Rap is the Novociane of the Young Masses

I am not writing a heated blog weather rap should or shouldn't be listened to, but rap itself is an important topic for several reasons. With the revolutionizing of technology, one of the primary areas being transformed in our consumer lives is music. I know the baby boomers and X gen folks think they cared about music a lot, and trust me, where do you think the Y gen got their behaviors from in the first place, but music is a fundamental component of every young person's self definition.

Everyone I know my age uses music to define who they are. It is the biggest social connector, the biggest influence on cognitive developments, and really the biggest thing my generation cares about. Y gen neeed constant stimulation, and that is supplied by their musical investments. Music is relatively cheap and harmless from a parents perspective, but music shapes who they are, in most cases, more than parents do after they reach a certain level of cognition.

So now we come to rap. Rap can be intellectually and morally challenging for anyone listening. Its contents are vast and styles infinate, truly. But when observing rap artistry from the last 15 years, you tend to notice its real social impact on its listeners. It is not that those listening to rap engage in violent behavior or reckless hedonism because the music idolizes this behavior. In some cases, yes this is true. But I see some of the sweetest, young girls listening to rap. We see countless "hipsters" and "popular kids" and athletes and nerds and you name the demographic- they listen to rap. These kids aren't all joining together in a social revolution to destroy the moral foundation of their parents, no, something I believe that may be longterm more detrimental is occuring.

What is going on here? Those who listen to rap are becomming numb. There are several other social contributers to this phenomenon of young people- mainly deriving from our constant need and supply of stimulation. The superficial content of most pop rap is so base and primal that its listeners have no need to feel anything. I say this from experience. Many times when I was feeling overwhelmed from grief or anger or confusion, I didn't want to listen to my angsty and thoughtful alternative music, I wanted rap. I would listen to rap, hear something outrageous and dumb that I didn't necessarily agree with, and bump along to the beat. And  I never necessarily feel better, I just quit feeling anything.

Certainly, some emotions are evoked purposefully in rap- rage, lust, excitement, happiness all can be generated from listening to it. Some more poetic rap artists are so articulate, they've made me cry from the deep and heartfelt content they pour out. But in most cases, I find that prolongued exposure to rap doesn't necessarily change the moral values you posess, simply from the contrasting moral framework, it just makes you care less and less about morals. Values- things you were taught to hold dear, are things you don't care about as much.  You become less inclined to emotionally engaged in anything. Feeling passionate and inspired aren't as appealing anymore because that requires you to believe in something, and its easier to not believe in anything. Its easier to keep listening to something that isn't real and you don't take too seriously than to be serious.

My generation is connected to the world and disconnected from themselves and from their parents. We'll care about some things, but as long as it poses no risks or challenges for us personally. We've seen our parents battle about so many different things- religion, politics, science, world views- and we don't see the point in all this fighting. We think that as long as no one cares about something too much, everyone will be happier and easier. To a certain extent, us young people are right. But this is extremely concerning for me. If we are all trying to achieve constant stimulation and desensitization to pressing issues, then what will we have when the time comes to stand for something real?

What will we be able to stand for other than what we listen to? I'm not just conserned about religious faith, I'm concerned with the practice of faith in its entirity! We're losing our ability to trust in and care about things that require personal investment. We accept everything and do nothing because we don't see the point. Its because of what were listening to, and its because of who is raising us. Mom and Dad, stop telling your kid to "stop listening to rap! Its horrible and bad!" because they know that. Give them reasons for values and morals other than superficial consumer enterprises. Show them why emotions are important. Show them the hurting world around them. And show them that you're not going to fight with other people all the time. Because in a few decades, were going to have a real mess on our hands.

If you listen to rap and disaggree with me, finding my assertions rude, I am truly sorry. There are many exceptions to the generalizations I've made. I know many good people who listen to rap, and I know many versions of good rap that don't do any of the things said mentioned. I just had to make these generalizations for the sake of being consise.

Why I love my Church

I've been at New Covenant for about a year and a half now, and all I can say is the journey has been incredible. I'm so blessed to have this part of my life enriched and restored. I am excited for what God is doing and will continue to do with NC, and I can't wait to watch it unfold. The reasons why I love my church are simple, yet very profound at the same time. I don't know of many groups of believers like these, and I am humbled to sit amongst them. So- here go the reasons.

5.) The 90's are back and they don't even know it.

From the lion king worship ballads to the light brown wooden furniture to the tan colored everything, our church's aesthetic is as 1990 as it can get. This is AWESOME. First of all, this style is coming back in full force in the next few years, and why wouldn't it? The 90's were a great, simpler time when everyone was tired of the loud, flashy, cheesy 80's. Everyone liked things plain, clean, and if they did something, it meant something, (with exception to grunge). Those principles seem to be etched into the floorboards of New Covenant. That's just the thing too. Its never been a concern of NC to be trendy, and cool, and hip- they just want things simple and nice so everyone can focus on the main attraction: Jesus. Its not that my church doesn't care about being relevant, its just they want Jesus to be relevant. The building is well designed and clean, and even though the stage and walls may lackluster, none of the people in there came for the walls.

4.) Free donuts!

I'm Dave Row's daughter how could I not like free food? On a serious note however, I love that our church has free pastries and coffee every week. You don't have to wait in line to pay for any of it and be totally consumed and distracted by your meal. They treat you like grown-ups and let you drink/eat in the sanctuary if you didn't quite finish. And you get a chance to fellowship with all the church members. This is an old tactic that churches have been using since Jesus' time, so why change a good thing? With everyone eating free food and talking together, it puts everyone at the same level. And anyone who might be grumpy during the service because they're hungry, will instead enter God's place of worship with a satisfied stomach and a full heart.

3.) Did the pastor really just say that?

I never know what my dad is going to say in the pulpit. Not that he ever says anything sacrilegious or distasteful or wicked or obscene, its just he is bold. Many issues are heated, or pressing, or just plain difficult to talk about, but that never stops my dad from addressing them. His boldness comes from his absolute trust in our Lord, Jesus Christ. He will never back down from saying something that needs to be said, even if he's scared. My dad isn't some crazy radical offensive preacher who enrages his congregation, he's a pretty funny guy. Jokes are in his nature. Maybe someone would argue his joking is too much, and they wish he was more serious. However, every week when I leave church, I have a burning in my heart- a call to action to change something in me, or in the world around me. I am convicted and restored every week. If I can be convicted and pressed to impact the world even though I am Dave's daughter and know more about him than most, I know everyone else in that building has the same burning in their hearts.

2.) You're just a friend I haven't met yet.

New Covenant is so stinking nice! Seriously, I've never been surrounded by a friendlier group of people. And its not that everyone is inviting me over to their house and calling me and were all best friends and I think they might be brainwashed, no its a completely awesome experience. Imagine walking into a room full of people you don't know, but you can tell for some reason that they all love you, and each other, and that they're happy to see you. Its like going to a huge family reunion where you don't know most of your relatives, and all they want to do is say hi and give you a big hug, and you don't have to talk to them unless you want to. And no one gives you creepy vibes and everyone looks genuinely happy to be there. When I sit in service, everyone is attentive and has a glow about them, and when I laugh or feel stirred by the message, I look around and can tell everyone else feels the same way I do. The church does everything together. If one person stands up for worship, we're all going to stand. If one person sits, its the same thing. It is the most united group of believers I've seen. And it doesn't bother me at all that most of the people there aren't my age. I see enough young people at school, and there will be a time for younger gen's here. Anyways, the believers of NC are outstanding.


1.) Jesus is alive!
In every insignificant detail of New Covenant, you can see Jesus. We don't have Jesus posters everywhere, or scripture or other relics dispersed around the church, but he is reaching out his loving arms from every person's heart. I see him here. He truly is running this church, and everyone in that building is working to protect  that blessing. I am so overwhelmed by the beauty and goodness of the people congregating around me, and I am so proud and honored to call New Covenant my home. Its scary to leave a church for another, and not know what to expect from the people, but when you remember the reason why we're all going to church and the hope that is in every believer's heart, all those fears are cast into the depths of the sea. So, I'm not too sure what Jesus has planned for us here, but I know were all up for the challenge, and I know he has great things in store.

Thats it! Come visit New Covenant and see for yourself. If you don't want to, thats cool, but if you ever wonder how we're doing over here, here's your answer. <3 br="" nbsp="">