“Boundaries” are NOT Biblical.

(Lord, allow this to be received in Love )

*HOT TAKE* “Boundaries” are not Biblical. In fact, we’ll be hard-pressed to find any scripture in the Bible that instructs or tells us to put boundaries in place. It is a new concept that has crept its way into the church and modern psychology. And I’d go as far as saying that boundaries themselves are toxic.

So WHY are “boundaries” not Biblical? Because they are selfish and rooted in fear (the opposite of love). God’s word calls us to Love Him, Love others. Those are the greatest commands.

PLEASE HEAR MY HEART ON THIS before you allow to take over !!!

Fear (boundaries) does what’s best for self without regard for others. LOVE, on the other hand, does what’s best for others without regard for self. Love always requires a sacrifice, to put something first. If I put you first, I love you…if I put me first, I’m not loving you in that moment. Stay with me here…

If I put up a “boundary” to a toxic person and say “I won’t allow you to do XYZ to me”, we are putting up a fence that says, do not enter in. Do not harm me. So although we may be safe in our little gated circumference, the toxic person is free to roam outside it still harming themselves and others.

By doing this we just put ourselves first in an attempt to protect ourselves (fear)…but that has no regard for the other person. We couldn’t care less if they continue being toxic hurting themselves in the process. EVEN WORSE, we have no regard for our neighbors and all the other potential victims they continue to hurt in addition to themselves. All we care about is ourselves and not getting hurt. So although we may have protected ourselves in the short term, we didn’t protect them or our neighbors. That is not Love.

Love protects others. Love is Truthful (Biblically speaking.) Love IS our greatest offense AND defense. If we are following The Lord’s commands to love, we get protected in the process long before we ever have to put “boundaries” in place. If someone is toxic, love will confront them, not enable or allow their toxic behavior, nor allow them to do it to others.

Love is not what we do, it’s why behind what we do. And it’s our greatest command Biblically. Not boundaries.

We should be fighting the right fight in life: living a loving life. When we love properly, everything else takes care of itself. I know this is a hard concept to grasp because modern psychology has done a good job at wiring us ro believe “boundaries are healthy”. And it’s EXTREMELY hard to associate loving someone who is toxic and done us wrong together. I get that. But if we EVER have a problem loving someone because they did us wrong, that should be the first indication there is a heart problem. If I could forgive the man that murdered my brother and want what’s best for him without regard for myself (which would be for him to truly surrender his life to The Lord and receive eternal salvation), you could too. I promise. In the end, Love is always the answer.

Hot take complete. I truly hope you hear my heart behind this.

Brat Fest 2023 Recap

I’m still tryna wrap my head around yesterday. Words can’t even articulate a fraction of what transpired yesterday. I’ve played Brat Fest in years past, but something about yesterday was just different.

My family came up from IL. My Mom even brought a lyric board she made at home! My brother brought his kids (1 & 3 yo) so that was their first time ever seeing Uncle Josh perform.

Being together with all my brothers-in-Christ from all over the country (Texas, Michigan, Indiana, Mississippi) and being able to minister together was apostolic in nature. Praise and glory to God

What people see on stage is one thing. What goes on behind the scenes the whole day is another. I’ve been told by numerous people (including a good friend who’s been watching me perform over a decade and my brother Nicky who’s been touring together with me the last 2 years), that that was the best performance they’ve ever seen from me. I’ve had people tell me they felt The Holy Spirit moving. Y’all, I’ve been performing for 2 decades. For me to be having my “best show” even after 20 years is mind-boggling to me. But…it’s all God and His Spirit. Y’all, I had a mini-CHOIR throe down with me!??

But again, what is seen on stage is one thing. What happens behind the scenes is another. The fellowship with the brothers is on another level. I was blessed enough to be able to host my brothers this weekend in my modest home and it blessed me highly being around and with them, breaking bread together. We were blessed enough to have many run-ins (like we usually do) with people seeking and needing prayer. People in tears, broken, sick, people in grief. We got to lay hands on them and pray for them and continue letting The Spirit sow seeds where need be. We crossed paths with and got to pray over bands who were multi-platinum artists but had to stop and encourage us to keep doing what we’re doing because “God is real”. A woman who drove by Denny’s cuz she saw our bus so she wanted to stop by and encourage us. Nicky asked her if there was anything we could pray for and she almost broke down in tears, so we all unbuckled our seat belts to get out the bus and circle around this woman to pray (minutes after rushing out of Denny’s because Nicky had to get back on the road to Indiana, a 5-hour drive, which now became irrelevant in the face of this troubled woman needing prayer.)

I always feel like Jesus’ disciples walking with Him when we’re together and then when we have to part ways, I feel a sadness like the disciples who all dispersed after Jesus’ ascension to individually be “On Go” (Go making disciples of all nations). The only regret all of us brothers shared was that we wish we would have come to Jesus sooner in life (although we know His sovereign will and timing is perfect.)

At the end of the night, I had a guest in town, who was helping us all day and around for most everything, in tears. In tears because she got to witness the comrades, brotherhood, and fellowshipping that took place firsthand, and it inspired her. A bunch of tatted-up ex-felons, dope fiends and drug dealers, sex and porn addicts, who’ve been delivered and now loving and living for Jesus, The One Who snatched us from the pits. Constantly hugging each other…telling each other how much they love one another, continually throughout the day.

Like brother Bryann T says. It’s more than just music. It’s WAY more than just music. These brothers are On Go continually. And I love it. I love them. I love doing life and ministry with these brothers The Lord has blessed me with. Words can’t even begin to articulate how blessed yesterday was. Yeah, my performance may have been on another level according to lots…but the whole weekend was on another level. And I can’t wait to bring this ministry tour to a city near you next.

Anyways, I don’t want to turn this post into a promotional post other than promoting Jesus and what He did this weekend right now. But we look forward to seeing, meeting, and praying with you all as we get ready to embark on this tour.

Thank You, Jesus, and everyone else for blessing us on this mission. I love and appreciate you all Continue to be blessed in Jesus’ name.

-Rip