Hallelujah

This is one of my all-time favorite songs. Ever. So, I thought I should share with you Phil Wickham's video on YouTube. I'm a big fan of Jason Castro's dreads, but I'm pretty sure his version that earned him so much praise doesn't stand up to this. However he gets a little excited in the end, and it gets a little iffy for a while...

Eggstra gross.

I love eggs. I mean, I LOVE them. They may be my favorite food right after cheese, of course. One of my favorite things to eat for lunch is scrambled eggs, and I have it down to a science. It's important to have the perfect egg/milk/salt/pepper/Tony Cachere's ratio. Today as I was raiding the kitchen in hopes of finding something I could make into a meal, I found a brand new carton of eggs. So, I start mixing them up, and quickly pour them in the pan to cook... and then I saw it.

The yolk that was almost a baby chicken.

I'm not really sure if it was almost a baby, but it definitely had kept its formation despite all of my mixing. And, friends, that's just disgusting. It reminded me of the time that I cracked the egg open to find that the insides were all hard. Did you ever do that experiment in elementary school where you soak and egg in vinegar and the shell goes away? Then you have a translucent egg left? That's what it looked like. Not what you want to see when you're making your dinner.

Sadly, Lu wasn't here to do something with the mess while I gagged, so it took twice as long to clean up. Now I get to eat pasta for lunch. Though I love pasta, it's just not as tasty when craving something else... but I doubt I'll be craving eggs again for a while.

Christian Music Criteria.

I came across this post tonight about the Christian music industry. It's something I've thought about a bit, and it was a pretty interesting read. It's short too.

Who Says What’s “Christian” Music?
Posted by Brent under Culture , Music

Who says what is and is not “Christian” music? The Christian Music Trade Association (CMTA), that’s who! Thanks to our friend Eldon for pointing us to a story from Reuters.

According to the CMTA, an artist such as Sufjan Stevens, whose beliefs are certainly not in question, does not qualify as a “Christian” artist. In other words, you will not be able to purchase his work at your local Christian bookstore. For many, this might not be anything to think twice about. Not many have heard Sufjan Stevens and he’s most likely not going to be a household name any time soon. However, one need listen to his music for only a short time before being squarely confronted with his beliefs. So much so that some reviewers make the point to state that they don’t like what he’s saying, but they like how he’s saying it (Pitchforkmedia for example).

Yet the CMTA’s decision poses larger questions about what really goes on in the “Christian” music industry. John Styll, president of the CMTA quips that Stevens “just doesn’t want to play the Christian music-market game, and that’s OK.” In other words, he has not sought distribution through the right channels, nor does he play the right venues. All of which makes one wonder how a group such as Phillips, Craig and Dean who deny the Trinity (see also) may be purchased at any Christian bookstore while Bob Dylan’s landmark Slow Train Coming may not. Apparently, good business means more than good theology in some circles, and God-glorifying content is not even on the radar.

What password are the gatekeepers looking for? According to the Reuters article, “Styll says albums must receive some national play on Christian radio, 25 percent of sales in the first week must be in Christian shops, and lyrics must have “Christian content.” Styll furthers that the lyrics in question must in line with Scripture, but acknowledges that these boundaries may be “a little loose.” That’s a problem. Who defines what is in the bounds of Scripture? Denial of the Trinity would certainly fall outside of my definition, but apparently not those set by the CMTA. Lyrical/theological content is obviously not deciding criteria.

It must be said, that to my knowledge, Sufjan Stevens has not sought CMTA certification. Indie artist Jeremy Casella notes that Sufjan is “not considered one of the CCMers or GMTA’ers because his music doesn’t run in CCM industry circles. No business connections or touring connections. No label connections. No affiliation really. No Nashville bloodline/money.” In other words, it’s a business decision, not a content question. Casella concludes “Its obvious as daylight that he’s a believer.”

Such discussions ought to make us apprehensive at best about what is and is not considered “Christian” music. Yet larger issues are also hinted at here; most notably the separationist tendencies of many Christians (which I am currently pondering more). Rather than be “in the world but not of the world,” many have chosen to withdraw all together, having a “Christian” version of everything the world might have to offer, both good and bad. We have our own musicians who play in our own venues that we buy in our own stores and labels are worth a thousand words; if it’s “Christian,” it’s alright by me.

All things considered, it seems as that you must be part of the club. If you don’t want to play the game (regardless of clearly Christian content), you will not be sold through us; and if you do play our game, denying the Trinity is just fine. One does not have to look at the issue very long to understand that it is not a question of belief or content, but of business decision.

We must understand that we have created our own sub-culture which runs by its own rules. Just because something may be purchased at a Christian bookstore does not mean it may be trusted. Conversely, just because something may not be purchased at the same store does not mean the people behind it are not glorifying God in what they do. These issues are not new to anyone involved in “Christian” music or books at any level. However, we must be sensitive to the fact that many well-meaning believers are sincerely swayed by labeling, and the lack of endorsement as a “Christian” artist is the death-bell as far as they’re concerned. We must gently teach Christian truth that not only affects the heart, but also the head. We must teach discernment, something sorely lacking in our day and age.

We are faced with a sacred/secular divide that permeates every level of life, forcing us to label everything, regardless of accuracy. Casella concludes, “The labeling is foolishness but that’s just the way it is here in town (Nashville). I think the whole thing is falling apart though. It happening right now and will continue to happen in the coming years.” Let’s hope he’s right but in the meantime, Christians must learn to look past the cover to judge the book.

Go here for the original.

The big 2-1 and fun.

Today is my 21st birthday, and I've been surprised at my lack of enthusiasm. This doesn't mean that I'm not milking it for all it's worth, but I'm taking it down a notch. Last year was a 2 week celebration... Sorry to Joel and Lu about that one. Tonight I'm going to spend a nice quiet evening with my parents and bestie/roomie at the Yellowhammer in Waverly. I hear the food is pretty amazing, and Dr. Death plays piano on the weekends. I don't really know this Dr. Death guy, but apparently he's a really hard Chemistry professor... I tried to dodge that subject in every possible way.

Now for something real...

I've been thinking about a sermon I heard not too long ago. Actually, I'm not sure if it was a sermon, or just pre-sermon words of inspiration. Gag. This pastor went on for a while about Christians being "fun." That the reason people don't become Christians is because they don't know that we have fun. Therefore, we should have been clapping during a song. Everyone knows that's the epitome of fun, especially the tens that rushed to the altar.

I'm done being sarcastic.

These ideas have been bothering me for several days now. I'm not sure why a pastor would stand in front of a congregation and basically say that "fun" is what matters. I felt like they were promoting a gimmick... and gimmicks don't work. I'm also not sure where the idea that being a Christian is fun came from. Don't get me wrong I love to have fun, and I do on a daily basis, but is being a Christian really fun? Being ever reminded of my sinful nature = not fun. Constantly being refined = not fun. Trying to figure out how to be less selfish and worldly in a very selfish world = not fun. Crucifixion = NOT FUN.

Maybe I'm being too harsh. Maybe the pastor really wanted to talk about the joy mentioned in Psalm 16:11.
You make known to me the path of life;
in your presence there is fullness of joy;
at your right hand are pleasures forevermore.

Joy sounds like something I would rather people see in my life. Fun lasts for moments. Joy lasts through good times and bad. People that are looking for fun will find it anywhere. Fun can be had playing mini-golf. People that want joy, that are seriously seeking, will look to something else if the Church gives them "fun." So, are we correct in teaching other believers that we want others to see us having fun?

P.S. I'll let you know how the Yellowhammer is.

My life be like oohh, ahhh...

So, if you haven't heard the always urban sounds of Grits yet, you probably won't sing that line in your head like I do.

You're really not missing out on much.

The past couple of days have been "ooh, ahh" days... or maybe "oh, crap" would be the best phrase to use. Yesterday morning I found out that it wouldn't be a good idea to go to Spain this summer. I could go, but only 1 out of the 4 classes could be transferred into my curriculum. That would mean an extra semester of school-graduation in December '09-not an option! As much as I want to study abroad, I want to graduate that much more. It really doesn't surprise me that things worked out like this, considering all of the trouble I've had with it in the past few weeks. So, this morning at about 10 I signed my parents up to pay for a full semester of school in Spain. During the Fall semester, there are many more classes available, which is a HUGE plus! However, this also means that I will have to take one more class and will be gone an extra month. Not to mention, I will miss my last football season as an Auburn student. BUT, this is a great opportunity, and I think it will provide much more valuable memories for the future.

Hopefully, it will work out. Your prayers are much desired. I'll know more in the next few days.

I can't type any longer. It's 2:58 and I haven't had lunch yet :(

Good.

This was posted on the 9Marks blog today, and I would like to share it with you.

April 04, 2008

Gospel Counterfeits

by Jonathan Leeman

In their book How People Change, Tim Lane and Paul David Tripp lay out seven counterfeit gospels.

Formalism. “I participate in the regular meetings and ministries of the church, so I feel like my life is under control. I’m always in church, but it really has little impact on my heart or on how I live. I may become judgmental and impatient with those who do not have the same commitment as I do.”

Legalism. “I live by the rules—rules I create for myself and rules I create for others. I feel good if I can keep my own rules, and I become arrogant and full of contempt when others don’t meet the standards I set for them. There is no joy in my life because there is no grace to be celebrated.”

Mysticism. “I am engaged in the incessant pursuit of an emotional experience with God. I live for the moments when I feel close to him, and I often struggle with discouragement when I don’t feel that way. I may change churches often, too, looking for one that will give me what I’m looking for.”

Activism. “I recognize the missional nature of Christianity and am passionately involved in fixing this broken world. But at the end of the day, my life is more of a defense of what’s right than a joyful pursuit of Christ.”

Biblicism. “I know my Bible inside and out, but I do not let it master me. I have reduced the gospel to a mastery of biblical content and theology, so I am intolerant and critical of those with lesser knowledge.”

Therapism. “I talk a lot about the hurting people in our congregation, and how Christ is the only answer for their hurt. Yet even without realizing it, I have made Christ more Therapist than Savior. I view hurt as a greater problem than sin—and I subtly shift my greatest need from my moral failure to my unmet needs."

“Social-ism.” “The deep fellowship and friendships I find at church have become their own idol. The body of Christ has replaced Christ himself, and the gospel is reduced to a network of fulfilling Christian relationships.”
How many of these do you recognize in your own heart? How can we help our congregations to recognize them in their hearts through preaching, discipling, and counseling?

I don't know about you, but I can definitely think of times where I followed these gospels instead of Jesus.

More creativity please...

Why aren't Christians more creative?

This question was raised on a blog that I read occasionally, and I've been wondering about this since I read that post. It seems that Christian media, entertainment, etc. takes its cues straight from popular culture. I think the intent is to be "relevant," but the result is nothing less than cheesy. We serve the creator of creativity and this is what we come up with:



or this:



or my personal favorite, the musical stylings of Apologetix (Sorry, Joel, I know you like them):



However I did find this t-shirt:



I know that our purpose in life isn't to reach some special level of creativity, and I am certainly not trying to say that all Christians lack creativity. David Crowder is an excellent example of a creative Christian. And all of these mentioned things have their place and have served many people, I'm sure. I just wonder if we, as a whole, are resting on pop culture so much that we aren't using all that we have been given. Questions? Comments? Insults?