Spoonful of Sugar

When I was talking about knowing and picking your battles the other day, I recalled something about my own life.

I was a true Earth, Wind and Fire fan back in the day. And I mean I was fanatical. By 'back in the day' I mean just up til a few years ago. As a teenager, I was so into this group because I had a big crush on the lead singer, Maurice White. Don't judge me now; that part of my life is over! I also thought the Larry Dunn was the hotter than fried meat grease...

Anyway, one of my favorite EWF songs was one called "All About Love". Pretty melody and very innocent sounding. Who can worry about a song that talks all about love? I didn't, not even after I matured a little and started paying more attention to music that I listened to.

The the song lyrics never did give me pause until I started thinking about all the symbolism that is Earth, Wind and Fire.

Just go and look at some of their album covers and see what they feature. Great looking covers, right? But notice how the elements are celebrated as god ("In the beginning, there was EWF"). I found some interesting bits of information from this source, which includes a quote from a band member:

"Maurice always studied astrology, numerology, astronomy, We introduced Trancendental(sic) Meditation to a lot of the black audience. That was very new for them. Of course, the Beatles had brought TM to the people in the 1960's, but we brought it into the 70's to an audience that was looking for something alternative." (my underline)

And here I'd always thought he was just sharing his hotness with the rest of us.

The band seems fascinated with Egyptology. Not a big deal except that, as a Christian, we have been called "out of Egypt" (or the ways opposing the God of the Bible), right? And then, there are those lyrics:

You know, for instance, we study all kin
kinds of sciences, astrogy(sic), mysticism,
religion, so forth we did.
And like coming from here place, all these things help
because if you're inside your inner self
Have mercy! (source)

Have mercy, indeed. Neither astrology nor mysticism is something a Christian should mess with. (And, yes, I have heard of 'Christian mysticsim'. I've also heard of Yoga being taught in churches.)

Not everything that is contrary to Christianity is blatant and comes labeled with warning signs. Matter of fact, most everything contrary to our Christian lives is often hidden - or else cloaked as something very harmless. Which is what makes me think of the line from "Mary Poppins" ("A spoonful of sugar makes the medicine go down").

Sometimes I wished that every fattening food tasted like dirt. Just like I sort of wished that everything bad for my spirit came outlined in neon-warning lights. But only 'sometimes' and 'sort of'. If life really worked that way, we'd never have to practice self-control. More importantly, we had the neon warnings back in Eden and still got ourselves in a jam.

If it sounds like I'm just being over-cautious, I'm not. And I'd rather err on the side of caution than not after seeing something else that was brought to my attention (by checking the same source listed above) about another of the EWF songs I liked. The song was called "Jupiter". Catchy song, but I only ever half noticed those (now chilling) lyrics.

By the way, I'm not very  familiar with this site I used as a source and I'm going to be going over to check it out further, but I'm appreciative of this bit of info I could reference for this post.)

This is what that source says about who/what Jupiter is:

Occult research author, William Hutchinson says Jupiter is "painted with horns" and "he is the same as Baal. . ." (William Hutchinson, The Spirit of Masonry, pp. 82-83) Satanist Anton LaVey, writes in The Satanic Bible, "The Phoenicians worshipped a fly god, Baal, from which comes the devil, Beelzebub. . ." (Anton Szandor LaVey, The Satanic Bible, p. 60) Anyone slightly familiar with the Bible recognizes Baal as the devil worshipped in the Old Testament. (source)

I guess what I'm trying to say is that, we always have to be careful. As a Christian, I feel like a little kid still learning not to take candy from strangers. Not all strangers are bad, but some of them are deadly.

Now, understand that I'm not knocking anyone who likes EWF - or the Beatles, or any other performers or form of entertainent. All I'm saying is that, if I had been aware of what these guys believed in and stood for, I would not have been subjecting myself to their music. I wish I had paid more attention sooner to their message because I was certainly allowing it into my mind and heart.

I think I will end with something  have concluded about Satan/Lucifer being a being of 'light': of course he's attractive and appealing. If he came at us with horns and that silly little red tail, we'd run screaming away from him.

For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. (2 Corinthians 11:13-15)

We wouldn't (or most of us wouldn't) run and jump into a flaming car headed for a cliff, but offer us a ride to a free giveaway of designer goods in a shiny new car and watch how fast we'd take you up on that.

Peace
--Free

Photoshopping the Word of God

As a Christian, I benefit from fellowship with other Christians. While I believe that all Christians continue to grow in faith and behavior, some of us are more "mature" than others. I have especially appreciated the ministries of a few apologists.

I didn't even know what Christian apologetics was when I first read "The Screwtape Letters" by  C.S. Lewis, but it had an impact on how I viewed myself as a member of society. Years later, I discovered the late Dr. Walter Martin. His videos are still available on YouTube.

One thing I have learned as a Christian is that God's word does not conform to people for their acceptance, we have to accept (or reject) the Gospel as it is. We can study it, for clarification and life application, but we cannot change it. We are supposed to allow it to change us.



I know all that but, sometimes, I hear a message from a more mature follower or Christ that hammers it home. Of course, it's important to study the Bible for yourself, and I do. I just appreciate when someone stands up and teaches on how Scripture applies to contemporary situations.

This is a video I ran across while looking through a list of videos suggested for me. Some people might be inclined to tune out, because he's addressing the issue of but it's at mark 17:24 that the young man said something that really resonated with me.

It's at this point that he points out a couple of very valid points that I had never thought about before:

• When we evangelize to others, we need to make sure that we are ourselves conformed to Jesus's teachings. Otherwise, we bring in people based on our perspectives of what is holy and right.
• When we evangelize people into a life of holiness using the things of the world, we are polluting the message. For instance, certain music and other entertainment and lifestyle choices are or the world and should not be used to evangelize. Hip Hop is from the world, just like being a stripper or drug abuser is of the world. So, how can you use "holy" Hip Hop to bring people to the Word? Or have "holy" strippers evangelizing? 

As I listened to these points, I was asking myself why is it that the Gospel - as it is, unadorned - not enough? And, if it's not enough for someone, then it's just not enough for them. We shouldn't have to put makeup on the Gospel to make it pretty or acceptable to people. If we did, that would be a sort of trickery.

You know what it reminds me of? When you meet someone certain people you  think you'd like to be friends with (or date) because they initially seem to be decent. It could be that they have a nice personality. Maybe they just seem to be someone you can see fitting well in your life. Then, once you spend time with them, you see that they aren't really as nice as they initially seemed to be. They end up being someone you can spend time with occasionally, but they aren't someone you could have a long-term relationship with.

If we change to Gospel, there is no need for us to change. To present it to people any other way is just lying to them and giving them a photoshopped Gospel.

Since the video was addressing music, and we all love music, I like to think about some of the concerns many Christians have about using secular media and other avenues to promote Christian music. What I come up with from hearing different viewpoints is that it's all about intention.

(source)

• Is the music to praise God or to promote one's own talents and abilities?
• Is the main concern to make money, have fame, win awards - or to spread the Gospel and encourage and uplift people?
• If it's about God, why any concern about looking good for the world (on album covers and in magazines)?
• If it's about being holy, why present it as sexy, exciting and everything else that secular artists promote?
• If the megachurches have so much money, why not produce and promote the Christian music from within - without secular influence and resources?

I've heard these concerns from various other Christians and their pastors and teachers. I've never yet heard a response from an artist that admits the concerns are valid. I think I think that's because a lot of those artists are like me when it comes to struggling with nonconformity. 

Sin is basically rebellion and rebellion is always a struggle.

And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. (Romans 12:2)

This is a tough one for me sometimes because I will try to excuse my behavior instead of changing it. When I recently started back smoking (I know, I know!), and someone pointed out to me that I was going back to old habits, I was ready with a response: "God has saved me and loves me and nothing will separate me from His love - not even these nasty cigarettes."  That's all true, but it doesn't make my smoking okay.

I am supposed to be caring for and grateful for this body that God gave me. Yes, He loves me and is not going to turn His back on me because of this smoking habit I've returned to, but I'm not honoring Him with the habit. Smoking is bad for my health and, if I got sick because of it right now, I'd be crying out to God for help.

Just so you know, I am working on quitting again and have set a quit date. After all, I don't want to be that person witnessing to someone when I am struggling so hard with such a bad habit. What am I supposed to say if they think that, since I smoke,  their drug use is okay? That's extreme, but you see what I mean.

Anyway, I just wanted to share this video with you guys. It was a blessing to me, and I hope it is for you also.

Peace

The Most Beautiful Gift I've Heard Sung

When I got married, I was very young and I was very immature. I had a worldly heart and a childish spirit. There were people in my life at that time who made belittling comments that affected my outlook on my relationship. I'm not saying that the people who said these things meant harm, but that I was silly enough to let those comments affect me in a negative way.

Words matter. Words are powerful. God spoke the universe into being.

As humans, with no other power than that of speech, our words have effect - for right or for wrong.

Recently I heard a song that touched me so deeply that I am still playing it on repeat almost two days later. The lyrics spoke into my heart to remind me of the most beautiful gift I have been given: Redemption.

Words. Power.

The tongue can bless and the tongue can curse. The person who wrote this particular song shared a blessing he received when he needed it. I have a feeling that he might have no idea how his voice, his words, blessed me.

I know God loves me. I know that I have forgiveness and salvation. I know all that, but I was struggling in a darkness so deep that I was starting to lose sight of all my blessings. I was literally praying every moment for God to take me out of this life and into the next. I actually prayed that.

While I was listening to some music, just to drown out all the self-pitying voices in my mind, I heard this song called "Redeemed".

Those words spoke to me. They spoke the truth of what it means for me to have God's love. They spoke to all the sorrow I was feeling and all the shameful wishes for death that were lingering around me like a cloud.

I felt so happy that I literally stood up and raised my hands in praise.

The sadness and grief I felt is still here. I'm still a failure at so many things in life. I'm still in financial ruins. I'm still trying to find my way out of some difficult circumstances. I'm still sometimes such a mess of a person that it's a wonder that I've made it this far in life without a minder.

But guess what?

I am redeemed.

Those lyrics of that song - just words, after all - were what I needed to hear at just the right time. I can't even listen to the the song without wanting to weep for joy.

When people say that God doesn't answer prayers, I know that He does. I know that He doesn't answer the prayers I've prayed with my human heart ("Let me just die, Father"), but He answers the prayers that come out of my very soul ("What am I living for, Father? What's the point?").

His answer this time was that I need to remember that I am redeemed.

I am redeemed, no matter what a mess I sometimes think I am.
I am redeemed, even if I spend the rest of my life alone.
I am redeemed, no matter how many times I fall down in sin.
I am redeemed, no matter what anybody else thinks about me.
I am redeemed, even if I never make it out this financial mess I am in.
I am redeemed.
No matter what.

Any time I'm tempted to think of my faults and my struggles, I am going to turn to my Bible and remind myself about God's gift of redemption.

That is the only gift I need. It's the most beautiful gift. And it's a gift that I'm glad my family members also had.

Go here to look at the video and to hear the story behind the song.

God bless those people for that song.
Peace
--Free