Lately I’ve been thinking a lot about the way we use our words. For a lot of people, certain words are “off limits” and excluded from their vocabulary, but what is the reason? Aren’t those words just an extension of the emotions we are feeling? Also, what about that chant we used to say as children “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but names can never hurt me!” Is there truth to that? Are words really a blunt and useless defense? And last, what is the Christian’s role in communication? God has given us the gift of communication, more sophisticated that any other know beings. But how are we to use it?
And so, I have decided to make a three-part series dealing with the previously stated questions. I’ll be starting next week, and hopefully have one of the three parts up each week. God bless, and have a wonderful 4th of July weekend!
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Thursday, April 05, 2007
I once was blind, now I just look away...
Yesterday night I was watching an American Idol rerun and I guess they were doing some charity thing and part of the show was showing a trip that the host and one of the judges took to Africa. They visited poverty stricken communities where kids, younger than me, were raising their brothers and sisters and living in dirt huts after their parents died. While in Africa they met people who died only hours later. The conditions were horrible. After the 3 minute clip finished, the host remarked "I know this is hard to watch for most of us..." What? Children and families are dying and starving and literally living in a hell, and we find it hard to watch? My heart just breaks, we are so comfortable sitting there trying to relax for the evening, while kids half way around the world are sleeping on mats on the ground wondering if they'll get to see the sun rise tomorrow. And its "hard for us to watch"...
What amazes me is the mentality that these people have, they don't want pity and they don't want to cry about it. They accept that this is how things are, and they carry on. They bounce back, because they don't have time to think about it, they need to support their family. We could learn so much from this, we get so set in our ways, wake up, grab a coffee, get to school and work, get home, relax and get ready to start over again. We're living in our own world, and we go on uninterrupted, and inconvenienced by other's pain. If only we opened our eyes, if only we could reach outside of the cycle. If only we would stop caring so much about the shoes, and the clothes and the music, and broke out of our complacency to feel the pain of those around us.
I may never make any kind of lasting achievement for myself, and if I die tomorrow maybe no one will remember my name. All I can do is try, not for my own prosperity and satisfaction, but to live only for others. To act. To live outside our needs. To give everything, and want nothing. Besides, its not my name I want everyone to remember, my name won't get you anywhere. To be remembered only as the one who followed Him. Jesus Christ is the only name I ever want to carry. And to say I did not live for myself, but for Him.
What amazes me is the mentality that these people have, they don't want pity and they don't want to cry about it. They accept that this is how things are, and they carry on. They bounce back, because they don't have time to think about it, they need to support their family. We could learn so much from this, we get so set in our ways, wake up, grab a coffee, get to school and work, get home, relax and get ready to start over again. We're living in our own world, and we go on uninterrupted, and inconvenienced by other's pain. If only we opened our eyes, if only we could reach outside of the cycle. If only we would stop caring so much about the shoes, and the clothes and the music, and broke out of our complacency to feel the pain of those around us.
I may never make any kind of lasting achievement for myself, and if I die tomorrow maybe no one will remember my name. All I can do is try, not for my own prosperity and satisfaction, but to live only for others. To act. To live outside our needs. To give everything, and want nothing. Besides, its not my name I want everyone to remember, my name won't get you anywhere. To be remembered only as the one who followed Him. Jesus Christ is the only name I ever want to carry. And to say I did not live for myself, but for Him.
Friday, March 23, 2007
Satisfied Complacency
Well, it's fact, we are all fallen, imperfect and sinful. In our hearts we have all had a record smeared with murder, lust, treason, hatred, vanity and even worse. If there is anything good in the heart, it wasn't by our own doing. So in the church I think we've developed this mentality that we will always be forgiven because Christ is in our heart, so we can go and party from Monday till Saturday night, and then go to church Sunday morning and ask for forgiveness and it will all go away. Truth is, God WILL forgive you every time you ask Him, and there is no end to His forgiveness. But what have we become in this habit? We've grown to become complacent and hypocritical.
"No one's pefect!" Sound familiar? You are right, no one is perfect, perfection is not achievable, but we cannot let that be our excuse to become dead to our relationship with Christ. Sure, I have screwed up in the past, but I can't let that be my excuse to give up on trying to live for Christ. We can't become so discouraged that we've already made mistakes that it retards us from pressing into God. No, perfection is not achievable, but we need to strive for it. We need to continually walk down this old and beaten path we call life, and even as the soft meadows call to us, we must keep our eyes on our destination, even with the chains of our past trying to keep us down. Jesus Christ is always there, and when it all seems hopeless, we can give up our own strength and rely on His. Don't let imperfection be your excuse for complacency.
"No one's pefect!" Sound familiar? You are right, no one is perfect, perfection is not achievable, but we cannot let that be our excuse to become dead to our relationship with Christ. Sure, I have screwed up in the past, but I can't let that be my excuse to give up on trying to live for Christ. We can't become so discouraged that we've already made mistakes that it retards us from pressing into God. No, perfection is not achievable, but we need to strive for it. We need to continually walk down this old and beaten path we call life, and even as the soft meadows call to us, we must keep our eyes on our destination, even with the chains of our past trying to keep us down. Jesus Christ is always there, and when it all seems hopeless, we can give up our own strength and rely on His. Don't let imperfection be your excuse for complacency.
Monday, March 12, 2007
True Meaning In A Plastic World
We're living in a plastic world. Everything is so breath-taking with its Hollywood charm and computer-enhanced edge. Our worth is measured with what we have, and what we have is never enough, some people make it their career to convince you that what you have isn't "convenient" enough and your life would be better if you had what they are selling. We (and I'm talking for myself as much as any of you) spend more on one pair of jeans than we spend on food for a week! Sure, we're good, but we can be great if only we had...
There is something so wrong with that. Why is it so hard to be content in a country where near anything is possible? We don't have to ever be hungry, yet young girls are starving themselves to be more perfect. This is so wrong. America, why can't you turn off your TV and wake up to what is happening, we need a revolution, we need a change. We are given freedom, yet we hold ourselves captive with our desires. Lets get back o what we really need. There are people half way across the world, in poverty and without appropriate food and clothing for their own families, who are happier than I am, sitting here having a coke and typing on my computer without a need in mind. They have peace, and it doesn't come from what they've got in their wallet, no, they have found peace of mind through Christ.
One day its all going to be gone, our bodies will wear out and we will die and all the money and clothes and cars and all our lifes goals... they will all be to nothing... at that moment, when we draw our very last breath only one thing will matter, and only one name will be of any importance. Jesus Christ is all that will remain. So next time those designer jeans are calling, think about the investment you are making, not just with your money but also your time, will it mean anything in a few years? We were put on this earth for one reason alone, to carry the name of Christ to a world that is longing for fulfillment. I want to change, I want to set an example for others to follow, and I want to bring His hope to others around me, but I am trying in vein if I don't put down my own pride and trust 100% in Him. We are content and fulfilled in God's strength alone.
There is something so wrong with that. Why is it so hard to be content in a country where near anything is possible? We don't have to ever be hungry, yet young girls are starving themselves to be more perfect. This is so wrong. America, why can't you turn off your TV and wake up to what is happening, we need a revolution, we need a change. We are given freedom, yet we hold ourselves captive with our desires. Lets get back o what we really need. There are people half way across the world, in poverty and without appropriate food and clothing for their own families, who are happier than I am, sitting here having a coke and typing on my computer without a need in mind. They have peace, and it doesn't come from what they've got in their wallet, no, they have found peace of mind through Christ.
One day its all going to be gone, our bodies will wear out and we will die and all the money and clothes and cars and all our lifes goals... they will all be to nothing... at that moment, when we draw our very last breath only one thing will matter, and only one name will be of any importance. Jesus Christ is all that will remain. So next time those designer jeans are calling, think about the investment you are making, not just with your money but also your time, will it mean anything in a few years? We were put on this earth for one reason alone, to carry the name of Christ to a world that is longing for fulfillment. I want to change, I want to set an example for others to follow, and I want to bring His hope to others around me, but I am trying in vein if I don't put down my own pride and trust 100% in Him. We are content and fulfilled in God's strength alone.
Friday, March 09, 2007
The Fight
"For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Therefore take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand" Ephesians 6:12-13
Ephesians 6:12 seems to be another one of those clichés in the church. That verse comes up over, and over and over again, and I must have heard it a zillion times as a little kid (Remember the plastic swords and shields, our "spiritual armor"?). But to be honest it never really came any further than dress-up time, and when I did start to read into it when I got a lil older all I could see was this mystical Lord Of The Rings sort of world where if we gave into temptation and put on the ring, scary black riders on horses would come and stab me to death that night... I don't know why my parents let me watch those movies... Well, I guess that’s a pretty good analogy for my 10-year-old-mind, however, I was still stuck in this mindset that "principalities" and "spiritual wickedness in high places" was something that I might never experience, I mean come on, how often do you get a chance like that to fight of demons in the spiritual realm? Right?
Wrong. Dead wrong. We are living in a state of being blind to the spiritual, every decision we make, every choice, every depression, every emotion. This is the spiritual, and I am pretty sure it looks absolutely nothing like Lord Of The Rings, there aren't magical rings, but there are everyday temptations (lust, cheating, lying) and there is only one way to combat them, with God's word. We are getting this so wrong guys, the spiritual world isn't all so "spiritual", there's a difference between the powers the Bible talks about and DOOM III, the war we are fighting is constant and its ultimately against ourselves (the "sin nature" or the "old man" that we give up when we accept Christ.) So when we are making a choice, like whether you are going to cheat on a math test, we are in a fight! Satan wants you to fall into that sin and bring you further from God, and God is trying to give you the strength it takes to do the right thing. It is you fighting "against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" , and this is what the fight looks like.
So now that we've identified who we are fighting and what it looks like, what do we do to win? Ephesians 6:13 says that we are to put on the full armor of God. Basically this means to be able to 1) know the truth that when faced with lies you will be able to defeat them 2) be righteous, or stand up for what is right so that when people try to speak against you they will have nothing to say 3) be prepared to defend the gospel, hiding God's word in your heart so you will know whats right 4) and the Bible says that above all these, to have faith, faith that no matter where you are in your life God is always right by your side and you can only fight off the temptations and lifestyle of the world with His help 5) accept salvation, this obviously being the first step 6) finally, what do we use on the offence? The word of God. Over and over again we are told to hide God's words in our heart, and this is why. We can't LIVE for God if we don't KNOW God! We have to know what He says about life and WHY He says it so when we come to making those decisions we will know what to say or do.
This realization can to me only a few days ago; I have always been dreaming about fighting a spiritual battle, I need to look around, I'm already in one. We need to open our eyes here, this isn't just our lifestyle, its our fight.
Ephesians 6:12 seems to be another one of those clichés in the church. That verse comes up over, and over and over again, and I must have heard it a zillion times as a little kid (Remember the plastic swords and shields, our "spiritual armor"?). But to be honest it never really came any further than dress-up time, and when I did start to read into it when I got a lil older all I could see was this mystical Lord Of The Rings sort of world where if we gave into temptation and put on the ring, scary black riders on horses would come and stab me to death that night... I don't know why my parents let me watch those movies... Well, I guess that’s a pretty good analogy for my 10-year-old-mind, however, I was still stuck in this mindset that "principalities" and "spiritual wickedness in high places" was something that I might never experience, I mean come on, how often do you get a chance like that to fight of demons in the spiritual realm? Right?
Wrong. Dead wrong. We are living in a state of being blind to the spiritual, every decision we make, every choice, every depression, every emotion. This is the spiritual, and I am pretty sure it looks absolutely nothing like Lord Of The Rings, there aren't magical rings, but there are everyday temptations (lust, cheating, lying) and there is only one way to combat them, with God's word. We are getting this so wrong guys, the spiritual world isn't all so "spiritual", there's a difference between the powers the Bible talks about and DOOM III, the war we are fighting is constant and its ultimately against ourselves (the "sin nature" or the "old man" that we give up when we accept Christ.) So when we are making a choice, like whether you are going to cheat on a math test, we are in a fight! Satan wants you to fall into that sin and bring you further from God, and God is trying to give you the strength it takes to do the right thing. It is you fighting "against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places" , and this is what the fight looks like.
So now that we've identified who we are fighting and what it looks like, what do we do to win? Ephesians 6:13 says that we are to put on the full armor of God. Basically this means to be able to 1) know the truth that when faced with lies you will be able to defeat them 2) be righteous, or stand up for what is right so that when people try to speak against you they will have nothing to say 3) be prepared to defend the gospel, hiding God's word in your heart so you will know whats right 4) and the Bible says that above all these, to have faith, faith that no matter where you are in your life God is always right by your side and you can only fight off the temptations and lifestyle of the world with His help 5) accept salvation, this obviously being the first step 6) finally, what do we use on the offence? The word of God. Over and over again we are told to hide God's words in our heart, and this is why. We can't LIVE for God if we don't KNOW God! We have to know what He says about life and WHY He says it so when we come to making those decisions we will know what to say or do.
This realization can to me only a few days ago; I have always been dreaming about fighting a spiritual battle, I need to look around, I'm already in one. We need to open our eyes here, this isn't just our lifestyle, its our fight.
Sunday, March 04, 2007
Christian Music
Christian music. That term used to mean little more than either old guys with cowboy boots and no fashion sense--at all-- or hymns that sound like they just stepped out of the 1800's. I'm not saying there's anything wrong with those, but would you honestly listen to that vs. Green Day? For me.... and most American's between the ages of 10 and 25 the answer is no. Well, thank God (no pun intended) that things have drastically changed in the past 30 or so years.
The term "Christian music" or "Gospel Music" now covers everything from worship to Christian Death Metal to Christian Punk. The main difference in the giant we call the Christian music industry is lyrics, instead of showcasing and glorifying teen angst, aggression and explicit sex, Christian music addresses these issues with the actual biblical answers. At least that’s the case in general, yes, this may surprise many, but there are a lot of Christian bands out there with a less-than-squeaky-clean message. This, however, is the exception, not the norm. All music (no matter WHAT record company is promoting it or who the members thank in the credits) needs to be approached with a standard or what you will and will not allow into your mind.
So here's the big question that it seems everyone is asking-- "What is the benefit of listening to Christian music?". Good question, and one that deserves an answer, however all I can offer is my opinion.
The idealistic answer would probably go something like this... "It will improve your spiritual life, and bring you closer to God." I won't bore you with the 17-digit number of how many times I've heard this answer, but first lets look at some definitions here,
"Christian music is music created by or adapted for the Christian Church. It also includes Contemporary Christian Music, in which the music explores Christian themes but is designed to be played in places other than churches (Wikipedia)".
"Worship music is a sub-genre of Christian Music that is commonly used to denote songs that are used to worship God and set in a choral music style, often with repeating, short, easily sung "chorus" parts. Originally termed praise music, then later praise and worship, worship music has become the more current phrase to refer to any music used by Christians as part of their devotional practices, whether in the confines of a local church, or elsewhere."(Wikipedia)
and finally, "Worship: reverent honor and homage paid to God or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred" (Dictionary.com).
So we just learned a few things, 1) There is a difference between Christian and Worship Music and 2) There is a difference between Worship music and actual Worship. Christian music explores themes of real life importance and generally is applied outside the church where Worship music is that Sunday-morning good stuff. Then there's actual worship, which in this definition says absolutely nothing about music. Worship, as it was meant to be is more than just reading the projection every Sunday between 9:30 and 9:45, wishing you were still at home in your PJ's watching those famously mind-numbing cartoons they play around this time. No, worship is actually active, its wrapping your whole being around this act of giving up everything on your mind and all your own problems and purely admiring God's faithfulness and compassion in your life. Can this be achieved on a 10 cent piece of plastic and instantly turned on and off with the push of a button? I know I step on toes as I say this, but I feel recording and selling worship music as entertainment is a mockery of its very essence. I don't mean to say that you cannot experience the Lord's presence with recorded Worship, but 90% of the time we are turning it on in our cars as passive background noise.
Christian music on the other hand can be so flexible, from getting us through the tough times with the actual messages to an energetically blasting party song. Its huge, and to dismiss it so quickly is crazy. Well, I've wanted to post this list for a looooong while, so here it is, it compares some popular secular artists with Christian alternatives, and I highly recommend checking some of them out;
Nickleback-Kutless, Day Of Fire, Seventh Day Slumber
Evanescence-Plumb, Gretchen, Flyleaf
Slipknot-Becoming The Archtype, Demon Hunter, Staple
Green Day-MxPx
Avril Lavigne-Krystal Meyers, ZOEgirl, Stacie Orrico, Flyleaf
Hawthorn Heights-Dead Poetic, Emery, As Cites Burn
Papa Roach-Skillet, Thousand Foot Krutch,Pillar
Coldplay-Copeland, Waking Ashland, Cool Hand Luke
3 Doors Down-Lifehouse, Sanctus Real, Jonezetta
James Blunt-Damien Rice, Sufjan Stevens
Godsmack-Chevelle, Decyfer Down, East West
Three Days Grace-Red, The Classic Crime
My Chemical Romance-Kids In The Way, Subseven
Linkin Park-Project 86, Dead Poetic, POD
All American Rejects- Eleventyseven, New Found Glory, Stellar Kart
Nine Inch Nails-Skillet ("Hey You, I Love Your Soul" cd specially)
For info on these and many other bands please visit www.jesusfreakhideout.com
The term "Christian music" or "Gospel Music" now covers everything from worship to Christian Death Metal to Christian Punk. The main difference in the giant we call the Christian music industry is lyrics, instead of showcasing and glorifying teen angst, aggression and explicit sex, Christian music addresses these issues with the actual biblical answers. At least that’s the case in general, yes, this may surprise many, but there are a lot of Christian bands out there with a less-than-squeaky-clean message. This, however, is the exception, not the norm. All music (no matter WHAT record company is promoting it or who the members thank in the credits) needs to be approached with a standard or what you will and will not allow into your mind.
So here's the big question that it seems everyone is asking-- "What is the benefit of listening to Christian music?". Good question, and one that deserves an answer, however all I can offer is my opinion.
The idealistic answer would probably go something like this... "It will improve your spiritual life, and bring you closer to God." I won't bore you with the 17-digit number of how many times I've heard this answer, but first lets look at some definitions here,
"Christian music is music created by or adapted for the Christian Church. It also includes Contemporary Christian Music, in which the music explores Christian themes but is designed to be played in places other than churches (Wikipedia)".
"Worship music is a sub-genre of Christian Music that is commonly used to denote songs that are used to worship God and set in a choral music style, often with repeating, short, easily sung "chorus" parts. Originally termed praise music, then later praise and worship, worship music has become the more current phrase to refer to any music used by Christians as part of their devotional practices, whether in the confines of a local church, or elsewhere."(Wikipedia)
and finally, "Worship: reverent honor and homage paid to God or a sacred personage, or to any object regarded as sacred" (Dictionary.com).
So we just learned a few things, 1) There is a difference between Christian and Worship Music and 2) There is a difference between Worship music and actual Worship. Christian music explores themes of real life importance and generally is applied outside the church where Worship music is that Sunday-morning good stuff. Then there's actual worship, which in this definition says absolutely nothing about music. Worship, as it was meant to be is more than just reading the projection every Sunday between 9:30 and 9:45, wishing you were still at home in your PJ's watching those famously mind-numbing cartoons they play around this time. No, worship is actually active, its wrapping your whole being around this act of giving up everything on your mind and all your own problems and purely admiring God's faithfulness and compassion in your life. Can this be achieved on a 10 cent piece of plastic and instantly turned on and off with the push of a button? I know I step on toes as I say this, but I feel recording and selling worship music as entertainment is a mockery of its very essence. I don't mean to say that you cannot experience the Lord's presence with recorded Worship, but 90% of the time we are turning it on in our cars as passive background noise.
Christian music on the other hand can be so flexible, from getting us through the tough times with the actual messages to an energetically blasting party song. Its huge, and to dismiss it so quickly is crazy. Well, I've wanted to post this list for a looooong while, so here it is, it compares some popular secular artists with Christian alternatives, and I highly recommend checking some of them out;
Nickleback-Kutless, Day Of Fire, Seventh Day Slumber
Evanescence-Plumb, Gretchen, Flyleaf
Slipknot-Becoming The Archtype, Demon Hunter, Staple
Green Day-MxPx
Avril Lavigne-Krystal Meyers, ZOEgirl, Stacie Orrico, Flyleaf
Hawthorn Heights-Dead Poetic, Emery, As Cites Burn
Papa Roach-Skillet, Thousand Foot Krutch,Pillar
Coldplay-Copeland, Waking Ashland, Cool Hand Luke
3 Doors Down-Lifehouse, Sanctus Real, Jonezetta
James Blunt-Damien Rice, Sufjan Stevens
Godsmack-Chevelle, Decyfer Down, East West
Three Days Grace-Red, The Classic Crime
My Chemical Romance-Kids In The Way, Subseven
Linkin Park-Project 86, Dead Poetic, POD
All American Rejects- Eleventyseven, New Found Glory, Stellar Kart
Nine Inch Nails-Skillet ("Hey You, I Love Your Soul" cd specially)
For info on these and many other bands please visit www.jesusfreakhideout.com
Wednesday, February 28, 2007
Untitled
Sometimes you just write something and it kinda feels like it wasn't from YOU, as if it would exist with or without your hands. I felt this way on the following poem, so I won't waste words on my own explanation...
Golden sunset rise, she casts her smile across the sea,
As you watch the sky I somehow know you have your thoughts on me,
Is it proud to think so? To think you would give it all up,
You have already shown me, you already gave up your son,
To say I love you seems so inadequate to describe my feelings,
I do, I can't show you in nature, you have all ready given that to me,
I can't show you with myself because I am sustained by your breath,
So I will pour out my soul, heart and mind, by the mountains height, the seas depth,
I will show you I love you with all I have, take it, its already yours.
Golden sunset rise, she casts her smile across the sea,
As you watch the sky I somehow know you have your thoughts on me,
Is it proud to think so? To think you would give it all up,
You have already shown me, you already gave up your son,
To say I love you seems so inadequate to describe my feelings,
I do, I can't show you in nature, you have all ready given that to me,
I can't show you with myself because I am sustained by your breath,
So I will pour out my soul, heart and mind, by the mountains height, the seas depth,
I will show you I love you with all I have, take it, its already yours.
Thursday, February 22, 2007
Entertainment
Movies, Music, Video Games, Magazines, Books-- media in general. Are any one of these evil by nature? No. Does the very definition of entertainment evil or wrong? No, in fact the entire purpose of media is to entertain and bring fulfillment. Now, have you ever seen or hear any kind of media that was evil, misguiding or against your moral standards? I have. We all have (or should have) standards as to how far is... well, "too far". Where do we draw the line between good ole' entertainment and something that is actually wrong. The best way to describe these concepts is called "moral standards" and when we deal with media we shouldn't just let those standards collect dust. Ok, here's an example;
Would you ever violently attack and kill someone?
Would you ever watch a movie, or listen to music that depicted someone attacking and killing someone else?
Why, or why not? What is the difference? What has changed that now makes the concept of hurting an individual casual? And its not just violence, what about sex, drugs, alcohol abuse, breaking the law "for fun"? Why is it that the kind of stuff, that would never be acceptable to ever actually do, seem so regular and OK in today's media. So many people say "Oh, well I would never actually do that or say it was ok in real life, that’s just a movie. I know what’s right and wrong." Well, NEWSFLASH people; by buying or watching or listening to those concepts you are presenting a market for them, and hence, condoning them. When producers see that they have someone's attention what do you honestly think their next move will be? Say "Oh, well that was a little risqué, I guess we better pull back now"? Probably not, when you have the attention of the masses why the heck would you hold back?
It seems like we can't escape it sometimes, I know so very well. Everything from TV shows to books seem to present ideas that, if ever actually happened in real life, would leave our entire world looking like the alleys of NYC around midnight. So as far as hypocrisy in media choices goes I just have to confess, I'm probably the guiltiest. Its very hard, if not impossible, to escape some of the immorality of media. It is everywhere and probably isn't going to leave anytime soon, but can I just challenge you to reevaluate your decisions in what you allow to enter into your eyes, ears, thoughts and homes. Believe what you believe and don't compromise.
Would you ever violently attack and kill someone?
Would you ever watch a movie, or listen to music that depicted someone attacking and killing someone else?
Why, or why not? What is the difference? What has changed that now makes the concept of hurting an individual casual? And its not just violence, what about sex, drugs, alcohol abuse, breaking the law "for fun"? Why is it that the kind of stuff, that would never be acceptable to ever actually do, seem so regular and OK in today's media. So many people say "Oh, well I would never actually do that or say it was ok in real life, that’s just a movie. I know what’s right and wrong." Well, NEWSFLASH people; by buying or watching or listening to those concepts you are presenting a market for them, and hence, condoning them. When producers see that they have someone's attention what do you honestly think their next move will be? Say "Oh, well that was a little risqué, I guess we better pull back now"? Probably not, when you have the attention of the masses why the heck would you hold back?
It seems like we can't escape it sometimes, I know so very well. Everything from TV shows to books seem to present ideas that, if ever actually happened in real life, would leave our entire world looking like the alleys of NYC around midnight. So as far as hypocrisy in media choices goes I just have to confess, I'm probably the guiltiest. Its very hard, if not impossible, to escape some of the immorality of media. It is everywhere and probably isn't going to leave anytime soon, but can I just challenge you to reevaluate your decisions in what you allow to enter into your eyes, ears, thoughts and homes. Believe what you believe and don't compromise.
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
Love
Today people across this country are celebrating Love. Oh, they sounds so poetic and beautiful, those three words "I Love You". Roses and chocolate are given as tokens of affection and it seems everyone is loving someone, then there's some odd number of people who spend today alone and isolated from the whole thing. Some choose to ignore that Love is even a real emotion and its all just a big marketing scheme. Ok, I have to give them credit here, alot of Valentine's Day is commercial, but the idea behind Love is not. Love is so much more than that between boyfriend/girlfriend or husband/wife, its more than kisses and chocolate love is saying "I want this, but someone else..." its about thinking about other people before ourselves. Love is patient, kind, humble, selfless, in short love is everything about God.
So what do I love? I love Rese's Penut Butter Cups, I love Underoath, I love hot summer nights, I love NYC... and the list goes on, but do I really LOVE any of these things? Would I give up everything I had for a Peanut Butter Cup? NO! lol, and if I did would probably be reallllllly hungry, huh? Well, I think this is one of the things we get ttly wrong in American dating relationships... we use the word "love" equally as we describe our boyfriend and hott shoes. God created this emotion of love to be so powerful, but do we really know what we love? If you truely love someone you would give your everything to make them happy. I think today thats what I'm gonna do today (instead of drowning myself in a flurry of choclate) I'm going to think about what and who I really love. My mom and dad, my lil brother (Mohawk an all.... don't ask), my Jesus, this is what I love.
So what do I love? I love Rese's Penut Butter Cups, I love Underoath, I love hot summer nights, I love NYC... and the list goes on, but do I really LOVE any of these things? Would I give up everything I had for a Peanut Butter Cup? NO! lol, and if I did would probably be reallllllly hungry, huh? Well, I think this is one of the things we get ttly wrong in American dating relationships... we use the word "love" equally as we describe our boyfriend and hott shoes. God created this emotion of love to be so powerful, but do we really know what we love? If you truely love someone you would give your everything to make them happy. I think today thats what I'm gonna do today (instead of drowning myself in a flurry of choclate) I'm going to think about what and who I really love. My mom and dad, my lil brother (Mohawk an all.... don't ask), my Jesus, this is what I love.
Monday, February 05, 2007
Behind A Broken Poet
"Dear God, its me again. God, I know I've kinda been forgetting about you lately, and I'm sorry. I love you, I love you more than anyone else in my life, and yet I keep catching myself treating you like an old forgotten friend. I really don't want it to be this way, Father, please forgive me and set my heart on fire for you again. Let me pour out my heart in praise and make my lifestyle an example of Your holiness. I love you Jesus, Amen."
I can't remember how many times I have prayed these words. I am not perfect, I mess up constantly and sometimes it feels so hopeless to even think I could call myself a child of God. He is everything perfect, holy, kind and above all He is forgiving. Just to take a step back and look at the situation... Jesus Christ DIED for me. Without hesitation He gave up all that He had, so that I could be free of this everlasting sickness of sin. The everyday falls that I am making were nailed into His hands as He was slowly dying. Satan must have laughed at that moment, the Lamb is slain and he was victorious, God had turned his face from Jesus and Satan was now tormenting this "King" with lies and the agony of humiliation. I bet Satan was telling Jesus how hopeless an effort it was, children would be born thousands of years later and still carry the mark of sin, Satan would still tempt them and they would still fall. Jesus' heart was broken, as He hung from His thrown of a simple tree, nailed and bleeding. And I was the cause.
This was not the end of the story, not by far, the Son of God rose from the dead and in doing so conquered my sin and the penalty of eternal death that I was supposed to pay. He paid for my salvation.
How could I repay Him for something like that? I am a broken child, I was the reason for His pain, but I betray Him so many times. In that moment of pain He took on all the things I have and will do wrong again and He sent them to their grave, forgiven and set aside. I am free because of that choice. Words do not express the love He has shown to me, but I want to try... I want my life to reflect HIM, not the "normal" teenager, not a "popular" kid, I want my voice to echo His unfailing love and faithfulness to my generation.
Broken Poet
I'd stand in the rain a million years older
I'd die for Your cause, give everything
I would suffer for You, to my death I would
You sweep me off my feet with Your song of grace
This is the end of my poetry
This is where You take over this broken song
Here is where I once was, and You now stand
The old man has passed from my story
It is over, now begins eternity
The cold winds blow, still I'll stand strong
So solid on the outside, stern glance
Inside I am a guilty child clutching to Your soul
Drying tears from my enemies lies
This is the end of my poetry
This is where You take over this broken song
Here is where I once was, and You now stand
The old man has passed from my story
It is over, now begins eternity
You reached out when I was dying,
There on my knees as I was suffocating
What would have been my last breath
In Your embrace I have found life
This is the end of my poetry
This is where You take over this broken song
Here is where I once was, and You now stand
The old man has passed from my story
It is over, now begins eternity
I lost my life and gained eternity
I lost my pride and gained hope
I gave it up and you gave me Yourself
I died for you this night.
I can't remember how many times I have prayed these words. I am not perfect, I mess up constantly and sometimes it feels so hopeless to even think I could call myself a child of God. He is everything perfect, holy, kind and above all He is forgiving. Just to take a step back and look at the situation... Jesus Christ DIED for me. Without hesitation He gave up all that He had, so that I could be free of this everlasting sickness of sin. The everyday falls that I am making were nailed into His hands as He was slowly dying. Satan must have laughed at that moment, the Lamb is slain and he was victorious, God had turned his face from Jesus and Satan was now tormenting this "King" with lies and the agony of humiliation. I bet Satan was telling Jesus how hopeless an effort it was, children would be born thousands of years later and still carry the mark of sin, Satan would still tempt them and they would still fall. Jesus' heart was broken, as He hung from His thrown of a simple tree, nailed and bleeding. And I was the cause.
This was not the end of the story, not by far, the Son of God rose from the dead and in doing so conquered my sin and the penalty of eternal death that I was supposed to pay. He paid for my salvation.
How could I repay Him for something like that? I am a broken child, I was the reason for His pain, but I betray Him so many times. In that moment of pain He took on all the things I have and will do wrong again and He sent them to their grave, forgiven and set aside. I am free because of that choice. Words do not express the love He has shown to me, but I want to try... I want my life to reflect HIM, not the "normal" teenager, not a "popular" kid, I want my voice to echo His unfailing love and faithfulness to my generation.
Broken Poet
I'd stand in the rain a million years older
I'd die for Your cause, give everything
I would suffer for You, to my death I would
You sweep me off my feet with Your song of grace
This is the end of my poetry
This is where You take over this broken song
Here is where I once was, and You now stand
The old man has passed from my story
It is over, now begins eternity
The cold winds blow, still I'll stand strong
So solid on the outside, stern glance
Inside I am a guilty child clutching to Your soul
Drying tears from my enemies lies
This is the end of my poetry
This is where You take over this broken song
Here is where I once was, and You now stand
The old man has passed from my story
It is over, now begins eternity
You reached out when I was dying,
There on my knees as I was suffocating
What would have been my last breath
In Your embrace I have found life
This is the end of my poetry
This is where You take over this broken song
Here is where I once was, and You now stand
The old man has passed from my story
It is over, now begins eternity
I lost my life and gained eternity
I lost my pride and gained hope
I gave it up and you gave me Yourself
I died for you this night.
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