. One last thing you have to remember that unless God says ok prepare to wait, when you find that your rapping and your not content then know that you went ahead of God instead of waiting. God Bless.

Church in your heart by Garry E Shepard Jr.

                                                      CHURCH IN YOUR HEART
                                                     
                                               WRITTEN BY GARRY E SHEPARD JR.

                                                           
Church a place of worship where people of like minds come together. I entitled Church in your heart for a reason to get us to think. We go to church between two times a week and once on weekends unless we have another service. We must have Church in our heart why because of what life can bring your way at times people, situations, the past. Being in Church doesn't guarantee a place in Heaven, now you may say what do you mean? According to scripture our righteousness are as filthy rags meaning it takes more then an appearance of living right. Daily we must kill the flesh. In our minds thoughts aren't holy all the time and wonders constantly. Church doesn't keep our minds from wondering nor does Church take your problems away but Church is a place of peace brother and sisterhood. With the heart we do good or we do bad that's why we're in a constant battle in the mind. My  brothers and sisters in Christ we must  guard our hearts and have Church in our hearts at all times and not be Traditional  or Ritualistic. Is church in your heart if church is in your heart many who know you will notice if not people will still notice. Having Church in your heart will keep you intune with God and give you that extra push to come out and have Church.

Christian Rap Image

                                        CHRISTIAN HIP HOP IMAGE

                                       WRITTEN BY GARRY E SHEPARD JR.


As I sit here about to write this blog I think back  to when I  was going to Gospel Hip Hop concerts one after another, I enjoyed seeing the youth going forth in the music but one thing constantly stuck with me, the scenery seems so familiar. Thinking back to when I went to my first concert Cash money and Ruff Ryders tour 13 years ago at the original Hartford Civic Center thousands of people dancing  throwing their hands up even me in the nose bleed section lol. Some of the Gospel Hip Hop concerts were the same in crowd participation only difference is that secular concerts always brought More of a crowd. Also what I noticed was the way Gospel Hip Hop Artist were dressed the same as secular artist. To tell you the truth it kinda bother me because I was thinking like how would people in the world be able to tell the difference between a saved and unsaved Artist. I'm nobody perfect but one thing I live by is that you have to give God your best in all that you do I know this might stir up something in some artist but this is not to expose or discredit any Artist, but I want to talk about the image from my point of view.

DOES IMAGE MATTER

As I sit here I asked myself does image really matter. Fitted cap jeans, sneakers or boots is normally what I see among Christian Hip Hop Artist this image is acceptable among the youth. God dealt with me he help me to realize that he can use whoever he wants and also that even though we are christian rap artist  we all reach a different type of people. I look at artist like B. Rieth   my favorite local artist Soft Spoken  Prophet from the MA.  My dude has a  dressy image with the confidence to match like no other. Church boy Billy  H Powell last live recording my brother performed in a suit in which he did well. I realize that you can only be yourself that's even how you dress. I'm still dealing with how my image should be, I'm not one to wear Fitted im more of a knit cap type brother but I realize that the summertime isn't a good time to where a winter cap also I don't want over or under dress. Realizing that an image can make or break you, I also realize that the older saints can be the most critical when it comes to image, sagging in church I'm sorry I don't agree with that at all inside and out side of church. As I end on this note what are a your thoughts good or bad I want to know. God Bless.