Mike Stand, Jeff Crandall, Steve Pannier, and Ric Alba weren’t merely teenage boys who served as altar boys at their local Catholic Church. Rather Mike was the lead vocalist, songwriter, and played guitar for one of the most Christian popular punk rock group of all time. When Mike and Ric left the Altar Boys to start their own solo careers, I supported both of them by buying their albums.
My lips shall shout for joy when I sing praises to You, and my inner being, which You have redeemed, Psalm 71:23.
The rise of the Altar Boys’ coincided with my time as a college student at the University of the Delaware. I tried to purchase any new album as soon as they became available in stores. One of my favorite Altar Boys albums is Gut Level Music where today’s song is found. Life Begins at the Cross combines a great sound with powerful lyrics. I hope you enjoy this classic song.
A pretext is given in justification of a course of action that is not the real reason. Whenever you are caught in the act of wrongdoing, the creative will come out with a logical excuse right off the top of their head. While watching an episode of Cold Case Files, one serial killer blamed a Succubus; a female demon. Similar to a child whose is caught by a parent, “the Devil made me do it” is a common rationale to explain irrational behavior.
[Live] as free people, [yet] without employing your freedom as a pretext for wickedness; but [live at all times] as servants of God, 1 Peter 2:16.
In a letter to the Church at Corinth, the apostle Paul explains that everything is permissible via freewill, but not everything is beneficial, 1 Corinthians 6:12. A few verses later, Paul uses a prostitute to introduce the concept of soul ties. Whenever human beings participate in any sexual act, a bond is formed. Instead of waiting for marriage to consecrate sacred vows made by a couple, temporary pleasures are gratified by giving into temptation.
And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve, whether the gods which your fathers served on the other side of the River, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land you dwell; but as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord. 16 The people answered, Far be it from us to forsake the Lord to serve other gods; Joshua 24:15-16.
Following Jesus’ resurrection and ascension into heaven, there were several religious cults that arose. Some of these groups cheapened God’s grace by professing the more you sinned, the greater God’s grace will be poured out upon you. This likely explains the words in Hebrews 6:4-6 as freewill was being used as a pretext for wickedness. Rather than follow the trends in today’s progressive culture, God wants more leaders like Joshua who aren’t afraid to take a stand by faithfully serving the Lord.
Listening to music first became a pre-game ritual for me in high school. Whether I was about to swim or run, the lyrics and sound of secular music pumped me up. Songs like Every Breath You Take by the Police and Changes by Yes prepared my mind for my next competitive event. When the soundtrack to Rocky IV came out, this tape made a permanent home in my Sony Walkman.
And again He says, My trust and assured reliance and confident hope shall be fixed in Him. And yet again, Here I am, I and the children whom God has given Me, Hebrews 2:13.
As groups like the Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Intervarsity Christian Fellowship began to challenge my faith, I placed all my secular music in a closet and began strictly listening to Christian music. One of the groups that found its way into my Walkman was the Choir. Not just any choir, the Christian rock band known as the Choir. Consider is a special song that made me run faster as I jogged on campus.
Listening is one of those traits that requires more than just one of your senses. Yet, if the person who approaches you has a habit of rambling on and on, it won’t be long until you tune them out. Perhaps, this is the point Jesus is trying to make during his Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 6:5-7. If you want your prayers to get God’s attention, find a private location and start pouring your heart out to the Lord.
For the eyes of the Lord are upon the righteous (those who are upright and in right standing with God), and His ears are attentive to their prayer. But the face of the Lord is against those who practice evil [to oppose them, to frustrate, and defeat them], 1 Peter 3:12.
If you read the Bible long enough one thing is clear, you can’t fool God. Sure, you may skirt the initial consequences of telling a lie, but what comes around goes around, Galatians 6:6-7. If you reap what you sow, a lame prayer life is only going to get you minimal results. The secret to getting God’s attention when you pray can be found in Deuteronomy 28:1-14. Obedience is the first step toward righteousness.
And Jesus answered them, Truly I say to you, if you have faith (a [n]firm relying trust) and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done. 22 And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and [really] believing, you will receive, Matthew 21:21-22.
When the basics like following the Ten Commandments become a daily goal, spiritual hunger is what takes prayer to the next level. Are you willing to embarrass yourself in public like the harlot who washed Jesus’ feet with an expensive bottle of perfume in Luke 7:37-39? When this type of passion is displayed, doubt starts to disappear as the mountains you once thought were immovable begin to fall. As you move in this direction spiritually, your prayers will get God’s attention. Use today’s song as a daily prayer to get started in the right direction.
As someone who tries to be a connoisseur of Christian music, I appreciate artists who can show range. Some musicians change with the times to give their fans what they want. In the case of Plankeye, their debut album Spill was heavy metal. By 1997, Plankeye transitioned to more of a classic rock feel with a few songs that make you want to snap your fingers to the rhythm of the beat.
For He says, I will declare Your [the Father’s] name to My brethren; in the midst of the [worshiping] congregation I will sing hymns of praise to You, Hebrews 2:12.
Today’s song Some Day is the first song on the One and the Other album. The lyrics of Some Day refer to individuals who don’t see eye to eye on an issue. When new Christians begin to interact with friends from their past, it may be hard to communicate why you decided to give your life to Jesus. Therefore, the prayers of many believers is to wait for the day when a non-believer begins to understand your faith.
You don’t have to go far in today’s culture to find examples of money, sex, and power. Advertisements, commercials, magazines, and movies entice viewers with temporary pleasures. While these superficial factors may start out as innocent distractions, if individuals aren’t careful money, sex, and or power can become supernatural forces of evil, Ephesians 6:12. This isn’t a cautionary tale, but a spiritual reality.
David sent and inquired about the woman. One said, Is not this Bathsheba, the daughter of Eliam and the wife of Uriah the Hittite? 4 And David sent messengers and took her. And she came in to him, and he lay with her—for she was purified from her uncleanness. Then she returned to her house, 2 Samuel 11:3-4.
The best example in the Bible of money, sex, and power is the affair between David and Bathsheba. As King of Israel, David decided to take a vacation for couple of months. At some point in the first week, David got bored, taking an evening stroll on the roof of his palace. Upon recognizing a beautiful woman taking a bath, David invited her over for a romantic dinner for two. Despite being married, David seduced Bathsheba with his power and wealth.
For we brought nothing into the world, and obviously we cannot take anything out of the world; 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we shall be content (satisfied). 9 But those who crave to be rich fall into temptation and a snare and into many foolish (useless, godless) and hurtful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction and miserable perishing, 1 Timothy 6:7-9.
As if a scene from a modern-day soap opera, Bathsheba misses her period and likely finds out from a nurse that she is pregnant. Upon hearing his news, David attempts to conceal his affair by permitting Uriah to take a leave of absence from the army. However, when Uriah refuses to have sex with his wife while his company is still fighting, King David panics. Subsequently, Uriah is sent on a suicide mission and dies in battle, opening the door for David to marry Bathsheba. This story of money, sex, and power serves as a warning to anyone who thinks they can conceal their sins from God.
Since I first started to listen to Christian music in 1984, I’ve come across several Christian rock groups. Like any phase in life, your current favorite is the best until another sound causes you to change your allegiance. As for me, Idle Cure from Long Beach California struck a cord with my soul in the 1980’s. This special connection influenced me to purchase all of their albums.
I will sing to the Lord as long as I live; I will sing praise to my God while I have any being. 34 May my meditation be sweet to Him; as for me, I will rejoice in the Lord, Psalm 104:33-34.
Today’s song accompanied me on many of my college road trips. Whether I was driving to a retreat or visiting a friend at another campus, Over Drive was one of my go to songs to pass the time. Since I’ve spent most of my life living on the East Coast, I’ve lived most of my life in overdrive, rarely stopping. Yet, like the song suggests, being a Christian inspires me to reach higher, by drawing closer to Jesus.
If you watch cable news, a minute doesn’t go by without at least one exaggeration, lie or mis-truth. Apparently, just reporting the news is too boring. In this age of click bait, providing one daily soundbite for social media is too tempting for commentators to abstain. According to one of Jesus’ disciples, this is not how human beings should live their lives. God has a different plan and will for your life.
For it is God’s will and intention that by doing right [your good and honest lives] should silence (muzzle, gag) the ignorant charges and ill-informed criticisms of foolish persons, 1 Peter 2:15.
I started this week by reading Aaron Sorkin’s screenplay the Social Network. The opening scene consists of Mark Zuckerberg sitting at a bar with his date. The dialog is designed to illustrate Zuckerberg’s desire to become part of the most elite club on the Harvard campus. This one-way conversation bores Ericka Albright, Mark’s date, who appears to want to live and good and decent life.
No [actual] evil, misfortune, or calamity shall come upon the righteous, but the wicked shall be filled with evil, misfortune, and calamity. 22 Lying lips are extremely disgusting and hateful to the Lord, but they who deal faithfully are His delight, Proverbs 12:21-22.
Unfortunately, in this age of Cancel Culture and Wokeness, most people are afraid to share what they really believe and think in a social setting. Rather than risk offending someone, honest opinions are held back. Instead, a growing number of people sugar coat their replies to avoid conflict and criticism. While agreeing to disagree is a good option, God wants his followers to live good and honest lives as you learn to love your neighbors as yourself.
Ozzy Osbourne’s first album following his departure from Black Sabbath might be his best one. Based upon how many times I heard the Blizzard of Ozz playing 7 years later in college, this one album kickstarted Ozzy’s brand. Despite all of the sideshows of Ozzy’s career, the Blizzard of Ozz inspired me to find a similar sound in the Christian music industry.
Bless (affectionately, gratefully praise) the Lord, O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great! You are clothed with honor and majesty—Psalm 104:1
This quest finally ended in 1992 when I was introduced to the Last Train album by Holy Soldier. While there is only one Ozzy, Holy Soldier provides a similar heavy metal sound with biblically based lyrics. I could have selected a half dozen songs from Last Train, but Hallow’s Eve is the most popular. This genre may not be your cup of tea, but I hope you can share Holy Soldier with someone who does.
Over the course of my life, I worked a couple of jobs where the turnover rate was extremely high. Some people would last a month, others a week or so and the unhappy might walk out after a couple of hours. According to one of the disciples, suffering is what you should expect as follower of Jesus, Luke 10:1-11. Therefore, whether you like it or not, suffering is part of a typical Christian life.
For one is regarded favorably (is approved, acceptable, and thankworthy) if, as in the sight of God, he endures the pain of unjust suffering. 20 [After all] what [f]kind of glory [is there in it] if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you take it patiently? But if you bear patiently with suffering [which results] when you do right and that is undeserved, it is acceptable and pleasing to God, 1 Peter 2:19-20.
According to one of Jesus’ disciples, the pain of unjust suffering is part of the faith journey. Perhaps, Peter is referencing the private conversation with disciples in John 15:18 where Jesus reveals the source of this suffering. Nobody enjoys being hated as human nature places a desire inside of individuals to be liked. In the passage above, Peter alludes to suffering as a badge of honor as long as you do what is right.
Withstand him; be firm in faith [against his onset—rooted, established, strong, immovable, and determined], knowing that the same ([g]identical) sufferings are appointed to your brotherhood (the whole body of Christians) throughout the world. 10 And after you have suffered a little while, the God of all grace [Who imparts all blessing and favor], Who has called you to His [own] eternal glory in Christ Jesus, will Himself complete and make you what you ought to be, establish and ground you securely, and strengthen, and settle you, 1 Peter 5:9-10.
At the end of his letter to first century Christians, Peter brings back the topic of suffering. As if to suggest, “whether you like it or not,” suffering is part of the body of Christ. Prior to saying the world hated Him first, Jesus reminds the disciples of their call to love one another. Whenever anyone repays evil with good, it’s shocking. When a Christian embraces suffering for their faith, they will be able to fulfill the words of Solomon in Proverbs 25:21-22. This is your calling whether you like it or not.
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