Tuesday, September 02, 2008
Growth (finally)
The most remarkable thing happened on Saturday. Let me preface a bit, but just slightly. Every Saturday morning, I make breakfast in a homeless shelter along with some men who are in a program for drug and/or alcohol rehabilitation. It's Christian based, and the men get a Biblical, God centered recovery. It's great in principle, but there has always been something missing. I've struggled with something there more and more. There's been a sort of 1/2 conversion and an air of "worldly salvation" in lack of a better term.
It manifested itself in the music that they played on a little CD player in the corner. At first, there was contemporary Christian songs (Christian rock, if you will), which led to Christian rap, which eventually became Christian gangsta rap. Where's the line between good, God honoring Christian music and this gangsta garbage? (sorry if I've offended, but it's garbage before a Holy God).
A few years ago, I started fasting from all secular music and all music that could be suspect as not 100% honoring to my God. I've essentially only listened to hymns and congregational music since then. Don't try to give me the argument that hymns aren't God honoring. :-)
Anyway, while I'm not in charge of every lyric or tune that comes into my ears, it's been an ear opening experience to witness what others cause me to listen to. It's been a struggle to serve Him on Saturdays because of the downward spiral the music has taken, but then, last Saturday I heard a softer soundtrack, a gentler spirit. And suddenly, a hymn came on...
"In The Sweet By And By"
It gave me cause to pause and consider that there was one more person here who "got it". Someone who was willing to be in the world, but not of it. To not partake in the influences of the world. To not cover their Christianity in the flesh, but instead, give honor to whom honor is due in a simple song that didn't have the long guitar riffs or percussion of drums.
It was a nicer day all around. :-)
I can't wait until the house is done. I'm still considering and praying about the possibility of getting a Steinway or Baldwin grand piano for the great room.
It manifested itself in the music that they played on a little CD player in the corner. At first, there was contemporary Christian songs (Christian rock, if you will), which led to Christian rap, which eventually became Christian gangsta rap. Where's the line between good, God honoring Christian music and this gangsta garbage? (sorry if I've offended, but it's garbage before a Holy God).
A few years ago, I started fasting from all secular music and all music that could be suspect as not 100% honoring to my God. I've essentially only listened to hymns and congregational music since then. Don't try to give me the argument that hymns aren't God honoring. :-)
Anyway, while I'm not in charge of every lyric or tune that comes into my ears, it's been an ear opening experience to witness what others cause me to listen to. It's been a struggle to serve Him on Saturdays because of the downward spiral the music has taken, but then, last Saturday I heard a softer soundtrack, a gentler spirit. And suddenly, a hymn came on...
"In The Sweet By And By"
It gave me cause to pause and consider that there was one more person here who "got it". Someone who was willing to be in the world, but not of it. To not partake in the influences of the world. To not cover their Christianity in the flesh, but instead, give honor to whom honor is due in a simple song that didn't have the long guitar riffs or percussion of drums.
It was a nicer day all around. :-)
I can't wait until the house is done. I'm still considering and praying about the possibility of getting a Steinway or Baldwin grand piano for the great room.
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