So I wonder...
Current mood: disappointed
Category: Religion and Philosophy

I don't wish to be harsh to some of you who might read this, but how many of us really try to know what is going on?  Do we just bow down to current perr pressure and join in?  Do we really have an informed opinion?

Somehow we have gotten to a point where "opinionated" is a bad word.  Should you be opinionated?  If I read my Webster's right, it shows "having an opinion" as one definition, pertaining to a negative conotation is another.  But we have become so afraid to have an opinion that we release it to those who pressure us into thinking our opinion is wrong.  Maybe we even take he word opinion the way we take "tolerance".  We twist the meaning to have a completely different meaning.

For those who wish to vote and be politically active, what is your opinion?  Do you think Obama is your candidate?  Why?  And if you answer "Because he's for change" one more time I will puke.  Not that he is or isn't, it's just that that's not AN ANSWER.  And that is exactly what I'm talking about.

If you are for McCain, Why?  Because he's not Obama?  Same thing, I'll puke.

People are willing to be fed junk without substance concerning their politics.  I talked with one of my guys today who said he was so disgusted with the current political climate he refuses to vote.  Now that's responsible.  I told him he had no right to complain because that kind of attitude is what created the current climate in the first place.  The majority stays silently disgusted while the vocal minority get their way because they are the ones who speak up.

And the same is true of your church.  Is your church faltering because you refuse to speak up?  Are things going on that you cannot approve of so you stay silent and disgusted, allowing those things to happen as long as your name is not on it?  Do you take the path of least resistence concerning things done in God's name because "I am not perfect" or "he's in charge, what can I do about it?"

That's a cop-out (why do cops get the bad name here?), and unacceptible to God.  We are His ambassadors, with ambassadorial responsibility here.  If your church is involved in things not godly, if politics pre-empts theology, then you are in for a world of hurt.  Do something about it before God's name is trampled further in the mud.

Can we be political and faithful?  Absolutely.  But be faithful first.

Currently listening : Second Helping By Lynyrd Skynyrd Release date: 1997-11-04

10:27 PM - 4 Comments - 4 Kudos - Add Comment

Another Way lyrics
Current mood: loved
Category: Music

Some people have asked us to put the words to our songs out there so they could really understand what we're doing.  Here's Another Way, lyrics by Free...

This song was written for the Thunder Mountain Biker Rally back in '02 or '03, I don't remember.  It's another song that doesn't go as planned - I asked free for some really hard (emotionally) lyrics I could sink my blues teeth into.  The song, for those who might have heard it, is like '80s southern rock, Great White mixed with Guns-n-Roses, but with meaning.  So Free wrote down his story.  Here it is -Rob-

------------Free's blog at bottom------------

Another way

I thought I knew what was best till I put it to the test

I took my freedom, or so I thought, threw away all that I was taught

All I wanted was happiness, I wanted love now, more or less

I told God to go to hell, I wanted my soul back so I could sell

Chorus:

And I won't ignore the pain, I'm gonna dance out in the rain

I've found another way, I'm gonna make it through the day, yeah…

I threw caution to the wind, I ignored the mess that I was in

I Ran so fast, ran so hard, always playing that wild card

I thought I had friends, I thought I had lovers, they were just enemies undercover

On my way to hell, no looking back, looked inside my soul and saw nothing but black

Chorus

I didn't care that one day, for all my sins I would have to pay

Drunk till three, high by noon, drop a little blotter and the world's a cartoon

I threw my soul to the world, licked my lips and grabbed hold of a girl

As I got closer to those bells, I knew I didn't want to wind up in hell

Bridge:

 I took whatever I could get, always stayed around for one more hit

Went for drugs, went for fame, went for girls to quench the pain

Gave up my body up to be bound, my body was a temple turned to Satan's playground

Solo

Then one day, I took a hard fall, on my knees I had to crawl

Came to the point I had nothing left, I went to my Father in search of rest

I sinned against heaven I sinned against earth, I didn't deserve what I had from birth

I once was lost, but now I'm found, I've been set free I'm no longer bound

Chorus 2x

I began writing this my sophomore year in college, and actually turned in a version of it for a class paper in English. This is one version of my testimony...I've said that to some people and have gotten confused looks, like "How can you have more than one version of how you got saved?" There's only one story of how I got saved. My Jesus came to this earth, died for my sins, rose from the grave in 3 days, and I confessed and believed and He saved me. However my journey has been so long and arduous that the story is quite long. So when I give my testimony it is almost always different because I take different snippets from my life and share them as I feel led by God.

            Another Way briefly touches on struggles and battles I experienced before and during my college years. God delivered me from many things during that time. One night in particular stands out in my mind. Tuesday Nov. 5^th 1996, election day. I don't normally remember dates, actually this is the only date outside of birthday's and my anniversary that I do remember. It's not the day I was saved, but perhaps it was the day, that I finally understood what it meant to be saved. It was the day I received my freedom. It was the day when I stopped back-sliding and began moving toward God. It was the day I elected God, Lord of my life. It was the day I began to live Another Way. God's Way.

-Free

John 8:36

10:44 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Words to God Thing
Current mood: blissful
Category: Music

So, here's another one.  This one started as a kinda cool riff, looking for some kind of rap-metal thing.  Free wanted to something a little more fun than we had, so he used these words in a '80s rap sorta way.  Robb came up with a little drum solo at the end, all in all it's pretty energetic.  This song is really raw, as only Robb, Free, and I were in the band when we wrote it.  When Bobby came in he added some funk stuff to bring it some more rhythm, and when Bill joined he helped carry the song so we took the guitar out of the verses.  Wish I had a reasonable copy to post, but I don't.

Rob

God Thing

We're coming round the world, coming with a bang

Coming just to bring you all this one thing

I know you're sitting pretty sitting in the city

Well come on now, here kitty kitty

Listen to me now, listen to me growl

Listen to me share the gospel somehow

We're coming to your city, coming to your street

Come on now and move your feet

1-2-3-4 It's a God thing, you want some more

1-2-3-4 Get your God thing at the door

1-2-3-4 It's a God thing, you want some more

1-2-3-4 Get your feet up off the floor

We're coming with the Word to all who haven't heard

To clean up the line in the sand that's been blurred

By the one third of the whole earth

That pretend to protect the children at birth

Like the wishy-washy men and the half naked girls

They put God in their pocket for a ten minute whirl

We're coming with the truth, coming to you now

Coming with the gospel, listen to me growl

1-2-3-4 It's a God thing, you want some more

1-2-3-4 Get your God thing at the door

1-2-3-4 It's a God thing, you want some more

1-2-3-4 Get your feet up off the floor

1-2-3-4 It's a God thing, you want some more

1-2-3-4 Get your God thing at the door

1-2-3-4 It's a God thing, you want some more

1-2-3-4 Get your feet up off the floor

Currently listening : Gimme Back My Bullets By Lynyrd Skynyrd Release date: 2006-02-28

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Words To Broken
Current mood: indescribable
Category: Music

Okay, here are some more words.  This was really our first song, at least this version of LC.  We had originally gotten together to fulfill an obligation Free had made to Vision Music Festival.  I was not a Christian, but living in the same apartment complex, Free's wife had noticed me unloading my drums and pushed him into asking me to help out in that area.  The problem was I didn't really want to play drums anymore (I had just got off a rotten tour and was "retiring").  So I helped him write a few songs doing the guitar, with another friend of his, Chris.  Chris was this version's original rhythm guitar player, and he wrote the basic version of this song. 

This song originally appeard on the Episode Three, The Phantom Manna compilation CD by 5280 Records, and the Liquid Currency Paid In Full EP.

Broken

I'm walking on my own again; I'm walking away from help again

I'm walking through the lions den; I'm walking through my sin again

Rusted and shining out, on the inside, rusted and burning out, on the outside

Betrayed my faith again, can I confide in a stranger man with His arms wide?

Broken by the doubt that I can't hide, blinded by the light for the last time

I can feel the waves crash down on me; I can feel the pain under the sea

What's it matter if another man like me gives his life for a chance that he might see?

Is it really gonna change the way I feel, is the world gonna turn on its heel

Broken by the things that make us real, broken and I can't stop what I feel

I'm crawling on my knees tonight; I'm crawling back to paradise

I've got no reason left to fight I'm reaching for the midnight light

Broken by His love on the inside broken by His grace on the outside

Look into His face and confide in a Savior Man with His arms wide

His child comes home again, we both cried, standing in the light for the first time

I can feel the waves crash down on me; I can feel the pain under the sea

What's it matter if another man like me gives his life for a chance that he might see?

Is it really gonna change the way I feel, is the world gonna turn on its heel

Broken by the things that make us real, broken and I can't stop what I feel

Broken by the light and the fight that's going on inside of me, When I'm free to be a son of God

I was called as a child even though I was wild, To be a fisher of men and reach out to the vile

The wicked and strange no one else wants to touch, I'm not without sin I won't throw the first punch

I don't fit in I'm an outcast by trade, Stranger still that I came and obeyed

I don't deserve this life I sin everyday, And everyday my life is broken when I stop to pray

I can feel the waves crash down on me, I can feel the pain under the sea

What's it matter if another man like me, Gives his life for a chance that he might see

Is it really gonna change the way I feel, Is the world gonna turn on its heel

Broken by the things that make us real, Broken and I can't stop what I feel

I can feel the waves crash down on me. I can feel the pain under the sea

What's it matter if another man like me gives his life for a chance that he might see?

Is it really gonna change the way I feel, is the world gonna turn on its heel

Broken by the things that make us real broken and I can't stop what I feel

Copyright © 2001 Liquid Currency.

Currently listening : Offerings: A Worship Album By Third Day Release date: 2000-07-11

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More devotional words from Spurgeon
Current mood: amorous
Category: Religion and Philosophy

"the blood of Jesus Christ His Son cleanses us from all sin"

— 1 John 1:7

"Cleanses," says the text—not "shall cleanse." There are multitudes who think that as a dying hope they may look forward to pardon. Oh! How infinitely better to have cleansing now than to depend on the bare possibility of forgiveness when I come to die. Some imagine that a sense of pardon is an attainment only obtainable after many years of Christian experience. But forgiveness of sin is a present thing—a privilege for this day, a joy for this very hour. The moment a sinner trusts Jesus he is fully forgiven. The text, being written in the present tense, also indicates continuance; it was "cleanses" yesterday, it is "cleanses" to-day, it will be "cleanses" tomorrow: it will be always so with you, Christian, until you cross the river; every hour you may come to this fountain, for it cleanses still. Notice, likewise, the completeness of the cleansing, "The blood of Jesus Christ his Son cleanses us from all sin"—not only from sin, but "from all sin." Reader, I cannot tell you the exceeding sweetness of this word, but I pray God the Holy Ghost to give you a taste of it. Manifold are our sins against God. Whether the bill be little or great, the same receipt can discharge one as the other. The blood of Jesus Christ is as blessed and divine a payment for the transgressions of blaspheming Peter as for the shortcomings of loving John; our iniquity is gone, all gone at once, and all gone for ever. Blessed completeness! What a sweet theme to dwell upon as one gives himself to sleep.

"Sins against a holy God;

Sins against his righteous laws;

Sins against his love, his blood;

Sins against his name and cause;

Sins immense as is the sea-

From them all he cleanseth me."

^[1]

Currently listening : Turn Around By Jonny Lang Release date: 2006-09-19

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What happened?
Current mood: excited
Category: Religion and Philosophy

I was putting together music sheets for our ministry event this weekend (Life House Covenant Church, 7:00 PM, Saturday 7/19) and i was reading a song that we have not done in years. This is not ours, according to the story I heard about it it is a well known poem apparently written by a missionary, found nailed to the wall of his home the day he was martyred for God. My church even has it taped to the back wall, where every one can see it. I pass by it every week. But this time God grabbed me by it, because we beleive it. We always wanted to live it. Unfortunately, I haven't. Here it is. - the part at the end was written by Free (Stand Up)

I am a Christian and I am not ashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The die is cast. I've stepped over the line, the decision has been made. I am a disciple of His. I won't look back, let up, slow down, back away, or be still. My past is redeemed, my present makes sense, and my future is secure. I am finished and done with low living, sight walking, small planning, smooth knees, colorless dreams, tame visions, mundane talking, chintzy giving, and dwarfed goals. I no longer need pre-eminence, prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits, or popularity. I don't have to be right, first, tops, recognized, praised, regarded or rewarded.

I now live by grace, I lean by faith, love by patience. I walk by prayer, and I labor by power. My face is set, my gait is fast, my goal is Heaven, my road is narrow, my way is rough, my companions few, my Guide reliable and my mission is clear. I cannot be bought, compromised, deterred, lured away, turned back, diluted, or delayed. I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice, hesitate in the presence of adversity, negotiate at the table of the enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, or meander in the maze of mediocrity. I won't give up, shut up, let up, or slow up until I've preached up, prayed up, payed up, stored up, and stayed up for the cause of Christ.

I am a disciple of Jesus. I must go til He comes, give til I drop, preach til all know, and work til He stops. And when He comes to get His own, He'll have no problems recognizing me. For I am a Christian and I am not ashamed!

I am not ashamed of the gospel . . . Romans 1:16

Where are the Christians of today? Where are the one's who have chosen God's way? I've searched the world over and I can't seem to find the Christians who won't be denied Where are the Christians who will stand up for Christ, Where are the one's who aren't ashamed to fight Where are the Christians who will let their light shine, who don't walk around as if they were blind To what God has given and what He has done, He gave to us His only begotten Son Where are the Christians who will put God number one, who are not hypocrites talking 'bout what they've done Don't bring glory to yourself, give glory to God cause it's His to give and that's no facade.

No it's not an illusion or even a dream, Christ died upon the cross and that's the message we bring I know there's Christians out there I'm not saying there's not, but just stand up, with Christ's blood you were bought. Stand up, be a Christian of today, stand up, and don't delay Stand up for God's Son Jesus Christ, Stand up, because He paid your price No you didn't deserve it, or even ask for it, He just did it, because He loves you He did it He died on the Cross for you and me, He died on the cross so from hell we'd be free But you gotta accept it and make it your own, give your life to God and let it be known That you're a Christian, a Christian of today, stand up like I said and don't delay.

If you suffer as a Christian do not be ashamed but praise God that you bear that name. Be a Christian who will stand up for God, don't give the call a sleepy nod But stand up, scream yes I'm here to serve, I wanna live for God, Lord give me the nerve To fight for Christ and let His light shine, not just once in a while but all of the time. STAND UP!

Now, I hope no one could accuse me of being ashamed of the gospel, but you could say the song does not describe me. On an intellectual level, I can agree to all of it, but the reality of my life has not shown this to be true.

It will be.

We dedicated our lives to this goal years ago. I guess doing this for 8 years put the jaded glasses on, we lost our edge, we gave up the rough for the smooth.

Not anymore.

Saturday night may not go as we hope. God will have to deal with that, but we will be all there. We won't gloss it over or go through the motions. We will put ourselves aside once again and come prepared for Jesus' work, not our own. I hope that those who come to support us are coming to support that. God's work, not ours. I think you can help most by praying now. Now until Saturday night. Even after, if your led to. We need it.

Thanks.

Currently reading : Nelson's NKJV Study Bible

8:09 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

Maybe it’s me, but...
Current mood: tired
Category: Religion and Philosophy

I just don't get it.  Really.  I can't understand.

Headline seen on Bloomberg.com - "Oil Rises Past $135 On Concerns That OPEC Is Powerless To Halt Rally Toward $200"

Why would they?

"Blame Wall Street Oil At $135 A Barrel As Traders Cover Wrong-Way Bets"

Huh?

"Libya's Ghanem Says Oil May Hit $200, Blames Speculators"

Isn't that what he's doing?  Speculating?

Or my favorite - "Retail sales fall below forcast"

No $%!  Really?

Currently listening : Wait for Me By Susan Tedeschi Release date: 2002-11-19

6:07 AM - 1 Comments - 2 Kudos - Add Comment

Again, something from my devotional by Spurgeon - timely
Current mood: breezy
Category: Religion and Philosophy

..

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Prayer....
Current mood: inspired

So my last blog I just accidentally deleted....maybe a different direction then. I sit here late, my 18 month old son wimpering in his bed in the background, my comforting worked a little bit, and I am really beginning to re-enjoy prayer. I've watched prayer have deep impacts on "real life" so many times over the years. I've witnessed hearts soften to the Gospel before my eyes in Spain, distractions of the enemy fail when the Gospel is being preached, diseases healed, babies held in the hands of God as they drift back to sleep......

Exodus tells us about Moses praying on behalf of God's chosen people after they turned their back on Him. God decided to kill them all and start over, and Moses interced for them and they were saved.
I've watched God seemingly ignore countless prayers....and I've seen them answered years later. What is Prayer?
The national day of prayer just passed, a day when men and women who normally deny God pretend they don't. One day a year where it's perhaps cool to be a christian who actually practices what he preaches openly. We live in a society and in an age of the Church where we are always saying and hearing "I'm praying for you". But unfortunately those words have become as empty as the question "How you doin'?". We say I'm praying for you, and maybe remember to pray once or twice if their really lucky and then we forget, or maybe don't know what to pray, or how to pray, or insert excuse here.

It's really a sad marker of our faith when we find ourselves giving excuses for prayer as if it needs it; how many times have you heard or said "I know it's not much, but I'm praying for you." or "I wish I could do more but I'm praying for you." or.... - NOT MUCH? DO MORE? There is nothing better no greater action than the fervant prayer of the rightous man/woman. I've never had a prayer warrior come to me and say, it's not much but..., no, they know that it IS much. It's huge. In some cases it's everything, and in all the other cases it's the very foundation for everything else. It's like a builder saying, I know it's not much but this foundation will keep your family safe for generations. PRAYER CHANGES EVERYTHING! It's not just a bumper sticker, it's God's truth.

But...are we willing to take that truth and run with it. In Colossions Paul talks about Epaphrus. Paul takes time to specifically vouch for Epaphrus to tell the Church at Colosse that he was working hard for them. And what was that work? "he is always wrestling in prayer for you". I've had a few amazing times of prayer over the years where I just stop everything and pray to God for hours...but not nearly enough. This is not something that is meant for just a few that God has called to dedicate their lives to prayer. This is something that God intended for all His people. Constant and fervant communication with the Father.

Moses interceded on behalf of the Isrealites. Now Jesus sits at the right hand of the father and intercedes for us. Now lets take up the mantle of Moses and intercede for others. It doesnt have to be fancy, my current and fervant prayer list is written on a carboard box next to my bed, it was convenient at the time. I now pray for others as the Lord leads and trust Jesus to intercede on behalf of my needs. I pray for myself and my family, but what a great pleasure to pray for and watch God work in the life of those around me, friends, even enemys.

God truly does answer prayers when "I'm praying for you" really does mean "I'm praying for you!"!

In Love and Prayer
-Free Hinton

1:43 AM - 0 Comments - 0 Kudos - Add Comment

A Message From The Lord - Psalm 33
Current mood: rejuvenated
Category: Religion and Philosophy

I'm sorry to interupt myself, but "this just in" (like 4000 years ago) -

Psalm 33

"Sing joyfully to the Lord, you righteous; it is fitting for the upright to praise Him.  Praise the Lord with the harp; make music to Him on the ten-stringed lyre.  Sing to Him a new song; play skillfully, and shout for joy.

For the Word of the Lord is right and true; He is faithful in all He does.  The Lord loves righteousness and justice; the earth is full of His unfailing love.

By the Word of the Lord were the heavens made, their starry hosts by the breath of His mouth.  He gathers the waters of the sea into jars; he puts the deep into storehouses.  Let all the earth fear the Lord; let all the people of the world revere Him.

For He spoke and it came to be; he commanded, and it stood firm.  The Lord foils the plans of the nations; He thwarts the purposes of the peoples.  But the plans of the Lord stand firm forever, the purposes of His heart through all generations.

Blessed is the nation whose god is the Lord, the people He chose for His inheritance.  From heaven the Lord looks down and sees all mankind; from His dwelling place he wathes all who live on the earth - He who forms the hearts of all, Who consideres everything they do.  No king is saved by the size of his army; no warrior escapes by his great strength.  A horse is a vain hope for a deliverance; despite all it's great strength it cannot save.

But the eyes of the Lord are on those who fear Him, on those whose hope is in His unfailing love, to deliver them from death and keep them alive in famine.

We wait in hope for the Lord; He is our help and our sheild.  In Him our hearts rejoice, for we trust in His holy Name.  May your unfailing Love rest on us, oh Lord, even as we put our hope in You."

Amen, Father.

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