Lonliness... reminds me of a Simon & Garfunkel song - "Hello, darkness, my old friend..." Lonliness can be SUCH a freakin' BEAR!
Lonliness only taps at my door now... but it used to kick it down without compunction and ravage my home at will! I remember it all too well.
And I feel compelled to remember. When I see a brother or sister with that far away look in their eyes... my soul resonates and I pray, "Oh God! Deliver them from the LONLINESS!"
With that prayer, on one hand, I would counsel, in agreement with Elisabeth Elliot (from "Passion and Purity") -
"Accept your loneliness. It is one stage, and only one stage, on a journey that brings you to God. It will not always last. Offer up your loneliness to God, as the little boy offered to Jesus his five loaves and two fishes. God can transform it for the good of others. Above all, do something for somebody else! Singleness can be accepted as a burden, or as a higher calling."
But, on the other hand, I think it must also be said that there is a dark combining of twisted notions in today's youth. Young people today have an unreal aversion to marriage... and/or to wanting children! They are raised by the public school (what a truly scary thought) and taught (according to NEA perversions) that marriage and childbirth are anathema... and "alternative lifestyles" to be tested... even preferred! They are told that the world is exploding in over-population (a lie, incidentally) and discouraged from living without chemical abortion (aka "the pill) or other forms of "contraceptive!"
And guess what that does to the lonliness factor? "My old friend" grows by leaps and bounds thanks to your educators!
Change that Myth in your minds.
Love life.
Love children.
Want children.
You'll be a GREAT parent of a large family!
It's an amazingly GOOD thing to be married and have lots of children with your wife!
Try it, you'll like!
And lonliness - that phase of honing, preparation and purification in your life - will be banished far from you forever!
Tuesday, May 25, 2004
Saturday, May 22, 2004
Swimteam and Autism!
Just updated my info on my bro Don's website, "Swimteam." Checkitout!
I highly identify with Autism. (seriously) I don't see it as a weakness... but a strength. Those people refuse to conform. Although there is a warranted connection with vaccinations, i see them as highly sensitive individuals who fight to preserve their sense of self - of place. I believe God especially helps them to preserve that unique self. That being said, it is a most beautiful thing when someone of equal strength barges in to befriend them in that place. God preserves everyones unique self... but will they stand before Him by the infinite virtue of His Lamb's cleansing blood? Or by the strength of their own definition? I pray I am found in Him. Serving Him by His virtue.
I highly identify with Autism. (seriously) I don't see it as a weakness... but a strength. Those people refuse to conform. Although there is a warranted connection with vaccinations, i see them as highly sensitive individuals who fight to preserve their sense of self - of place. I believe God especially helps them to preserve that unique self. That being said, it is a most beautiful thing when someone of equal strength barges in to befriend them in that place. God preserves everyones unique self... but will they stand before Him by the infinite virtue of His Lamb's cleansing blood? Or by the strength of their own definition? I pray I am found in Him. Serving Him by His virtue.
Monday, May 17, 2004
Burning Truth
"Truth: That which is real; that which exists, good or bad. Truth is absolute, the same for everyone, never relative. The same holds true for all untruth, falsehood, lying. For example, spoiled food is not good for anyone; aggression hurts everyone; tyranny is not beneficial for anyone; love is good for everyone; oxygen is good and necessary for everyone."
We're dealing with the fallout of a drug-dealing, drug-abusing friend of ours as his chemically-induced insanity touches our lives - it's sometimes like an emotional sledge hammer!
The kind of drug-craziness we're talking about is the kind that removes the HUMAN element and introduces the BEAST! It makes people think like caged-animals. He is expeiencing the ugly side of the drug-abusers underworld... the paranoia, the fear, the mistrust, and the RELENTLESS LIES and cold-hearted lifestyle of deception!
From my own limited but comprehensive experience with drug abuse, I must say - the DEALER is the WORST! The DEALER is the kind of person who justifies what they do "by any means necessary"! They will lie upon the lies in order to defend their precious stash of marijuana... crystal meth... or whatever substance is "moving."
Following the crowd, I tried drugs for a season in my life. Experimented with marijuanna, LSD, halucinogenic mushrooms, and even "crystal" methamphetamines. This period lasted 3 years.
It was preceded by a year and a half of tears... crying from sunup to sundown over the loss of a loved one. The thought of "escaping" with state-altering substances was fascinating to me... so I dove into the fray.
People these days like to say, "I'm not ashamed of ANYTHING I've done!" They say it's a sign of self-realization and affirmation. They say it's unhealthy to label any activity or experience as "wrong" or "hurtful."
I gotta say, though... I sure wish I would have said, "No, thanks" to the drugs! The PAIN and DISARRAY that affected my life and the lives of those around me is NOT WORTH THE MOMENTS of "escape" abusing those chemicals (natural or contrived) afforded me.
Mind-altering Drugs = Confusion and Pain...
That's truth, baby.
And the flipside of that underworld is a fascinating offer: Life lived with sobriety and confidence is FILLED with euphoria and the deepest peace and the wildest excitement and most awe-inspiring wonder and even (in the broad, inifinite context of marriage and the marriage bed) sensuous ecstasy.
We are designed for super-abundant life!
Observe the children! Their innocence and wonder is EVERYWHERE! Children all over the world exhibit for us adults the standard of excellent life that remains to be achieved in our adulthood.
That's truth, too.... baby.
See? "Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'" (Matthew 18:2-4 - New King James Version)
But the DRUG WORLD twists our True world (of humanity and the rest of creation) and presents a distorted FALSE image of the real.
And that's why I think the following ancient passage of scripture is such an appropriate commentary on today's drug culture:
Romans 1:18 - "These people hold back God's truth by the wrong things they do."
(Worldwide English Version)
See how many aspects of drug abuse, drug dealers you can see in this extended context of the passage -
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality,[3] wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving,[4] unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
(New King James Version: Romans 1:18-32)
God help us all. It is this drug-dependency that makes our present world appear so distorted.
And the ancient prophecy in the book of Revelations warns us that people will CLING to this "pharmakeia" untill the bitter end. Note that "pharmacy" is translated as "sorecery" or "witchcraft" and it will be an intricate part of the "merchants" or commerce of the age.
Revelation 9:21 and 18:23
So what can be done to avoid this sorcery and controlling manipulation aided by drugs?
Enter Truth.
We're dealing with the fallout of a drug-dealing, drug-abusing friend of ours as his chemically-induced insanity touches our lives - it's sometimes like an emotional sledge hammer!
The kind of drug-craziness we're talking about is the kind that removes the HUMAN element and introduces the BEAST! It makes people think like caged-animals. He is expeiencing the ugly side of the drug-abusers underworld... the paranoia, the fear, the mistrust, and the RELENTLESS LIES and cold-hearted lifestyle of deception!
From my own limited but comprehensive experience with drug abuse, I must say - the DEALER is the WORST! The DEALER is the kind of person who justifies what they do "by any means necessary"! They will lie upon the lies in order to defend their precious stash of marijuana... crystal meth... or whatever substance is "moving."
Following the crowd, I tried drugs for a season in my life. Experimented with marijuanna, LSD, halucinogenic mushrooms, and even "crystal" methamphetamines. This period lasted 3 years.
It was preceded by a year and a half of tears... crying from sunup to sundown over the loss of a loved one. The thought of "escaping" with state-altering substances was fascinating to me... so I dove into the fray.
People these days like to say, "I'm not ashamed of ANYTHING I've done!" They say it's a sign of self-realization and affirmation. They say it's unhealthy to label any activity or experience as "wrong" or "hurtful."
I gotta say, though... I sure wish I would have said, "No, thanks" to the drugs! The PAIN and DISARRAY that affected my life and the lives of those around me is NOT WORTH THE MOMENTS of "escape" abusing those chemicals (natural or contrived) afforded me.
Mind-altering Drugs = Confusion and Pain...
That's truth, baby.
And the flipside of that underworld is a fascinating offer: Life lived with sobriety and confidence is FILLED with euphoria and the deepest peace and the wildest excitement and most awe-inspiring wonder and even (in the broad, inifinite context of marriage and the marriage bed) sensuous ecstasy.
We are designed for super-abundant life!
Observe the children! Their innocence and wonder is EVERYWHERE! Children all over the world exhibit for us adults the standard of excellent life that remains to be achieved in our adulthood.
That's truth, too.... baby.
See? "Then Jesus called a little child to Him, set him in the midst of them, and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, unless you are converted and become as little children, you will by no means enter the kingdom of heaven. Therefore whoever humbles himself as this little child is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.'" (Matthew 18:2-4 - New King James Version)
But the DRUG WORLD twists our True world (of humanity and the rest of creation) and presents a distorted FALSE image of the real.
And that's why I think the following ancient passage of scripture is such an appropriate commentary on today's drug culture:
Romans 1:18 - "These people hold back God's truth by the wrong things they do."
(Worldwide English Version)
See how many aspects of drug abuse, drug dealers you can see in this extended context of the passage -
For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, 19because what may be known of God is manifest in them, for God has shown it to them. 20 For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse, 21 because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened. 22 Professing to be wise, they became fools, 23and changed the glory of the incorruptible God into an image made like corruptible man--and birds and four-footed animals and creeping things.
24 Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness, in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves, 25 who exchanged the truth of God for the lie, and worshiped and served the creature rather than the Creator, who is blessed forever. Amen.
26 For this reason God gave them up to vile passions. For even their women exchanged the natural use for what is against nature. 27 Likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust for one another, men with men committing what is shameful, and receiving in themselves the penalty of their error which was due.
28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a debased mind, to do those things which are not fitting; 29 being filled with all unrighteousness, sexual immorality,[3] wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, evil-mindedness; they are whisperers, 30 backbiters, haters of God, violent, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 undiscerning, untrustworthy, unloving, unforgiving,[4] unmerciful; 32 who, knowing the righteous judgment of God, that those who practice such things are deserving of death, not only do the same but also approve of those who practice them.
(New King James Version: Romans 1:18-32)
God help us all. It is this drug-dependency that makes our present world appear so distorted.
And the ancient prophecy in the book of Revelations warns us that people will CLING to this "pharmakeia" untill the bitter end. Note that "pharmacy" is translated as "sorecery" or "witchcraft" and it will be an intricate part of the "merchants" or commerce of the age.
Revelation 9:21 and 18:23
So what can be done to avoid this sorcery and controlling manipulation aided by drugs?
Enter Truth.
Sunday, May 9, 2004
AtomSound Logo
Just MASSIVELY changed our homesite (see sidebar or link following) and added this to one of the hidden links...
:::The Story of our Logo::::
AtomSoundMedia wants to please God!
Which God? The God who holds your atoms together, of course! The only God who is! The One who watches over tiny Israel and who sustains everything seen and unseen by the power of His Word! The Being of Love who existed before time (as we know it)... The Father who loved His Son in the Spirit... and who longed more profoundly than the depths of space to share that love with His creation... especially with HUMANITY.
And we know that within that pleasing... there is an INFINITE ARRAY of pleasant things. For to TRULY please the One who makes all things good and beautiful... is to, in turn, live goodness and beauty before everyone and everything made by that One.
The phrase "AtomSound" represents what physicists call "Strong Nuclear Force." It holds matter in place... it was spoken into existance long, long ago... a reverberation that is unique and never ceases as long as the One who spoke does not withdraw His creative Word.
And, rest assured, God places His ultimate authority on the integrity of that Word!
The AtomSoundMedia logo is built around a slightly enhanced image that was captured by the famed Hubbel Space Telescope. It had pointed it's mirrored lense far into the black of night and captured a helix nebula known only as "NGC 7293!" We at AtomSound lovingly refer to it as the 'eye of God'!
It is a visual reminder to us of how HUGE the scope and reach of our Creator is! He fashioned the outer reaches of space with infinite artistry and design... and He sustains the most infinitesimal quark or gluon in splendid array. You want proof? Check the logo!
And it also reminds us that He watches us. Imagine there is a heaven... and that there is a God who watches everything we do... He watches and MOVES in perfect, patient love so that He may fully bring that heaven down to earth!
In fact, in the Bible says...
Psalm 121 - A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD watches over you- the LORD is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD will keep you from all harm- he will watch over your life; 8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Psalm 146:9 - The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
Wow... Great song by the ol' shepherd-boy, David, huh?!
And then there's this little tidbit, too, God, the Watcher, identified as the Son!
1 John 5:18 - We know that no child of God keeps on sinning. The Son of God watches over him and the devil cannot get near him.
Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. 8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel. 9 And all the people shall know...
If you haven't met God. Call out to Him for an introduction! Converse with the Most High who holds your atoms in balance!
Following is an example based on Jesus' special prayer model for His followers (Matthew 6:9-15 & Luke 11:1-13) -
"My Father in heaven. You are completely transcendent and magnificent... and yet You delight to dwell with the humble-hearted.
"I need Your Kingdom reign in my life. Fill me with understanding of the way You are doing things and so I can join the people who walk in maturity throughout the various world systems in the future. Use me for that higher love in a unique way.
"Give me and my loved ones the sustenance and shelter we need to accomplish these things. The birds don't worry about Your provision... help me not to worry either. You are a good Father to all who rely on You. I want to be in that crowd of peaceful lovers of God and life.
"Jesus, You lived the perfect life in perfect love and yet cruel men set You up and tortured You to a gruesome death... and it was Your goal to proclaim - and You did - "Father, forgive them... they don't know what they're doing!" Help me to have a heart of forgiveness and grace like Yours. I want to think like You.... but I also want to feel the way You feel about people... about this planet.
"Yeshua (Jesus), because You got up from physical death - Your vessel of operation, Your body, intact and touchable - You have promised there is also Resurrection power to live this life available to me! And I want it! I need it! Let this be only a beginning of a new, radical life that's filled with Your Spirit making life happen in me. I don't want to live like an average person. I want to be filled with Your extraordinary Life!
"For Yours is the Only Kingdom that works and brings beauty to planet earth... may Your Kingdom be fully established - And Jesus, You are the passionate BrideGroom whispering the directions to Your Bride... I'm listening!"
All of the last book of the Bible, Revelation, chapter 22, sums up the goal of ... but especially verses 16 & 17 -
"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give this testimony to you for the churches. I am the root and descendant of David. I am the bright morning star.
And the Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come!'.
And let those who hear this say, 'Come!.'
And let those who want the water of life take it as a gift!"
:::The Story of our Logo::::
AtomSoundMedia wants to please God!
Which God? The God who holds your atoms together, of course! The only God who is! The One who watches over tiny Israel and who sustains everything seen and unseen by the power of His Word! The Being of Love who existed before time (as we know it)... The Father who loved His Son in the Spirit... and who longed more profoundly than the depths of space to share that love with His creation... especially with HUMANITY.
And we know that within that pleasing... there is an INFINITE ARRAY of pleasant things. For to TRULY please the One who makes all things good and beautiful... is to, in turn, live goodness and beauty before everyone and everything made by that One.
The phrase "AtomSound" represents what physicists call "Strong Nuclear Force." It holds matter in place... it was spoken into existance long, long ago... a reverberation that is unique and never ceases as long as the One who spoke does not withdraw His creative Word.
And, rest assured, God places His ultimate authority on the integrity of that Word!
The AtomSoundMedia logo is built around a slightly enhanced image that was captured by the famed Hubbel Space Telescope. It had pointed it's mirrored lense far into the black of night and captured a helix nebula known only as "NGC 7293!" We at AtomSound lovingly refer to it as the 'eye of God'!
It is a visual reminder to us of how HUGE the scope and reach of our Creator is! He fashioned the outer reaches of space with infinite artistry and design... and He sustains the most infinitesimal quark or gluon in splendid array. You want proof? Check the logo!
And it also reminds us that He watches us. Imagine there is a heaven... and that there is a God who watches everything we do... He watches and MOVES in perfect, patient love so that He may fully bring that heaven down to earth!
In fact, in the Bible says...
Psalm 121 - A song of ascents.
1 I lift up my eyes to the hills - where does my help come from? 2 My help comes from the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth.
3 He will not let your foot slip- he who watches over you will not slumber; 4 indeed, he who watches over Israel will neither slumber nor sleep. 5 The LORD watches over you- the LORD is your shade at your right hand; 6 the sun will not harm you by day, nor the moon by night. 7 The LORD will keep you from all harm- he will watch over your life; 8 the LORD will watch over your coming and going both now and forevermore.
Psalm 146:9 - The LORD watches over the alien and sustains the fatherless and the widow, but he frustrates the ways of the wicked.
Wow... Great song by the ol' shepherd-boy, David, huh?!
And then there's this little tidbit, too, God, the Watcher, identified as the Son!
1 John 5:18 - We know that no child of God keeps on sinning. The Son of God watches over him and the devil cannot get near him.
Isaiah 9:6 - For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this. 8 The Lord sent a word into Jacob, and it hath lighted upon Israel. 9 And all the people shall know...
If you haven't met God. Call out to Him for an introduction! Converse with the Most High who holds your atoms in balance!
Following is an example based on Jesus' special prayer model for His followers (Matthew 6:9-15 & Luke 11:1-13) -
"My Father in heaven. You are completely transcendent and magnificent... and yet You delight to dwell with the humble-hearted.
"I need Your Kingdom reign in my life. Fill me with understanding of the way You are doing things and so I can join the people who walk in maturity throughout the various world systems in the future. Use me for that higher love in a unique way.
"Give me and my loved ones the sustenance and shelter we need to accomplish these things. The birds don't worry about Your provision... help me not to worry either. You are a good Father to all who rely on You. I want to be in that crowd of peaceful lovers of God and life.
"Jesus, You lived the perfect life in perfect love and yet cruel men set You up and tortured You to a gruesome death... and it was Your goal to proclaim - and You did - "Father, forgive them... they don't know what they're doing!" Help me to have a heart of forgiveness and grace like Yours. I want to think like You.... but I also want to feel the way You feel about people... about this planet.
"Yeshua (Jesus), because You got up from physical death - Your vessel of operation, Your body, intact and touchable - You have promised there is also Resurrection power to live this life available to me! And I want it! I need it! Let this be only a beginning of a new, radical life that's filled with Your Spirit making life happen in me. I don't want to live like an average person. I want to be filled with Your extraordinary Life!
"For Yours is the Only Kingdom that works and brings beauty to planet earth... may Your Kingdom be fully established - And Jesus, You are the passionate BrideGroom whispering the directions to Your Bride... I'm listening!"
All of the last book of the Bible, Revelation, chapter 22, sums up the goal of ... but especially verses 16 & 17 -
"I, Jesus, have sent my angel to give this testimony to you for the churches. I am the root and descendant of David. I am the bright morning star.
And the Spirit and the Bride say, 'Come!'.
And let those who hear this say, 'Come!.'
And let those who want the water of life take it as a gift!"
Sunday, May 2, 2004
Waterdeep
Waterdeep put on a "really big shoe" at the New Earth Coffeehouse this weekend (Friday and Saturday nights, April 30th and May 1st). The young man who put the band together and married the lead female singer, Lori Coscia, is none other than my "little" brother, Donald. Really not little at all, of course - he's a big guy (bigger than me?) - he's a papa! - he's a famous rockstar... but a little younger, perhaps.
Since I don't get to talk to him much and since the thing that I'm most wanting to talk about is a general topic everyone who is remotely interested in the Man/God of the Universe, Yeshua/Jesus, might want to consider and / or debate (in a friendly way)... I'm just gonna bust out right now tonight - at 4 am after a REALLY long night of rockin the New Earth house down!
The topic is this - What Does a "Christian Songwriter" Sing About?
Hmm.... well, allow me to suggest that before you commence the pondering of the answer, check out the soundtrack I'm listening to - a friend of Waterdeep's...
The formal answer (for, well, a really long time - not that that implies positively, for sure, the RIGHTNESS of such practice - of COURSE!) has been, well, since he or she is a "songwriter" NOT sans the "Christian" part, about God! A Christian Songwriter - one who is identified with Christ and is a songwriter... mmm... sings about Christ?
That's what I would think.
But Donald makes the argument (quite poignantly, I might add) that a Christian is FREE. And, therefore, Christian songwriters should spread that freedom into their songwriting and just write about whatever artsy thing suits their fancy... and don't worry about it!
I'm worrying though. (In a patently post "post-modern" way)
We live in a world that is not as content as we are.
If some of you who read this don't know the eternal God who comforts the inner being and answers all the burning questions with molten wisdom that burns, fills and settles your soul to the core, we who know Yeshua should be like wild horses in our concern over that disparity and do whatever we can to share that wholeness with you in ALL our endeavors!
Whether we're "Christian songwriters, plumbers, traffic cops, sign-makers, politicians, breadmakers, homemakers" all are clearly called to live devoted to the God who yearns to be known by ALL.
He yearns deeply for ALL people to know His "wholesomeness" - and our devotion urges us to share that well-being in every way possible - songwriting notwithstanding.
[Note from 080805! Something important here in 1st Peter 2:9! Our "telling" is us actually PRAISING God IN our SOCIETY!!!
We don't just say, "Hey, I wanna tell you something really cool...."
We ACTUALLY DANCE AND SING AND DO ART AND ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN AND ACTS OF SOCIAL JUSTICE IN PUBLIC!!!! We "show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of (our) darkness... (societal) darkness... (mysterious and vast spiritual) darkness and into His MARVELOUS LIGHT" - the LIGHT of His GLORIOUS KINGDOM WISDOM AND ETERNAL REIGN AS IT IS BECOMING CLEAR TO US! HOW GENIUS! HOW ALL-ENCOMPASSING IT IS!! BOTH NOW AND FOREVERMORE!!! We 'live out loud' by speaking as well as acting out our faith. Faith without works is dead, yes, but faith with mouths of joy and compassion and grief and anger TAPED SHUT is, at least, limited.]
Since I don't get to talk to him much and since the thing that I'm most wanting to talk about is a general topic everyone who is remotely interested in the Man/God of the Universe, Yeshua/Jesus, might want to consider and / or debate (in a friendly way)... I'm just gonna bust out right now tonight - at 4 am after a REALLY long night of rockin the New Earth house down!
The topic is this - What Does a "Christian Songwriter" Sing About?
Hmm.... well, allow me to suggest that before you commence the pondering of the answer, check out the soundtrack I'm listening to - a friend of Waterdeep's...
The formal answer (for, well, a really long time - not that that implies positively, for sure, the RIGHTNESS of such practice - of COURSE!) has been, well, since he or she is a "songwriter" NOT sans the "Christian" part, about God! A Christian Songwriter - one who is identified with Christ and is a songwriter... mmm... sings about Christ?
That's what I would think.
But Donald makes the argument (quite poignantly, I might add) that a Christian is FREE. And, therefore, Christian songwriters should spread that freedom into their songwriting and just write about whatever artsy thing suits their fancy... and don't worry about it!
I'm worrying though. (In a patently post "post-modern" way)
We live in a world that is not as content as we are.
If some of you who read this don't know the eternal God who comforts the inner being and answers all the burning questions with molten wisdom that burns, fills and settles your soul to the core, we who know Yeshua should be like wild horses in our concern over that disparity and do whatever we can to share that wholeness with you in ALL our endeavors!
Whether we're "Christian songwriters, plumbers, traffic cops, sign-makers, politicians, breadmakers, homemakers" all are clearly called to live devoted to the God who yearns to be known by ALL.
He yearns deeply for ALL people to know His "wholesomeness" - and our devotion urges us to share that well-being in every way possible - songwriting notwithstanding.
[Note from 080805! Something important here in 1st Peter 2:9! Our "telling" is us actually PRAISING God IN our SOCIETY!!!
We don't just say, "Hey, I wanna tell you something really cool...."
We ACTUALLY DANCE AND SING AND DO ART AND ARCHITECTURE AND DESIGN AND ACTS OF SOCIAL JUSTICE IN PUBLIC!!!! We "show forth the praises of Him who has called us out of (our) darkness... (societal) darkness... (mysterious and vast spiritual) darkness and into His MARVELOUS LIGHT" - the LIGHT of His GLORIOUS KINGDOM WISDOM AND ETERNAL REIGN AS IT IS BECOMING CLEAR TO US! HOW GENIUS! HOW ALL-ENCOMPASSING IT IS!! BOTH NOW AND FOREVERMORE!!! We 'live out loud' by speaking as well as acting out our faith. Faith without works is dead, yes, but faith with mouths of joy and compassion and grief and anger TAPED SHUT is, at least, limited.]
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