Today’s song comes from an American Christian rock band that formed in Albany, Oregon. Falling Up signed to BEC Recordings in 2003 after a recommendation from friends in the band Kutless. Followers of Falling Up believe their 2008 singles collection Discover the Trees Again was simultaneously the end of an era and the start of an incredibly exciting new chapter for this band.
Heal me, O Lord, and I shall be healed; save me, and I shall be saved, for You are my praise, Jeremiah 17:14.
Every adult is familiar with broken hearts. Whether this is due to a failed friendship or marriage, all human beings are in need of healing. Subsequently, Falling Up’s lyrics of Broken Heart serve as a cry for help like a prayer where you pour out your heart to God. My today’s song encourage you to never be afraid or ashamed to ask God for healing.
Kutless is one of the groups I should have featured much earlier, but they were bypassed for other songs that came to my mind. Kutless formed in Portland, Oregan in 1999 and have been rocking and rolling for the last two decades. This longevity has resulted in more than three million sold albums and counting. Besides being Sunday, I chose Everything I Need for the biblically based lyrics.
For His divine power has bestowed upon us all things that [are requisite and suited] to life and godliness, through the [[d]full, personal] knowledge of Him Who called us by and to His own glory and excellence (virtue). 4 By means of these He has bestowed on us His precious and exceedingly great promises, so that through them you may escape [by flight] from the moral decay (rottenness and corruption) that is in the world because of covetousness (lust and greed), and become sharers (partakers) of the divine nature, 2 Peter 1:3-4.
While listening to this song for the first time, I immediately thought of the words written by one of Jesus’ disciples in the passage above. According to Peter, the Holy Spirit gives Christians everything that they need for life. Yet, the world is filled with distractions that often separate us from God. The lyrics of Everything I Need parallels the Footprints Poem as there will be days that Jesus will need to carry us. When in doubt, lean on the promise in Philippians 4:13 as with Christ anything is possible.
I stumbled upon Sixteen Cities a decade ago shortly after I lost my teaching position. Sixteen Citiesprovides a good blend of ballads with contemporary worship. While this group began in Portland, Oregon, Sixteen Cities is now based in Dallas, Texas. When I was working maintenance, cutting acres of grass weekly, Sixteen Cities kept me company. Only After You quickly became one of my favorites.
Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete, but [only] one receives the prize? So run [your race] that you may lay hold [of the prize] and make it yours, 1 Corinthians 9:24.
When I recently listened to the lyrics of Only After You, the image provided by the apostle Paul in the passage above came to mind. As a former high school coach, most athletes don’t like to run. Rather than run in circles around a track, chasing after God’s will for your life provides a greater purpose. While you may not have a clue about God’s will, the more you run with God, the clearer this path will become. I hope you enjoy this classic song.
The National Education Association was founded in 1857. This group is the largest labor union and professional interest group in the United States. This status also makes the NEA the most powerful and influential special interest group, swaying politicians to continue to fund education programs in their annual budget. Prior to the 1970’s, education was left up to each state, giving local PTA members, parent teacher association, the ability to impact school curriculum. However, in the last fifty years, education is being now controlled at the national level through objectives like Common Core. With liberals and progressives now editing, replacing and writing new curriculum, the stage is set for a clash of two cultures.
I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith, 2 Timothy 4:7.
If you have children, you will be taking visits to colleges and universities that your daughter or son have interests in attending. These tours may reveal an institutions true intentions or they might be hidden to avoid choosing an alternative school. From my experience, these schools of higher education roll out the red carpet, trying to impress and persuade as many as potential students as possible. As a former high school teacher, graduates often visited me relaying the good, bad and ugly sides of college. Although many colleges on the east coast of the United States were founded by Christians for Christians, few traces of faith remain. Just as public education removed Bible verses and prayer from its curriculum in the 1960’s, colleges have used revisionist history to scrub significant events like the Magna Carta from textbooks. If generations grow up without a biblical worldview, college professors can introduce new ideologies that clashes with what parents and grandparents were taught.
Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses, 1 Timothy 6:12.
These factors set the scene for current events like Antifa members taking over downtown Portland, Oregon, protestors harassing conservatives in public and marches on Washington. From where I sit, observing day to day events, its like the Jerry Springer show on steroids, stirring the pot until emotions bubble over into a shoving match. Perhaps, everyone needs to go into their corner, take a timeout out to relax and begin to act like a grown up in front of children who are watching. America is on the verge of a new Civil War. However, instead of re-enacting the events of 1861-1865 on a battlefield, this clash will between cultures. One clinging to the Judeo Christian values of America’s founding fathers. The other eager to usher in a progressive era replacing the Bible with a different set of moral and political standards. I hope I am wrong about this clash, but if you watch cable news it appears this clash has already begun.
There was a time in my youth when news anchors were believable, reliable and trusted by those who tuned in to watch. Sometime over the past twenty five years, news have become altered by hidden agendas seeking to convince the masses of a specific ideology. Today, every daily event is examined, filtered and portrayed in such a manner as to control the headlines. Unfortunately, media outlets are forcing viewers to believe their worldview or face the wrath of negative press.
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths, Proverbs 3:5-6.
Like a bully, opposing individuals and groups are targeted. Sometimes to prove a point, expose a religious belief or brought on by a poorly timed comment. In Oregon, Sweet Cakes by Melissa was forced to close after refusing to prepare a wedding cake for a gay couple about to get married. Since closing, the state has decided to fine the owner 125,000K, setting an example for anyone else who dares to discriminate against homosexual couples. In other words, if you want to run a business in America, you better keep your religious convictions to yourself or face the consequences.
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ, Romans 10:17.
The event from March of 2015 in Indiana seems more like a set-up unless having pizza at wedding receptions is now the new in food. Anyway, Memories Pizzeria was also forced to close following their denial of another gay couple. Perhaps each of these businesses could have come to a happy medium or maybe they did but it was not reported. Yet, in their hearts, mind and soul, neither could betray their religious beliefs detailed in Leviticus 18:22 and Leviticus 20:13. Unfortunately, their freedom of religion and speech was not honored since it is now politically incorrect.
And without faith it is impossible to please him, for whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him, Hebrews 11:6.
There are two ways to view this ongoing persecution of Christians. First, God has given every individual free will. The Lord doesn’t force anyone to believe in the Bible. Rather, the Word has been written so that those who hear or read may come to faith in Christ. The second perspective relates to the days of Daniel when a decree made it illegal to pray in public. Despite the threat of being thrown into a den of lions, Daniel chose to obey God rather than adhere to man’s law. This is where faith is put to the test, separating the genuine from who are blown and tossed by changing tides. As the world continues to change, may every person of faith be prepared to overcome the challenges and trials of the future.
When the clock strikes zero at the end of any competition, their is usually a winner and loser. Though a regular season game may result in a tie, in the playoffs, this isn’t an option. Whether you’re talking about the National Championship, Super Bowl or Olympics, only one team or individual will walk off as the victor.
From a personal perspective, I once blew an eight shot lead during the Club Championship; then lost in an 18 hole playoff. When things start to slip away, as momentum goes in the opponents direction, a helpless feeling grips your body. This tide often results in the agony of defeat, something I’ve tasted on numerous occasions. Unfortunately, this is the cruel reality of sports.
Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last, but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. – 1 Corinthians 9:25
Therefore, as Ohio State and Oregon fans go to sleep tonight, one will celebrate into the midnight hours while the loser will ponder what could have been. For the senior players, several will be playing their final game, trading in their jerseys for a career in their field of study. Perhaps, this is why the apostle Paul wrote the words of 1 Corinthians 9:25. Like of the motto of Little League, “It’s not whether you win or lose, but how you play the game!” May these words stick with you the next time you experience the cruel reality of sports.
Many folks in America are probably thinking along the same wave lengths, ” this is the strangest spring I can ever remember?” As traces of winter pop up weekly, summer can’t get here soon enough. However, in the mean time, you are stuck with a daily dilemma, whether or not to trust in the so called experts to accurately predict the weather?
As a little league coach, 7 days in a week aren’t enough to make up the games rained out and those cancelled hours in advance only to witness sunny skies appear. Despite these interruptions to schedules, there is a silver lining. Rain can slow down one’s pace in life, bring families together or provide needed ingredients for a successful garden. For others who work at airports, malls or stores, weather delays can make for some of the most profitable days of the year as well as provide shelter to take a walk inside.
The question arises, how much will you allow weather to influence your mood? Weather related depression is common for cities like Portland, Oregon and Seattle, Washington. Like a cruel mistress, weather can lead you on, only to crush your spirit late in the day. In the end, the choice is yours, making the best of today, James 4:14, putting worries about tomorrow on hold. Weather or not, how will you respond when another front washes out your plans?
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