E55 - The Weapon of Music - It Can Break Chains in The Mind - Guest Eric Cohen
The Weapon of Music: It can break chains in the mind
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From a life of sin, vice and darkness, the story of Eric Cohen, a Christian hip hop artist from Missouri resonates with our lives and the power of transformation through Christ and seeing the light of God. Have you ever been in dark times in the maze of this world when you felt lost and hopeless and no one to save you? Eric Cohen’s story is a reminder that God has your back regardless of your current situation and he can lift you up and give you a happy, fulfilling and rewarding life devoid of the pressures and frustrations of this world.
Eric does not hide his sinful past and encourages everyone who feels burdened with the pressures of this world of materialism, violence and hopelessness to rise up, shake their dust off and have faith in our God whose abounding love sustains us all. Eric’s testimony is a reminder that we can live a life of honor, integrity, kindness and doing everything in the glory of God. He has released albums including Used to Love You, One Way, Pain, Lift you Up and Lead Em to Water among others. He continues to ministry and spread the gospel in his hip-hop music through his message of hope, faith and belief in God. May the Lord bless you as you listen to Eric’s testimony with the goal of changing your life, your family and those around you to the glory of God!
YouTube Video - When You Die by Eric Cohen & Tunnabeatz
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Episode Links:
Michi J LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kingdomprincesspen/
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Podcast Details:
Podcast website:
https://kingdomprincesspen.com/podcast/
Apple Podcasts: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/prisoners-pardon/id1579133364
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https://open.spotify.com/show/0uLfG4b5LbFjN0X6yW2dZa
YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIZbC2jKXhRsOYiOw9QtXlQ
Eric Cohen’s Details:
Email- Ericlc25@gmail.com
Instagram- https://www.instagram.com/eric_cohen_music/?hl=en
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/eric.cohen.581
X - https://twitter.com/ericlc25
YouTube- https://youtube.com/user/Ericlc25
LinkedIn -https://www.linkedin.com/in/eric-cohen-0078aa47
Website- https://ericcohen2022.weebly.com
TikTok - @ericlc25
Link tree(all other links)- https://linktr.ee/ericcohen
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Outline:
Here’s the timestamps for the episode:
2:03 Introducing Eric Cohen to the World
6:25 A life of sin, hopelessness and darkness
13:45 Transition from darkness to light and realization
19:33 Jump Starting a new life in God and Christ
23:01 Personal reflection, belief and unwavering faith in God
32:13 Struggles as a christian, family conflicts and asking the holy spirit for guidance
38:11 Music as a channel to spread the gospel
43:19 Conclusion: The importance of remaining in God’s spirit and faith
Transcript
I believe that music has the power, to
resonate in people's ears and minds
2
:to break chains, break oppression, and
I believe that music is only second.
3
:To the word of God in the way it can
connect to people, it breaks through
4
:everything the message of music and
the way people vibe and film music,
5
:I believe that it has the power, to
resonate in people's ears and minds.
6
:In a way that only the word of God has
music breaks chains, in people's minds
7
:Hello, everyone, and welcome to
a prisoner's part in podcast.
8
:This is me, TJ, and today
we have a special guest.
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:His name is Eric Cohen.
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:Okay.
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:He is a Christian rapper.
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:Yes, I do host Christian rappers.
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:I love them because they have them.
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:The same message as any other
preacher in the ministry of God,
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:and Eric has a great message.
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:And I want him to introduce himself
because he's going to tell us how
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:he got into doing music and just
a little bit more about himself.
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:And some of we're going to
actually do some visuals this time.
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:Yes.
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:You're going to be, I'm going
to be on YouTube showing these
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:great videos that he has.
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:Hi, Eric.
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:How you doing?
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:Hey, Miss Michelle.
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:I'm doing great.
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:It's a blessing to be
here with you, young lady.
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:Okay.
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:Thank you so much.
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:Tell.
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:My audience, how you got into
music and just your background.
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:He has an incredible story guys.
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:So listen up to what he has to say.
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:So I was born in 1902.
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:No, just kidding.
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:No, I'll start off with the music part.
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:So around three and a half years ago, uh,
I wasn't at an all time low in my life.
37
:Uh, I had actually just gotten
baptized, which was really cool.
38
:Uh, in the name of Jesus, you know, I
just got baptized, but you know, when
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:you do something good, the enemy's always
right on your heels, trying to take you
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:down and you know, I was no different.
41
:Uh, he caught me right when I came up
out of the water and I ended up making
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:a mistake, uh, acting out on my flesh.
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:And I felt such a weight inside
of me that I'd never felt before,
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:which I now know is the Holy spirit
convicting me, uh, that I had to come,
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:uh, tell my wife what I had done.
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:And that was probably one of the
hardest things I ever had to do because
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:I told her, you know, and, and she
crumbled, she fell apart, uh, with
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:the information I just told her and
it was, it was really hard to watch,
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:you know, um, but by the end of it,
you know, she kicked my butt out.
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:Uh, kicked my butt out of the
house for about three weeks, and I
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:ended up sleeping in my truck for
around two of those three weeks.
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:And, uh, one day I was at the end of
the cul de sac, just kinda chillin out.
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:It was morning time.
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:And, uh, I was contemplating suicide.
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:I was about to eat a bullet.
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:I didn't know what else to do.
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:You know, I was just miserable.
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:And, uh, I had just given my
life to Christ, and of course,
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:one of the worst things that's
ever happened to me happened.
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:Uh, you know, so I was just
about to be done with it.
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:And, uh, a beat came on my
radio, on my YouTube, I was
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:actually, uh, writing a poem.
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:I love poetry.
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:Uh, always liked Edgar Allen Poe,
Robert Frost, Emily Dickinson, for
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:some name drops, you know that I know.
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:That good poetry Good people.
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:Good people.
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:Okay.
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:Yeah, yeah.
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:So, you know, I, uh, was writing some
poetry this morning and, uh, a beat
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:came on my radio and the Holy Spirit
spoke to me, like, audibly spoke to
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:me and said, I want you to rap this.
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:I'm like You know, because I
never had this gifted and here
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:I am a 35 year old white guy.
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:He's like, yeah, I want you Eric Cohen.
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:I want you to wrap this.
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:And, uh, you know, I was obedient
with hesitation, but by the
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:end of that experience, I had
goosebumps all over my body.
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:I was crying like a little girl and
the only words I could utter out of my
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:mouth over and over again were thank
you, Lord, because I knew this was a
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:gift from him and it was on that day.
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:As soon as I received that gift,
I made a vow to the Lord that I
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:would only use it for his glory.
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:You know what he's imparted upon me as
a weapon of warfare, , and it's a way
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:to break chains, break oppression, and
I believe that music is only second.
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:To the word of God in the way it can
connect to people, , the word of God,
87
:it breaks through everything and music
ain't much different, with the message
88
:of music and the way people vibe and film
music, I believe that it has the power,
89
:to resonate in people's ears and minds.
90
:In a way that only the word of God has
Yes, the word of God does break chains
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:and it sounds like you know I like how
you pointed out because some people
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:think after you get baptized After you
come to the lord that you just don't
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:have any problems Will you admit it?
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:That's when you're on you're
you should be on standby, right?
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:You are the target at that point.
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:The the enemy is not looking for
the ones he already have You know,
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:he's trying to get Us, he wants us
to change to his program, but you're
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:listening to God I hope , my audience
understands that at this point,
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:that's when you're more receptive
when you're broken down like this.
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:And I'm glad you didn't.
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:Eat this bullet or but took a bullet
for God and ate that and stay it
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:in, you know, got that conviction.
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:So tell me more.
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:What else happened after that?
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:So after that, you know, uh.
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:Not too long after that, I came back
to my house and, uh, you know, my wife
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:showed me a lot of grace and mercy
and forgave me for what I had done.
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:Now there's still a lot of healing to
do in our relationship and that may
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:never change, but God has given me
an opportunity to serve my wife and
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:my family like I never knew before.
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:Uh, so even in the midst of, uh, The
darkness and the things that I had done,
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:you know, God was still good enough to
show me grace, even through my wife.
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:Um, so, you know, I, like I said that
day, I vowed to use this for the Lord.
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:And that's what I've
been doing ever since.
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:Uh, so the last three and a
half years have been crazy.
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:Miss Michelle, uh, the Lord
spoke to me and said he was
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:going to use me in a mighty way.
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:And he's been doing so, uh, I've
been going to juvenile detention
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:ministry, Uh every Wednesday night
and getting to talk to the young
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:ladies and young men over there.
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:Uh, I do Online performances live
performances, you know all with the
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:the motive to preach the gospel message
And that's what I love about being
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:a christian artist because there's
always a purpose to what I do and
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:it's not Not to glorify self, but to
glorify god, so it's quite amazing.
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:Oh, wow so You I want to uh go back
a little bit Because I believe you
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:touched on, even though you didn't say
the word, it was about forgiveness.
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:You got some forgiveness from your wife,
from God, and that is Very healing and
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:you, we all need forgiveness and I'm
so glad that you are starting to go
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:through this process because forgiveness
is a process and a lot of times the
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:hardest people to forgive is ourselves.
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:You said it right.
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:So it was hard.
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:You found that hard to do, even
though, you know, as you were
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:going through the process, I want
to talk a little bit about that.
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:Just because.
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:Um, it's so important that people
understand about forgiveness and, um,
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:that's part of what the show is about.
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:It's about a part and that's
similar to, um, forgiveness.
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:So are you still walking through that
process or, and I like how you gave
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:everything over to God and you realize
that what you're doing is to glorify him.
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:And do you think that helped with
your process of forgiving yourself?
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:Yeah, I absolutely do.
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:Let me be very transparent and clear here.
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:I have hated myself most of my life.
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:Wow.
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:Okay, good.
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:You know, I grew up in poverty,
neglect, addiction, all these different
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:things that tried to take me out.
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:And I was, I lived on the fringes of
society, you know, I was an outcast, uh,
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:and you know, I'd like to say it was in
my own mind, but it was in the world.
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:Uh, so I never fit in
and I, I hated myself.
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:I hated who I was, you know, from
the labels that I had acquired.
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:Uh, during my time interacting in the
world, uh, but like you said, that
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:self forgiveness, uh, when we are able
to look at ourselves in the mirror
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:and actually like the person we see,
it's, it's a whole different ball game.
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:And I do, I have to process this
forgiveness daily, you know, because
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:there's still those thoughts in my
mind that pop up, like, you know,
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:you're worthless, you're nothing,
but that's when I have to make a
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:choice to stand on God's truth.
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:And it's not always an easy choice, Ms.
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:Michelle.
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:Let me be honest about that.
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:Sometimes it's the hardest
decision I have to make in a day.
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:To believe what God says about me instead
of what my mind's trying to tell me.
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:But the mind is in the
battlefield, young lady.
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:Let me tell you that.
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:Now, don't you stop preaching on there.
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:You know I'm holding my hands up now.
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:I'm trying to get happy over here.
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:And you are speaking nothing but truth.
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:It's just facts.
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:And Oh, that cleansing.
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:I can, I can feel, and I can, I can
sense that depth that you have in
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:you to that truth and so many of us,
and I'm pretty sure you're not alone.
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:There's someone listening
that hate themselves.
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:They're listening to the enemy out
there, giving them labels, but the
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:labels you should take is only from God
because he knows you more than anybody
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:else and better than you know yourself
because God has so much for you that
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:you didn't know you can do and you're
going through this process with him.
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:You will, he will blow
you away all the time.
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:So yeah, just tell me
more like you came out.
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:You're still working through this daily.
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:I like how you said daily, it's daily.
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:It's not over with.
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:So as you're going through this process
of this art, cause God is the master.
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:And you're just a piece, okay?
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:So he's creating this
masterpiece in you, right?
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:So you starting to spit this poetry out.
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:He's telling you to do something
like you haven't tried.
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:You probably never even thought about it.
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:It's like, you said you this white
boy and he's telling you to rap.
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:What do what you know, I grew up to
the tunes of classic rock Delta blues
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:Blues, you know definitely some rap
in there, but it definitely wasn't
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:the kind of glorified Jesus either
You know, I grew I'm a 90s, baby.
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:I grew up on Tupac Biggie Smalls Big
Pond and Bone Thugs, you know That
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:was my influence as a child, you know,
but to have this gift Uh, like I said,
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:that's how I knew it was an anointing and
blessing from him and I could give him
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:all glory and he did that for a reason.
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:I believe, you know, so I would
understand and I would be humble about
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:what he's given me and it's just, I
just want to point out to the audience
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:to like, is that when we think we're.
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:Nothing, when we broken down, that's
when God can really use us and,
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:um, you allow him to use you and
just, he's building you back up.
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:First he got to break you down and
so that now he can mold you into what
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:he wants you to be to glorify him.
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:And so, okay, so now you this.
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:Rapper down.
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:What did you do?
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:What was the first thing you did?
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:Like God wants you to do this
What did he tell you or how did
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:you start just start rapping?
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:So, you know it took a lot of faith
to step out and actually start
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:rapping because I am not Like I
said, I didn't see myself as the
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:person God saw me in the mirror.
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:And so to step out in front of a
stage, something I'd never done, or
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:to step out in front of people and
share this gift was probably one of the
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:hardest things I had ever had to do.
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:It's getting easier each time I do
it, you know, and, you know, dozens
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:and dozens of shows later, I'm finally
getting comfortable in my own skin
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:and stepping out and actually being
able to let the Holy spirit work
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:instead of staying in, in the way.
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:Uh, but that is not the way it was,
you know, I, uh, I started off with a
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:lot of hesitation, uh, but let me tell
you that God indwelled me with the
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:Holy Spirit in such a way that I didn't
have a choice but to move forward.
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:And the first thing I did, I
think, was talk to my mama.
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:Her name's Letitia Cheatham,
an amazing woman of God.
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:Uh, now she ain't my real mama.
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:She's my spiritual mama.
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:I met her at church,
uh, but she was the one.
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:You know, I would have these
visions and I would have these
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:doubts in my mind sometimes.
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:And she was the one that spoke God's truth
to me in such a loving but unfiltered way.
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:And I think we all need
somebody like that in our lives.
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:Somebody ain't willing to sugarcoat
it, tell you exactly what's
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:what and tell you to get your
head out of your butt sometimes.
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:That's what I needed.
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:Wow.
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:That's good.
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:Um, a spiritual guide, someone, you know,
that's what, you know, you said exactly
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:what they need to hear because once you're
out there and you, you're now you working
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:for the Lord, you have to have wisdom.
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:You have to have a person that's been
there that can talk truth to you because
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:the enemy is going to just be at you.
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:He going to be all up in your head.
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:And especially because right now you're
like a bait, you're in baby Christ.
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:So you're not.
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:Fully processing what you're going
through and what God is doing.
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:With you for you.
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:And so he sent miss Letitia to you and
Now you're starting to feel comfortable.
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:Are you you still working on it?
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:Are you just are you there yet for is?
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:Okay.
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:God has me doing this and Now I'm
starting to Walk in and really and
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:getting more comfortable and comfortable.
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:I'm listening to your music.
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:It's like you sure you was
Uncomfortable doing this and you,
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:you look like you are made for it.
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:And won't God do it?
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:Miss Michelle, that's
exactly what he does.
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:He takes people that are broken
and and considered useless in
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:the world and he'll do something
amazing in them and through them.
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:And yes, to answer your question,
I do feel a lot more comfortable
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:doing what I'm doing now.
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:I think I have a fully accepted
what God has told me and
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:what God has said about me.
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:And I've accepted that
as the truth of my life.
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:And so there's no backing
down at this point.
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:I'm gonna go hard for my God, uh, through
hip hop, through preaching, through
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:evangelism, any way I can to get that word
out there, because I know the grips of
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:oppression and darkness, you know, and I
also know the freedom and light of Jesus.
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:He says his bond is light.
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:He says, take my yoke upon your
neck because my bonds light.
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:Trust me, I know that other bond
and I'm sure many other people who,
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:uh, may listen to this podcast know
that yoke of oppression and, and
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:the weight of darkness as well.
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:Well, I'm here to tell you that if
you accept that white yoke, he's going
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:to do something amazing in your life.
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:Maybe it won't be rap, but maybe
it will be evangelizing to.
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:Whoever you meet and
that's just as important.
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:We are all in the same position
as the body of Christ Ain't
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:nobody higher than the next.
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:In fact, it says that the humble should
be exalted in the exalted should be
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:humble So Lord, let me be humble.
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:Hey the first gonna be last
last gonna be first young lady.
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:No start again I'm trying to
keep this show I'm trying to
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:like, okay, you elevate, but I'm
like getting happy over here.
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:I got to stop.
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:Okay.
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:Yeah.
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:So I like how you say, and I'm sure
everybody, myself, I've gone through it.
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:When you start to step out and what
God has for you, you have to trust
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:the Holy spirit because you don't
feel comfortable in that skin yet.
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:You're saying you didn't
see yourself that way.
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:And it was the hardest thing.
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:And I'm going through some
things too, where it's like.
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:You know, really?
297
:and He he I believe god loves
us to be amazed by him and he is
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:Amazing when you allow him and
you step out there you did it.
299
:So you were um, You know you like polar
opposites what we would look at at first
300
:as a rapper and i'm seeing your video
like He's doing it He's good And thank
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:you for being obedient And we have to
learn how to be obedient and listen to
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:God and walk the way he says, because
it's not going to be comfortable at
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:first, we got to be comfortable with being
uncomfortable and in, um, and we at times
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:feel inadequate for what God has said.
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:Did you feel that inadequacy?
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:Hey, I feel that every
day to be honest with you.
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:I feel inadequate, but that's where.
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:I know that God keeps me humble.
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:You know, he keeps me in this position
to where I'm looking up all the
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:time and I can give him all glory.
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:So he keeps me, I feel like he keeps me in
this position to where I feel inadequate.
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:So I know how much I need him and
I grab onto him on a daily basis.
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:Wow.
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:You are preaching, you
know, you're preaching.
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:I know someone is hearing
this, not just me.
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:And I'm getting so much word
and, um, feeling from this.
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:So we feeling adequate, God
has something planned for us.
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:Way more than we think and can't imagine
and how do we not run away from it?
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:I know people am I the only
one am I is you're talking to
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:just me don't run away, right?
321
:Eric, what do you say you
you you what did you do?
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:Like you walk through the
process and you just it is hard
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:Cause it's not comfortable.
324
:It's true.
325
:You know, and it just reminds me
of the story of Jonah in the Bible,
326
:you know, Hey, that dude ran hard,
even jumped into the bottom of
327
:the ocean saying, Don't we run?
328
:Don't we run?
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:We do.
330
:We run, you know, and, and, and
that's okay in a sense to run,
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:but God's still going to use you.
332
:He's going to turn you right back
around and put you right where
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:he wanted you to begin with.
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:You know, and I think that's the beauty
of it, you know, and, and if you choose
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:not to use your gifts, if you choose
to bury your talents, you know, what
336
:do you end up with at the end of your
life, knowing that you could have done
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:something, knowing that you could have
put faith in God and stepped out to what
338
:he was telling you to do, how do you
account for that when you meet him face
339
:to face at that great white throne, you
know, all to make sure he, when I, when
340
:I hit them gates, I want to hear, you
know, Well done good and faithful servant.
341
:I don't want to hear Doug.
342
:I don't know your name.
343
:Who are you bro?
344
:Get away from me Yeah,
that's the worst thing.
345
:I don't want to hear that nor do
I want to hear Oh, I had this for
346
:you and that's for you and you
ran away I had this plan for you.
347
:If you would have followed me, this
is what You would have had, you know,
348
:it kind of reminds me of that movie.
349
:It's a wonderful life.
350
:And you know, you get to see what it could
have been like, would that like upset you
351
:that you wasted and you are stepping out.
352
:This is for someone,
this is not just for me.
353
:You're going to feel inadequate.
354
:First, you're going to be broken.
355
:He's going to be able to use
you then you're not going
356
:to feel comfortable at all.
357
:You're going to want to run
away and you got to sweat it.
358
:You got to, you're going to, I'm going
to do this anyway, because I got to
359
:believe what he says about me and look
at you now, look at you now, Eric.
360
:Amen.
361
:I'll tell you what, miss
Michelle, he gives us a choice.
362
:Don't he, you know, we have this
free will and it's quite amazing.
363
:Uh, so we have an opportunity,
uh, to step toward him in faith.
364
:And trust that he is our maker creator
and savior or we can step away back
365
:into the world and do the things of the
world But you and I both know which one
366
:is more fulfilling at the end of the
day And I would much rather, uh follow
367
:christ with all my heart Even if there
comes adversity, even if there comes
368
:suffering in the name of jesus You know,
I would much rather be following him
369
:than anything the world has to offer me
because I know that stubs bunk Mm hmm.
370
:And let me, let me tell, uh, maybe it's
not a secret, not to you, but let me tell
371
:the audience, it gets better all the time.
372
:You, it's not, this is the best.
373
:It's going to keep getting better.
374
:Each time you step out and
you start doing, it's going
375
:to get better and better.
376
:Whereas the world, you
didn't have the best.
377
:It's downhill for now and it's quick.
378
:It's a happy hour or whatever, but
this is like eternity everlasting.
379
:And he's It's like fine line, it's
just getting better and better and
380
:better and you can't, you can't get
enough of it and you, and that's
381
:a different, that's a flip side.
382
:That's a switch from the
world's point when you start
383
:following Christ, stepping out.
384
:So this is what you've
got to look forward to.
385
:We already got heaven, but now we
were when you're starting to be
386
:obedient and don't think Look where
you say you was at your lowest, right?
387
:Yes, ma'am.
388
:Yes, ma'am.
389
:You was contemplating suicide right on
the edge right on the edge, so No matter
390
:what your background is If you've been
locked up or not, you know, some people
391
:have these spiritual prisons as well.
392
:They don't understand that you
actually start there before
393
:you go to a physical one.
394
:If you hit that spot.
395
:So you know, what are you
telling your juveniles?
396
:You say you speak to the juveniles.
397
:What do you, you know, when you share
your story, I'd like that you share your
398
:story and you're not sugarcoating it.
399
:You're, you're being raw and you're not
looking, you're not being like the world.
400
:On social media.
401
:Oh, I got it all together.
402
:And then you find out later that these
people are in a really bad spot condition
403
:because they're, they got this one face
and what you're doing is the opposite.
404
:What we're doing is the opposite.
405
:And we're saying, no, we,
we don't have anything.
406
:We, we were broken, but look at us now.
407
:Now you're, you're living and
they've suicided out, you know?
408
:It's a, it's a different switch.
409
:So what do you tell your, what
do you tell the young people?
410
:You know what?
411
:Uh, I believe, uh, just as I am
on this show, I believe in full
412
:transparency, miss miss show.
413
:And so when I go into the juvenile
detention center to talk to these young
414
:men and women, I'm completely open.
415
:I'll answer any questions they may have.
416
:Uh, but.
417
:There's the glory to my story and
it always ends with Jesus, you
418
:know, because I let them know,
yes, I've been through addiction.
419
:I've been through poverty, neglect.
420
:I've been in the same place as they were
in, you know, I have been miserable.
421
:Most of my life, I spent it in misery.
422
:Uh, but I have a savior.
423
:His name is Jesus and he rescued
me from the very depths of hell.
424
:And trust me, if he's willing
to use somebody like me.
425
:He's willing to use y'all to,
you know, and, and some of
426
:these kids ain't never had love.
427
:They ain't never had hope.
428
:They grew up with a hard life.
429
:You know, some of these kids
that are sitting in these places,
430
:they are wards of the state.
431
:Their parents don't gave them away.
432
:They don't have anybody, you know, so I
might be the only person that shows them
433
:love walking into that place for the next
six months or maybe ever, maybe I'm the
434
:one that plants a seed for Jesus in them.
435
:So, you know, I just try to
be completely open and honest.
436
:About what I've done, where I've been
and where I'm headed, you know, and,
437
:and the fruits speak for themselves.
438
:You know, there's, there's
no hiding actionable faith.
439
:And so as I show up each week and
I walk into this place and they
440
:see my, my silly face every week,
you know, they see me and they're
441
:like, okay, well this is Eric Cohen.
442
:And guess what?
443
:They're asking to, to get discipled when
they get out there asking for mentorship.
444
:And that's exactly what I want.
445
:You know, I want to reach this
generation and let them know who Jesus
446
:is because the world's fading away.
447
:We ain't got long left in
this place, young lady.
448
:I'll tell you that.
449
:Don't you start.
450
:Don't you?
451
:It is true.
452
:We see, you know, um, we're not trying
to save the world because we understand
453
:the world is destined to go down.
454
:It's like, we're trying to get them on
the arc, so to speak, rescue the ones
455
:who wants to be rescued and let them know
that there is an arc of safety for them
456
:and it's in Jesus Christ and you're Wow,
this is a great message and I'm glad that
457
:you're going into these facilities and
pointing out that people are not love.
458
:They don't know what love is
and they haven't been shown love
459
:and you're bringing that hope.
460
:And they're probably thinking,
uh, he's always been this way.
461
:Look at him.
462
:You don't look like you, you've
been through the fire and you
463
:don't even smell like smoke.
464
:And that's, and what, that's how
the Lord cleans you up and you got
465
:this joy about the you radiated
and they're picking up on this.
466
:And I feel like they can talk to you.
467
:Not somebody that, oh, they have it all
together and you really can't relate.
468
:You, you telling them,
no, this is where I was.
469
:You can leave here actually now, even
though you still physically there.
470
:That's it.
471
:You know, you look at inspirations
like Corrie ten boom, uh, the young
472
:lady that found Jesus in a Holocaust in
the middle of a, a concentration camp.
473
:She found Jesus and held on
with all her life and survived.
474
:You know, we speak about.
475
:Finding joy in the midst
of every situation.
476
:And it's possible, you know, you can look
back through history or look currently,
477
:I bet, you know, five people right
now that may have the most horrible
478
:situations happen in their life.
479
:But guess what?
480
:They still full of joy.
481
:Uh, my brother, he just lost
his mama, but guess what?
482
:That young man is so full of joy.
483
:You couldn't even tell because he
know mama don't went to heaven.
484
:So it does not.
485
:Again, it does not depend on circumstances
outside circumstances is like, and
486
:that is peculiar that is different.
487
:And if we can get people to
understand that to know, to be in
488
:Christ, that's what that means.
489
:And then look at you,
you're a new creature.
490
:Amen.
491
:You weren't rapping.
492
:You definitely wasn't in no
facility talking to juveniles
493
:about what Christ can do.
494
:How?
495
:I mean, it's for, he's, he's available.
496
:He has his hand now
he's, he's beckoning us.
497
:Beckoning them.
498
:That's it.
499
:You know, all, all we got to do is reach
out and take that step off the boat.
500
:Uh, no different than brother Peter did
way back in the day, walking on the water.
501
:Come on now.
502
:Come on now.
503
:You speaking it.
504
:This is, I like this because
you're speaking the gospel and you
505
:putting it in words that people
can understand and relate to
506
:because now it's not just theory.
507
:I like the term you
said, actionable faith.
508
:Actionable faith, you know, you're,
you're putting his faith in motion
509
:and now, and as you walk out, you
steady, God is exposing more and more.
510
:It's getting better.
511
:And what else do you talk to
about, uh, to the juvenile?
512
:So, um, have you had any come
out where you had to mentor them
513
:yet or, um, anything like that?
514
:So I have had the opportunity to
speak to two young men on the outside.
515
:Uh, now one of them actually ended up
back in a juvenile detention facility.
516
:So, uh, you know, it comes with
understanding that even though we're
517
:planting a seed, uh, that say seed
may not grow up right in front of you.
518
:And we may never see the
fruit on this side of heaven.
519
:You know, we may never see it on earth.
520
:We may never see the fruit
of what we did on earth.
521
:Uh, but, you know, we just have
to be faithful and continuing to
522
:do what God's called us to do.
523
:And knowing that it has purpose,
know that it has reason.
524
:You know, I, I think that's the most
important thing that we don't lose hope
525
:and we don't lose faith, uh, in the fact
that God's working through us and in us
526
:because, you know, sometimes we can get
worn down, you know, and, uh, You know,
527
:it's in those times just no different
than the Hebrews had to do in the desert,
528
:you know, uh, they was looking back when
they should have been looking forward.
529
:Uh, don't recall the past.
530
:Don't recall them things that you
think you long for in your flesh
531
:because they ain't doing you no good.
532
:You know, you look forward, you look
forward to that, uh, that manna that
533
:falls from heaven that feeds us.
534
:So.
535
:I was just thinking what you just said.
536
:We don't, um, recall that past,
but, but look for, is that
537
:why one can feel inadequate if
they're looking the wrong way?
538
:Hey, it'll turn you into
a whole pile of salt.
539
:Wow.
540
:Good point.
541
:So that's how you would feel inadequate in
You have to look forward, maybe, hey, you
542
:speaking to me now, you speaking to me.
543
:So it's, the show is called a
prisoner's pardon and you can be in
544
:a spiritual prison and not wanted to
look forward and walk out in faith.
545
:That's a, isn't that prison?
546
:Yes.
547
:Wow.
548
:Don't recall the past, but to
look forward and God has so much
549
:plan for you, possibilities.
550
:And you, did you imagine all the
stuff that God has let you do to this,
551
:at the, to this point right here?
552
:Look, lady, I still can't believe it.
553
:Sometimes I really can't, you know, I
go back and I listen to my songs or I'll
554
:listen to a beat and these words that just
come to me, or I listened to the words
555
:that the Holy spirit, uh, indwelled in me
to write down and I still feel disbelief.
556
:I'm like, Lord, this didn't come from me.
557
:You know, it's still, it's hard for me to
see myself as who Lord has made me to be.
558
:Uh, so that's where I go back to that
constant daily reminder and giving
559
:myself up to him, forgiving myself
and understanding his truth about me.
560
:Forgiving myself, forgiving yourself,
because that is a daily thing.
561
:And that's, what's hindering
you for accepting what God has.
562
:For you and who you really are.
563
:Yeah.
564
:And you said you still can't believe it.
565
:I'm still in awe.
566
:And I think that's what the Lord wants.
567
:You know, he says, fear me.
568
:And that fear don't mean be scared
and go run in the corner and hide.
569
:But that means that the fear of
the Lord should leave you in awe.
570
:You know, it should
leave your jaw dropped.
571
:And that's what the Lord does when
he starts working in you and on
572
:you, he does leave you jaw dropped.
573
:You ain't got no choice but to go
pick your job off the ground because
574
:he gonna do something amazing.
575
:I mean, that's the word amazing.
576
:He is amazing.
577
:And just to hear you, your confirmation
on it, when you, you won't be disappointed
578
:when you trust him and step out.
579
:You don't know how he did it.
580
:You still be scratching your head.
581
:How did he get you over here?
582
:And it's going to be so.
583
:You couldn't have made this up.
584
:How did all that align?
585
:How did that connect there?
586
:How did you meet that person?
587
:How did you were there right on time?
588
:They happen to be right there.
589
:It's no accident.
590
:No.
591
:It's no accident.
592
:So I want people to understand
what you're saying here.
593
:So you can't go on your feelings.
594
:Emotions because you're not there yet.
595
:You can't even, you said you don't
even, you still can't believe it.
596
:So you already over here, let alone when
you were back there to try and believe it
597
:and you still over here, can't believe it.
598
:And you didn't went through it.
599
:Yeah.
600
:Amen.
601
:That's right.
602
:That's right.
603
:You know, and that's why I have
no choice, but to step out in
604
:faith on a daily basis, because.
605
:If I were to go on my own feelings,
what I thought about myself, the
606
:inadequacies that I feel, I'd still
be stuck in a bubble, uh, burying my
607
:talent in the ground, you know, and then
the Lord be like, hey, wicked servant.
608
:You know, and that's not what I want,
you know, I want to make sure I am
609
:multiplying what five times, 10 times,
two times, whatever he gives me.
610
:And I'm gonna make it, I'm gonna
make it make sense and make money
611
:for the Lord and not not money.
612
:Like we see it, but yeah,
that eternal treasure.
613
:Yeah.
614
:What are you sending yours up where
it won't be destroyed, you know, and I
615
:like how you pointed out wicked servant.
616
:And most people would think, like, you did
something really bad, what we call wicked.
617
:All it is that you didn't
believe him and step out.
618
:That's wicked.
619
:You calling him a liar, right?
620
:Come on.
621
:Hey, amen.
622
:You calling him a liar, like, hey.
623
:He's what, what did he say?
624
:Taste, taste me and see, Hey, amen.
625
:Taste me and see, ain't that the truth?
626
:And once you taste, yeah, Hey,
he's, he's almighty and all good.
627
:Wow.
628
:I feel like stuffing my feet
right here, but yeah, I like that.
629
:And how, um, I wanted to talk about too.
630
:So, uh, what is it with your family?
631
:Did you, what's going on there?
632
:I know you're married, but
do you have any siblings?
633
:Um, is there any other potential rappers
that's coming out of your family?
634
:Are you just like a phenomenon?
635
:So my daughter has taken quite an
interest in the music, which is amazing.
636
:You know, in fact, I've actually, I'm
working on a song with her called at last.
637
:And, uh, I, if you don't mind,
I'm gonna read you her part.
638
:Go ahead.
639
:Is that okay?
640
:Sure.
641
:Give me one second.
642
:Play the theme music for jeopardy.
643
:Dun, dun, dun, dun.
644
:Um, so.
645
:Her part goes and she's just got
to memorize it to say it, but she
646
:goes, he used to serve the devil.
647
:Now it's me and him together.
648
:My daddy is a shield.
649
:We'll walk with God forever, forever,
forever, chasing God together.
650
:We'll walk with God forever.
651
:We'll walk with God forever, you know,
and, and this was from her thoughts.
652
:I helped her.
653
:Wow.
654
:I helped her make it make sense for
a rap song, you know, as, as far as a
655
:hook goes, but this was her thoughts,
you know, she sees me as, as, as a
656
:shield protecting her from, uh, the
whims of the evil one, you know, because
657
:he's lurking everywhere, especially
in the family, trying to destroy us.
658
:Uh, but she has definitely
taken con to, to music.
659
:She loves music.
660
:Uh, so I'm praying that, uh, she'll
be able to use that anointing, uh.
661
:For the glory of God as well.
662
:And as far as my siblings, I do have one
sister and my father, but that's actually
663
:I'm actually from a Jewish family.
664
:And so everything I'm doing.
665
:Yeah, I'm a Cohen.
666
:So biblically Cohen means priest.
667
:It's in the first.
668
:Two chapters of the Bible.
669
:Wow.
670
:I think it's in Exodus.
671
:Yeah.
672
:Cohen means priest, uh,
which I thought was amazing.
673
:It is amazing.
674
:Right?
675
:Like he, he done made me a ruler and a
priest according to my name, Eric Cohen.
676
:Okay.
677
:So I'm like, all right,
that means something.
678
:Okay.
679
:Amen.
680
:It does just like it did biblically.
681
:Uh, but with that being said,
you know, there's a lot of.
682
:Feedback from that side of the
family because I'm chasing Jesus.
683
:I'm chasing the Messiah that they don't
they don't believe in, you know, so I get
684
:a little bit of feedback or a little bit
of gruff from that, you know, and my dad's
685
:going through some hard times right now.
686
:I keep trying to point him toward
the Messiah, but he just he lacks
687
:understanding right now and that's okay.
688
:Yes, because when the Lord's ready to
show him, he gonna show him all the way.
689
:Oh, and ain't no doubt.
690
:Look at you, you, you further amaze me.
691
:You Jewish on top of it.
692
:Oh my goodness.
693
:That's, you know what?
694
:Our guy is amazing.
695
:You know what he can do.
696
:And I love this about this
healing and forgiveness.
697
:I love how you're discipling your daughter
and that she came up with the words to
698
:hook and how I just know God can hook.
699
:He's already hooked us, you
know, we fishermen, we fishing.
700
:And he, God has the perfect, you know, we
talk about the music, the hook, you know,
701
:that good hook, but God has the best hook.
702
:You know, we just trying to catch
up to him and he uses music and
703
:I know some people may look at.
704
:Christian rap and they
may say certain things.
705
:Did you get any of that flat?
706
:Cause I saw, I saw your, um, your stuff
on Facebook and you was at church.
707
:And I was like, I was looking
at the audience, but I couldn't
708
:see the audience while you were.
709
:Um, performing.
710
:I wanted to see them too, like
what was their reactions to you?
711
:Cause I would never think that
they would listen to rap at all.
712
:So I may need to go back and look
at it, but I was like, okay, I
713
:don't think she listened to rap.
714
:I don't think he listened to rap,
but you were like going at it.
715
:It was like, you did not look nervous.
716
:You look like you've been
doing this a long time.
717
:And it was in a setting.
718
:That you would normally, , not see the
rap, like in the church, , like where
719
:the choir would perform, , someone come
and sing a solo selection and hear you
720
:up there spitting a word out and rap.
721
:So what did they, , what
were they thinking?
722
:What were their reactions to?
723
:What were the reactions to your song?
724
:So that particular instance,
it was absolutely amazing.
725
:I actually got invited by
my pastor, pastor Clint.
726
:Uh, what an amazing man of God he is.
727
:He's, uh, he's a true leader.
728
:And you know how I know
that because he serves.
729
:With all his heart, he's unlike
so many other pastors I've met.
730
:Like that man of God is amazing, but he
hit me up on Thursday or Friday before
731
:the service, he says, Hey bro, you want
to come do on the edge, which is the
732
:song I did on the edge and it speaks
to suicide and You know the darkness of
733
:life, but who we can call out to um, but
you're right, you know Most of the people
734
:in that audience and in fact in a lot
of audiences I go to May not be privy to
735
:hip hop But that's the thing about mixing
it with the word of god because the word
736
:of god never comes back void You know,
so they're always going to get a message
737
:out of what i'm spitting because it's
always going to be god's word Uh, and so
738
:even with that being said, you know, I
have I've had 70 or 80 year old men and
739
:women come up to me and talking about,
you know, I don't listen to hip hop.
740
:I don't listen to rap, but I like
what you're doing because they
741
:hear the fruit in the message.
742
:You know, there's, there's no
denying fruit, you know, he says
743
:we know each other by the fruit.
744
:And so there's no denying what's coming
out of the music, whether it's real or
745
:false, you know, we're going to know.
746
:And so I think that that is
able to supersede whatever
747
:feelings people may have about.
748
:Uh, the genre of hip hop, but I've
also been hit on the opposite end where
749
:I've been told that Hip hop doesn't
belong in the Christian community,
750
:you know, uh, or rock and roll for
that matter, you know, but won't
751
:the Lord use anything for his good.
752
:He can take the worst of things
and use it for his glory.
753
:He has no limit, no bounds,
and he ain't no box.
754
:I promise you that.
755
:I definitely, I, you know, I keep
remembering that mule, the mule, when
756
:he used to talk, he could use, uh,
animals and open up their mouths to you.
757
:So.
758
:That was amazing.
759
:I'm, I'm going to make sure I have one
of your videos playing because I want
760
:them to see you because you look like
you've been doing this a long time.
761
:I love whoever produced your videos
is I think they did an awesome job and
762
:you're acting in the way you, it just
looks like you just been doing it a
763
:long time and you've been doing it.
764
:How long?
765
:Uh, just a little over three and
a half years now, uh, right in the
766
:midst of COVID is when I inherited
this amazing gift and anointing.
767
:Wow.
768
:Um, I like how you say that it
is a gift and I think we all have
769
:a gift of some sort, but if we,
we have to listen to God and.
770
:Listen to your story.
771
:I'm sure you are getting hooks, you
know, hooking other people and letting
772
:them know that it's God working through
you and that they can do the same thing.
773
:I love what your shirt
was says grace, grace.
774
:I can say grace over grace.
775
:Oh, lovely.
776
:That is awesome.
777
:You got merch and stuff too.
778
:So is that part of your merch?
779
:Uh, no, this is actually from a
brother of mine, uh, his name's
780
:Robert and he's part of the new
tribe crew, crew that I represent.
781
:It's my label, my label mate.
782
:Oh.
783
:Uh, so I would be more than happy to
share his information with anybody
784
:who wants a Gray Silver Grace hoodie.
785
:And I do also have merch, I have
shirts, but I need to order some more.
786
:Which costs money that I don't have yet.
787
:So I'm gonna have to work on that.
788
:God is amazing.
789
:He's heard that and we are
definitely praying for you for that.
790
:So what else would you like to say
to our audience before we end this?
791
:Great interview because I I'm going
to make sure I play Your video at
792
:the end, so that people can see you,
I'll definitely put everything in
793
:a show notes how to contact you.
794
:If people want to have you on
their show, if they're having, I'm
795
:pretty sure you're taking bookings.
796
:If people want to have you out
to perform for them and like,
797
:where are you located out of.
798
:Hey, I'm in, I hate to talk smack on any
other city, but I'm in the best city in
799
:the world, which is Kansas city, Missouri.
800
:Oh, all right.
801
:Okay.
802
:I'm not mad at you.
803
:I'm not mad at you.
804
:So they can contact you if you,
if they want to have you on.
805
:, their network, or if they
haven't any kind of festivals,
806
:you go to Christian festivals.
807
:I'm sure and just do your performances.
808
:, are you open to come
into other facilities?
809
:Like, , detention centers, , talking to
juveniles, , different places, stuff like
810
:that and, . Probably, I'm hoping people
more open a door for you, for the young
811
:people, because rap is a tool that can
be used for getting good messages in.
812
:And I think like what you said,
there's no denying the fruit.
813
:Yeah.
814
:That's amazing.
815
:That is amazing what you said.
816
:So they have to look at it that
way and don't look at, okay,
817
:you trying to put God in a box.
818
:Mm.
819
:That's a mistake, ain't it?
820
:You, how can you put him?
821
:He is not, he didn't, he just was in
that tent that time for our purpose.
822
:when he was traveling, he wasn't,
that's not his house, you know?
823
:Yeah.
824
:Anyway, you know, so anyway, uh,
that's why all I have in, uh, what's,
825
:what's the last thing you wanna say to
the audience before we end the show?
826
:You know, miss Michelle, the
only thing I really want to tell
827
:everybody who's listening is.
828
:You know, you may have
experienced adversity.
829
:You may be stuck in adversity and
suffering and darkness right now.
830
:Uh, but I'm here to tell you that God
will and can pull you out of that darkness
831
:and he will use you for his glory.
832
:And there's no wonder that you're
stuck in darkness right now.
833
:The enemy wants to take you out.
834
:That's the truth of it.
835
:The enemy wants to take us all out and
he's going to do anything he can to
836
:destroy you, to stop you from stepping
in to the role that God has for you.
837
:So don't believe the lies of the world.
838
:Don't, don't be stuck in
that darkness anymore.
839
:Reach your hand out in faith and
understand that we have an amazing God.
840
:Uh, and he may not.
841
:Take away the afflictions.
842
:Uh, I'm still afflicted in many ways.
843
:Uh, but I'll tell you what the Lord
walks with me through every one of
844
:them and he tells me his grace and
his mercy is sufficient for me.
845
:And I believe that wholeheartedly
because I've experienced it.
846
:Oh, awesome.
847
:Awesome testimony.
848
:And again, I hope
everyone in the audience.
849
:Gets this great, amazing message from
our God using Eric Cohen as a vessel.
850
:Remember, I'll have all this
information in a show notes, and I
851
:will be playing a video after this.
852
:Thank you again, Eric,
for being on my show.
853
:Yes, ma'am.
854
:And thank you for having me.
855
:God bless.
856
:God bless.
857
:Everyone, thank you for listening and may
you have a week filled with blessings.