Hypnotic Spiritless Singing

Scripture declares, we are to speak to “yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord” and “one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord,” but are we taking this a little too far nowadays?

What I mean is it is no secret that music (whether Christian or non) moves our emotions both in positive and negative ways. I would also be willing to say that it is most often the beat, melody, etc. more so than the words that move us rather than the other way around, for sometimes the words can barely be made out or even heard. While other times, some words found in the so-called Christian music (not limited to just contemporary either) can be easily heard, but are so far from Biblical Truth, it is quite amazing that we (well some) still use them.

Just because it falls under the label of psalms (not the Psalms), hymns, or spiritual songs doesn’t mean it is Biblically sound. Just curious, to YOU, what makes a song spiritually sound? Is it the words, the music, both, or because grandma, grandpa and the local church have always sung it?

I have a fear that many a person in modern-day Christianity is experiencing emotional highs with Christian music, but their very soul remains dead in trespasses and sin. Sure they feel good, their flesh may even enjoy the sound, the beat, and even the choruses, but does their spirit rejoice with the moving of the Spirit of God? I’m not saying I can look at one and tell, I believe this is something we each need to ask ourselves when we believe we are “in the Spirit” being moved by the music played by the band, soloist, choir, or pianist.

Let’s be honest, can not many a soul be moved to both joy and sadness by the tunes of a movie, a play, a missionary story, etc.? Is this by the Spirit of God or merely our emotions being moved by what we see and hear at the time, only to walk away from such back into our “normal” lives whereby we usually forget such?

Please tell me why we have so many giving their lives to Christ, shouting “Holy, holy, holy”, crying out with great tears, falling down to worship God, ONLY to walk out of the church, the stadium, wherever merely returning to their daily lives as if the “experience” never really happened and their lives are never really changed?

Did (Does) the music move their (our) souls to confession, repentance, and salvation, or has it just been a case of Hypnotic Spiritless Singing embraced by the flesh and emotions never reaching their (our) dead or backslidden spirit?

Let us not be hoodwinked by our emotions simply being tossed to or fro during the hype of music, but let us judge our experiences by being grounded in the Word of Truth.

Gender Conversion

You can’t drive till you’re 16 or 17, can’t smoke, join the military (without parents’ consent), or vote until you’re 18, and can’t buy alcohol till your 21 BUT you can start the procedures to change your gender if you believe yourself to be mature enough at age 7 (or maybe even 3) to realize you are simply in the “wrong body”. [see for yourself]

Yeah, this makes perfect sense – Give me a break Dr. Spackle – Are we to really believe you are “filling the holes” or “patching the gaps” in humanity’s mental, emotional and physical realm with this idea of Gender Conversion?

I believe I find myself agreeing more with Dr. Nimocks in that, “Just because modern medicine can accomplish certain things does not mean that these procedures should be done.”

Mistaken Honor

Yesterday I took a moment to review a couple of blogs I sometimes visit, and came across one post entitled, Honor Killings - The Ultimate Oxymoron, which led me to this article concerning, 'My daughter deserved to die for falling in love'. Being a father of a little girl myself, this caught my eye.

Apparently, as told by the report concerning the interview with Abdel-Qader Ali, this man killed his 17 year old daughter, Rand Abdel-Qader, for apparently having an infatuation (which may not have been mutual) with a British soldier.

As a father of a little girl, I can understand the possibility of her one day being infatuated with a boy that I may not think well of or like very much. It could be for countless reasons, but I honestly believe my actions would be more directed at a defense for my daughter’s protection (whether I consider it for physical, emotional, or spiritual implication) than at an offensive attack against my own daughter.

Simply put, whereas Abdel-Qader Ali apparently took the idea of his daughter conversing with the British soldier (“considered to be the enemy, the invader and a Christian”) as a justifiable reason to take his daughter from this world, I would much rather converse with my daughter over the matter so that our relationship could remain intact. How can a father go so far as to say, “If I had realised then what she would become, I would have killed her the instant her mother delivered her?”

The article doesn’t really claim how far this “relationship” may have gone or to the extent of what Rand Abdel-Qader’s confessed “feelings and daydreams” may have been to her friend, but surely even if they were the most lustful of thoughts, a father’s love could have found charity within his own heart to speak to his daughter about such things.

Knowing this is not a Christian family, do they not yet know still of confession, repentance, and forgiveness?

Seemingly, Abdel-Qader Ali feels he has done such for the sake of Honor, though I find that here lies the presence of Mistaken Honor instead. He said, “Death was the least she deserved. I don't regret it. I had the support of all my friends who are fathers, like me, and know what she did was unacceptable to any Muslim that honours his religion.” He further states, “I don't have a daughter now, and I prefer to say that I never had one. That girl humiliated me in front of my family and friends.” What I find even more interesting is that he states, his daughter’s “bad genes were passed on from her mother.”

It seems pretty clear to me that this slaying was less about his love for his family, his love for his religion, his love for his god, and more to do about his own pride wishing to ensure his image concerning his work, friends, and onlookers that support such acts.

How many times do you think Rand Abdel-Qader had forgiven her father for not being the father he should have been through her 17 years? Could he not find it in his heart to compassionately speak and direct his daughter away from what he felt was wrong to what he believed was right? Should not all fathers do such?

Morale over Morality

Sometimes I receive an email from Military.com in my inbox and don’t often take the time to read it, but today’s article stood out like a sore thumb.

The article: Soldiers Say Porn Ban May Hurt Morale

Ever since I served in the U.S. Army in 1993, in Vilseck, Germany, it seems there has been talk about banning the sales of certain magazines from the shelves of military stores. Assumingly, the talks are still around, though now it appears, “U.S. Rep. Paul Broun, R-Ga., has introduced legislation that would close a loophole in the current law that allows the sale of some sexually explicit material on military bases by lowering the threshold required to deem material "sexually explicit."”

Get this: “A Department of Defense committee that reviews materials sold on bases ruled last year that magazines such as Playboy and Penthouse are not pornographic.”

What exactly is the definition of pornographic? “Sexually explicit pictures, writing, or other material whose primary purpose is to cause sexual arousal.”

Could someone please tell me the “primary purpose” of Playboy and Penthouse then, if not to cause/aid persons to/in fulfill/ing the lust of the flesh. We are to flee youthful lusts, not indulge in fornication!

Like all sin, first comes justification of self, “We all read 'em” then the lie one tells themselves to justify their actions “It's not all about the pictures, although 80 percent of it is,” to which I say [1] one cannot use the word “all” for not all military persons indulge themselves in pornographic amusement, and [2] if we take the “80 percent” out would one still purchase and read Playboy and Penthouse? I imagine not, for surely similar articles could be found in other magazines and internet searches, which do not have lustful photographs.

Is morale helped by pornography? How so? “Broun, a Marine veteran, told Newsweek recently that the magazines sold in military exchanges are partly responsible for a rise in sexual assaults in the military and other problems.” What about promiscuity, cheating, covetness, adultery, separation, and divorce? Are these part of the morale booster program of pornography, or simply side effects of those who take their morale too far?

Following this same idea of “Morale over Morality”, while reading this article, I noticed another entitled “Profanity Good for Morale” from last year. Some wish to believe, “that regular swearing at work can help boost team spirit among staff, allowing them to express better their feelings and develop social relationships.” Really? [Uniform Code of Military Justice] What about reading Scripture and praying together, discussing things of God concerning repentance, confession of sin, and salvation? Would this not do the same, and on a more positive note?

Morale, maybe, but surely will be short lived.

I do say - What a silly thing to believe we have Good Morale without Good Morality!

"Mayday, Mayday!"

As we find ourselves in May, I can’t help but think of “mayday, mayday” the “emergency code word used internationally as a distress signal in voice procedure radio communications.”

As you know, we just returned from our young people taking part in State Bible Drills in Pineville at Louisiana College. They did a great job, conducting themselves in a mature manner, representing well Fellowship Baptist Church. We appreciate their discipline to study and memorize the Scriptures, along with the faithfulness of the teachers, families, and church members with all of their support and encouragement.

Though our young people are being taught the Word of God, and give themselves over to the studying and reading thereof, there are many in our neighborhoods, work places, cities, and state that simply do not know Christ as their Lord and Savior.

The word mayday “derives from the French venez m'aider, meaning 'come to my aid'/’come [to] help me.’” The problem is, most (if not all) sinners are not even calling out “mayday, mayday” as they fall deeper into sin, and further from the gospel call of Jesus Christ. Lost sinners simply don’t usually run around calling out to Christians to help them spiritually. Sure, they may ask for wants or physical needs, but how many lost persons have found their way to you or stumbled in to church by themselves without first being invited or introduced to such aforetime?

A source I read claims, “Mayday calls can be made on any frequency, and when a mayday call is made no other radio traffic is permitted except to assist in the emergency. A mayday call may only be made when life or craft is in imminent danger of death or destruction.”

Dear friends, I can’t express enough how important it is that we stay focused on the things of God, mindful of His Word, and sensitive to the moving of the Holy Spirit. Every lost soul “is in imminent danger of death or destruction.” We are to be a light to this dark world, allowing Christ to shine through us. Meaning, we should always be ready to give witness to His marvelous work of salvation to any repentant soul who chooses to place faith in Christ.

When the Spirit moves upon that lost soul, and we find ourselves confronted with their distress call of “What must I do to be saved” are we ready “to assist in the emergency?” Have we hid His Word in our hearts and are we in tune with the Spirit, whereby we may know the signs of a convicted heart, ready to repent, regardless of what fashion (“on any frequency”) it may come? Pray that God would bind the devil to have “no other radio traffic” while the gospel message is presented to this lost and dying world.

As always, let us continually pray for one another.

State Bible Drills

We are headed out to State Bible Drills with 11 young persons from our church this weekend. If you or your church have never taken part in such, one may wish to consider it for next year.

Here is a look into the cirriculum:

Bible Drill Basics

The purpose of the drill is to help children:

• increase in knowledge of the Bible
• develop skills in locating Bible books and key passages
• memorize the names of the books of the Bible in order, plus selected Bible verses and key passages
• learn how to apply the Bible to their lives

Not Reaching or Not Coming

“The number of people baptized in Southern Baptist churches fell for the third straight year in 2007 to the denomination’s lowest level since 1987. Although the SBC added 473 new churches and gave more than $1.3 billion to support mission activities around the world, there’s no escaping the disappointing fact that Southern Baptists are not reaching as many people for Christ as they once did, according to Thom S. Rainer, president and CEO of LifeWay Christian Resources, which gathered the information on the denomination’s behalf.”

This is the opening paragraph to a LifeWay research article by Rob Phillips. This post is not for or against Rob Phillips, but I would like to consider the thought “there’s no escaping the disappointing fact that Southern Baptists are not reaching as many people for Christ as they once did.” In fact, we could further narrow down the point of this post to “not reaching” in the scope of the context of the paragraph. What exactly is meant by “not reaching” in the context of this article?

If the meaning of “not reaching” is that the SBC is not presenting or making available the gospel of Jesus Christ to “as many people for Christ as they once did” I find this hard to believe. Even this same initial paragraph points out that “the SBC added 473 new churches and gave more than $1.3 billion to support mission activities around the world.” This is more churches, giving more access to persons in different locations, and also more money, making available more opportunities for the gospel to be presented and given to persons.

If the meaning of “not reaching” is that the SBC is not seeing as many accept Christ (i.e. “The number of people baptized in Southern Baptist churches fell for the third straight year in 2007 to the denomination’s lowest level since 1987.”) as Lord and Savior, attend or stay in church, etc. then is the SBC really responsible for such numbers? Maybe if the Truth is not being preached.

Acts 2 states: “46 And they, continuing daily with one accord in the temple, and breaking bread from house to house, did eat their meat with gladness and singleness of heart, 47 Praising God, and having favour with all the people. And the Lord added to the church daily such as should be saved.”

I Corinthians 3 declares: “5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.”

By obeying God, we are to use all godly means to reach persons with the gospel message of Jesus Christ, but the Spirit must move the souls to come. For should they come but for a time, having never been moved by the Spirit of Truth, what more do we have but a number, a baptism, yet merely a tare among the wheat. Is not the Book of Life valued above SBC membership rolls?

Souls do not come because they have either “left their first love” or have never loved Him at all. Pray that all men everywhere would repent, starting first with ourselves, that we ourselves would desire Him and enjoy His fellowship above all. Through Him shall we reach, through Him shall they come.

Science: A Battle of "'cherry-picking' the data?"

Apparently, there is a small issue in Science as to whether we are still experiencing global warming, or are we about to enter a new ice age.

Article: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,352241,00.html

Whom shall I trust?

2 Peter 3:10 declares, "But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. "

Unregenerate Director Strives To Deface Christ

Anyone with any sense about them will clearly see through the smoke and mirrors of director Paul Verhoeven’s desire to swindle persons with his desire to claim “Christ probably was the son of Mary and a Roman soldier who raped her during the Jewish uprising in Galilee” in his upcoming so-called “biography of Jesus.”

According to Fox News’ quote of Donohue, apparently he notes that Verhoeven has “been working 20 years trying to sell this argument and hasn't come up with anything.” But who says a biography of someone, clearly Verhoeven has never met nor personally knows, has to be nonfiction? Clearly he doesn’t have a problem with writing a fictional biography. (I jest.)

Interestingly, it seems that Verhoeven claims to be a Catholic (according to the article), but makes his money causing others to break the very commandments of God, namely fornication, in his choice of movies to direct.

Is there really any wonder this man “states that Christ was not betrayed by Judas Iscariot, one of the 12 original apostles of Jesus, as the New Testament states” and “was a regular attendee of the Jesus Seminar, which was co-founded by the late religion scholar Robert W. Funk. The seminar called into question miracles and statements attributed to Jesus.”

Come on Verhoeven, simply repent (as we all should) and accept Jesus Christ (the very Son of God) as your Lord and Savior. The Spirit, through the Scriptures, will give you a much better picture of Him than your human attempt at a recreation biography of another Jesus ever will.

Friend or Acquaintance

Scripture declares in Proverbs 17:17, “A friend loveth at all times.”

Now, love properly defined does not mean everything we find our friend doing or saying is acceptable and we totally agree with. Sometimes our friendships need to be seasoned with “reprove, rebuke, [and] exhort[ing] with all long suffering and doctrine.”

Honestly, how shallow are most of our so-called friendships, to be honest, whether they be with Christian or non-Christian persons? Do we honestly love them, or do we simply enjoy the prestige or the things that may come from knowing them? Or do we happen to merely hang around them so that we may feel that we are “in the click?”

How often do we use the word “friend” and how often do we honestly mean it?

Are we quick to forget, gossip about, or turn our backs on certain persons that we claim are our friends, as soon as we find another more interesting one? What about if they embarrass us for one reason or another, or hurt us (even by mistake), or others come forth to pull us from them?

Proverbs 18:24 declares, “A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticketh closer than a brother.”

Do we show ourselves to be “friendly?” Do we stick “closer than a brother” to those we ourselves claim are our friends? If not, then why do we even use such terminology, merely deceiving ourselves and the persons we declare it to? Why not simply denote that all are merely acquaintances that may come and go with the wind, but shall not remain as faithful friends that we shall “loveth at all times?”

Can we share our deepest sorrows and greatest joys? Can we trust that our words, our fears, or concerns are honestly considered and kept secret from the world around us? Is there a faithfulness to one another that goes without saying? Do others find a haven of rest in knowing we care for their physical, emotional, and spiritual well being and desire only the best for them?

What of the times we see them falter or fall from what we believe is right? What of the days that go by where we feel awkward to confront them with such thoughts of encouragement and constructive criticism with only charity in our thoughts? Do we find such in those we cherish as so-called friends? Do any remain at our darkest hour?

Do you truly have any friends or merely acquaintances?
Are you truly a friend or merely an acquaintance?

Do you have a true friend, one who has stuck by you, through many things in your life? Have you told them how much it matters to you? Maybe you should.

Exposing parts of My Heart

Poetry

These are original poems as formerly written, with only minimal changes or corrections having been made, to allow my initial thoughts to persist.

1994 - 2008

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Because of Love
Is This Where Love Ends
How Hard Is It to Ask
What Is Love
Friends…
To Lose Love
The World...
Missing You
Missing You, Again
No True Emptiness
Parable of the Squirrel
Lonely Dark Nights
To My Valentine
The Day
The Words of the Snake
Lame Christian Excuses
Your Shadow
Letting Go (Part 1)
Faith is Risen Anew (Letting Go, Part 2)
My Preacher
Just Like You Were One Day
Oh, the Love You Show Me
Regrets
Stand Up !!!
The Heavens Declare
Ye Are of Your Father
Staring Back At Me
To Be Complete
From Among the Others
When You Love Someone
Alexis Rose
I Love You More Than
Samuel David LaRue
Because of My Saviour, I Live!
A Soldier on His Way Home
A Letter From Hell
Wedding Vows
I Am His for Eternity
Don’t Wait On Me
A Call to Missions
I Have a Savior
Christ Bore the Cross
I Plead For My Brother
Christ Is Still Here
Conversion
A Little Soul
Souls
A Soldier of the King
Faith
Thank You
Oh Son of God, I Praise Your Name
Oh, Rich Man
They Say I Killed My Baby
Perspective
A Gift from Me to You
Beloved Friend
Moments of Silence
La Ciudad, Mexico Mission Trip 2008
Twisted Inside, Heart Against Mind
The Struggle of Sorrows

Beloved Friend

From among the darkness, amidst the storm
Comes forth a light, with a steady arm
Held out toward me, reaching forth
Bidding me come, to find support
Afraid to trust, but grasp it still
Allowing myself, to acknowledge it’s real
An honest smile, with words of truth
A gentle spirit, to encourage and soothe
A faithful friend, where charity dwells
Able to believe, my heart made well
Truly amazing, to find such a one
A caring soul, when life seems undone
Words of wisdom, acts of grace
Deeds of kindness, freely displayed
Sharing love, and giving hope
A joy from within, they promote
Selfless thought, my spirit mends
Forever dear, my Beloved Friend

Timothy Waldrop
4/3/2008