Every once in a while, you will find an artist who sounds identical to another. Growing up in high school, I became a fan of REM. Although I never bought one of their albums, I liked most of their songs. Today’s song comes from the group Adam Again who in my opinion is the REM of Christian music. One of Adam Again’s famous songs is River on Fire based upon the real-life fire on the Cuyahoga River in Cleveland.
For You have been my help, and in the shadow of Your wings will I rejoice, Psalm 63:7.
The lyrics of Dig are symbolic of subtle compromises that people make in life. This often begins with a lazy lie until it escalates as you dig a hole of deception that you often fall into. Unfortunately, stubborn people tend to keep digging this hole until bad choices end up becoming a lifestyle. May the lyrics of Dig awaken your conscience so that any bad habits may be conquered by the power of the Holy Spirit.
I grew up watching the Six Million Dollar Man Starring Lee Majors. When Air Force Colonel Steve Austin crashes during a test flight, many of his damaged body parts are replaced by experimental bionic limbs. In this series’ theme song, the voice over explains that modern scientists have the technology to save his life at a cost of six million dollars. The Bible speaks of a different kind of regeneration. A spiritual one.
You have been regenerated (born again), not from a mortal [d]origin ([e]seed, sperm), but from one that is immortal by the ever living and lasting Word of God. 24 For all flesh (mankind) is like grass, and all its glory (honor) like [the] flower of grass. The grass withers and the flower drops off, 25 But the Word of the Lord ([f]divine instruction, the Gospel) endures forever. And this Word is the good news which was preached to you, 1 Peter 1:23-25.
There are plenty of mornings when I wake up that I feel dead tired, unable to function as I should or want. Like rebooting a computer, how you start your day can make a big difference. In the passage above, Peter refers to a supernatural presence that comes from the Bible. The author of Hebrews refers to this book as living and active with an ability to penetrate your soul, Hebrews 4:12.
For it is by free grace (God’s unmerited favor) that you are saved ([c]delivered from judgment and made partakers of Christ’s salvation) through [your] faith. And this [salvation] is not of yourselves [of your own doing, it came not through your own striving], but it is the gift of God; 9 Not because of works [not the fulfillment of the Law’s demands], lest any man should boast. [It is not the result of what anyone can possibly do, so no one can pride himself in it or take glory to himself,] Ephesians 2:8-9.
The first discussion about regeneration leaves Nicodemus curious and confused, John 3:1-17. This first century Pharisee was thinking about being born again from a physical aspect. This is the reason for Nicodemus’ sarcasm. Yet, as the Paul apostle mentions in the passage above, spiritual regeneration is unmerited. This free gift is offered to you, Romans 6:23. However, regeneration doesn’t begin until you accept this as your own, Romans 10:9-11. The more you read and learn, the greater your faith grows,
My goal for Sunday posts of Sing A New Song is to highlight worship-oriented artists or songs with an inspirational message. One of my favorite song writers of all time is Bruce Carroll. Yet, the lyrics of Ron David Moore’s The Vision’s Clear album rivals any Christian album ever produced. I heard an interview talking about the success of this album, but Ron’s next album was a dud due to a lack of inspiration.
A time will come, however, indeed it is already here, when the true (genuine) worshipers will worship the Father in spirit and in truth (reality); for the Father is seeking just such people as these as His worshipers. 24 God is a Spirit (a spiritual Being) and those who worship Him must worship Him in spirit and in truth (reality), John 4:23-24.
When the Holy Spirit moves you to share or write something, it’s as if God is speaking directly through you. Yet, this is a force that you can’t manufacture. As for today’s song, Secret Scars is something everyone can relate to as all human beings have hidden at least one thing that they haven’t told a soul. The pain of this burden will continue to wear you down until you place it at the foot of the cross.
Sometimes the truth that a friend shares strikes a nerve. Such is the case of one Old Testament prophet who reveals a painful truth in Jeremiah 17:9. When your heart becomes open to the possibility that you’re not as nice as you should be, your soul becomes open to changing for the better. This is the message that Peter has for a teachable spirit: purify your heart with sincere affection.
Since by your obedience to the Truth through the [Holy] Spirit you have purified your hearts for the sincere affection of the brethren, [see that you] love one another fervently from a pure heart, 1 Peter 1:22.
Purification usually involves some sort of filtration process. Whether this is accomplished through cleansing, decontaminating or sterilizing the imperfections, purifying anything takes time. According to one of Jesus’ disciples, purifying your heart is based upon your degree of obedience to God’s commands. As the Holy Spirit convicts Christians for any wrongdoing, your heart begins the purification process.
So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you. 8 Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery]. 9 [As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection and heartfelt shame [for your sins], James 4:7-9.
Yet, to achieve sincere affection, Christians must seek the Theological Virtues of hope, faith, and love. According to C.S. Lewis, Cardinal Virtues are available to anyone, but Theological Virtues are only accessible through the power of the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 13:13. Actions and faith must work hand and hand so that hearts will be purified as the fruits of this process develop into sincere affection.
Today’s artist got me through some tough times in college. I was first introduced to Linda Elias through her husband Rick who was a member of A Ragmuffin Band. When Rick started a solo career, Linda would also serve as a background vocalist on a number of his songs. The best way to describe Linda’s music is that she if the Belinda Carlisle of Christian music. Today’s song comes from the Meaning of Life album.
Speak out to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, offering praise with voices [[e]and instruments] and making melody with all your heart to the Lord, Ephesians 5:19.
When I first bought the Meaning of Life album, I shared it with as many college friends as possible. The person who appreciated Linda’s music the most was my friend Pam from Poughkeepsie, New York. The soothing sound of Linda’s voice and the powerful Bible based lyrics made me want to shout the chorus of Your’s and Mine every time I heard it. May this eternal message lift your spirits as you listen.
During my first year of college, I attended a “Why Knock Rock Seminar” at a local church. Why some of the theories that were espoused by the various speakers had a degree of merit, to demonize Christians who felt called to reach young people with rock music was moronic. One of these groups considered dangerous by the Puritans of the 1980’s was the Altar Boys. The Altar Boys’ punk rock sound was enhanced by Gut Level lyrics that spoke to my heart.
And her prophets have daubed them over with whitewash, seeing false visions and divining lies to them, saying, Thus says the Lord God—when the Lord has not spoken. 29 The people of the land have used oppression and extortion and have committed robbery; yes, they have wronged and vexed the poor and needy; yes, they have oppressed the stranger and temporary resident wrongfully, Ezekiel 22:28-29.
While doing some research for my new series Sing A New Song, I stumbled upon the song I Question It. Although the particular sound of this song hasn’t aged well, the lyrics were prophetic. When the church elite was busying condemning and judging those aspects of the youth culture that they didn’t like, the Altar Boys were trying to warn Christians through their Gut Level Music album in 1986. Instead of listening, complacency set in as liberals and progressives quietly worked behind the scenes to take over.
And I sought a man among them who should build up the wall and stand in the gap before Me for the land, that I should not destroy it, but I found none. 31 Therefore have I poured out My indignation upon them; I have consumed them with the fire of My wrath; their own way have I repaid [by bringing it] upon their own heads, says the Lord God, Ezekiel 22:30-31.
I guess it’s a little too late for the members of the Altar Boys to exclaim “I told you so!” Yet, the conditions of today remind me of the words of the prophet Ezekiel. God wanted someone to stand in the gap: a leader, a parent or students to defend that which is right and true. Unfortunately, no one rose to this occasion. Nonetheless, I sense a similar call to stand up for the Bill of Rights, the Constitution and for Religious liberties. Will the church sit back and watch from their pews or start reminding their neighbors of America’s heritage of faith? Time is of the essence so stand now or we too will be destroyed.
Today’s song comes from one the best Christian rock albums ever made. The only problem is I could only find one of the 12 songs from Reflescent Tide’s Spring Catalog on the internet. Which means that most Christians have been deprived from ever listening to this classic sound. Reflescent Tide is the Green Day of Christian music. Spring Catalog includes hit songs like Seven Days, Butterfly Wings and Basking in the Glow.
Is anyone among you afflicted (ill-treated, suffering evil)? He should pray. Is anyone glad at heart? He should sing praise [to God], James 5:13.
I stumbled upon Reflescent Tide while serving as a youth pastor in the mid-west. If I had access to a CD, I’d download 10 of the 12 songs immediately to my computer. Yet, for now my only proof that list band exists is a cassette tape. The lyrics of today’s song Leaving talks about how Jesus had to leave the Garden of Gethsemane as a prisoner in order to carry out God’s will. The thought of laying down his life brought Jesus to his knees as his sweat became like blood. May Leaving touch your soul as you listen.
The book definition of brace is a device fitted to something, in particular a weak or injured part of the body, to give support. After a car accident, particularly a fender bender, it isn’t uncommon to see the person who was hit in a neck brace. Yet, in this age of mental health awareness, no one practices the concept of bracing your mind. Rather, drugs are often prescribed to kill your pain as if to pretend everything will be okay in the morning.
So brace up your minds; be sober (circumspect, morally alert); set your hope wholly and unchangeably on the grace (divine favor) that is coming to you when Jesus Christ (the Messiah) is revealed. 14 [Live] as children of obedience [to God]; do not conform yourselves to the evil desires [that governed you] in your former ignorance [when you did not know the requirements of the Gospel], 1 Peter 1:13-14.
When you listen and read the four accounts of the Gospel, Peter comes across as the most vocal disciple. While several of the disciples are shown periodically talking amongst one another, it is Peter who raises his voice to express opinions to Jesus. Unfortunately, Peter made a habit of talking before thinking through what he was about to say. Perhaps this is what caused Peter to exclaim “brace up your minds.”
If then you have been raised with Christ [to a new life, thus sharing His resurrection from the dead], aim at and seek the [rich, eternal treasures] that are above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 And set your minds and keep them set on what is above (the higher things), not on the things that are on the earth. 3 For [as far as this world is concerned] you have died, and your [new, real] life is hidden with Christ in God, Colossians 3:1-3.
The apostle Paul adds to Peter’s statement in the passage above. When an individual transitions from living for themselves to dedicating their lives to God, this takes time. Programing your minds to exchange curse words for more appropriate terms isn’t easy. This is why it’s important for all Christians to brace up their minds so that your new life in Christ will eventually shine through to others.
The Christian Group In Reach released Waterline in 1992. This initial album was a smash hit as some Christian journalists suggested that In Reach would become the Christian band of the 1990’s. Unfortunately, this never happened as In Reach fell into obscurity, following in the footsteps of many one hit wonders of the past. Like the 1996 film That Thing You Do, In Reach faded into the setting sun.
Sing to the Lord a new song, and His praise from the end of the earth! You who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, the islands and coastal regions and the inhabitants of them [sing a song such as has never been heard in the heathen world]! – Isaiah 42:10
By the time their second album was released, In Reach became Brett Williams & In Reach. Based upon the title, it appears pride got in the way of this group’s success. Power and Promise may not have received the fanfare of their first project but, this album has one of my favorite songs. Prayer is what it sounds like as the lyrics share a powerful confession that you can use as your own personal prayer.
Life is full of adjustments as individuals advance from elementary education, toward higher education and begin chasing a career, dream and goal. This process of development goes through many phases and stages, often bringing unforeseen barriers and obstacles. Unfortunately, not everyone is able to complete or reach their full potential as death rudely ends the pursuit toward being content and happy.
Praised (honored, blessed) be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah)! By His boundless mercy we have been born again to an ever-living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 [Born anew] into an inheritance which is beyond the reach of change and decay [imperishable], unsullied and unfading, reserved in heaven for you, 1 Peter 1:3-4.
Despite the harsh reality of being mortal, the Bible speaks of resurrection power. This supernatural force made it possible for Jesus to be beyond the reach of change and decay. From a strictly earthly sense, if the Holy Spirit was able to raise Jesus from the dead, then human beings can change for the better. However, unless belief and faith is present, the worries of this world will wear you down over time.
But if Christ lives in you, [then although] your [natural] body is dead by reason of sin and guilt, the spirit is alive because of [the] righteousness [that He imputes to you]. 11 And if the Spirit of Him Who raised up Jesus from the dead dwells in you, [then] He Who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead will also restore to life your mortal (short-lived, perishable) bodies through His Spirit Who dwells in you. 12 So then, brethren, we are debtors, but not to the flesh [we are not obligated to our carnal nature], to live [a life ruled by the standards set up by the dictates] of the flesh, Romans 8:10-12.
According to the apostle Paul, Christ must reside within your heart to successfully overcome a sinful nature. Whenever Christians allow their faith to become dormant, the flesh will get the best of you and cripple your ability to change for the better. If you’re serious about the afterlife, remember your obligation to live according to the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25. This is the only force that will enable you to go beyond the reach of change and decay.
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