A Lesson Learned---Counter Culture is Cool

Our life is the sum total of experiences or the world would have you believe that. Life itself is the experience that needs to be lived and felt and the greatest moments that can be lived by the world’s standard’s may not be considered so great. Within a very liberal culture, which we viewed in depth this semester, morality and faithfulness is not highly esteemed or given value with regard. Ideas such as faithfulness, sexual purity, and God have no place within their decadence. But where has it taken us? To celebrate a diseased ridden, money lovin’, baby killing culture makes absolutely no sense to me. The celebration of self and what self can “experience” no matter who is hurt or what is done is now our accepted norm. And it is tragic!
What do profit if you gain the whole world and lose your soul? The decline of family and morality should be shocking and appalling but it is not. In the M&C it quotes Madonna saying she admires real men, the heroes of the gay movement who were flamboyant drag queens and transsexuals (p.90). We just celebrated Memorial Day and I don’t see where their definition of hero fits in. What self-sacrifice did have they ever make? Their greatest cause is to make our culture genderless and that is heroic? They are trying to redefine the word hero and doing a very poor job of it. I have no problem with gay’s in the military or anywhere else but the absurdity of their claims cannot by me be ignored or accepted. The essay goes on to say that the academic feminists think the ideal husband is a bookworm husband and that these women fear and despise real masculinity (p.89). But transsexuals and cross dressers are real men? Who, by the way, don’t even want to be referred to as men! Do you see the inconsistencies and do you have a problem with them?
Madonna was referred to as the future of feminism and it gives a very clear picture of that. Pornographic, cross-dressing and decadent. They claim no longer will we be as Girl Scouts in regards to sex. As far as sex is concerned children need to be children and not adults. But the push of this agenda on our children cannot be ignored. We see the defense of the music industry by Hilary Rosen. We all know she says music can’t prompt to action. Well, let us reason together. Madonna is a music artist whom they were producing. The music was used to promote the gay agenda, a new feminist agenda and as Madonna herself said sex education for our children. That is causing action. Changing or influencing a persons opinions to accept what you believe. And it doesn’t prompt to action? I disagree. The music is being produced with a very clear agenda to affect society and culture and it is not just Madonna.

Drugs were also mentioned and condoned in the M&C. Artists use drugs to stimulate creativity and it is okay? Since when? How can we tell our kids not to use drugs by give applause and awards to artists who do? Just one more inconsistency. The only genre of music where it is not considered a pro but a con is gangsta rap. They pick and choose where they assign their approval for the majority is steeped in drugs, violence and sex. Rock n’ roll is sex, violence and drugs but it isn’t considered a negative. I suppose most drive by’s aren’t done by rock n rollers but there is plenty of other types of violence that is. The promotion of suicide and harm to others is very prevalent. I hate the way Courtney Love was treated by the industry after Cobain’s death. They offered no hope or help just ridicule. They have no answers for us.

The one essayist that seemed disturbed by our culture but way off base was Allan Bloom. He states, “My concern here is not with the moral effects of this music-whether or not it leads to sex, violence, or drugs. The issue here is its effect on education...”(p.41). Are we not receiving an education on sex, violence and drugs? The moral effects means that there are no morals! He believes the height of education is a liberal education. What then is he complaining about? Liberality is the discard of any moral that may hinder “free” expression. Another inconsistency. People are just exercising their liberal rights. If we were to mention morals we might mention God. Mr. Bloom’s only higher knowledge would be education. He would be considered a conservative liberal. This moral less majority has aggressively pushed God out of everything. Mr. Bloom I have a problem with it too only I very much care about the MORAL effect of sex, drugs, and violence and I believe in the God of the Bible and Jesus Christ. What is happening with the liberals and their tolerance message is that they will tolerate everyone and anything except Christians and their God. I am not a liberal and do not want to be counted amongst them. I prefer to stand for what is right and cannot adhere to their confusion. I do not need to attain more worldly wisdom to have the effects of it in my life. I see the effects. As a matter of fact I have had enough experiences to know I don’t want to experience any more of it. It only brought hurt and heartache to me as it has to us all. God wants our life experience to be filled with joy and love. Most of us can say it is not what our lives are filled with everyday. There are moments but God wants our lives to filled with His love and joy everyday. Not just random moments. This was a lesson in the culture and what have learned? You are now able to better express yourself in writing about these topics. I hope you have had some eye-openers. I have had my faith substantiated. I do not want what they have to offer and reading and writing about the moral decay has strengthened my faith in God. God is the answer. To you all I extend my prayers and hope that as you navigate through the muck and mire out there and that you start making better choices and decisions. Just remember God always there to help you and He is the best choice.

"I'd be lost without my blogger." -Sherlock Holmes. Masterpiece Mystery! Ep.3- A Great Game!

My passion is not writing. My passion is helping people. I like to write about something that will help someone. Correct perceptions are not only necessary but life saving. Sifting through the muck and mire of today there are many questions we ask. With our writing assignments we could reflect our general assumptions or beliefs about a particular topic. These are also known as opinions. The communication of our ideas about any given subject can help you, through writing, to clarify what it is you do believe. Perhaps you can see that what you thought about any given subject was incorrect or help you acquire more knowledge about that subject. Whatever the medium a finer discernment is definitely beneficial.

Blogging is not a private journal. You must keep your audience in mind and that is the number one rule for writing. Remember your audience. That is pressure applied. If, as an individual, you have found writing through the blog therapeutic I do suggest you pursue a private journal. That can also sharpen your writing skills and help you manage your feelings. A healthy outlet. Catholics have confession to attend as a healthy outlet. I have wondered if online confession was available where you could just type what you feel you need to confess or say. Can it be compared to a weekly therapy session? I certainly think so. Confession is available for any emotion or inner conflict. That is a positive to me. If not confession then prayer. Praying to God is always a good thing and therapists have now deemed it one of the best therapeutic practices available. God already knew that it is a good thing we do too.

With journaling or a diary you can take inventory of your emotions. One of my favorite commands is “Be angry and sin not. Don’t let the sun go down on your anger.” Ephesians 4:26. It allows me to acknowledge what I feel but I should not let it cause me to sin. We all know that pent up emotions become negative emotions and are harmful to ourselves and others. How do I feel angry, sad, or whatever and not sin? Blogging can be used as a tool to combat those emotions. Maybe abortion sickens you as it does me and you just have to speak out against it. Perhaps there is something you find exceptionally great and want to share it. Whatever you have inside of you that must come out writing about it some how, some way, is helpful. It is one of the number recommended methods of emotional healing that I know of besides forgiveness.

I don’t know if I will continue to blog but I do know that I need to write weekly. I hope that you as well find your way through communicating with yourself, or God, about how you feel because of what you experience on this planet. Whether it is completely exhilarating or devastating give voice to your feelings. That is not sin and I have found that it is something we need to do. Blogging may not be necessary but you being a healthy minded individual is. Bless you on your blogging journey if that is what you continue to do or whatever method that you may choose that does work for you. Just remember an old but very wise saying, “If you don’t want someone to read it, don’t put it on paper.” That’s right, always remember your potential audience.

You Have the Right to Reject

What do Ozzy Osbourne, Judas Priest, and Marilyn Manson all have in common? They have all been accused of Satanic worship and have been censored and banned because of these accusations in their time. What do you think about devil worship? In 1990 Ozzy Osborne went on trial because someone suicided to one of their songs. The song’s title, “Suicide Solution." Judas Priest also faced charges because two teenage boys committed suicide while listening to their album Stained Glass. A modern day band known as Marilyn Manson and the Spooky Kids have been censored and stopped from performing around the world. Connected to the Marilyn Manson cults are murders and suicides.On stage Mr. Manson rips apart Bibles and openly worships Satan. The most well known murders connected with this cult band are the Colombine murders in 1999.

Two young men who were professed Marilyn Manson followers and professed Satanists killed some of the known Christians at the high school they were attending then they killed themselves. The Marilyn Manson Cult was forced to cancel their national tour after this incident and became labeled as public enemy number one. Do you agree with this ban and censorship? What about their music? Do you think it can cause someone to do something such as murder? If the people believe they are receiving commands from Satan or the devil to kill from the music you better believe the music will prompt them to action. The question that must be asked then is why does the music industry keep producing their music then? They keep denying that the music has any real influence even though they have achieved cult status and people are being harmed.

Last week we are asked about obstacles we faced when writing our essays. My only obstacle was being faced with cults and their practices. The teacher gave me a 0 on the blog because that is what I said I found troublesome. The material you are researching may be unpleasant. It is very unpleasant to think about people murdering other people in the name of Satan but they do.
I was faced once again with my belief system. Do I believe in God and the devil? I obviously am a Christian which I talk about in all that I write about. It is my belief system and it affects every area of my life. How I think, what I do, and how I perceive our culture. Did it cause me to doubt God or did it strengthen my faith? For some it may cause doubt because they want to know why God created a being such as the devil to begin with. For individuals like myself it strengthened my faith. The reason being is that I know we all have a choice to do evil or good. It is a choice. I chose to follow God. I do not like the practice of evil. I do not want to hurt others or see them hurt. This includes self defense. I will defend myself, but gosh darn it, I wish I didn’t have too. Jesus in His word says, “By this all men will know you are my disciples if you love one another.”John 13:35. I am not ashamed of the gospel for that very reason. Love. There are many things to give yourself to while alive on earth and the Bible tells you the exact thing that will happen when you do not operate according to Gods word. A curse will happen. Gods word tells us how to love Him and others and by doing so we will be blessed. I truly believe in God’s Holy spirit and I also believe in evil spirits. I also believe that a person can be possessed by them. I choose the indwelling of God’s Holy Spirit of love versus being possessed by evil spirits. The above mentioned bands and people according to my belief system are partnering with devils. Yes, I believe they are in league with Satan.  Are you?

Cults, Cult-ure, and What We Practice

There are many obstacles we encounter in life whether it be completing a tough assignment for a class or other life obstacle’s in reaching a desired goal. I am forty years old and have reached none of the goals I have ever set except for staying in church. I have had financial, physical, and relational problems a plenty. It always seems like 1 step forward 10 steps back. If I had a multiple choice form in regards to problems I could mark All of the Above. Yet still I strive and try I must.

In 1995 I took a vow to serve God and never leave the church or Him no matter what. For that reason the word vow was chosen. In marriage vows are taken, maybe not seriously, but they are taken. I have not been perfect in my service to God but no one is. I can say that I am still in church today and more in love with Jesus now than ever before. God is faithful to His word even when I am not and He is still revealing His love to me in many amazing ways.

The topic of cults and worship can stir up many questions within. One is confronted with what it is you actually do believe in. Cults have a reputation for adopting very negative and harmful practices. Often we see that there is the distortion of truth involved. A cult leader with bad intentions or Satan is magnified. Do you believe in the worship of the devil?

As an American you of course believe in freedom of religion but to what extent? We want to label the stories we hear about cult worship and practices as fairy tales. To believe that evil such as that exists and people want to practice evil themselves is something we do not wish to comprehend. Yet we are surrounded by the out right blatant abuse and horrors that serving the devil causes. I know we do not wish to think of ourselves as being in service to Satan but what can be concluded when we support murder, sexual deviance, and lawlessness? God says if you are not for me you are against me. Matthew 12:30.

One commonly known cult practice is human sacrifice. Everyday we kill thousands of American children to serve the god of sex, the god of money and the god of violence. What other reasons and in whose name do we do this? It is not in the name of Jesus or the God of the Bible that this is done for He says, Thou Shalt Not Kill. We are saturated with pornography. It is literally every where you look. It is a diseased and death ridden industry. Thou Shalt Not Fornicate or Commit Adultery. As for money God says you cannot serve Him and mammon (money). So which one do you bow your knee too?

Most of us are not professed Satanist’s and would reject that idea altogether but I challenge you to look at what it is you support with what it is you do. God says, “If you love me you will obey my commandments.” John 14:15. The last time I looked at the commands they seemed to be full of wisdom giving us humans clear instruction on how to live our lives. To do otherwise is considered rebellion. To break the laws of our land is also considered rebellion. The law says that murder is a crime punishable by law but we break that law everyday with legal murder, abortion. It seems we are confused calling good evil and evil good. The devil is known as the author of confusion and thats what he does best. He loves deception. Are you deceived? I hope that at least now you are seeing clearly and your eyes are opened to the truth. The next step is opening your heart.

What's a Pirate's Favorite Letter? RRRRRRRR..........

Arrggg me hearty I am here to steal all your internet booty! Arrgggg...

Well obviously theft is involved if they are calling it piracy. Another dishonest act done by someone on planet earth. No surprise there. Illegal music downloads are gotten from somewhere. Why are the ones making these downloads available not penalized? And why do the musicians claim that wanting money is selling out but they want to criminalize their fans for not giving them money for down loading their songs? I’m not buying any of it and the truth is people are confused. If someone says one thing but does another what is concluded? This inconsistency causes their word to become completely invalid. The word confusion means disorder, bewilderment, and just the state of being confused. I am accusing everyone of disorderly conduct and not just individuals who steal. I am accusing people who lie, cheat, lust, commit adultery, fornicate, slander, covet, murder, hate, greed and commit all acts of disobedience! We have been charged as guilty. We have broken the commands of God and I know your guilty of breaking more than one because I myself am. All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God...Romans 3:23.

We either are or have been serving the author of confusion. His name is Lucifer. He wants to be God and he wants your worship. He doesn’t even care if you call it something else as long as you are doing it and are in disobedience. His main agenda is to steal, kill, and destroy for he is the chief of all acts of piracy. He is the chief of all abusers.
Laws are important we need to have accountability. There is no argument there. But what exactly do we deem right or wrong? People say one thing and do another. Our own government, run by man, says one thing and does another. Murder is illegal unless we say it isn’t so. Lying is okay to fit our purposes and agendas to accomplish the lust and greed of our flesh. We are surrounded by these inconsistencies which are nothing but lies. We are surrounded by confusion.

We don’t have to be confused about God creating Satan. God gives us a choice. You may choose evil over good. You may call evil good therefore rejecting all of God’s wisdom and love. That is catastrophe and exactly what we create when we do that very thing. I do not recommend it. You do not have to serve the father of all lies.You have the power to reject that by exercising the gift of choice God gave you. The author of all life is calling. The Alpha and The Omega, where there is no darkness or shadow of turning. When you are in darkness you cannot see. Obvious confusion but not oblivion. You know people are hurting them selves and others. Let the word of God be a lamp unto your feet so in darkness you won’t stumble. Become a person who says what they mean and does what they say. No longer be a person tossed around to and fro on the winds of double mindedness. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways, he is confused. Let God renew your mind so you can be free. Darkness is not your destiny but living in the light of God’s love is.

WARNING: Content Questionable

I am licensed to kill! I am licensed to drive! I am permitted to do these things. Licensing gives permission. To use something of someone else’s legally you have to have permission which gives them license to use it. Like songs to promote products a license is required. The ethics behind licensing is directed at money. Why is this so hard to comprehend? To make millions by using your song to promote a product is selling-out? What’s the big deal? My question is what was the original content of the music to begin with and how and what are they using it to promote now? Content should be the issue. I have permission by God, by Him I have been given a choice, a license so to speak, to do whatever I think is right. He does not recommend it and neither do I but you have that option. For there is a way that seems right unto a man but leads to death. Proverbs 14:12.Yes, we are concerned with content. The content of your character. What is it made of? The contents of your mind and heart. What fills them? If the collection of money is the issue and is what everyone uses as a mark against true artistry then the rest of their practices need to be examined as well. We like to pick and choose what we think is right and wrong. We apply many shades of grey with no absolutes.

The truth is everyone loves money to some degree but the root of all kinds of evil is the LOVE of money not the money itself. 1 Timothy 6:10. Why would this be the root of all evil? There is enough abundance on earth to supply every need and want but because of greed people are in lack. Literally starving and dying because of greed. This is not the heart of God in case your wondering about the contents of His heart. He says to us “Let it be done on earth as it is in Heaven.” Matthew 6:10. What does Heaven look like? Everyone has an abundance, nothing lacking, nothing broken, and we are serving one another in love. That’s what God’s idea of work looks like. All of our needs are met by us serving in kindness with generosity, one to another. What does the contents of your heart and mind look like? Does it look anything like God’s or are you filled with greed and lust? With all of the natural disasters taking place we might want to reexamine our priorities. Maybe it is making you think twice about what is really important. That loving God and others is the most important thing.

Does money come before God therefore it has become your God? What does your idols look like? To get back to Heaven’s agenda, which is love, requires a renewed mind. To do this you need God content. If you fix your heart and mind on the things of God and not this world you will see a change.A change that can affect the world around you because of God’s love. The inward content will be outwardly expressed. But it has to begin with you.You have been given permission to choose, now with that choice what will you do? Just because you can do something doesn’t make it right and the question you need to ask is this beneficial for myself and others. Heaven is not a garbage can or sewer and if it was no one would want to go there. So the importance of content is understood. Then if the opposite is true for Hell why do we want to go there? Start promoting the things of God and make Heaven happen for yourself and somebody else today.

You Have Been Weighed and Measured and Found Wanting

Today I saw Lindsay Lohan on the cover of a magazine supposedly wasted again. This has become normal for Miss Lohan and they are not portraying it favorably. I would have to interject with if it was Lady Gaga she would receive an award. Whats the difference? Charlie Sheen is committing adultery and using pornography. He’s rich and seemingly has it all. Is this acceptable because of his money and status? Tiger Woods is another figure who has fallen into adultery with the use of pornography. Why is it better for Charlie Sheen than Tiger Woods? Mr. Woods has received much more negative publicity while Mr. Sheen’s behavior has been sensationalized in a positive manner. We see these contrasts and they are inaccurate. It is okay for one but for another it is not? One has to wonder who set that standard.
In the music industry drugs are an accepted norm what ever the reason may be. For the most part it is considered a positive, a way to supposedly enhance artistic ability. But not so for gangsta rappers. Drugs and gangsta rap are a negative? Could someone please explain this to me. When has illicit sex or drug use ever been a positive? How can we deem it cool for some but uncool for others? Where did that thinking come from and when did these subtle’s become accepted. Are these opinions right? Do you see the discrepancies in what has become “accepted norm’s”?

An accepted norm is a prevalent attitude concerning something. Can you think of something you believe to be true but maybe isn’t but because everyone accepts it to be true you believe it. There is an attitude concerning the things of God that have become accepted norms that as an American I cannot accept. For instance, we are not to speak of God in public when by our own government Evolution is classified under religion because it is a belief system yet it is taught in the public schools. I thought “religion” was not allowed? Who told us that and why do we accept it as truth?

The number one fallacy of the day is the separation of church and state. If you do some research you will find that clause was put there to protect the church and its believers from the state interfering with their right to assemble or worship. Many of our forefathers came to America seeking freedom from religious persecution. They wanted to prevent that from happening but it is happening before our very eyes. Today we can talk about anything but the God of the Bible. That kind of God talk is censored!

The discrimination is heavy and some say the Christian religion has been reduced to a theory. If it is theory then it has a place in our schools next to the evolutionary theory that is taught as truth when in fact it is but a theory. I say it has been reduced further than that to an unmentionable. The one’s preaching tolerance seem to have none for the Christian God. They are trying to push God out of everything. Why is okay for some to talk about their belief systems and not others? A belief system is just something you “believe” to be true. Our government at least got that one right. As an American, who has freedom of speech and religion, I refuse to be silent because of an incorrect accepted norm. I believe in Jesus Christ and have the right to speak openly about it. It is what I believe.

America was known as the great melting pot by the 1780‘s. In 1970 we became known as the great salad bowl. No, we do not all look alike or sound alike, this is America and that is why I agree with the salad bowl metaphor. As for the idea of the melting pot that could be applied to the tolerance message of today. That no matter what you believe to be true it is your right as an American. The only time I draw an intolerant line is in regards to children. That is another discussion altogether but a discussion about rights as well. Slavery has been abolished and to that I say amen. Let tolerance be what we now embrace as long as the same courtesy is given to all.

The Truth Because It Simply Is

What images does the word slavery invoke? Does that one word have the power to incite a riot? Does it stir feelings of hatred and oppression because slavery may be over but it is not forgotten? There are many issues in our world still today. A mark on American history is that ugly word slavery. But it was not only America who practiced the cruelty of slavery but the entire world. America should be celebrated for the war on abolishing slavery and overcoming such a detestable pratice. It will never be forgotten but it should be a reminder of the debasement of mankind and why we can never go there again.
The idea of a free world where all men are created equal and have inalienable rights such as the pursuit of happiness really is the American dream. In this "free" world not only are people not owned but they have a right to believe and say what they want. We have the birth of religious freedom and speech. Evereyday on this earth people die trying to come to what is known as "free" America. There are many blacks who contributed to this freedom we have today and Isabella Baumfree born in 1797, was one of them. She was born a slave but died a free woman in 1883. A political activist against slavery, she was the first black woman to ever take a white man to court and win. She aided in raising black troops during the Civil War. You may know her by her adopted name she took in 1843 as Sojourner Truth. She changed her name as she claimed by the instruction of the Holy Spirit after she became a Methodist and got saved. She announced, "The spirit calls, me I must go." And go she did to preach about God and abolitioning slavery. She also spoke publicly about women's rights and religious tolerance.
Her story as a slave was not an uncommon one. But once Sojourner Truth received the love of God it changed her whole life. What love would an abused slave feel? How could she even believe that God is a God of love after experiencing and witnessing all she had? I have lived not as a slave but I have lived in my life without love. I did not know the meaning of true love nor did I have it in my life. Until I came to God and received his love I was lost and hopeless. As a child and young adult I was physically and verbally abused. As a woman I have experienced the violent act of rape. All of which Miss Truth suffered quite more extensively than I. I know that it is difficult to look around this broken world and think there is a God who cares. I have been there. But what I will be comemerating this Easter is an act of love that supercedes all I can think or imagine.The crucifixation and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
We do not have to be genius to see the effect of choosing hate instead of love on mankind. The acts that we committ are so hurtful. To treat other human beings with such ill regard and no value is exactly what our constitution was formed to prevent. The constituiton did not lead me to God's love but it allows the free expression of it. And for that I am so thankful. I have always found it to be fascinating that slaves in chains would be praising God! How amazing is that? There are many remembered slave hymns that were sung by those beautiful people in chains. A former slave trader himself was saved and responsible for writng one of the most famous hymns of all time. That would be Amazing Grace.
The slaves could receive God's love because they knew it was not God's will for men to choose the evil that they were doing. It is all about choices. You can choose. That is not only the beauty of God but the beauty of America. I get to freely worship my "choice" of God and speak openly about it. This is not true in many countries around the world. Sojourner Truth went to proclaim the truth about God's love and real freedom. She impacted the lives of all around her because she became more than physically free she became spiritually free in her heart that only a realtionship with God can provide and that my friends is true freedom.

Down With The Mainstream

I used, I got high, I got drunk, I got laid but I didn’t get saved. Miss Aaronson makes it sound like its some metaphysical enlightenment. What she fails to mention are the substance’s abused in these circles. Hallucinogens, ecstasy, and pills of all sorts. Rave, funk, techno. Followers like to take you on a trip. This lady is on a trip. She must have had some encounters while on some semi-decent shrooms. She uses a common belief amongst the hallucinogenic crowd (p.109) “This kind of music modifies the consciousness we have of ourselves and according this world.” Its “funky stuff” is an often quoted phrase in that subculture. She says “We enter a funky dimension of perception.” (p.109)

Also on p.109 she “raves” about how "they generate wild corporeal expressions initiated by rhythm and the sound of light effects they skillfully manipulate." These venues are known for their light shows. It is a very popular feature. The light shows are synchronized by participants of these shows. The combined effect of the techno and rave sound, while “trippin’, can create quite a sensation. These sensations she further describes on (p.113).are that of disorientation caused by the technology used for these shows. The combined effect leaves one disoriented? That is the same thing as confused! Then she says when you have sensory overload you can go into a trance where you can escape political and social classification.(p.114) What kind of trance is that? A dead trance? I do not suggest that going to one of these events and ingesting hallucinogenics can solve ANY of your problems! Taking drugs and dancing like crazy at a light show is not the answer. I used, I got high, I got drunk, I got laid but I didn’t get saved.

Now I would like to further this discussion by talking about the social and political aspects that Aaronson claims to escape. A prevalent ideology acknowledged and embraced by the techno, funk/rave crowd is not to be involved politically or socially. That “fusional media has no concerns with social power.” (p. 112 Music and Culture) Show me someone high on drugs that does. These genres embrace rebellion. Rock n' roll, rap, rave, punk and the others.
Whatever it is, it is going against the so- called mainstream. For once I would like them to identify exactly what this mainstream looks like. Not abusing drugs is that mainstream? Not having abortions and indulging in immoral sex practices, is that mainstream? Not being a dead beat dad, is that too mainstream? It seems to me they do what they want to do, anyway. It is not the product but the producers under question and scrutiny. Lets answer a So What? Who cares? question.

Does it matter that thousands of teenagers a day are contracting “social” diseases and we kill thousands of babies a day for our "social" well-being?
Who cares? I do!

Suicide amongst the youth is at an all time high and our families have fallen apart.
So what you say?

You should care!

This aggressive sexual agenda being pushed in our faces has wrought nothing but destruction. Exactly what does your mainstream look like? Are you applauding Lady Gaga as some social elite and Charlie Sheen? If you attended The Monologues was it really all that enlightening?What about being pro-life or pro abortion? Do our elderly even have any rights? What is a proper age for sexual consent? I don’t think it is ten. Are you supporting death, disease and child molestation by indulging in pornography just because you get a tickle in your britches? Give me a break! What does your mainstream look like?

It is time for you to see and recognize the truth. The only rebellion is against God. God does not support such practices and neither should you. To satisfy the lust of our flesh we have to kill babies?! That lust also includes our lust for money and violence. Is not abortion an act of violence on another human being? Wake up people!

I hope that you start challenging the real mainstream. It is filthy and full of destruction. The answers are with God. Seek Him for He alone has the solutions we need. And help we do need!

Gettin' High

Writing about substance abuse is no fun. Having lost family members to drug abuse I can personally say that it is vile. Tomorrow, March 25, 2011, in Lancaster, Ca., friends of our family will be burying their beloved daughter because of a drug overdose. She has left two small children behind. My brother in-law is dead because of drugs and left behind his children and my cousin has recently survived an overdose and coma. She is very fortunate to be alive. We love her and her children need her here and need her to be better here. Thankfully, she was baptized two Sundays ago and we pray she is healed.

No matter what a persons reason for indulging in drug use is, it is a destructive lie. It is apart of that scene though. Sex, drugs, and music. It doesn’t matter what the genre is. I have told addicts of limited means that it was a good thing that they had no money because they would be dead if they had an unlimited supply. We know that drugs and alcohol completely distort your ability to discern. We know that people will do things when they are high or drunk that they would never do when they are sober. When musicians are using drugs and making music they are known as functional users. They are actually working, even though addicted, and making money. It's hard to comprehend that description isn’t it? A functioning addict? But the fact is they are not functioning. We see the devastating effects of that lifestyle and those choices. Many musicians have died because of drug overdoses. If people who recover from drug and alcohol abuse have a better quality of life and their job performance is also better as a result of sobriety, why wouldn’t that also pertain to a musician?

The real tragedy is that they are famous and very influential and our young people want to be just like them. They do not need these substances to make music. Those are gifts, talents, and abilities given to them by God. Drugs are destructive not constructive. What an unnecessary question. We can call a thing exactly what it is and still be politically correct. If being politically correct means we have to lie then we need to shut our mouths. Truth never goes out of style or season. It is the one prevailing force that people will always need. There are many destructive “habits” and lifestyles that we are accepting as correct today. If you don’t agree, don’t feel like you have to. You are still entitled to your own opinion. We push tolerance yet we don’t want to tolerate anyone who disagrees with the so called free love and lifestyles of society today. It is still that so called free love people but love has nothing to do with it. Does it look like the sexual revolution is over even though it has wrought mass destruction? I would have to say no. In 1971 we wanted abortion on demand because we wanted to have sex not babies. Nothing has changed, thousands of babies die everyday. We embrace pornography and the music videos are filled with it. What else would you call it? The drugs and sex aren’t enhancing anything but death and there is nothing sexy, glamorous, or appealing about that. Is your perception of right and wrong distorted because a twisted culture is dictating to you? The answers are not in the mass media, more sex, drugs, or politics. The answers we need are with God. How can the obvious destruction by you be ignored? You be sober and vigilant and go with God. Choose life not death and get high on the Most High.

　

　

　

　

Standing Room Only

Will the responsible party please stand up? Everyone can stand up. Where do we get the idea that responsibility is an isolated or one sided obligation? Oh thank you very much for the parent advisory warning but if the material is being sold to my minor anyway what difference does it make? Its just like alcohol. Where do these minors get all that alcohol? Someone older is purchasing it for them and sometimes it is sold directly to them. With music it is always sold directly to them. I never had anyone stop me when I was a teenager from purchasing anything because of a warning label. "Oh no you may not purcahse that CD there is a warning label on it!" Oh please they want your money. They do not feel obligated to regulate the stuff because they're not the one's producing it.
Okay, I know you're thinking alcohol and music cannot even be compared but the concept is the same. So what is the point of their labels? To shut the complaing parents up? To keep quiet those who do not like what is being produced? Basically. Noone sees it making a difference, its a joke. For the few parents out there that are involved, because our homes are very broken and missing vital components called parents, how effective are those labels anyway? We keep repeating the same questions here but we know that every has a responsibility in their own family and we have a social responsibilty as well. We are to act on an individual basis in regards to our homes and communities. Everyone taking responsibiltiy for their parts is what we are talking about and that will bring us full circle back to one question. What do you consider to be right or wrong.? Obviously we are not in agreement. We have mass confusion today because everyone is wanting to redefine everything to suit their own preferences.
Do you have a core belief system or does anything go? Embracing tolerance means we must chuck a moral absolute. So what is right or wrong? With no moral standard how do you measure behavior as being acceptable or unacceptable, right or wrong? If indeed tolerance is the great religion of the day and you disagree with all the illicit sex, violence, and drugs are you to be considered intolerant? Having a standard does not make you intolerant and because you do not openly embrace the practices of today, that are becoming the norm, doesn't make you intolerant. The evidence is in folks all we have do is look around and see. With no standard or moral absolute we are destroying are our selves. There is a right from wrong. I base that on clear facts that we all are surrounded by. To know right from wrong and continue to do the wrong that is harming us is insanity. I vote for a moral absolute. I vote for God's idea of how man should conduct business on planet earth. Those 10 Do's and Don'ts are full of wisdom and pretty infalliable. We may think we know it all and redefine it all, according to what we think we know, but that has never worked. It's not working now and will never turn itself around. We have to start making the right choices to turn it around. Would everyone please stand up because everyone is accountable. God Bless.

OPEN YOUR EARS SO YOU CAN SEE

"Somebody's Knockin' Should I Let Them In"

Mr. and Mrs. Karma came knocking at my door.
"Pay up" they say, "and no excuses we've heard them all before."
"But wait!" I say, "I thought I had more time." And they say "No no, now thats a lie." And Karma  punched me right in the eye!
So then they start to collect everything you thought was yours. They stripped me bare right to my drawers!
They said I had no shame and I gave no love. Wow, that Karma is tough.
They knocked me around with their finger in my face. Slapped me a couple of times to put me in my place!
But now I'm still not humbled they just got me upset. Am I really that bad to deserve all this?
"We know you been lying, cheatin', stealin', and a massive whore too. You'll be lucky to be alive when we get through with you!"
Can anyone help me to get out of this? I'm crying and begging but it don't help. They say, "Shut up you're going to Hell!"
Then I remember what my grandma use to say that I got to call on Jesus when it gets to be crazy days.
I almost hesitated cuz I know I don't deserve anything good from the Lord.
But I yelled with all my my might, "JESUS HELP ME! Karmas kicking my butt and I'm losing the fight! You know I really do believe. I repent right now from my evil ways and I truly am sorry from the straight and narrow I ever strayed."
Well right then and there Karma backed off and said,"Well we think you've had enough."
All I could do was breathe a sigh of relief cuz that old couple Karma was after me.

Negative influences. I encounter those everyday and so does our youth and so do you. The question is what is considered negative by me or you. You can obviously sort through some of the muck and mire but how much of it do you accept without question? What is acccepted by you and is by you a common practice? You don't have to be a rocket scientist to look around and see all the destruction that bad choices cause.
Illicit sex, drugs and violence are produced and aired aggressively everyday for our listening and viewing pleasure. We are indulging in harmful practices that have no good end result. These cycles are continued when we perpetrate them. What is seen and heard is learned. We then put into practice what it is we have been taught. If this negativity is constant it will effect our thinking thus affecting our behaviors. If we sow destruction, destruction we will reap. In a developed country with access to mass media at our finger tips, every waking moment we are receiving instruction. Parents need to teach their children not to conform or indulge in these bad behaviors. But are we calling good evil and evil good?
Once you reap what you sow and are hurting maybe then your eye's will be opened. I don't need an eye opener. All I have to do is look around and see all the hurting people, young and old, that I'm surrounded by. The media doesn't have the answers you need. They will not be there to comfort you or cure a disease. They will support their agenda of death and profit off of you as long as they can. We are sowing negative therefore reaping negative. This we can clearly see. I hope you stop these negative cycle's and call upon Jesus with me.
He will save as He promises. He can change all those negatives to positives. He has the answers we seek.

Pass It On...the passion

Passion. What a driving force. It would seem like these teenagers have lost their minds but what about the rest of us? When anything is new it is sensational. A sensational craze. Finding oneself at the beginning of life wondering who you are and identifying with what makes you tick. Exploring a new world and finding ourselves we do in music. It would seem the opposite that one loses themselves but we are talking about identity and what we identify ourselves with.
Music is one of our main reference points that gives us some clear definition in the middle of the confusion. Which makes me smirk to think that some people think the music itself is utter confusion. How could you find anything in all that noise? But we do. I may not know much but I know what I like. And I can't be completely alien, although I feel like it sometimes, because I toatally get this and so do alot of other people. So now we're talking about a sense of belonging. Yes of course we are. There are many facets to us. We do want to belong and have a sense of identity and purpose and music is only one way we do that. To have passion about one thing means you can have passion about another.
The Purpose Driven Life by Rick Warren is a huge best seller. Why? Because people want their lives to matter. If music was enough then people wouldn't be seeking information from persons such as Rick Warren on how to do that. A passion it can be can but it is not all we need. As we grow and mature and find that these things aren't enough the passion does simmer down. Not that we ever lose interest. I still enjoy music today and I am no longer a teenager. But for my life to take shape and definition I simply need more. We've all heard of the identity crisis some suffer with. Well, I think that at times we all go through that on some level. I found Mr. Warrens book very inspiring and helpful in redirecting my focus. Although I was not suffering from an identity crisis I wanted to get the most out of my life while I am here. I want my life to count.
Music is great and it soothes the beast in me everyday but it would not be the overall connection I need to feel my life has been accomplished. Without music I could rear my children but not without love. Without music I could go about my daily routine but not without love. Can we interchange the term passion and love? Mel Gibson produced a film called The Passion of The Christ. The Bible says, For God so loved the world...John 3:16. Passion can definitely be called love. It is very deep and intense feelings. One of Websters definitions for passion is the sufferings of Jesus after the Last Supper continuing to His death on the cross. Now I know we love our music and claim to be passionate about it but not to the point of death! What kind of crazy love is that? That you would die for someone or something like that? Now we're talking. Thats what I think passion is like. To lay your life down for those you love. My chlidren have my passion, I would die for them. My music? No, I would not die for some guitar riffs. So many people give their lives to fleeting passions only to end up empty handed, broken hearted, and disparring. That is not true love or the nature of true passion. Notice we do not call it the lust of the Christ. To find true passion and love you must got to the source. God is the source, He has all you need. You will not end up empty handed, broken hearted, or disparring. He will fill you with His love overflowing and heal every wound that is hidden or open. You will experience love like you never have before and have a passion for life that you never thought possible. For God so loved you He gave His only begotten Son that whosoever believes will have eternal life. Believe and be healed.

The Origin of Confusion: Saying One Thing but Doing Another

"Mankind Dead Needs Nothing"
You passed me away and treated me like I was dead.
No, of me you did not think but upon me you did tread.
How earthen is my disgust. Yes genuine and real. I'm feeling it right here where I live.
And that is how people treat one another.
I am not the only one to have been honored by you and how it's complicated you say.
Theres nothing complicated about kindness you simpleton.
The complication comes when everyone is living for number one and about others forget.
The expendable masses where from your livlihood is gotten.
Lovin' all of your stuff without time to think of another.
You're so caught up in all this so called drama and action.
Wanna Be's losing your self and gaining an ill reputation as long as you get all the attention.
To put others above yourself is not the sin. Treating another human with reproach is.
I'll scratch your back if you scratch mine is fine. But after yours is scratched you run.
People are alive and need help. Maybe one day you will be in need too.
So stop treating everyone like they are already 6ft. beneath you and give a little more than you get.
The prize doesn't go to richest but the richest prize, when we share, is what we beget.
For sharing is caring and when this is done we need never fret.


I am a mute. What choices do I have in conversation? I am deaf. What must be done for me to communicate with you? I am stricken with a terrible stuttering disability is there any other way to do this? And lastly, I have not yet learned to speak for I am just a baby but I need you to understand me. There are other real life scenarios we could list and we have all suffered with a communication breach or breakdown.
Miscommunication can be the source of many problems. Especially relationally. Noone understands me! The cry of the rebellious teenager whose style is being cramped. The couple that is sleeping in seperate rooms and on their way to divorce court. I would like to submit that for the most part we are more concerned about being understood than being understanding. Do we really listen? Do we really care? How do you communicate your care and concern? Or do we communicate that it is all about us?
We live in the Information Age or what I like to affectionately call it the, Communication Age. Without technology to get this information to you the information is useless. So are our communication's if we never understand one another and never make connections. People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care. Your love is useless unless it expressed. Yes it is a verb. The deaf, the mute, the small child, your neighbors and family members will clearly understand your care and concern for them by what you are doing. I can hear what you're saying by what you are doing. Trust me you come across loud and clear.
Love is known as the universal language that every heart knows and speaks. God is love and He designed us for love. He is love and we are made in His image. Many times we are hurt by people that say they love us or people that are supposed to love us. This causes great confusion in regards to love. What does it look like? If you are saying one thing but doing another then it is not love. If I say I love you then I should show you I love you. To properly communicate this we must look at God and His expressions and demonstrations of love. Everyday the sun rises and shines. Faithfulness. Because He loves us. He gave us life as a gift. Giving is an expression of love. Honesty. Because love does not lie. How do you communicate your love? Are these communications clear or misunderstood? Do you say one thing but do another?
The word abuse means abnormal use of a thing. You have been given great power by God to communicate His love or with that power hurt and destroy. Do not abuse that privelege but respect and honor it. I hope today you start thinking about how you commnicate love to others and understand God loves you very much.
The Easter season is approaching and the celebration of the Resurrection. For God so loved the world He gave His only begotten son that whoever would believe in Him would have eternal life-John 3:16. He demonstrated His love for you at the cross taking your punishment upon Himself. That is the beginning of all knowledege concerning love to correctly receive it and give it. Lets have an attitude of gratitude and do for others what He has done for us. Lay done your selfish agenda and help instead of hurt those around you. May His love be shed abroad in your heart and your communications made clear with all your endeavors.

Above the Earth I Am Floating

The angel of music beckons. Towards him I spread my wings and fly.
I am carried away as if the Pied Piper himself was wooing me.
My ears are connected to more than I can see. An etheral feeling washes over me.
Invisible and intangible waves of resonance gives me identity, clarity, and energy.
I am found but yet I am lost. I am moved so moving cannot be helped.
Primal? No, but instinctively human.
Driven by the pulse of a spirit unseen. Divine connections. Intuition. 
There is more to this than eye can see or ear has heard.
We have now become one. It has entered me.
Why do I have this need for such expression? Why do I have to have access to it's production? 
With emotion erupting I can be manipulated.
Coerced into submission. I like it. I think I need it.
I most definitely want it. It tells my story.
Apart of me it has always been and apart of me it will always be. 
For me made. A design that is tailored. Preference ruling, to me it speaks directly. 
It is my companion in which I would have to be forced to live without.
Against my will or election. 
As I take flight I wonder once more how this driving beat continues to always do to me what it has done before. It is music and it is my choice.


I thought about how music makes me feel and the above poem just spontaneously came out. What else can be said of music and it's connection to us? It is the invocation of feelings. Rock n' roll dominates my listening repertoire. There, inventory taken. God is merciful in the fact that He allows us to have Christian rock n' roll. (Thank you God!) A fascinating aspect of this genre is that even secular or non-Christian labels are picking up Christian ones. Newsweek magazine's front cover in 2001 was "Jesus Rocks!" It was a pro piece on Christian music.
The writer pointed out all of the positive's connected to the music. Including the performers and the participants at Christian concerts. I would like to submit an answer to the popularity of this growing phenomenon that the author of the article did not have. Perhaps because he did not know. The growing popularity of Christian music has one factor no other music genre has. God's Holy Spirit. A very popular radio station, Air1The Positive Alternative, is loved by Christian's and non-Christian's alike. You can listen on Fm radio or your computer. The listeners, Christian and non-Christain both, comment on the hope and encouragement they receive from the music. Today I still have some Led Zeppelin and I do enjoy Classic rock and even some Indie rock but none of them can give me access to God's presence. That is the difference and key ingredient to Christian music. Only in the presence of God can I have the fullness of joy and peace that we all seek. Try some you might like it. I know your spirit needs it.

What are you?

We are not human beings having a spiritual experience but spiritual beings having a human experience.
-Pierre Teilhard de Chardin.