Revolution

Spoken word artist shares a thought-provoking message

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"It’s time out for bein’ a C-M-E church member. God is real everyday not just Christmas, Mother’s Day, and Easter"
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On a recent marketing strategy session with a client of mine, Sherrie Hare, owner of Mr. Anthony's Fashion in Edwardsville, IL., her daughter, Ashley June Smith, came in.

As a proud mom goes, Sherrie explained that Ashley is a talented spoken word artist and I just got to hear one of her poetry-in-motion. Ashley didn't hestitate and shared her spoken word creation, called "Revolution."

Wow! Powerful stuff.

You just got to hear "Revolution." A text of it is below. Click on the "Revolution" link above and enjoy.

But first, a litte bit about Ashley:

Ashley is a native of Madison, IL. In May of 2007, Ashley graduated from Washington University in St. Louis, where she majored in Psychology and minored in Spanish and Legal Studies. She is employed by InterVarsity Christian Fellowship and works as a Campus Minister with Harambee Christian Ministries (the Black Campus Ministry at Washington University).

Ashley is an active member of Mt. Nebo Missionary Baptist Church in Madison, and enjoys reading, spoken word poetry, and spending time with her family. Her favorite scripture is Jeremiah 1:5.

The text of Revolution

It’s time for a revolution.
I’m tired of this dilution.
Mixin’ two parts World with one part God is a poisonous solution.
Watered down Christianity, in need of revival.
Speak life to these dry bones, it’s vital to our survival.

It’s time out for bein’ a C-M-E church member.
God is real everyday not just Christmas, Mother’s Day, and Easter.
He has a work for us to do, so polish up the armor.
Please open your eyes, ‘cuz judgment is right around the corner.

Grow up, get off the milk, partake of the meat of God’s Word.
We’ve been commissioned to share the Good News with those who’ve never heard,
but how can we expect to spread the Gospel when we don’t even live how Jesus said.
James 2:20 lets us know that “faith without works is dead.”
Tell me how you can go from creepin’ and gettin’ blazed on Saturday night,
to standin’ up in the pulpit talkin’ ‘bout how Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.

It breaks my heart to see all the hypocrisy in the Church.
The House of God should be a place of healin’, yet more and more ppl are gettin’ hurt.
The pews are full of falsely pious Pharisees who won’t take the time to see
that we’re turnin’ away an entire generation with all the gossip and religiosity.
Stop trippin’ off of whether girls are wearing skirts or jeans, and focus on if they’ve gotten on their knees, to accept Jesus as their Lord and King.

It’s not about man-made rules and regulations.
It’s time for the Saints of God to be real with it all across the nation,
‘Cuz even after all the shoutin’, the hallelujahs, and gettin’ “slain in the Spirit,”
God is still sayin’, “they honor me with their lips but in their hearts they don’t feel it.”

We go to church on Sunday mornings dressed up from our head down to our feet.
Thinkin’ we’re too good to break out of the four walls and help the brothers and sisters on the street.

Nothin’ we did in and of ourselves could’ve gotten us where we are,
had it not been for the grace of God which has carried us thus far.
So we shouldn’t think so highly of ourselves that we can’t be a blessing to others,
‘Cuz our righteousness is as filthy rags had it not been for the blood of Jesus as our cover.

Well, now that I’ve spoken to the Body, let me holla at those on the outside lookin’ in.
True, there are a lot of things wrong with the Church today, but that’s no excuse for you to sin.

And for those who have prayin’ mommas, and think that maybe you’ll just wait,
You may be young, but know, you can’t get to heaven on your momma’s faith.
And when judgment day comes, and it’s time to stand before the Throne,
He ain’t gon’ ask you how the church folk lived, ‘cuz you’ll be standin’ all alone.