There is no quality harder to attain than boldness. Oftentimes being bold is equated to being obnoxious, and is looked down on. Other times it is viewed as being a negative trait only associated with zealots. Even within the church, boldness can be frowned on, with the "this is how we always do", or maybe "there is no way we can be wrong because God said so" attitudes can drown out or shut down any reservations that could be had about the direction of the body. I think that there are two obvious applications, or situations, in which boldness is necessary.
First, boldness is necessary to spread the gospel of Jesus. In this area boldness is seen as sacrifice. Sacrificing your reputation, your own selfish desire to keep quiet, or perhaps sacrificing your time to talk with someone. However, I think boldness comes in the act of obedience. Through obedience we become bolder and bolder as we move more towards what we are supposed to be talking about, rather than frivolous things. Pastor Danny from BSCC made a comment which I feel nails this. He stated that "to the infinite, all finite things are equal"(he applied this statement to how our problems are easier to face with an infinite God). I believe that there is another place to which this statement can be applied . To the infinite, all finite is equally meaningless. It doesn't matter if its your job or the Super Bowl. All of it is equally meaningless. However, we find it much easier to discuss these meaningless things, rather than discussing eternal things. Why? Because we would rather sacrifice our time and selves to things we can see. The visible is comforting. However, everything visible is merely a distraction to infinite things.
Once we focus on eternal things, boldness to speak of them will come naturally. Obedience to the will of God creates boldness. The will of God is for man to become close to him; by telling others how to do this in turn places us further into God's will, and knowing this will further increase boldness to speak more on eternal things.
I feel that the second application of boldness is within the body of Christ. Oftentimes when we see things amiss at a church, or with another believer, we will not speak out of fear. We are to keep ourselves on the path, and being bold is the ONLY way to do this. Certainly it is easier to talk to other, like minded people about the situation rather than confront it. It is easier to judge to others on something rather than to the problem. The attitude towards boldness doesn't help. Being obnoxious isn't the same as boldness. Being judgmental isn't the same as boldness. Boldness is born from an obedience to God and out of his heart of love. Being bold will inspire change, not create riffs. There needs to be an attitude shift in the churches; away from shutting down suggestions and critique, or from pushing those out who do these things. Through this we can push further towards the collective goal of reaching out to God.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Friday, January 29, 2010
On Worship
The soul of man is constantly on a search. A search for meaning; feeling like a mere spec in the face of eternity and space men feel like they must do something that will make others remember them, even if it is just on a spec of a planet. All the more, when men experience what their purpose, their meaning, is, even if just for a moment, they will continue going back to that place in time. When men feel the presence and love of their Creator, they will continue going back to that place.
When Moses came back down off the mountain, his face was radiant. He was reflecting God, whom he had been with for sometime. Once men reach the presence of God, it is almost impossible to pull them away. Worship isn't supposed to be mere singing, or following a power point and looking and the band, it is a search for the presence of God, a search for meaning. The only method for getting meaning, purpose, and fulfillment is through worship.
We confine this to mere moments on Sundays, not nearly enough time to seek God. Levites spent YEARS to become holy enough to seek God within His temple. We jog into church, no matter what we've been doing the previous night - or even that morning - and expect to get goosebumps watching the band do some songs. There have been worship services I've been to that lasted hours, feeling like moments as I've fallen into the arms of God. Its so simple, yet we are constantly on a search to improve the worship experience.
In the middle of intercity Baltimore, with a group of ghetto kids and a CD leading the worship, I went into the presence of God. Yet at a huge, awesome, loud service I have problems finding God. Why? Because we hold in the urge to sing and reach out to our Creator. We were made to walk with God (see Genesis), so it only makes sense that the best moments of my life have been when I have done just that. In the middle of those kids, singing to God. In the middle of a night long worship service on my face before God. If you reach out, really reach out - not just singing and looking blankly - you are compelled to fall before God in awe, admiration, and love. There is no option; it just happens.
Once in God's arms, your soul will not want to leave. Yet there are so many services I struggle through 3 minute songs. Most Sundays I can hear the house sound system better than the praises of God's people. Most Sundays its a 4 song and done, on to reset the stage for the sermon. Its so rare I find that place with God - even though I have been finding it more often through prayer and meditation - that those moments are life changers. You and I, just like Moses, change forever with each deep time in the arms of Jesus.
Worship is only illusive because we make it that way. On an infinite search for the next big thing - the next catchy pop melody - the next worship leader - we miss the point. In the middle of guitar solos followed by quiet bridges - we miss the point. In church - we miss the point. Worship isn't about you. Worship isn't about how well we can play pentatonic scales. Its falling into the arms of God, finding the heart of God.
And your life will be changed.
Monday, January 11, 2010
My favorite guitar solos - Part 1 -
Introduction
-Now, on with the show!
"I Could Have Lied" - Red Hot Chili Peppers
Album: Blood Sugar Sex Magick
Year: 1991
Guitarist: John Frusciante
I think this song is an appropriate starting place for this new series. Placed at number 6 on the record, this song is a stripped down acoustic number for the most part. The song is very moving to me, and the overall instrumentation is great towards pushing the stripped down - near depressive mood of the song. All the emotions from the lyrics (dealing with a lost love, this is the Chili Peppers after all) continues to build into the guitar solo, and Frusciante just nails the tone of longing from the lyrics. Some have called it a bit sloppy, but I think that this just adds to the tone. He didn't care if the technique was perfect, he cared that the mood came across, and it did. Light overdriven pentatonic licks - present in so many songs old and new, have never felt this much emotion. Opening bends lead into a version of the vocal melody (with a bit of slurred timing, almost a "drunk" feel), then leads up the fretboard into another separate, but higher melody based on the vocals. It's such a moving solo, reminiscent of Hendrix. I can't speak higher of the rhythm section here as well; Chad Smith and Flea are monsters on their instruments, but they had the wisdom to just hold the base here, allowing Frusciante to soar. This is a must listen to anyone looking for inspiration on how to play a great pentatonic solo.
On the gear side - Frusciante is using a Stratocaster of some form (possibly his '62), into a basic driven amp. Not many other effects on this song (he is rather fond of effects, judging from the size of his pedal board and other RHCP and solo songs), which I think really adds into this song. It's rare that I ascribe to the "less is more" theology, but that applies here in spades.
Monday, August 24, 2009
On Abortion
My term paper from English was on Abortion, transcript below. Sources avialable on request.
Pro-life. Pro-choice. Perhaps the most fought over words in the English language. The debate stemming from the issue of legalized abortion is one of the most vicious in modern history. The fact that this is an issue, let alone a hard fought debate, is indicative of the trend of modern society into selfishness and decay. The fact that one has to argue over the supposed right of a woman to terminate the life created within is a disturbing face to modern American society. We, as a society, have devolved to the state of the supposedly barbaric and backwards early history, where rather than keep their children, they sacrificed them to some made up deity. Rather than wait for the birth to destroy, we simply cut off the life at its source in these modern times, since it is apparently a woman’s right.
Hypocrisy
Even as the U.S. Government is supporting the right to terminate a pregnancy, it is condemning the killing of a human fetus. The so called “Laci and Conner’s Act”, named after the grisly murder of Laci and Conner Peterson. (Arkes 2009) This law states that it is a double murder if one murders a pregnant woman. (Arkes 2009) The fact that there is a law against the killing of an unborn baby (albeit, one that the mother apparently has approved for life), and at the same time, it is legal for a woman to terminate her own fetus’s life, is a huge showing of hypocrisy on the part of the U.S. Government. The side of pro choice noted this fact, and as such, did not support this bill, and as Representative Zoe Lofgren, from
The Basis of this “Right”
Since the right of abortion, to those who support it, is just as clear as the right to free speech and freedom of religion, one would assume that this right is clearly backed and based in history and in the earliest writings of
“To reach its result [in Roe v. Wade], the court necessarily had to find within scope of the 14th Amendment, a right that was apparently completely unknown to the drafters of the amendment.” (Hair 2009)
The fact is, this right was simply created by supporters of abortion on the Supreme Court. All other rights in the U.S. Constitution have been created and passed through a majority in Congress, not one panel of biased judges. The role of the judicial branch of government is to enforce the law and preserve liberties, not to create new rights and laws. To add to the Constitution, a majority vote of the states is required. In the case of the right to abort, however, it is simply the will of judges.
Even though this right was established, the states have used various methods to limit abortions, such as forcing minors to inform their parents of the fact they are getting an abortion. (Hair 2009) The current President of the
Women’s Rights and Sexual Freedom
The right to abort was heralded as giving women a freedom of sexuality over the archaic principle of having and raising children. This has back-fired. The option of ending a pregnancy between conception and birth has in fact given control of sexuality over the man. (Stith 2009) Rates of unprotected sex have risen dramatically since abortion was made legal, and since this time many men have felt empowered to push what they want in the bedroom, since the woman can simply terminate the pregnancy. (Stith 2009) At any given time in
“…the father and the doctor and the health-insurance actuary can point a finger at her [the pregnant woman] as the person who allowed an inconvenient human being to come into the world.” (2009)
Furthermore, a woman who has become pregnant is often pressured into aborting the baby. In 64% of abortion cases, the woman has been pressured from outside sources- the father, family, or her friends. (Stith 2009) This is not empowering women to live free, independent lives. They are being forced to comply with men’s sexual desires, and when the pregnancy does occur, they are being pushed into having an abortion.
The Value of A Fetus
To those on the pro-choice side, merely being the beginnings of a human being is not enough to be given rights. Assume for a minute, that a fetus has no rights. The mere fact that a fetus can (and will, given the chance), gives the fetus some form of value. It is wrong to terminate something with inherent value, or, in this case, some form of potential existence value. (Williams 2008) In turn, something with value requires proper justification before it can be destroyed. (Pollok 2007) The mere fact that proper justification would be required to destroy a fetus would eliminate many of the over 800,000 abortions that take place every year in the U.S. (Number 2008) What sort of justifications are put forward? Job opportunities, avoiding parental wrath, avoiding morning sickness, and the like are just some basic examples of why abortions are carried out in the
It is not a illogical jump to say that something that has value, something that requires justification to be destroyed, in fact, has an inherent right to exist. This runs counter to the argument that there are no inherent rights, and as such, there is not a problem with destroying unwanted fetuses. However, since a fetus does have a right to life, then the society has a duty to protect the fetus, rather than allow its destruction. (Jones 2007)
Pre-Birth Screening
A popular argument for abortion is to abort babies who have disabilities or handicaps. The rate for abortions for babies with just Down’s syndrome is noted as likely around 90%. (Lindeman 2008) This argument assumes that people with Down’s syndrome are, somehow, less human than other people, simply because they are different. This dehumanization is pushed by the doctors who administer this, and they feed the fear of the unknown. It has been shown in other countries, namely, the Netherlands, which have instituted programs which educate parents on the facts about Down’s, and other similar disabilities in children, rather than push fearful ignorance.(Lindeman 2008) Under these new policies, 50% of women have rejected all pre-birth screening, and as such, the abortion rate for these pregnancies has dropped dramatically. (Lindeman 2008)
Interestingly, this is another point of hypocrisy within the U.S. Government. Long has it been pushing programs which encourage equality among all humans, yet at the same time it has allowed doctors to pressure couples into aborting babies simply because of the risk of disabilities. Those with Down’s do not lead lesser lives, and are not lesser humans. They simply live life differently. If the doctors push abortion for these sorts of disabilities, what others could be next?
Conclusion
Abortion is not a choice, but rather a violation of the rights of being of the fetus. Just having the potential, and ability, to grow into a member of the human species is a guarantee of right to life. There should be no abortions on demand; simply getting rid of unwanted babies. The choice to create the baby is the choice you have. Once you have done the action, you must face the consequences. There are many other options to avoid pregnancy; abortion after the fact should not be one of them in most cases. As a result of the dehumanization of fetuses, and the pushing of the “right” to end this life, abortion has become normalized. Abortion is not a right; it is a termination of innocent life- murder.
Thursday, August 13, 2009
Politician Syndrome: How Perceptions Affect Actions
Through all the years of American politics, there has not been a time in which the members of the political realm have been so closely scrutinized by the news organizations and the citizens to whom they serve as now. Political actions have penetrated the fabric of American existence like no time before. With the 24/7 availability of information and news on the Internet, and readily available headlines and stories on the cable news networks, the interest in the political realm has skyrocketed. The turmoil of the early part of this new century and the strong politics of the last administration began the push to get educated on politics, and the most recent election inspired further action through hope or dismay, and these strong emotions encouraged many to get involved and get educated about the workings of the political system. These same emotions have given Americans yet another criteria with which to judge the motives of others, and through this new system, the ways in which Americans interact has been changed for the foreseeable future.
Perhaps the best way to prove the current mindset would be a story. My father is a hard-nosed conservative Republican, and the last election had inspired him to fight against the new administration and its possible changes that it is pushing. Just the other day, we were out measuring windows on a job, and he had asked me to go get the book with the different styles of windows in it so the customer could see his options. In the short span of me leaving to get the book and coming back, I overheard the conversation about the healthcare plan that is currently in the Senate. From my understanding, the customer and one of his workers did not think the plan sounded so bad, which my father disagreed with. Though it was a friendly enough conversation, there was visible tension as the two sides exchanged views. I found it interesting that in the two or three minutes while I was gone, the conversation had gone from windows, to healthcare. About 2 years ago, I highly doubt this exchange would have even happened, especially leading from something completely unrelated.
This sort of story is becoming more and more prevalent as time goes on. Even in the earliest stage of the President’s administration, heated conversations can be heard anywhere, whether in a McDonald’s or various Internet message boards. Clearly, from the story with the windows, my father felt the need to inform and attempt to change the view of the contractors on the healthcare subject, but why? I believe that the motivation to inform or argue about a view is entirely from the perception or opinion of those who hold an opposite viewpoint of oneself.
In these times, political stance is basically a judgment of one’s character. From a left wing, or liberal, point of a view, conservatism is often looked down on as either backwards, heartless, or even as a failure. To a right wing conservative, a liberal is ignorant, socialist, or corrupt. Even to those who claim middle ground, the extremes of both sides are seen as zealots. These perceptions, or judgments, have been increasingly prevalent in the recent years. The news networks and various commentators from both sides have further ingrained these views into a willing public.
Since these views are now so common throughout the country, it has become harder to simply be content to make light conversation, or to have simple human interaction. These relationships have now become routes to tell one’s political views, a crusade of sorts, in order to further whatever view you happen to subscribe to. Every conversation is an opportunity to argue or change minds, or enlighten those ignorant to the ways of the world. This is the result of constant exposure to political ideas and debate. The need for change in government, the need to save American freedoms, the need to fix the recession and healthcare have all resulted in further polarization of the population of
It is difficult to have healthy human interaction with these views in place. There is obviously a need for a political system to run the government, and there is a need to fix some things in society, but there is no excuse to let someone’s political stance define their character. There are many good hearted liberals, and there are many corrupt conservatives. In the human equation, there is so much more besides black and white, but these perceptions have turned brother against brother and friend against friend. Relationships are possible, but if the subject of conversation is always about political happenings, and debate, then it is likely that the relationship will be strained at best.
Perceptions are extremely common in many areas beyond the political debate, and are as equally damaging to relationships. In the end, these relationships are what makes up a nation, and are the sole factor in the success of a nation. There is a need to be educated in the views and possible results of any given course of action, and the right to vote is a valuable tool in helping define what the country will become, but these should not get in the way of meaningful friendships or any other form of relationship. It is often hard to reign in the passion for a subject, but if it means a healthier relationship, it must be done.
Friday, July 3, 2009
The Curse of Patriotism - God and America
God and Country.
God and America.
Is this really a good line of thought? I consider myself a patriot, one entirely devoted to America, the dream, the Constitution, freedom, and all that, but at what cost? Do I truly feel that God is above America in my views?
I have come to this line of thought as of late, especially since we have elected, for better or worse, a new President. This election certainly has fanned the flames of zealous support for "our rights as Americans", "our freedoms", and anti-socialism. But at what cost? It is almost, at least in my expirience, as if God has been replaced by Country. What if, in our discussions of politics, or perhaps our focus on saving our "freedoms" (which I would argue are already gone, or at least, pretty much a nil-factor), rather than souls?
I am very much guilty of this trend. Not just because of the now-old elections, but in general. I consider myself to be a Libertarian, or at best, a far-right Republican. I argue with many about the meaning of government, and my theory that government, in an ideal setting, would not regulate as much as it does, (No, I'm not a stoner, and no, I don't think people should be allowed to run around and kill. But really, do they need to spend money to make me wear a seatbelt? Or, do they really need to spend money to make sure that the forklifts at work are a certain shade of yellow?) but that is a discussion for another day. After many of these discussions, I wonder if there is any chance that God can possibly use me to reach such a person in any way. After berating someone, or even winning an arguement with someone, or simply bashing them over the head with right-wing propoganda (yeah, I just called it that), is there really any hope of them being open to me suddenly wanting to encourage them? Is it right for me to discuss politics, which are part of this temporary world, over the fact that the Creator of the universe loves them? What if, many times when I have a chance to affect someone positively, I completely ruin with with a discussion of politics.
Politics is merely a copout, or an obsession, there when you need something to talk about when there is nothing else, or perhaps, you want to "change" America by spreading your opinions. Both sides are equally guilty of this concept. I'll tell you right now that Jesus is a bad capitalist, hell, even a bad individualist. He didn't care for the self, he didn't care about "freedom" or "rights" in this world. He simply came to share a spiritual freedom for a world that is in far worse condition than simply underneath a dictator. He lived in one of the most powerful empires ever, ruled by tyrants, with the mere illusion of freedom, yet He didn't concern himself with the kingdoms of the world, but rather the "Kingdom of Heaven". How I am guilty of pushing a kingdom of the world, when I should be showing the way to the "Kingdom of Heaven". This, is the curse of pariotism: when one's love for one's country supercedes that of one's love for God. I am guilty, and am highly convicted. The church is guilty, and (I hope) convicted. Many other Christians are also guilty.
If you think about it, many things in America are pushing alligence to Country, over God. The Pledge of Alligience, the Oath to the Constitution in the armed forces (I am in no way dissing the armed forces, and am HIGHLY thankful for those who sacrifice even now to assure that I can freely share my views with the country, and worship publicly) are just a couple of examples of this. The view that the Constitution is a near-divine document, or that America is God's "knight in shining armor" are all distractions from what we should be doing as individuals. America is a country, that will someday collapse. Yet we all discuss this flawed, temporary kingdom over the eternal Kingdom of God. Why? Because we are patriots. We are patriots, rather than disciples.
We, as Christians, are all guilty. Perhaps my views are not popular, and I know for a fact that my dad would not approve of my current attitudes, but I am really tired of dancing around a useless passion, when there are hurting people out there who need hope and encouragement. Politics has NEVER saved anyone, given light to the damned, or help to the broken. Patriotism is a curse, and one I am trying to lessen.
"We have too many high sounding words, and too few actions that correspond with them." -Abigail Adams - to John Adams.
-Mr. Revell.
Bringing this thing up to date
Hello to those who drop by this little work of mine, and my utmost apologies for not updating it sooner. I have been rather distracted with, shall I say, bigger things, that have required my attention, but I feel like I should at least update you folks on what is going on with my life. As some of my last posts will attest to, I have left the University of Delaware, and enrolled in Wilmington University, studying Business Management.
I think Wilmington is a university with a heart, if a bit easy, but it is much handier to go up to Georgetown, rather than live at a farway campus such as Delaware. I have resumed my studying of bass guitar, and have aquired a couple new ones, and a new Ampeg amp. All well and good. I play bass for Bayshore Community Church now, and have been playing there about a year.
Perhaps the biggest news is that I am now engaged to the love of my life, who I met years ago in the 7th grade, but about a year ago we began to hang out again. I am getting married Sept. 26th of this year, and this is a very exciting time for me.
Certainly, I wonder if I am up to such a task, but really, the best way to find out is just leaping in. If you know that you love the person, and there is no way you see yourself living with anyone else, go for it. The details will work themselves out no doubt, with a bit of love.
Hopefully I will remind myself more to post more posts, and the like, starting tonight.
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