en-us https://www.intensedebate.com/users/872511 Comments by chroniclestudios http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/having-2-gods/#IDComment109078101 Maybe I came across as a little condescending. Okay, yeah, I was defensive and annoyed that Michael would come in and argue something I wasn't even talking about, an argument I saw flaws in. I viewed it as an attack and got defensive. I'm human. Anywho, I think this conversation can be considered over. No one's getting anywhere. =) Wed, 10 Nov 2010 20:19:26 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/having-2-gods/#IDComment109078101 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/listening-to-devil-music/#IDComment108969548 What are your thoughts on the psalm that says "Make a joyful NOISE unto the Lord."? We are also ordered to SHOUT with a voice of triumph, too. I agree that most christian metal songs have a defensive edge, and whose messages are meant for certain times in our lives and not all times in our lives, but I personally believe that God can speak to someone through any type of music. Every person is different and every person receives God in a different way. Metal isn't for all, but it is undoubtedly the defining moment in someone's walk with Christ. Wed, 10 Nov 2010 06:23:07 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/listening-to-devil-music/#IDComment108969548 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/listening-to-devil-music/#IDComment108968446 Took the words right out of my mouth. I was discussing this with someone the other day. Secular artists have the privilege to be honest without fear of criticism. Therefore, they see things from an honest perspective and don't have to adhere to anyone's opinion. Even beyond metal, there are artists like Coldplay and Ben Folds that I can absolutely feel the presence of God in certain songs. It's because of their truly artistic minds and their fearless approach. It's because they don't have to self-censor like Michael just said. Wed, 10 Nov 2010 06:12:17 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/listening-to-devil-music/#IDComment108968446 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/listening-to-devil-music/#IDComment108967695 I can so relate to this. I love metal music. In fact, for a few years, I listened to nothing but rock and metal. I love all types of music, and have since broadened my horizons hugely, but there is still something about a good metal song that feeds my soul like no other p+w song can. Demon Hunter, of course, is my favorite, and I find that within their lyrics I think more about God, my relationship with him, symbolism, and philosophy, than when I listen to a CCM song. Don't get me wrong, I LOVE old hymns. I would seriously fall out of my chair if there ever was a proper combination of the two. I was at the live show in Nashville that they filmed and released. It was the first metal show I had been to where I actually knew all the lyrics. You know what? I found myself raising my hands and feeling God's presence. Just like I would in a "traditional" church service. As stated before in many others comments, The only definition b/t secular and christian music is what our culture tells us. How many 'Christian' songs nowadays could be played on a secular radio station as a love song to the opposite (or same, for that matter) sex? Why are they afraid to put the word "God" or "Jesus" into songs, without already using words that have already been written or them by other artists, not to mention the endless quoting of the bible? Get your own inspiration! One of the most intriguing sounds I've heard in a while is a band called A Hope For Home. They mix amazing lyrics with singing and screaming/growling (sometimes at the same time) and they aren't afraid of the words "God" and "Jesus". One of my favorites of there's is a song called "Absolution: Of Flight and Failure". It uses the mythological story of Icarus' Flight and parallels it to our tendency to use our own understanding and judgment. I've spent many hours mulling over that one. Check them out, seriously. You won't regret it. Sorry, I'm very passionate about this subject, as you can see. ;) Wed, 10 Nov 2010 06:04:55 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/listening-to-devil-music/#IDComment108967695 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/the-rarest-church-musician-of-all-time/#IDComment108961591 I agree that the organ tends to be a gentleman's instrument. Our organ player (plays every Sunday, and most Wednesdays) is insanely amazing. He's a middle-aged white guy, but man does that man have soul. Our piano players (one a woman) also can play organ when he's out of pocket, but it just doesn't sound the same. I think the organ was a dying breed, but now that all past decade trends are coming/have come full-circle, it's back in the loop. People crave the way things used to be in the world. At least the all the people I know do. OH! And just as a side note to the Phantom reference, I was asking my brother just yesterday as I expounded upon my love for Phantom's orchestral and operatic genius... that when they travel on tour with the broadway play, do they bring their own pipe organ? I mean, I don't see a regular organ or a keyboard with an organ setting sounding the same. I've not been to see it live yet (DYING TO)... Anyone out there who has and can answer for me? Wed, 10 Nov 2010 05:14:58 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/the-rarest-church-musician-of-all-time/#IDComment108961591 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/the-rarest-church-musician-of-all-time/#IDComment108961546 I too, love that song. Classic. Wed, 10 Nov 2010 05:14:33 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/the-rarest-church-musician-of-all-time/#IDComment108961546 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/having-2-gods/#IDComment108960103 By saying "God isn't subject to the morals of today's society" I meant that God doesn't follow our laws about prison and murder. God doesn't judge sin according to it's severity. It's all sin. In fact, Jon Acuff has said that right here on his blog. So by saying "our morals" I didn't mean the morals he set up in the bible, I meant the morals of the world we've all fallen victim into confusing with God's morals. God does follow his own goodness. And he also follows his own laws. I would count the bible false if the NT God didn't abide by the same principles as the OT God. If he were to discount himself later, wouldn't that make everything in it a contradiction? We know it's not, and can conclude that ALL of the bible is the true word of God, not just the NT. Have you realized that all the books in the NT refer to the OT? Every apostle and prophet's books are, very simply put, sermon notes. Just as a preacher today would get up and teach life lessons from the bible, they did the same with what was the bible back then: The Old Testament. It's pointless for me to sit here and explain it all when there are thousands of books out there that can do it better. Check them out. Going back to what I was saying in my original comment, I was merely pointing out that the God of the OT and of the NT are the same God, regardless of the contrast. There is plenty of scripture to back that up. I guess most of my frustration was built on people always preaching prosperous messages about God. Yes, he loves you and died for your sins. Yes, he wants to bless you and keep you. Yes, he puts grace and mercy with forgiveness and wipes your slate clean. But that doesn't mean you won't suffer at some point. That doesn't mean that he won't allow bad to happen to you. That doesn't mean that you should live your life the way you want and take for granted his grace. Paul said in Romans 6, "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?." Just because there is grace doesn't mean that God will 'prosper' us no matter what we do. That's the point I was trying to make. That whole "murder and justice" argument is bordering irrelevancy. Wed, 10 Nov 2010 05:03:39 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/having-2-gods/#IDComment108960103 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/having-2-gods/#IDComment108482907 You do realize you just compared God to man, right? Since when is God subject to the morals of today's society? If you go back and read every single instance in the bible when God punished someone, it was because of direct disobedience. Would you expect God not to punish you? Would you even expect a human father not to punish his kids for disobeying him? It's the law of sowing and reaping. We all have the choice to do good or bad. Regardless, we will reap the consequences of our actions. Punishment or Pink Roses. Mon, 8 Nov 2010 05:14:39 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/having-2-gods/#IDComment108482907 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/having-2-gods/#IDComment107856554 I think most of these posts relate to the OT God vs. the NT God. Yes, they are the same. I think what distorts our opinion of that is what we perceive love to be. Love isn't teddy bears and pink roses. Sure, it can be pleasant and uplifting, but love is so much more. In the "mean" things God did, he was ultimately showing love. The Israelites were a hard-headed people, and they often strayed when there wasn't a trial going on. (much like people today) God allows trials in our lives to bring us closer to his love. Thu, 4 Nov 2010 20:36:32 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/having-2-gods/#IDComment107856554 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/having-2-gods/#IDComment107855860 I personally think it's a matter of our own openness to God. I hear reports from those much more mature and disciplined in Christ saying that they have, in fact, heard the audible voice of God. I believe them. And if not that, they are so open to hearing his voice that it comes as an unction, an extreme conscious thought that is so strong you can't call it your own. Maybe because of the doubts in our minds (on whether or not God could verbally speak to us) he doesn't converse openly. I've found one thing to be true in my walk with God, He will only come into my life as much as I let him. I'm not saying you are doing something wrong or that it's your fault, but it is a major growing process. One doesn't become a christian one day and then start verbally conversing with God the next. If God did that, the immature heart of a believer couldn't handle it. Look at the story of Moses on the mountain of God. He told the Israelites not to look at the mountain the entire time he was up there. Why? Because the unwarranted presence of God was up there. Ever wonder why when going through the bible you find stories everywhere of people who come across the presence of God and fall on their faces, wishing death because they have seen the glory of the Lord? The phrase "Fear of the Lord" isn't just a metaphor. Anywho, sorry for the book I just wrote. Hope that helps! Thu, 4 Nov 2010 20:31:59 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/having-2-gods/#IDComment107855860 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/finding-out-justin-bieber-is-a-christian/#IDComment107438465 I remember OJ's trial, but I do not recall where I was when I heard he was found not guilty. I remember the Oklahoma City Bombing, Columbine school shooting, and Princess Diana's death very well, but not necessarily where I was or what I was doing. I remember every detail about my day on 9-11-01. I also remember every detail of the day my Grandpa died (He was the first person that was close to me to die). I remember watching the live footage of the Columbia shuttle coming back to earth in balls of flame... Tue, 2 Nov 2010 21:20:43 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/finding-out-justin-bieber-is-a-christian/#IDComment107438465 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/the-person-who-starts-a-coughing-chain-reaction-in-church/#IDComment107189203 Cough drops actually work for me... but only as long as I have one in my mouth. As soon as it's gone, it's like a light witch being turned on. I've been the cougher many times, but not the worst. I used to go to church with a lady who had some sort of breathing discrepancy or missing a lung or something, I'm not sure, but she didn't just cough all through service.... she strangled herself coughing and then would wheeze and gasp for air. It happened about every 15 minutes. I mean, A cough so painful and loud it made you want to rip out your own lung and give it to her. At one point, she sat directly behind me every service. We had a congregation of about 60 people. Have to say though, I started to tune it out after a while. Mon, 1 Nov 2010 16:17:47 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/11/the-person-who-starts-a-coughing-chain-reaction-in-church/#IDComment107189203 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/starting-new-churches/#IDComment105473938 I haven't been a part of a church plant, but I know people personally who are planting now or have planted. They truly are heroes. My grandfather planted a church right in your town of Franklin, TN Jon. =) I vaguely remember visiting it as a child. He also designed and built a church in Africa when I was a mere infant. He's passed now, but his legacy lives on. Fri, 22 Oct 2010 19:17:52 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/starting-new-churches/#IDComment105473938 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/3865/#IDComment105315795 It's simply the new version of the email that says "If you don't forward this and delete it, you really don't love God." --- I always delete them. =) Thu, 21 Oct 2010 21:56:05 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/3865/#IDComment105315795 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/3865/#IDComment105315462 It's important to not say "I'm not religious" but to prove it. Who cares if they call you a Christian and think you're a fanatical freak... Like Jon said, telling them does nothing, instead show them. Thu, 21 Oct 2010 21:54:18 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/3865/#IDComment105315462 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/three-more-words/#IDComment103880365 "My love eclipses the greatest happiness this world can offer like the ocean crashing down on a single raindrop." --- I am definitely putting this in with my favorite quotes. This blog gives me so much hope. I've been thinking about the subject of writing a lot lately. I write my personal blog for fun. I write short stories, short novels, and poetry until I'm blue in the face. And now I'm writing for a website on the subject of event photography. Everywhere I turn, something in my head says, "You should write that down." or I find myself writing out an entire blog in my head when something I've seen or heard triggers a thought in my mind. God has given me the gift of writing for a reason. He's put ideas in my head for a business in writing, even though I'm a photographer, something I should do not only for money, but first for his kingdom. I hope one day to see the success you are being blessed with become my reality. And how much more great it will be to know that when I get there, God will still love me more than anything that could make me happy. Thanks for your serious wednesdays. They aren't melancholy, they are some of the most inspiring and thought-provoking literature I read. Wed, 13 Oct 2010 21:02:31 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/three-more-words/#IDComment103880365 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/asking-people-to-scoot-to-the-middle-in-church/#IDComment102694301 We don't really ask people to scoot. I'm on stage during most services for the song set and always observe the half-empty-at-beginning-to-mostly-full-before-sermon procedure. If there isn't an empty pew anywhere, mostly people just peck on the shoulder of the person on the end and that person steps aside so they can enter into the middle of the pew. I don't see why they make such a big fuss about "scooting" --- there's no need for it. Wed, 6 Oct 2010 19:18:18 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/asking-people-to-scoot-to-the-middle-in-church/#IDComment102694301 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/3768/#IDComment102689505 This is a great post. It reminds me of something my dad used to say. We lived in Florida at the time and dealt constantly with tourists. Because they were in an unfamiliar place and were in a 'vacation' state of mind, they often drove recklessly and made stupid decisions on the road that caused numerous crashes. There were stories on the news every week talking of a tourist who had died in a car crash (among other things). My dad wanted to put billboards up everywhere with a horrific twist of metal on a road, and the words: "Don't let your mind go on vacation." Whenever we'd be ready to go somewhere around town he would remind us of the same thing. A warning to watch what was going on around us constantly. We all need a reminder to not let our guard down. It's easy to let our mind's go on vacation when we are away from duty. As for pornography, I know all to well the struggle it brings. Not directly, but it has been a huge factor in the attempt to tear down my family. I know what it's like to be a victim of pornography, to have to constantly change your lifestyle to accommodate a recovering addict. To face a world that says it's natural for a man to want to look at that crap, that it's acceptable. To face a world that says it's not adultery, not fornication, not a violation to the opposite sex. That AT LEAST it's not as bad as homosexuality or bestiality. All sin holds the same judgment under God's law, He sees no difference. Just because it's not physical doesn't mean it's not sin. It's a sin of the mind, and a sin that God calls judgment to just like any 'physical' sin. Wed, 6 Oct 2010 18:54:29 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/3768/#IDComment102689505 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/3753/#IDComment102369059 Lord of the Rings trilogy soundtracks. Yep, I'm that girl. Mon, 4 Oct 2010 22:17:49 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/10/3753/#IDComment102369059 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/04/2691/#IDComment101349864 Wow. I really can't seem to say anymore. Thank you. Tue, 28 Sep 2010 15:30:36 +0000 http://stuffchristianslike.net/2010/04/2691/#IDComment101349864