Long Time

It looks like i havent been on here in a couple of monthes. Lots have been going on: Back in single life, leading a small group and getting through school. its all exciting but scary too. Not much else, more details to follow...

God and Music

Music always existed though it came from nothing. The early didnt have the things we have today in regards to music. it evolved as a new necessity came about with in man to make it progress. as the soul progressed so did the music to reflect the inner man. even with all its advancement in technology, music still is being evolved with the evolution of inner man. i think of this in terms of God. God has always existed and came from nothing. He just always was. even with the new school of thought and connecting the jewish bible with the new testament, God works in us and he is revealing always new and changing ways to look, feel and act like him. Pretty amazing. Scarry too at the same time.

Conversion

You think God cant work miracles in the lives of people? I know you believe he can but here's a list of people i didnt think would ever be Christian:
Niko McBrain-Drummer-Iron Maiden
Vinnie Colaiuta-Drummer-Sting, Frank Zappa, studio worker(I.E. the best drummer in the world.)
Dave Mustaine-Singer, Songwriter, Bandleader-Megadeth
That one guy from Korn.
Alice Cooper-
Im sure more are out there...

More Favorites

The Roots- Illeldelph Half Life
A Tribe Called Quest- The Low End Theory
Wu Tang Clan
Bjork
Public Enemy-Apoclalypse 91
Jay- Z-Unplugged with the Roots Band
The Police-Synchronicity( in case i didnt say it before)

The State Of Things Today

I grew up in a five generation military, ultra conservative (non-christian) home. My entire life's upbringing was based on love of ones country, including laying your own life down for it. My, Uncle, Dad, and Brother have all seen combat time. My dad and brother both in the same part of the world:Iraq. So all i knew is the Middle East of the biggest contributor of world problems than anywhere else. Anger, confusion, hostility, fear. This is what I used to feel when I even heard the word Iraq. So here is my stand point after years of Christian and non-Christian influence over my opinions of the wars and people of that region: 1) Satan is absolutely the god of Islam. Satan alone can decieve people into thinking murder, including self inflicted murder, is a reward to people not accepting forced conversion to Islam. If Christ Himself said the muder of innocent people was a way into Heaven then He Himself would not be worthy of our worship and would be rejected. 2) The United States is not a religious country. With A country that professess something like 90% plus Christianity, how is it we engage in the things that we do? As a point was brought up by Josh, we either allow murder of babies, or murder of God's people in various parts of the world. As being raised Republican I now see that Conservatism and Christianity are not synonymous. 3) Christ is the ruler of the Universe. Not the United States, not Islam, and not these "feel good" celebrities that contribute to the confusion of world affairs by denouncing Christ as ruler. 4) Gods wisdom is highest above all. What did God say to do with our enemies? He said to pray for them. And who in the Church is call "The Enemy?" Satan. So is it not our obligation to pray for Islam. Our biggest enemy is the leader 1/5 of the worlds population. If God said pray for them, maybe we shouldn't engage in hatefull, emotion driven, bashing conversation about Islam. If love is not the foundation, keep out of it. 5) Love can show Islam that Christ is the true God. Jamila is an example of this. If she were a convert in Afghanistan, death would be her fate. But her example should be seen and used by others. 6) Israel was promised the land they occupy by God Himself. In Ezekial 11:14...And the word of the Lord came to me, sayingSon of man, thy brethren, thy brethren, thy kinsmen, and all the house of Israel, all they to whom the inhabitants of Jerusalem have said: Get ye far from the Lord, the land is given in possession to us.Therefore thus saith the Lord God: Because I have removed them far off among the Gentiles, and because I have scattered them among the countries: I will be to them a little sanctuary in the countries whither they are come. Therefore speak to them: Thus saith the Lord God: I will gather you from among the peoples, and assemble you out of the countries wherein you are scattered, and I will give you the land of Israel. And they shall go in thither, and shall take away all the scandals, and all the abominations thereof from thence. And I will give them one heart, and will put a new spirit in their bowels: and I will take away the stony heart out of their flesh, and will give them a heart of flesh: That they may walk in my commandments, and keep my judgments, and do them: and that they may be my people, and I may be their God. " Ok so its pretty clear. But is Israel even a religious based county? I dont know. It seems that both Satan and God's chosen are acting out of line with what God wants. Although not quite as repetitious a them in the Old Testament, love is still the point. So does Israel follow the love of The Old Testament when dealing with Islam overall? Im not sure. I dont know too much about it. But however you break it down and no matter what God or god you are following, make sure love is our foundation when dealing with Islam.

Favorite Records

ok in no particular order:
Norah Jones-Come Away With Me
Led Zeppelin-IV
Bad Brains-Quickness
Dredg-El Cielo
Dave Mathews Band-Under The Table and Dreaming
Alien Ant Farm-TruAnt
Primus- Sailing The Seas Of Cheese
Nirvana-Nevermind
Weather Report-Heavy Weather
Michael Jackson-Off The Wall
Alice In Chains-Jar Of Flies
Sparta-Porcelain
At The Drive In-Relationship Of Command
Jamiroquai-
Jill Scott-
Bad Religion-No Control
Ignite-Call On My Brothers
The Beach Boys-Pet Sounds
Black Sabbath-We Sold Our Soul For Rock And Roll
Bon Marley and The Wailers- Catch a Fire
Citizen Cope-The Clarence Greenwood Recordings
Thrice-The Artist In The Ambulance
James Brown-
Rage Against The Machine-Evil Empire
Sting-Ten Sommoners Tale
Deftones-Adrenaline
Fishbone-
Helmet-
Glassjaw-Worship And Tribute
Earth Wind And Fire-
Fiona Apple-Tidal
Iron Maiden- Seventh Son Of The Seventh Son
ANYTHING IVE PLAYED ON
Fugazi-In On The Kill Taker
Harry Connick Junior-She, Other Hours
Erykah Badu-Mama's Gun
Muse-Absolution
The Police-Synchronicity
Queens Of The Stone Age- Songs For The Deaf
Red Hot Chili Peppers- 88 to Present
Refused-The Shape Of Punk To Come
Steely Dan-Aja

Eternity...Real? Fake or Unsure?

Sometimes when im in church i will be singing songs of praise to my Lord and God Jesus Christ. Then at times i wonder how strong in belief i am. Chrisitianity to the unbeliever must be the most insane, crazy thing ever told to them. First a God that isnt tangible. Then Jesus raises people from the dead. We can move through these stories and not really thinking about what is really being said. Jesus actually raised people from the dead. Imagine seeing a man in your apartment complex, and people are crowded around him because in the middle of the crowd is a corpse. And His mere words or touch brings the man to life. That would be crazy to experience. The Bible is laced with these miraculous, undeniable events. Sometimes the reality of an uncreated creator becomes so overwhelming you dont even know what to do with yourself. Youre left saying "Father, I know youre real and true, and I need your help to comprehend these things. " These "crazy" things are real and fully true. If you become confused and overwhelmed with the thought of eternity, salvation or anything...simply ask Him to reveal His truth to you. Because whether you feel its real, fake or you simply dont care, every knee will bow to Christ. What is decided after your profession is what counts. Even Satan knows God is real, but Satan is a master at his job; to keep you from believing He is real.