"Nature is the glass reflecting God, as by the sea reflected is the sun, too glorious to be gazed on in his sphere."
~Young
Tuesday, July 22, 2003
Wednesday, July 02, 2003
Some thoughts on Rock music
It is said, today of many trusted leaders in our community that “Contemporary’ Christian Rock” is acceptable and that those who disagree are being legalistic or old fashioned. However, as I asked the question “Do good words really make this type of music right?” I found answers to the real issue of rock music and why the Rock beat is evil in any form.
God himself gives us clear examples in scripture that good words do not always make something right. A Demon gave testimony of Jesus saying, “I know who Thou art, the Holy One of God.” Jesus rebuked and silenced him. The clairvoyant girl proclaimed of Paul and Silas “These men are servants of the most High God, which show unto us the way of Salvation,” Paul was grieved and rebuked the spirit within her. The demons were speaking truth but their words had no place in the plans of God.
A survey cited that teenagers didn’t know what about 37% of 622 rock songs were about ~they just liked the music. I believe this should prevent us from looking at the value of Contemporary Rock Music based solely on the words. So what is unique about “Rock Music” and its effect on millions of people? Why do those who listen to it become touchy when Christians question its value?
Addiction = a physical or psychological dependence, or both. In 1993 a survey of 2,750 young people between the ages of 12 and 26 were asked if they believed that Rock music was addictive. 99.3% said “yes!”
Rock music is addictive because it causes the release of adrenaline which creates a high, explains a Psychiatrist. He says that one of the most powerful releases of the “fight or flight” adrenaline high comes from music which is discordant in its beat or chords. If you have ever watched intense movies you can identify with this. Music is used to create drama and suspense, or relieve stress. The reason it can be used to do this is because music follows patterns. Good music follows exact mathmatical rules which causes the mind to feel comforted, encouraged and safe. Musicians have found that when they go against these rules the listener experiences an addicting high.
Think about this high in terms of music sales. Like the unscrupulous “diet” doctors who addict their clients to amphetamines to ensure continued dependence, musicians know that discordant music sells and sells. As with all addictions victims become more tolerant. Which means the same music which once created a pleasant tingle of excitement no longer satisfies. Thus the music must become more jarring, louder, and more discordant. One generally starts out listening to soft rock, then rock -n- roll, and eventually moving on to heavy metal music.
Even without an addiction to the rock beat there are health concerns to look into when listening to music. It is important to listen to music at a sound level this being safe at decibels of 20-65. In most Rock concerts even “Christian concerts” the music is kept at decibels from 110-140. Exposing yourself to this level of sound for more than a minute can cause permanent hearing damage.
Turning the volume down may keep hearing loss from being a problem but even if you don’t listen to your music loud you should consider the next few things I have to say.
A study in New Jersey proved that the brain cells of animals actually become deformed if they are placed under the constant rhythm of the rock beat. Scientific studies show that the rock beat, on the 2nd and 4th beats of the measure, actually interfere with the normal human heart beat. This problem occurs regardless of whether the words are Christian or secular.
Another reason for not listening to Rock music is found in Romans 14:21. This verse says that it is not good to do anything that would cause another brother to stumble, to be offended or to be made weak.
A Christian man named Stephen Maphosah who had been trained to use beat to worship the demonic in his life prior to meeting Christ, evaluated ten individual “Contemporary Christian” music sample tapes and classified them all as being unacceptable to be listened to because he said the tapes all contained a demonic beat which he was accustomed to using in his old ancestral worship of Evil spirits
A Christian brother in Russia, who was imprisoned 15 years for his faith explained that Rock music was used against him day and night to destroy his faith. You can imagine how he felt when Christians from America brought “Christian Rock Music” into his country in our attempts to appeal to the young people of Russia. The music became so much of a problem that in 1993 the Russian Parliament passed laws restricting western missionaries from coming to their country because of the use of this kind of music.
Because of Scriptural examples-
Because the “rock beat” is a proven addiction-
Because the rock the rock beat damages hearing, brain cells, and heart function- and because it damages other believers, I exhort you to remove rock music of any kind from your life and to appeal to your church leaders to remove it from your church.
For more information on this subject I would suggest you read:
Why I left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement
~Dan Lucarini
How to Conquer the Addiction of Rock Music
~Written by Youth Who have Found Freedom
Music in the Mind ~I can't remember who wrote it!
God himself gives us clear examples in scripture that good words do not always make something right. A Demon gave testimony of Jesus saying, “I know who Thou art, the Holy One of God.” Jesus rebuked and silenced him. The clairvoyant girl proclaimed of Paul and Silas “These men are servants of the most High God, which show unto us the way of Salvation,” Paul was grieved and rebuked the spirit within her. The demons were speaking truth but their words had no place in the plans of God.
A survey cited that teenagers didn’t know what about 37% of 622 rock songs were about ~they just liked the music. I believe this should prevent us from looking at the value of Contemporary Rock Music based solely on the words. So what is unique about “Rock Music” and its effect on millions of people? Why do those who listen to it become touchy when Christians question its value?
Addiction = a physical or psychological dependence, or both. In 1993 a survey of 2,750 young people between the ages of 12 and 26 were asked if they believed that Rock music was addictive. 99.3% said “yes!”
Rock music is addictive because it causes the release of adrenaline which creates a high, explains a Psychiatrist. He says that one of the most powerful releases of the “fight or flight” adrenaline high comes from music which is discordant in its beat or chords. If you have ever watched intense movies you can identify with this. Music is used to create drama and suspense, or relieve stress. The reason it can be used to do this is because music follows patterns. Good music follows exact mathmatical rules which causes the mind to feel comforted, encouraged and safe. Musicians have found that when they go against these rules the listener experiences an addicting high.
Think about this high in terms of music sales. Like the unscrupulous “diet” doctors who addict their clients to amphetamines to ensure continued dependence, musicians know that discordant music sells and sells. As with all addictions victims become more tolerant. Which means the same music which once created a pleasant tingle of excitement no longer satisfies. Thus the music must become more jarring, louder, and more discordant. One generally starts out listening to soft rock, then rock -n- roll, and eventually moving on to heavy metal music.
Even without an addiction to the rock beat there are health concerns to look into when listening to music. It is important to listen to music at a sound level this being safe at decibels of 20-65. In most Rock concerts even “Christian concerts” the music is kept at decibels from 110-140. Exposing yourself to this level of sound for more than a minute can cause permanent hearing damage.
Turning the volume down may keep hearing loss from being a problem but even if you don’t listen to your music loud you should consider the next few things I have to say.
A study in New Jersey proved that the brain cells of animals actually become deformed if they are placed under the constant rhythm of the rock beat. Scientific studies show that the rock beat, on the 2nd and 4th beats of the measure, actually interfere with the normal human heart beat. This problem occurs regardless of whether the words are Christian or secular.
Another reason for not listening to Rock music is found in Romans 14:21. This verse says that it is not good to do anything that would cause another brother to stumble, to be offended or to be made weak.
A Christian man named Stephen Maphosah who had been trained to use beat to worship the demonic in his life prior to meeting Christ, evaluated ten individual “Contemporary Christian” music sample tapes and classified them all as being unacceptable to be listened to because he said the tapes all contained a demonic beat which he was accustomed to using in his old ancestral worship of Evil spirits
A Christian brother in Russia, who was imprisoned 15 years for his faith explained that Rock music was used against him day and night to destroy his faith. You can imagine how he felt when Christians from America brought “Christian Rock Music” into his country in our attempts to appeal to the young people of Russia. The music became so much of a problem that in 1993 the Russian Parliament passed laws restricting western missionaries from coming to their country because of the use of this kind of music.
Because of Scriptural examples-
Because the “rock beat” is a proven addiction-
Because the rock the rock beat damages hearing, brain cells, and heart function- and because it damages other believers, I exhort you to remove rock music of any kind from your life and to appeal to your church leaders to remove it from your church.
For more information on this subject I would suggest you read:
Why I left the Contemporary Christian Music Movement
~Dan Lucarini
How to Conquer the Addiction of Rock Music
~Written by Youth Who have Found Freedom
Music in the Mind ~I can't remember who wrote it!
Saturday, May 31, 2003
May 31, 2003
Would you risk all?
At this very moment deep in the heart of Bangladesh a man named Moses is being held prisoner by a terrorist group. News has been recieved through GFA (Gospel For Asia) that he will be killed unless a large ransom is paid to this group. Please lift Moses and those who are trying to save him up in your prayers.
Thinking of our christian brother being held for ransom reminds me of the ransom price that Christ paid for us. Had he not died on that cross in our place we could not have been freed from the debt of sin. Moses has been spending his time spreading the Word. He may now have a chance to give the ultimate sacrifice of love. Would you be willing to risk all to show the Love of Christ?
At this very moment deep in the heart of Bangladesh a man named Moses is being held prisoner by a terrorist group. News has been recieved through GFA (Gospel For Asia) that he will be killed unless a large ransom is paid to this group. Please lift Moses and those who are trying to save him up in your prayers.
Thinking of our christian brother being held for ransom reminds me of the ransom price that Christ paid for us. Had he not died on that cross in our place we could not have been freed from the debt of sin. Moses has been spending his time spreading the Word. He may now have a chance to give the ultimate sacrifice of love. Would you be willing to risk all to show the Love of Christ?
Friday, May 02, 2003
Update on life
Hey, just in case anyone ever comes in here I thought I would give you an update on my life.
Latin finals, piano recital, missionary staying with us, last choir preformance over with, Sunday school teaching, church building, web sight checking for homeschool group, art teaching, meeting attending, Bible reading, movie watching, and in other words very busy this month.
Latin finals, piano recital, missionary staying with us, last choir preformance over with, Sunday school teaching, church building, web sight checking for homeschool group, art teaching, meeting attending, Bible reading, movie watching, and in other words very busy this month.
Thursday, March 27, 2003
Idiot though you may be...
Idiot though you may be.....(inspired by a letter from a friend.)
Idiot though you may be,
some natural tendencies do I see
To carry burdens on your own
instead of placing them before God's throne.
Can't find the prison key, you say?
The load and strain causes you to sway.
Black the heart, and dead the soul,
the Lord gives mercy. Let him console.
He'll take the knotted souls of men,
the dying hopes, the walking dead,
and give them life with him instead.
So if your soul be black and cold,
Your actions ever wrong and bold.
If your life is caged and sad,
Your thinking -it is ever bad.
Fear not. For though death's sting is near,
Eternal life is given,
and lest you think it's cost not dear,
Face the picture of his agony.
Watch the tears of blood and sweat,
The beaten back, the thorn crowned brow,
His dying breath as He, for you and me,
gave up His spirit, His body held by cross and nail.
All this to conquer death and hell,
To render aid to those in prison cell.
If you but place your trust in him,
He'll take those dim and dying thoughts.
Replace those walls, untie those knots.
'Tis His delight for sinners dear
to find in Him freedom from fear.
Idiot though you may be,
Remember it was He who died to set you free.
Taste in Him the conquering victory.
Live your life for all to see
In you a picture of the living free.
For that, my friend, is what He intended you to be.
Idiot though you may be,
some natural tendencies do I see
To carry burdens on your own
instead of placing them before God's throne.
Can't find the prison key, you say?
The load and strain causes you to sway.
Black the heart, and dead the soul,
the Lord gives mercy. Let him console.
He'll take the knotted souls of men,
the dying hopes, the walking dead,
and give them life with him instead.
So if your soul be black and cold,
Your actions ever wrong and bold.
If your life is caged and sad,
Your thinking -it is ever bad.
Fear not. For though death's sting is near,
Eternal life is given,
and lest you think it's cost not dear,
Face the picture of his agony.
Watch the tears of blood and sweat,
The beaten back, the thorn crowned brow,
His dying breath as He, for you and me,
gave up His spirit, His body held by cross and nail.
All this to conquer death and hell,
To render aid to those in prison cell.
If you but place your trust in him,
He'll take those dim and dying thoughts.
Replace those walls, untie those knots.
'Tis His delight for sinners dear
to find in Him freedom from fear.
Idiot though you may be,
Remember it was He who died to set you free.
Taste in Him the conquering victory.
Live your life for all to see
In you a picture of the living free.
For that, my friend, is what He intended you to be.
Saturday, December 21, 2002
Thank You!
Thank you.
Thank you for the gift you gave.
The little Son you sent to save.
The little guy so strong and brave
That came to earth my soul to save.
Who took my place in sins cold grave.
Yes, thanks so much for the gift you gave.
Thank you for the gift you gave.
The little Son you sent to save.
The little guy so strong and brave
That came to earth my soul to save.
Who took my place in sins cold grave.
Yes, thanks so much for the gift you gave.
Friday, December 06, 2002
Psalm 6
An echo of the heart of David.
Lord,David cries today. His heart aches.
He cries......and I echo his cry.
*Rebuke me not in thine anger
*Do not chasten in thine hot displeasure
*Have mercy upon me
*Heal me
*Return
*Save me
*Deliver my soul
*Let mine enemies be ashamed.
David cries to you, waters his couch with tears, has waxed old because of his enemies. Lord, I to come before you with a heart of sorrow. Do not rubuke me in your anger nor chasten me in your hot displeasure. Have mercy upon me and heal me. Save me oh, Lord and may mine enemies be ashamed. Lord, for Thy tender mercies, forgiveness, healing and deliverance I give you deep praise. Thank you!
Sarah
Lord,David cries today. His heart aches.
He cries......and I echo his cry.
*Rebuke me not in thine anger
*Do not chasten in thine hot displeasure
*Have mercy upon me
*Heal me
*Return
*Save me
*Deliver my soul
*Let mine enemies be ashamed.
David cries to you, waters his couch with tears, has waxed old because of his enemies. Lord, I to come before you with a heart of sorrow. Do not rubuke me in your anger nor chasten me in your hot displeasure. Have mercy upon me and heal me. Save me oh, Lord and may mine enemies be ashamed. Lord, for Thy tender mercies, forgiveness, healing and deliverance I give you deep praise. Thank you!
Sarah
Thursday, December 05, 2002
Psalm 3
An echo from the heart of David taken from Psalm 3
Lord you are........
* A shield
* My glory
* The lifter of mine head.
* One who hears
* The One who will save me from mine enemies.
* The One who owns salvation
Oh, Lord I cry to you, be my Shield. May your glory shine from my life. Lord you are the one who hears. Life mine head and save me from my enemies for you are my salvation.
Psalm 3 is a morning prayer.
1. David cried to the Lord because of his enemies.
2. He needed help and protection
3. He knew that the Lord heard his cries.
4. He was able to sleep.
5. He knew that the Lord would sustain him
6. He did not fear because Salvation belonged to the Lord. He knew that the Lord would take care of his enemies.
Other thoughts:
David cried out to the Lord for protection knowing that the Lord would save him. He praised God through out his cry for help.
The name Psalm means the book of praises or the book of praises or righteous songs.
Lord you are........
* A shield
* My glory
* The lifter of mine head.
* One who hears
* The One who will save me from mine enemies.
* The One who owns salvation
Oh, Lord I cry to you, be my Shield. May your glory shine from my life. Lord you are the one who hears. Life mine head and save me from my enemies for you are my salvation.
Psalm 3 is a morning prayer.
1. David cried to the Lord because of his enemies.
2. He needed help and protection
3. He knew that the Lord heard his cries.
4. He was able to sleep.
5. He knew that the Lord would sustain him
6. He did not fear because Salvation belonged to the Lord. He knew that the Lord would take care of his enemies.
Other thoughts:
David cried out to the Lord for protection knowing that the Lord would save him. He praised God through out his cry for help.
The name Psalm means the book of praises or the book of praises or righteous songs.
Wednesday, December 04, 2002
Psalm 2
Psalm 2
Lord you are......
*the one who holds the kings and rulers who do not honor you in derision.
*the one who will give when asked.
*the one who I can put my trust in.
Wisdom:
1. Serve the Lord with fear and trembling.
2. Declare the works and words of the Lord.
3. Be wise and be instructed
Lord you are......
*the one who holds the kings and rulers who do not honor you in derision.
*the one who will give when asked.
*the one who I can put my trust in.
Wisdom:
1. Serve the Lord with fear and trembling.
2. Declare the works and words of the Lord.
3. Be wise and be instructed
Monday, December 02, 2002
Thoughts about 1 John
Salvation message:
~When we keep the commandments we dwell in Him and He in us. We know that He abides in us by the Spirit which he hath given us.
See:1 John 3:24
~The Son came into the world, that we might live through Him.
See:1 John 4:9
~The Son was sent to be the propitiation for our sins.
See:1 John 4:10
~We know that He dwells in us because we have His Spirit.
See:
1 John 4:13
~Whoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him.
See:
1 John 4:15
Posted by Life and Liberty at 11:23 PM
Points to ponder
Points to ponder
~ First read John 3:3-10
v.3
and every man that hath hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
1. Hope (to anticipate, usually with pleasure; expectation or confidence: -Faith, hope.)
2. Purifieth (to make clean, sanctify: purify self)
v. 4-10
When we keep the Lord's commandments he dwells in us and we dwell in him but when we do not we are allowing the devil to dwell in us.
Spirits can be tested. Those who confess that Jesus is come in the flesh are of God.
God's commandments are not grevious to those who love him. (1 John 5:3)
~When we keep the commandments we dwell in Him and He in us. We know that He abides in us by the Spirit which he hath given us.
See:1 John 3:24
~The Son came into the world, that we might live through Him.
See:1 John 4:9
~The Son was sent to be the propitiation for our sins.
See:1 John 4:10
~We know that He dwells in us because we have His Spirit.
See:
1 John 4:13
~Whoever shall confess that Jesus is the Son of God, God dwelleth in him.
See:
1 John 4:15
Posted by Life and Liberty at 11:23 PM
Points to ponder
Points to ponder
~ First read John 3:3-10
v.3
and every man that hath hope in him purifieth himself, even as he is pure.
1. Hope (to anticipate, usually with pleasure; expectation or confidence: -Faith, hope.)
2. Purifieth (to make clean, sanctify: purify self)
v. 4-10
When we keep the Lord's commandments he dwells in us and we dwell in him but when we do not we are allowing the devil to dwell in us.
Spirits can be tested. Those who confess that Jesus is come in the flesh are of God.
God's commandments are not grevious to those who love him. (1 John 5:3)
Sunday, December 01, 2002
Psalm 1 (thoughts on Psalm 1)
Lord you are righteous.
Truths to ponder:
A man is blessed when he does not follow the the ways of the ungodly.
The man or woman that delights in the laws of the Lord and meditates on it shall prosper.
Application:
1. Study the laws of the Lord. Learn to delight yourself in them.
"The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish." Psalm 1:6
Truths to ponder:
A man is blessed when he does not follow the the ways of the ungodly.
The man or woman that delights in the laws of the Lord and meditates on it shall prosper.
Application:
1. Study the laws of the Lord. Learn to delight yourself in them.
"The Lord knoweth the way of the righteous: but the way of the ungodly shall perish." Psalm 1:6
Saturday, November 02, 2002
Do you Love the Lord?
Do You Love the Lord?
The Bible is full of all sorts of interesting verses dealing with a everything from creation, war, rules, love, peace, wisdom, and knowledge.
As I sat down to write you this evening I was reminded of a verse in the Bible that talks about what it means to love Christ.
You see, I think that most of us would say that we loved Christ if someone were to ask us but is that really true?
If it is, have you told the Lord lately? He is waiting to hear from you. He has even told us how to act if we do love him.
He tells us in the Bible that if we love him we will keep his commandments. "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grevious." 1 John 5:3I think it is interesting to note the last part of that verse.
Why was that piece put in there?
I believe that it works as both a statement and as a springboard for us to examine our lives. Do you find God's commandments hard to follow? Are his commandments grevious to you?
The Bible talks about a rich young ruler who thought that Jesus' command to sell all that he had was way to hard. He left without the knowledge of what it is to serve Christ.
My question for you today is do you LOVE the Lord? What has he commanded you to do for him? Will you?
The Bible is full of all sorts of interesting verses dealing with a everything from creation, war, rules, love, peace, wisdom, and knowledge.
As I sat down to write you this evening I was reminded of a verse in the Bible that talks about what it means to love Christ.
You see, I think that most of us would say that we loved Christ if someone were to ask us but is that really true?
If it is, have you told the Lord lately? He is waiting to hear from you. He has even told us how to act if we do love him.
He tells us in the Bible that if we love him we will keep his commandments. "For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grevious." 1 John 5:3I think it is interesting to note the last part of that verse.
Why was that piece put in there?
I believe that it works as both a statement and as a springboard for us to examine our lives. Do you find God's commandments hard to follow? Are his commandments grevious to you?
The Bible talks about a rich young ruler who thought that Jesus' command to sell all that he had was way to hard. He left without the knowledge of what it is to serve Christ.
My question for you today is do you LOVE the Lord? What has he commanded you to do for him? Will you?
Wednesday, January 02, 2002
The High Calling of God
The high calling of God
-a collection of verses that I found in my notes the other day.
Philippians 3:14
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
1 Timothy 4:8
"For bodily excersize profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to came.
-a collection of verses that I found in my notes the other day.
Philippians 3:14
"I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus."
1 Timothy 4:8
"For bodily excersize profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to came.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)