Whatever is good and perfect comes down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. James 1:17
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to His purpose for them. Romans 8:28
New Living Translation (©2007)
4/28/2011
David Wilkerson & Teen Challenge - 50 Years of Miracles
Wilkerson served as pastor in small churches in Pennsylvania until he saw a photograph in Life magazine of several New York City teenagers charged with murder. Moved with compassion he was drawn to the city in February 1959.
DAVID WILKERSON
Country preacher reaches violent gangs in NYC
Wilkerson served as pastor in small churches in Pennsylvania until he saw a photograph in Life magazine of several New York City teenagers charged with murder. Moved with compassion he was drawn to the city in February 1959. It was then that he began his street ministry to what one writer called "desperate, bewildered, addicted, often violent youth."
Ask a Christian in the west if they have read a David Wilkerson book, and many will say yes. The most well-known is The Cross and the Switchblade which has changed the face of evangelism in the western world. The story has been read by over 15 million people in some thirty languages since 1963. In 1969, a film of the same title was released. This story of how Wilkerson left his home at just 28 years old to evangelize the gangs of New York has inspired and encouraged Christians to step out in faith all across the world.
This program is distributed by Exploration Films.
http://www.explorationfilms.com/explorationfilms-Teen-Challenge.html
Secular Music
Question: "Should a Christian listen to secular music?"
Answer: Many Christians struggle with this question. Many secular musicians are immensely talented. Secular music can be very entertaining. There are many secular songs that have catchy melodies, thoughtful insights, and positive messages. In determining whether or not to listen to secular music, there are three primary factors to consider: 1) the purpose of music, 2) the style of music, and 3) the content of the lyrics.
1) The purpose of music. Is music designed solely for worship, or did God also intend music to be soothing and/or entertaining? The most famous musician in the Bible, King David, primarily used music for the purpose of worshipping God (see Psalm 4:1; 6:1, 54, 55; 61:1; 67:1; 76:1). However, when King Saul was tormented by evil spirits, he would call on David to play the harp in order to soothe him (1 Samuel 16:14-23). The Israelites also used musical instruments to warn of danger (Nehemiah 4:20) and to surprise their enemies (Judges 7:16-22). In the New Testament, the apostle Paul instructs Christians to encourage one another with music: “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19). So, while the primary purpose of music does seem to be worship, the Bible definitely allows for other uses of music.
2) The style of music. Sadly, the issue of music styles can be very divisive among Christians. There are Christians who adamantly demand that no musical instruments be used. There are Christians who only desire to sing the “old faithful” hymns. There are Christians who want more upbeat and contemporary music. There are Christians who claim to worship best in a “rock concert” type of environment. Instead of recognizing these differences as personal preferences and cultural distinctions, some Christians declare their preferred style of music to be the only “biblical” one and declare all other forms of music to be unwholesome, ungodly, or even satanic.
The Bible nowhere condemns any particular style of music. The Bible nowhere declares any particular musical instrument to be ungodly. The Bible mentions numerous kinds of string instruments and wind instruments. While the Bible does not specifically mention drums, it does mention other percussion instruments (Psalm 68:25; Ezra 3:10). Nearly all of the forms of modern music are variations and/or combinations of the same types of musical instruments, played at different speeds or with heightened emphasis. There is no biblical basis to declare any particular style of music to be ungodly or outside of God’s will.
3) The content of the lyrics. Since neither the purpose of music nor the style of music determines whether a Christian should listen to secular music, the content of the lyrics must be considered. While not specifically speaking of music, Philippians 4:8 is an excellent guide for musical lyrics: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” If we should be thinking about such things, surely those are the things we should invite into our minds through music and lyrics. Can the lyrics in a secular song be true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy? If so, then there is nothing wrong with a Christian listening to a secular song of that nature.
However, much of secular music does not meet the standard of Philippians 4:8. Secular music often promotes immorality and violence while belittling purity and integrity. If a song glorifies what opposes God, a Christian should not listen to it. However, there are many secular songs with no mention of God that still uphold godly values such as honesty, purity, and integrity. If a love song promotes the sanctity of marriage and/or the purity of true love—even if it does not mention God or the Bible—it can still be listened to and enjoyed.
Whatever a person allows to occupy his mind will sooner or later determine his speech and his actions. This is the premise behind Philippians 4:8 and Colossians 3:2, 5: establishing wholesome thought patterns. Second Corinthians 10:5 says we should “take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.” These Scriptures give a clear picture of the kind of music we should not listen to.
Obviously, the best kind of music is that which praises and glorifies God. Talented Christian musicians work in nearly every musical genre, ranging from classical to rock, rap, and reggae. There is nothing inherently wrong with any particular style of music. It is the lyrics that determine whether a song is “acceptable” for a Christian to listen to. If anything leads you to think about or get involved in something that does not glorify God, it should be avoided.
© Copyright 2002-2011 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved.
http://www.gotquestions.org/secular-music.html
Other Articles
Watching movies, going to the movies.
Watching television.
Recommended Links
www.kids-in-mind.com
www.pluggedin.com
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/
Answer: Many Christians struggle with this question. Many secular musicians are immensely talented. Secular music can be very entertaining. There are many secular songs that have catchy melodies, thoughtful insights, and positive messages. In determining whether or not to listen to secular music, there are three primary factors to consider: 1) the purpose of music, 2) the style of music, and 3) the content of the lyrics.
1) The purpose of music. Is music designed solely for worship, or did God also intend music to be soothing and/or entertaining? The most famous musician in the Bible, King David, primarily used music for the purpose of worshipping God (see Psalm 4:1; 6:1, 54, 55; 61:1; 67:1; 76:1). However, when King Saul was tormented by evil spirits, he would call on David to play the harp in order to soothe him (1 Samuel 16:14-23). The Israelites also used musical instruments to warn of danger (Nehemiah 4:20) and to surprise their enemies (Judges 7:16-22). In the New Testament, the apostle Paul instructs Christians to encourage one another with music: “Speak to one another with psalms, hymns and spiritual songs” (Ephesians 5:19). So, while the primary purpose of music does seem to be worship, the Bible definitely allows for other uses of music.
2) The style of music. Sadly, the issue of music styles can be very divisive among Christians. There are Christians who adamantly demand that no musical instruments be used. There are Christians who only desire to sing the “old faithful” hymns. There are Christians who want more upbeat and contemporary music. There are Christians who claim to worship best in a “rock concert” type of environment. Instead of recognizing these differences as personal preferences and cultural distinctions, some Christians declare their preferred style of music to be the only “biblical” one and declare all other forms of music to be unwholesome, ungodly, or even satanic.
The Bible nowhere condemns any particular style of music. The Bible nowhere declares any particular musical instrument to be ungodly. The Bible mentions numerous kinds of string instruments and wind instruments. While the Bible does not specifically mention drums, it does mention other percussion instruments (Psalm 68:25; Ezra 3:10). Nearly all of the forms of modern music are variations and/or combinations of the same types of musical instruments, played at different speeds or with heightened emphasis. There is no biblical basis to declare any particular style of music to be ungodly or outside of God’s will.
3) The content of the lyrics. Since neither the purpose of music nor the style of music determines whether a Christian should listen to secular music, the content of the lyrics must be considered. While not specifically speaking of music, Philippians 4:8 is an excellent guide for musical lyrics: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.” If we should be thinking about such things, surely those are the things we should invite into our minds through music and lyrics. Can the lyrics in a secular song be true, noble, right, pure, lovely, admirable, excellent, and praiseworthy? If so, then there is nothing wrong with a Christian listening to a secular song of that nature.
However, much of secular music does not meet the standard of Philippians 4:8. Secular music often promotes immorality and violence while belittling purity and integrity. If a song glorifies what opposes God, a Christian should not listen to it. However, there are many secular songs with no mention of God that still uphold godly values such as honesty, purity, and integrity. If a love song promotes the sanctity of marriage and/or the purity of true love—even if it does not mention God or the Bible—it can still be listened to and enjoyed.
Whatever a person allows to occupy his mind will sooner or later determine his speech and his actions. This is the premise behind Philippians 4:8 and Colossians 3:2, 5: establishing wholesome thought patterns. Second Corinthians 10:5 says we should “take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ.” These Scriptures give a clear picture of the kind of music we should not listen to.
Obviously, the best kind of music is that which praises and glorifies God. Talented Christian musicians work in nearly every musical genre, ranging from classical to rock, rap, and reggae. There is nothing inherently wrong with any particular style of music. It is the lyrics that determine whether a song is “acceptable” for a Christian to listen to. If anything leads you to think about or get involved in something that does not glorify God, it should be avoided.
© Copyright 2002-2011 Got Questions Ministries - All Rights Reserved.
http://www.gotquestions.org/secular-music.html
Other Articles
Watching movies, going to the movies.
Watching television.
Recommended Links
www.kids-in-mind.com
www.pluggedin.com
http://www.commonsensemedia.org/
Worldliness
Question: "What does the Bible say about worldliness?"
Answer: The dictionary definition of “worldly” is “relating to, or devoted to, the temporal world.” Worldliness, then, is the condition of being concerned with worldly affairs, especially to the neglect of spiritual things. The Bible has a great deal to say about worldliness, none of it good.
Paul equates worldliness with spiritual immaturity in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, where he addresses the believers in the church of Corinth in regard to their worldly behavior. Though they were believers—he calls them “brothers”—they were spiritual babies who could not understand the deep things of God that Paul wished to share with them. They had never progressed past learning the basics of the faith and were seemingly content to remain there. This lack of maturity led to their behaving as though they were still part of the unsaved world. They quarreled among themselves as to which of them was greater because of which of the apostles they followed (1 Corinthians 1:11-13; 3:4), when in reality they followed none of them, following instead their own lusts and desire to elevate themselves above others. Paul exhorted them to grow up and mature in the faith so they would cease from worldly behavior.
The epistles depict worldliness as the exact opposite of godliness. The world’s wisdom is not wisdom at all (1 Corinthians 3:18-19). Rather, it is foolishness, especially the world’s wisdom on the subject of religion. We see that today in the endless discussions of “spirituality” by men whose spiritual wisdom is based on nothing more than worldly illusions. True wisdom that comes from God is juxtaposed against the foolish “wisdom” of the world throughout Scripture. The message of the cross is foolishness to those with worldly wisdom who are perishing (1 Corinthians 1:18) because true wisdom comes not from man’s philosophies, but from God’s Word. True godliness is always opposed by the world.
Furthermore, Paul refers to a “worldly sorrow” (2 Corinthians 7:10) which is the opposite of the godly sorrow that comes from true repentance. Godly sorrow is what we feel over our sin when we come to see it as God sees it and when our view of it is in accord with His. Worldly sorrow, on the other hand, does not stem from the knowledge of sin against a holy God, but rather from circumstances in which the worldly find themselves. Worldly sorrow stems from a love of self and may arise from the loss of friends or property, from disappointment, or from shame and disgrace. But once the circumstances right themselves, worldly sorrow disappears. Godly sorrow, however, is only alleviated by turning to Christ, who alone provides freedom from the sorrow, the penalty and the power of sin.
Finally, Scripture draws a clear distinction between friendship with God and friendship with the world. James 4:4 tells us that “friendship with the world is hatred toward God.” He goes on to say that “anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” The apostle James uses the strong words “hatred” and “enemy” to drive home the point that we can be in the world or in the kingdom, but not both because they are at opposite ends of the spectrum. Those who choose worldliness choose to live in the enemy’s camp because all that is of the world is under the control of Satan (1 John 5:19). He is the ruler of this world, and when we choose the world, we enlist in his evil army and become enemies of God.
For the Christian, the choice is clear. To avoid worldliness, we must mature in the faith, growing up in all things in Christ so that we are no longer spiritual infants, tossed about by the lies of the world (Ephesians 4:14-15). We must come to know the difference between the wisdom of God and the foolishness of worldly wisdom, and that is only achieved by careful and diligent study of the Word, seeking God’s wisdom in prayer (James 1:5), and enjoying the fellowship of other mature believers who can encourage us to reject worldliness and embrace godliness.
© Copyright 2002-2011 Got Questions Ministries.
http://www.gotquestions.org/worldliness.html
Answer: The dictionary definition of “worldly” is “relating to, or devoted to, the temporal world.” Worldliness, then, is the condition of being concerned with worldly affairs, especially to the neglect of spiritual things. The Bible has a great deal to say about worldliness, none of it good.
Paul equates worldliness with spiritual immaturity in 1 Corinthians 3:1-3, where he addresses the believers in the church of Corinth in regard to their worldly behavior. Though they were believers—he calls them “brothers”—they were spiritual babies who could not understand the deep things of God that Paul wished to share with them. They had never progressed past learning the basics of the faith and were seemingly content to remain there. This lack of maturity led to their behaving as though they were still part of the unsaved world. They quarreled among themselves as to which of them was greater because of which of the apostles they followed (1 Corinthians 1:11-13; 3:4), when in reality they followed none of them, following instead their own lusts and desire to elevate themselves above others. Paul exhorted them to grow up and mature in the faith so they would cease from worldly behavior.
The epistles depict worldliness as the exact opposite of godliness. The world’s wisdom is not wisdom at all (1 Corinthians 3:18-19). Rather, it is foolishness, especially the world’s wisdom on the subject of religion. We see that today in the endless discussions of “spirituality” by men whose spiritual wisdom is based on nothing more than worldly illusions. True wisdom that comes from God is juxtaposed against the foolish “wisdom” of the world throughout Scripture. The message of the cross is foolishness to those with worldly wisdom who are perishing (1 Corinthians 1:18) because true wisdom comes not from man’s philosophies, but from God’s Word. True godliness is always opposed by the world.
Furthermore, Paul refers to a “worldly sorrow” (2 Corinthians 7:10) which is the opposite of the godly sorrow that comes from true repentance. Godly sorrow is what we feel over our sin when we come to see it as God sees it and when our view of it is in accord with His. Worldly sorrow, on the other hand, does not stem from the knowledge of sin against a holy God, but rather from circumstances in which the worldly find themselves. Worldly sorrow stems from a love of self and may arise from the loss of friends or property, from disappointment, or from shame and disgrace. But once the circumstances right themselves, worldly sorrow disappears. Godly sorrow, however, is only alleviated by turning to Christ, who alone provides freedom from the sorrow, the penalty and the power of sin.
Finally, Scripture draws a clear distinction between friendship with God and friendship with the world. James 4:4 tells us that “friendship with the world is hatred toward God.” He goes on to say that “anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.” The apostle James uses the strong words “hatred” and “enemy” to drive home the point that we can be in the world or in the kingdom, but not both because they are at opposite ends of the spectrum. Those who choose worldliness choose to live in the enemy’s camp because all that is of the world is under the control of Satan (1 John 5:19). He is the ruler of this world, and when we choose the world, we enlist in his evil army and become enemies of God.
For the Christian, the choice is clear. To avoid worldliness, we must mature in the faith, growing up in all things in Christ so that we are no longer spiritual infants, tossed about by the lies of the world (Ephesians 4:14-15). We must come to know the difference between the wisdom of God and the foolishness of worldly wisdom, and that is only achieved by careful and diligent study of the Word, seeking God’s wisdom in prayer (James 1:5), and enjoying the fellowship of other mature believers who can encourage us to reject worldliness and embrace godliness.
© Copyright 2002-2011 Got Questions Ministries.
http://www.gotquestions.org/worldliness.html
4/25/2011
Being Good Isn't Good Enough - You Need Faith
The Bible teaches that a person cannot be put right with God or earn their way into Heaven through good works/deeds. Unless you turn to God through faith in Jesus, then the Bible says that person will not be saved, and therefore will not go to Heaven and will instead go to hell. A person will not automatically be right with God and go to Heaven when they die just because they tried to be a good person in life or because they read the Bible or went to church or gave to charity or died as a martyr or anything else of that nature. The Bible teaches that our good deeds are like filthy rags because of our sinful nature (which every single human being has). This is the whole point of why Jesus came to die for us, because we simply aren't good enough on our own! This is why to receive salvation and have a right standing and relationship with God we must, absolutely must, come to Jesus in order to receive it. Yes, a person is supposed to be good and do what is right ("But just as He who called you is holy, so be holy in all you do" 1 Peter 1:15), but not in order to receive salvation. Good works goes along with living a Christian life through Jesus after a person receives their salvation through Jesus which is solely through faith alone; turning to Him in faith in who He is (God) and what He has done (took the punishment that we deserve for our sins and put it upon Himself and then overcame death through rising from the dead).
Isaiah 64:6 "We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind."
John 1:1-5,9-14,18 "In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him (Jesus) all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it...The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God...The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth...No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son (Jesus), who is Himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made Him known."
John 3:16-18 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus), so that whosoever believes in Him (Jesus) should not perish, but have everlasting life. God sent his Son (Jesus) into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him (Jesus). There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him (Jesus). But anyone who does not believe in Him (Jesus) has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son (Jesus). And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants."
John 14:6 "Jesus answered, 'I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Romans 3:20,23,27,28 "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin...But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus...Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law."
Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
Philippians 3:3,4,8,9 "For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised (true believers). We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!...I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord...I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith."
Isaiah 64:6 "We are all infected and impure with sin. When we display our righteous deeds, they are nothing but filthy rags. Like autumn leaves, we wither and fall, and our sins sweep us away like the wind."
John 1:1-5,9-14,18 "In the beginning was the Word (Jesus), and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning. Through Him (Jesus) all things were made; without Him nothing was made that has been made. In Him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind. The light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it...The true light that gives light to everyone was coming into the world. He was in the world, and though the world was made through Him, the world did not recognize Him. He came to that which was His own, but His own did not receive Him. Yet to all who did receive Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God—children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband’s will, but born of God...The Word became flesh and made His dwelling among us. We have seen His glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth...No one has ever seen God, but the one and only Son (Jesus), who is Himself God and is in closest relationship with the Father, has made Him known."
John 3:16-18 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son (Jesus), so that whosoever believes in Him (Jesus) should not perish, but have everlasting life. God sent his Son (Jesus) into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through Him (Jesus). There is no judgment against anyone who believes in Him (Jesus). But anyone who does not believe in Him (Jesus) has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son (Jesus). And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants."
John 14:6 "Jesus answered, 'I am the way, the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me."
Romans 3:20,23,27,28 "Therefore no one will be declared righteous in God’s sight by the works of the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of our sin...But now apart from the law the righteousness of God has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. This righteousness is given through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe...for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus...Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded. Because of what law? The law that requires works? No, because of the law that requires faith. For we maintain that a person is justified by faith apart from the works of the law."
Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast."
Philippians 3:3,4,8,9 "For we who worship by the Spirit of God are the ones who are truly circumcised (true believers). We rely on what Christ Jesus has done for us. We put no confidence in human effort, though I could have confidence in my own effort if anyone could. Indeed, if others have reason for confidence in their own efforts, I have even more!...I once thought these things were valuable, but now I consider them worthless because of what Christ has done. Yes, everything else is worthless when compared with the infinite value of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord...I no longer count on my own righteousness through obeying the law; rather, I become righteous through faith in Christ. For God’s way of making us right with himself depends on faith."
Barlow Girl - I Need You to Love Me (Remix)
Why, why are You still here with me
Didn't You see what I've done?
In my shame I want to run and hide myself
But it's here I see the truth
I don't deserve You
[Chorus:]
But I need You to love me, and I
I won't keep my heart from You this time
And I'll stop this pretending that I can
Somehow deserve what I already have
I need You to love me
I, I have wasted so much time
Pushing You away from me
I just never saw how You could cherish me
'Cause You're a God who has all things
And still You want me
Your love makes me forget what I have been
Your love makes me see who I really am
Your love makes me forget what I have been
4/24/2011
Resurrection Sunday 2011
Happy Resurrection Sunday!
The penalty, corruption and authority of sin has been taken care of through Christ's death, burial and resurrection. We can receive forgiveness and cleansing, through His grace and not by works. Amen.
The penalty, corruption and authority of sin has been taken care of through Christ's death, burial and resurrection. We can receive forgiveness and cleansing, through His grace and not by works. Amen.
4/23/2011
The Hal Lindsey Report: The Week That Changed the World
This week on 'The Hal Lindsey Report'
Because of the tremendous response every time it airs, it's become something of a tradition in the short span from 2008 until now for me to present during Holy Week a program I call, "The Week that Changed the World." The timing of the events of that week is critical. Jesus Himself set the timetable.
I'll tell you why I think we're mistaken in commemorating "Good Friday." It should be "Good Thursday!"
And you probably know that the Feasts of Passover, Unleavened Bread, and First Fruits dramatically and poignantly foreshadow the crucifixion and resurrection of Jesus. But there may be some aspects of the preparation for those feasts that surprise and move you.
Finally, I'll discuss the overwhelming evidence for Christ's resurrection presented by "The Undisturbed Grave Cloths."
Please tune in and tell someone else about the show. Don't miss this week's Report on TBN, Daystar, Inspiration, CPM Network, various local stations, www.hallindsey.com, or www.hischannel.com
Rejoice! Jesus Christ lives! Happy Resurrection Day!
God Bless,
Hal Lindsey
mail: HLMM, P.O. Box 470470, Tulsa, OK 74147
email: comments@hallindsey.com
web: http://www.hallindsey.com
It's a lot easier to live in ignorance or outright denial if it means that you won't worry or feel upset. "I'm going to pretend this isn't happening even though it really is;" "This isn't really happening. It is what I say it is." But, it's not the truth. The truth tells you what's real and not, and then you can either deal with it or not. If you are willing to deal with reality then God will help you to cope if you turn to Him.
Matthew 19:26 "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'"
Matthew 10:29-31 "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Romans 10:13 "for, 'Everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved.'"
Philippians 4:13 "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
1 Peter 5:6-7 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."
New International Version (©1984)
Matthew 19:26 "Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.'"
Matthew 10:29-31 "Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father. And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. So don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows."
Romans 8:28 "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to his purpose."
Romans 10:13 "for, 'Everyone who calls on the Name of the Lord will be saved.'"
Philippians 4:13 "I can do everything through Him who gives me strength."
Philippians 4:6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."
1 Peter 5:6-7 "Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you."
New International Version (©1984)
4/22/2011
Good Friday 2011
Today is Good Friday, which is observed as the day that Jesus was arrested, beaten and crucified on the cross, hence dying for the sins of the world. This year it just so happens to land on the same day as Earth Day. May we pause and reflect upon the sacrifice of Jesus, which makes it possible for us sinners (all of humanity) to receive salvation and have a right relationship with God. Read the Bible (Matthew, Mark, Luke and John give the crucifixion account), watch a Christian movie or something. Whatever helps you to take this all in.
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 14:6 "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
1 Timothy 2:3-4 "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."
Ezekiel 18 "Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live...Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you! Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit...I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live!"
Song "Via Dolorosa" by Sandi Patty with clips from the movie "Passion of the Christ."
John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, so that whosoever believes in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
John 14:6 "Jesus answered, 'I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
1 Timothy 2:3-4 "This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth."
Ezekiel 18 "Do you think that I like to see wicked people die? says the Sovereign Lord. Of course not! I want them to turn from their wicked ways and live...Repent, and turn from your sins. Don’t let them destroy you! Put all your rebellion behind you, and find yourselves a new heart and a new spirit...I don’t want you to die, says the Sovereign Lord. Turn back and live!"
Song "Via Dolorosa" by Sandi Patty with clips from the movie "Passion of the Christ."
Hollywood Connect: Courage
I’m always glad to hear from those of you who are taking up the challenge of exploring your own unique, God-given creativity. As I recently mentioned in this space, therein lies your very own Calling. Along with it, as with every creative calling, will come great Risk and Adventure, and when pursued whole-heartedly, it will ultimately require a great deal of Courage on your part, regardless of how confident you feel about the matter.Of course, anything that requires real Courage, by definition, also will run the risk of hitting those occasional pockets where Courage is stolen away, where it is in rare supply, where you find yourself gasping for it like oxygen at high altitudes. Where you are dis-Couraged.
I’ll admit that I pushed through one of those breathless moments of discouragement myself just the other day, and in a strange sort of way, I’m fairly happy to be able to say that. It’s not that I enjoy the feeling of discouragement, and to be quite honest, it isn’t something in which I recommend spending a whole lot of time. It’s just that the folks that I know who never experience discouragement are usually, though not always, the ones who avoid any situation that would require Courage at all. Because you can’t be truly dis-Couraged until you’ve had the occasion to have Courage in the first place. The fact that I was gasping for oxygen must mean that I was still climbing the mountain.
And I know you, my dear Crazy Friend, and you are not one of those people who are content to live in what Theodore Roosevelt called that “gray twilight” where no risk is required.
Onward and upward…
All my best,
Shun Lee
Actor & Writer
© 2011. All rights reserved.
http://hollywoodconnect.com/
THIS WEEK'S QUOTES:Courage
The brave man is not he who feels no fear,
For that were stupid and irrational;
But he, whose noble soul its fears subdues,
And bravely dares the danger nature shrinks from.
– Joanna Baillie, poet & dramatist
Courage is like a muscle; it is strengthened by use.
– Ruth Gordon, actress & screenwriter
You gain strength, courage and confidence by every experience in which you really stop to look fear in the face… You must do the thing you think you cannot do.
– Eleanor Roosevelt, author, speaker & political activist
GodsDJs.com presents The Future Sound of Worship - Electronic Dance Music and the Church
Godsdjs.com presents the first look at the new emerging Christian electronic dance music scene and how this new style of music is being used in modern day worship. For more info check out http://www.godsdjs.com.
4/21/2011
$10,000 Raised for Japan Relief, "Save Japan" T-Shirts (from c28)
Dear Friend,
Praise God! Through your purchase of "PRAY FOR JAPAN" shirts, over $10,000 has been donated by C28 and NOTW to C.R.A.S.H. (Christian Relief, Assistance, Support and Hope) to help the affected residents of Japan's devastating earthquake and tsunami. Basic supplies have been distributed, and the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ has been shared with the people of Japan. We want to raise more support for C.R.A.S.H. and our new goal is to donate another $5,000 (that's 500 more "Save Japan" shirts sold). Your support is appreciated and needed.
Here is how your donation has specifically helped CRASH:
• Delivered over 30 tons of relief supplies, including food, water, clothing, hygiene products and bedding.
• Established 4 regional bases of operations in Iwate, Miyagi, Tochigi and Ibaragi through whom CRASH is serving local communities affected by the disaster. CRASH plans on sending thousands of volunteers over the coming months for the long-term recovery of the region.
• Developed partnerships with over 50 ministries representing millions of Christians who want to help love on Japan in the name of Jesus Christ!
I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart in partnering with C28 and NOTW to help the people of Japan.
In His Grace,
Aurelio F. Barreto III, FOUNDER & CEO
http://www.c28.com/shopping/productdetails.asp?recordid=227051
C2:8 Christian T-shirts, Inc ©2010 - - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED
Darrell Mansfield - Jesus Music Pioneer
The late 60's and early '70's were a time of tremendous upheaval in American culture as the hippie generation abandoned the values of their parents, turned to drugs and away from materialism, and went on a search for love and peace.
It was out of this tumultuous era that young, musical voices began to surface. These newly converted musicians began singing about the new hope they had found through Jesus Christ.
Darrell Mansfield was one of these young voices. Go behind the scenes with him to look at this exciting era in this clip from, "First Love".
Find the entire "First Love" DVD/CD pack at
http://www.explorationfilms.com/exploration-films-first-love.html
Stand By Me
Calling Someone a Fool
Can we call someone a fool or not?
Matthew 5:22 and Matthew 23:17; Psalm 14:1
Do not call someone a fool
(Matthew 5:22) - "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell."
Calling someone a fool
(Psalm 14:1) - "The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good"
(Matthew 23:17) - "You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold?"
When Jesus said in Matthew 5:22 that you should not call anyone a fool, contextually He was speaking of those who were unrighteously angry. That is why Jesus mentions anger in this verse. There is a righteous anger which is not sinful (Eph. 4:26 - "Be angry and do not sin . . ." ), as well as unrighteous anger that is sinful (James 1:20 - "for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God"). When God is angry with someone, He is always righteous in His anger. Jesus, being God in flesh (John 1:1,14; 20:28; Col. 2:9), can righteously be angry with people and pronounce upon them the foolishness of their deeds--which He did (Matt. 23:17). Also, undoubtedly, Jesus knew Psalm 14:1 which says, "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God' . . ." Jesus didn't forget the well known verse, and God is not wrong for calling someone a fool, especially when it is true.
As a result, we see that the condemnation by Jesus in regards to calling someone a fool is in the context of doing it out of unrighteous anger, which does not fit the later citations of Jesus labeling the hypocritical Pharisees as fools.
Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry © Matthew J. Slick, 1995 - 2010
http://carm.org/bible-difficulties/job-song-solomon/can-we-call-someone-fool-or-not
Matthew 5:22 and Matthew 23:17; Psalm 14:1
Do not call someone a fool
(Matthew 5:22) - "But I say to you that everyone who is angry with his brother shall be guilty before the court; and whoever says to his brother, 'You good-for-nothing,' shall be guilty before the supreme court; and whoever says, 'You fool,' shall be guilty enough to go into the fiery hell."
Calling someone a fool
(Psalm 14:1) - "The fool has said in his heart, "There is no God." They are corrupt, they have committed abominable deeds; There is no one who does good"
(Matthew 23:17) - "You fools and blind men! Which is more important, the gold or the temple that sanctified the gold?"
When Jesus said in Matthew 5:22 that you should not call anyone a fool, contextually He was speaking of those who were unrighteously angry. That is why Jesus mentions anger in this verse. There is a righteous anger which is not sinful (Eph. 4:26 - "Be angry and do not sin . . ." ), as well as unrighteous anger that is sinful (James 1:20 - "for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God"). When God is angry with someone, He is always righteous in His anger. Jesus, being God in flesh (John 1:1,14; 20:28; Col. 2:9), can righteously be angry with people and pronounce upon them the foolishness of their deeds--which He did (Matt. 23:17). Also, undoubtedly, Jesus knew Psalm 14:1 which says, "The fool has said in his heart, 'There is no God' . . ." Jesus didn't forget the well known verse, and God is not wrong for calling someone a fool, especially when it is true.
As a result, we see that the condemnation by Jesus in regards to calling someone a fool is in the context of doing it out of unrighteous anger, which does not fit the later citations of Jesus labeling the hypocritical Pharisees as fools.
Christian Apologetics & Research Ministry © Matthew J. Slick, 1995 - 2010
http://carm.org/bible-difficulties/job-song-solomon/can-we-call-someone-fool-or-not
The Scoop on Judging
by Greg Koukl
If you've been to Starbucks lately, you might have noticed a new campaign to lift the consciousness of caffeinated patrons. Quotes from intellectual and spiritual virtuosi now grace their talls, ventis, and grandes "to get people talking," their web site says.
Starbucks' moments of truth might become one of yours, a pretext for friendly, thoughtful conversation that might turn into a divine appointment of sorts.
Consider this contribution by popular author Deepak Chopra : "Attractive people judge neither themselves nor others." In this Dr. Chopra seems to reflect the sentiments of Jesus (whom he admires) when He warned, "Do not judge, lest you be judged" (Matthew 7:1).
Jesus' comment, though, is almost universally misunderstood because of an inherent conflict in the condemnation of judging that goes unnoticed to almost everyone but Him.
Here's the problem. Judgment always entails assessment. Is Chopra's analysis an assessment? It seems to be. So is Jesus'. This raises a difficulty. Taken without qualification, the statement "You shouldn't judge" is self-refuting, being itself an example of judgment.
Jesus qualified His comment, however, in a way that Chopra did not.
And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?...You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. (Matthew 7:3, 5)
Jesus did not condemn all judgments, only hypocritical ones - arrogant condemnations characterized by disdain and condescension. Not all judgments are of this sort. In fact, even in this passage Jesus actually enjoins a different kind of judgment once the hypocrisy has been dealt with ("first take the log out of your own eye, then").
There are two other kinds of judging in Scripture that are not condemned, but commanded. Some judgments are judicial, proper when done by proper authorities. Judges judge. They pass sentence. That's their job. Church discipline is of this sort (Matthew 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, Galatians 6:1).
Jesus did not come initially for this kind of judgment - He offered mercy, not sentencing (John 3:17, 12:47) - but He will certainly return with this kind. Appointed by the Father as final judge (John 5:22, 27; Acts 10:42, 17:31), He will spare no one.
Other judgments are assessments - appraisals of right or wrong, wise or foolish, accurate or inaccurate, rational or irrational. This kind of judgment is not forbidden; it is commanded. Jesus' instructions "Do not give what is holy to dogs" (Matthew 7:6) require this kind of judgment (What is "holy" Who are the "dogs"). Peter reminds us to "be of sound judgment" since "the end of all things is at hand," (1 Peter 4:7).
Some assessments are moral. Paul commands this kind of judgment: "Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them" (Ephesians 5:11). This is to be done not "according to appearance," but by "righteous" standards (John 7:24) according to Jesus, who chastised the Jews for their failures here: "And why do you not judge even on your own initiative what is right?" (Luke 12:57)
A judicial action, a factual assessment, a hypocritical arrogance - all are judgments. Only the third is disqualified by Jesus. The first two are actually virtues in their proper settings, and therefore commanded by Scripture.
Let me be clear on why all of this matters. The Christian message at its core entails a message of judgment. The "good news" of the Gospel is only good against the bad news of judgment. As ambassadors for Christ, we cannot avoid this.
Shallow aphorisms like Chopra's "Attractive people judge neither themselves nor others" are wildly popular because they pander to a rebellious heart by promoting an indiscriminate tolerance. But they strike a blow at the very heart of the Gospel.
I have said many times, "The Gospel is offensive enough, don't add any more offense to it; but we dare not remove the offense that is inherent to the Gospel."
The Christian message starts with a judgment and it will end with a judgment for those who do not heed it. Jesus was hated, in part, because he testified of the world's evil deeds (John 7:7). But it is never in bad taste to tell people the truth when the truth really matters. That's what faithful ambassadors do, even over coffee at Starbucks.
© 2005 Stand to Reason
http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=6071
If you've been to Starbucks lately, you might have noticed a new campaign to lift the consciousness of caffeinated patrons. Quotes from intellectual and spiritual virtuosi now grace their talls, ventis, and grandes "to get people talking," their web site says.
Starbucks' moments of truth might become one of yours, a pretext for friendly, thoughtful conversation that might turn into a divine appointment of sorts.
Consider this contribution by popular author Deepak Chopra : "Attractive people judge neither themselves nor others." In this Dr. Chopra seems to reflect the sentiments of Jesus (whom he admires) when He warned, "Do not judge, lest you be judged" (Matthew 7:1).
Jesus' comment, though, is almost universally misunderstood because of an inherent conflict in the condemnation of judging that goes unnoticed to almost everyone but Him.
Here's the problem. Judgment always entails assessment. Is Chopra's analysis an assessment? It seems to be. So is Jesus'. This raises a difficulty. Taken without qualification, the statement "You shouldn't judge" is self-refuting, being itself an example of judgment.
Jesus qualified His comment, however, in a way that Chopra did not.
And why do you look at the speck that is in your brother's eye, but do not notice the log that is in your own eye?...You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your brother's eye. (Matthew 7:3, 5)
Jesus did not condemn all judgments, only hypocritical ones - arrogant condemnations characterized by disdain and condescension. Not all judgments are of this sort. In fact, even in this passage Jesus actually enjoins a different kind of judgment once the hypocrisy has been dealt with ("first take the log out of your own eye, then").
There are two other kinds of judging in Scripture that are not condemned, but commanded. Some judgments are judicial, proper when done by proper authorities. Judges judge. They pass sentence. That's their job. Church discipline is of this sort (Matthew 18:15-20, 1 Corinthians 5:12-13, Galatians 6:1).
Jesus did not come initially for this kind of judgment - He offered mercy, not sentencing (John 3:17, 12:47) - but He will certainly return with this kind. Appointed by the Father as final judge (John 5:22, 27; Acts 10:42, 17:31), He will spare no one.
Other judgments are assessments - appraisals of right or wrong, wise or foolish, accurate or inaccurate, rational or irrational. This kind of judgment is not forbidden; it is commanded. Jesus' instructions "Do not give what is holy to dogs" (Matthew 7:6) require this kind of judgment (What is "holy" Who are the "dogs"). Peter reminds us to "be of sound judgment" since "the end of all things is at hand," (1 Peter 4:7).
Some assessments are moral. Paul commands this kind of judgment: "Do not participate in the unfruitful deeds of darkness, but instead even expose them" (Ephesians 5:11). This is to be done not "according to appearance," but by "righteous" standards (John 7:24) according to Jesus, who chastised the Jews for their failures here: "And why do you not judge even on your own initiative what is right?" (Luke 12:57)
A judicial action, a factual assessment, a hypocritical arrogance - all are judgments. Only the third is disqualified by Jesus. The first two are actually virtues in their proper settings, and therefore commanded by Scripture.
Let me be clear on why all of this matters. The Christian message at its core entails a message of judgment. The "good news" of the Gospel is only good against the bad news of judgment. As ambassadors for Christ, we cannot avoid this.
Shallow aphorisms like Chopra's "Attractive people judge neither themselves nor others" are wildly popular because they pander to a rebellious heart by promoting an indiscriminate tolerance. But they strike a blow at the very heart of the Gospel.
I have said many times, "The Gospel is offensive enough, don't add any more offense to it; but we dare not remove the offense that is inherent to the Gospel."
The Christian message starts with a judgment and it will end with a judgment for those who do not heed it. Jesus was hated, in part, because he testified of the world's evil deeds (John 7:7). But it is never in bad taste to tell people the truth when the truth really matters. That's what faithful ambassadors do, even over coffee at Starbucks.
© 2005 Stand to Reason
http://www.str.org/site/News2?page=NewsArticle&id=6071
4/20/2011
In a Nutshell: Born Again
"In John's Gospel the words 'born again' are more accurately translated 'born from above.' That is, not just 'born again' but born of God."
John 3:1-18 (Jesus explains being born again to Nicodemus)
1 There was a man named Nicodemus, a Jewish religious leader who was a Pharisee. 2 After dark one evening, he came to speak with Jesus. “Rabbi,” he said, “we all know that God has sent you to teach us. Your miraculous signs are evidence that God is with you.”
3 Jesus replied, “I tell you the truth, unless you are born again,[a] you cannot see the Kingdom of God.”
4 “What do you mean?” exclaimed Nicodemus. “How can an old man go back into his mother’s womb and be born again?”
5 Jesus replied, “I assure you, no one can enter the Kingdom of God without being born of water and the Spirit.[b] 6 Humans can reproduce only human life, but the Holy Spirit gives birth to spiritual life.[c] 7 So don’t be surprised when I say, ‘You[d] must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows wherever it wants. Just as you can hear the wind but can’t tell where it comes from or where it is going, so you can’t explain how people are born of the Spirit.”
9 “How are these things possible?” Nicodemus asked.
10 Jesus replied, “You are a respected Jewish teacher, and yet you don’t understand these things? 11 I assure you, we tell you what we know and have seen, and yet you won’t believe our testimony. 12 But if you don’t believe me when I tell you about earthly things, how can you possibly believe if I tell you about heavenly things? 13 No one has ever gone to heaven and returned. But the Son of Man[e] has come down from heaven. 14 And as Moses lifted up the bronze snake on a pole in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, 15 so that everyone who believes in him will have eternal life.[f]
16 “For God loved the world so much that he gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. 17 God sent his Son into the world not to judge the world, but to save the world through him.
18 “There is no judgment against anyone who believes in him. But anyone who does not believe in him has already been judged for not believing in God’s one and only Son. 19 And the judgment is based on this fact: God’s light came into the world, but people loved the darkness more than the light, for their actions were evil. 20 All who do evil hate the light and refuse to go near it for fear their sins will be exposed. 21 But those who do what is right come to the light so others can see that they are doing what God wants.[g]”
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
4/18/2011
4/17/2011
4/16/2011
Are Bad Words Inherently Evil?
Clearing Up Misconceptionshttp://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
by Jeremy Ham, AiG–U.S.
January 4, 2011
In each culture and language, there are certain words that many people believe we should avoid. Is the reason for this avoidance because they are inherently bad words? In order to properly answer this question, we need to consider how the words became “bad” in the first place. This article will examine the dangers of purely focusing on the words rather than the people and their intentions.
To continue reading this article go to the website:
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2011/01/04/bad-words-inherently-evil
http://www.answersingenesis.org/
© Copyright 2011 Answers in Genesis
by Jeremy Ham, AiG–U.S.
January 4, 2011
In each culture and language, there are certain words that many people believe we should avoid. Is the reason for this avoidance because they are inherently bad words? In order to properly answer this question, we need to consider how the words became “bad” in the first place. This article will examine the dangers of purely focusing on the words rather than the people and their intentions.
To continue reading this article go to the website:
http://www.answersingenesis.org/articles/2011/01/04/bad-words-inherently-evil
http://www.answersingenesis.org/
© Copyright 2011 Answers in Genesis
God at the Grammys: The Chosen Ones
Music interviewer Neil Strauss finds a surprising common thread that separates the famous from the super famous - a firm belief that a higher power is guiding these celebrities into glory. He talks about his theory with WSJ's Christina Tsuei.
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From Wall Street Online
Written by Neil Strauss
february 12, 2011
Why do so many musical superstars think that their careers are part of a divine plan?
Music interviewer Neil Strauss finds a surprising common thread that separates the famous from the super famous - a firm belief that a higher power is guiding these celebrities into glory. He talks about his theory with WSJ's Christina Tsuei.
One night last summer, Lady Gaga sat in a tour bus in England, covered in stage blood from her concert that day. She told me that she had cried hysterically before a recent show because she'd had a dream that the devil was trying to take her. She then said, in earnest, that the spirit of her dead aunt was literally inside her body and that she had eaten a bovine heart to face her fear of her father's heart surgery.
If a stranger on a train had said all of this to me, I would have moved a few seats away. But this was one of the most famous women in the world. "It's hard to just chalk it all up to myself," Lady Gaga said of her success, explaining that there was "a higher power that's been watching out for me."
Cut to…Snoop Dogg in the living room of his home outside Los Angeles, smoking a blunt and discussing his comeback after leaving Death Row Records. "God makes everything happen," he said. "He put me in that situation with Death Row, and he took me out of it."
Cut to…a hotel room where Christina Aguilera is gorging on junk food and discussing her success. "All of this isn't something that I did," she told me. "It's something that is totally there for a purpose." In a separate interview, Ms. Aguilera's mother explained that fame was her daughter's destiny: "We thought there must be some divine intervention. Early on, I realized…God has plans for her."
When this year's Grammy winners accept their awards on Sunday night, God is likely to be thanked and praised more than a few times. It's a longstanding showbiz tradition, after all, prevalent at the Oscars, the Emmys and even the AVN Awards for adult movies. Until I began interviewing many of the winners of these awards two decades ago, I thought this was a sign of humility and gratitude (or at least an affectation of them). But the truth is more interesting than that.
Before they were famous, many of the biggest pop stars in the world believed that God wanted them to be famous, that this was his plan for them, just as it was his plan for the rest of us not to be famous. Conversely, many equally talented but slightly less famous musicians I've interviewed felt their success was accidental or undeserved—and soon after fell out of the limelight.
As I compiled and analyzed these interviews for my new book, I reached a surprising conclusion: Believing that God wants you to be famous actually improves your chances of being famous. Of course, from the standpoint of traditional theology, even in the Calvinistic world of predestination, God is much more concerned with the fate of an individual's soul than his or her secular success, and one's destiny is unknowable. So what's helping these stars is not so much religion as belief—specifically, the belief that God favors their own personal, temporal success over that of almost everyone else.
Speaking to the media prior to last Sunday's Super Bowl, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who went on to become the game's MVP, explained, "God always has a plan for us." Similarly, former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes declared that the game-winning catch that made him the Super Bowl MVP two years ago was "God's will." And in the Super Bowl before that, the New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree said of his team's win, "It felt like it was destiny.… I knew God would do what he said he was going to do."
Let's call it competitive theism, a self-styled spirituality that can be overlaid on any religion and has nothing to do with personal morality. This faith gap, I've noticed in the interviews I've done, is often what sets the merely famous apart from the ridiculously famous. It can make the difference between achieving what's possible and accomplishing what seems impossible.
Though scientists, to the best of my knowledge, have yet to study the relationship of faith to superstardom, they have studied addicts, transplant patients and natural disaster victims, and they have found that actively seeking God's intervention has improved people's odds of survival.
This isn't to say that every person who tops the charts believes in God's will. There are plenty of exceptions, but fewer than you'd think. Contemporary pop stars have rarely declared themselves atheists. In fact, the pop stars condemned by religious groups have often been the most fervent believers, from Elvis Presley (who was reading a book about Jesus when he died in his bathroom) to Lady Gaga (whose "Born This Way," a new single launched with great fanfare this weekend, declares that "no matter gay, straight or bi," we are all part of God's plan).
Even a miscreant like Eminem, who is up for 10 Grammys this year, has a sense of divine mission: "God sent me to p*** the world off," he rapped on "My Name Is," his first hit single. In an article he wrote for Vibe, he said, "I do believe in God, and I do pray.… God is my higher power, and he always has been."
This hardly proves that there is a God guiding the destiny of these stars. But it does suggest that unshakable confidence and a powerful sense of purpose are good predictors of success. Look at Justin Bieber, who released a single two months ago titled "Pray" and seemed untouched when getting booed recently by fans at a New York Knicks game. Or consider the derision heaped on Ms. Aguilera for botching the national anthem at the Super Bowl. If an unknown singer had made the same mistake, most people would have felt sorry for her.
But the more successful you get, the faster, louder and more savage the criticism becomes. To deal with the psychological burden of becoming a household name and the attacks that come with it, it helps to be thick-skinned. It helps even more to have a sense of divine mission and to feel that, when everyone else seems to be against you, God is walking at your side. Most stars who feel even a sliver of doubt about being in the spotlight will buckle under the constant pressure. Fearing criticism or failure, they become risk-averse and pass up opportunities.
The hip-hop mogul Diddy, for example, has been in and out of courtrooms over the years, facing charges for assault, gun possession and bribery—yet he continually bounces back with a new name and a new career. When I asked him if he ever felt fear, he replied, "My faith is in God. Like, look who I'm rolling with. Look who my gang really is. My gang is God. Come on, now, I don't have fear."
The meek may indeed inherit the Earth, but until then, stars who are presumptuous enough to see themselves as God's chosen ones are likely to dominate the pop charts, award shows and sports championships. Talent counts for a lot, but so too does the motivating power of divine conviction.
—Neil Strauss is the author of seven best-selling books. His latest is "Everyone Loves You When You're Dead: Journeys Into Fame and Madness," which will be released March 15.
Copyright 2011 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved
http://online.wsj.com/article/SB10001424052748704858404576134601105583860.html
***********************************************************************************
From Wall Street Online
Written by Neil Strauss
february 12, 2011
Why do so many musical superstars think that their careers are part of a divine plan?
Music interviewer Neil Strauss finds a surprising common thread that separates the famous from the super famous - a firm belief that a higher power is guiding these celebrities into glory. He talks about his theory with WSJ's Christina Tsuei.
One night last summer, Lady Gaga sat in a tour bus in England, covered in stage blood from her concert that day. She told me that she had cried hysterically before a recent show because she'd had a dream that the devil was trying to take her. She then said, in earnest, that the spirit of her dead aunt was literally inside her body and that she had eaten a bovine heart to face her fear of her father's heart surgery.
If a stranger on a train had said all of this to me, I would have moved a few seats away. But this was one of the most famous women in the world. "It's hard to just chalk it all up to myself," Lady Gaga said of her success, explaining that there was "a higher power that's been watching out for me."
Cut to…Snoop Dogg in the living room of his home outside Los Angeles, smoking a blunt and discussing his comeback after leaving Death Row Records. "God makes everything happen," he said. "He put me in that situation with Death Row, and he took me out of it."
Cut to…a hotel room where Christina Aguilera is gorging on junk food and discussing her success. "All of this isn't something that I did," she told me. "It's something that is totally there for a purpose." In a separate interview, Ms. Aguilera's mother explained that fame was her daughter's destiny: "We thought there must be some divine intervention. Early on, I realized…God has plans for her."
When this year's Grammy winners accept their awards on Sunday night, God is likely to be thanked and praised more than a few times. It's a longstanding showbiz tradition, after all, prevalent at the Oscars, the Emmys and even the AVN Awards for adult movies. Until I began interviewing many of the winners of these awards two decades ago, I thought this was a sign of humility and gratitude (or at least an affectation of them). But the truth is more interesting than that.
Before they were famous, many of the biggest pop stars in the world believed that God wanted them to be famous, that this was his plan for them, just as it was his plan for the rest of us not to be famous. Conversely, many equally talented but slightly less famous musicians I've interviewed felt their success was accidental or undeserved—and soon after fell out of the limelight.
As I compiled and analyzed these interviews for my new book, I reached a surprising conclusion: Believing that God wants you to be famous actually improves your chances of being famous. Of course, from the standpoint of traditional theology, even in the Calvinistic world of predestination, God is much more concerned with the fate of an individual's soul than his or her secular success, and one's destiny is unknowable. So what's helping these stars is not so much religion as belief—specifically, the belief that God favors their own personal, temporal success over that of almost everyone else.
Speaking to the media prior to last Sunday's Super Bowl, Green Bay Packers quarterback Aaron Rodgers, who went on to become the game's MVP, explained, "God always has a plan for us." Similarly, former Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Santonio Holmes declared that the game-winning catch that made him the Super Bowl MVP two years ago was "God's will." And in the Super Bowl before that, the New York Giants wide receiver David Tyree said of his team's win, "It felt like it was destiny.… I knew God would do what he said he was going to do."
Let's call it competitive theism, a self-styled spirituality that can be overlaid on any religion and has nothing to do with personal morality. This faith gap, I've noticed in the interviews I've done, is often what sets the merely famous apart from the ridiculously famous. It can make the difference between achieving what's possible and accomplishing what seems impossible.
Though scientists, to the best of my knowledge, have yet to study the relationship of faith to superstardom, they have studied addicts, transplant patients and natural disaster victims, and they have found that actively seeking God's intervention has improved people's odds of survival.
This isn't to say that every person who tops the charts believes in God's will. There are plenty of exceptions, but fewer than you'd think. Contemporary pop stars have rarely declared themselves atheists. In fact, the pop stars condemned by religious groups have often been the most fervent believers, from Elvis Presley (who was reading a book about Jesus when he died in his bathroom) to Lady Gaga (whose "Born This Way," a new single launched with great fanfare this weekend, declares that "no matter gay, straight or bi," we are all part of God's plan).
Even a miscreant like Eminem, who is up for 10 Grammys this year, has a sense of divine mission: "God sent me to p*** the world off," he rapped on "My Name Is," his first hit single. In an article he wrote for Vibe, he said, "I do believe in God, and I do pray.… God is my higher power, and he always has been."
This hardly proves that there is a God guiding the destiny of these stars. But it does suggest that unshakable confidence and a powerful sense of purpose are good predictors of success. Look at Justin Bieber, who released a single two months ago titled "Pray" and seemed untouched when getting booed recently by fans at a New York Knicks game. Or consider the derision heaped on Ms. Aguilera for botching the national anthem at the Super Bowl. If an unknown singer had made the same mistake, most people would have felt sorry for her.
But the more successful you get, the faster, louder and more savage the criticism becomes. To deal with the psychological burden of becoming a household name and the attacks that come with it, it helps to be thick-skinned. It helps even more to have a sense of divine mission and to feel that, when everyone else seems to be against you, God is walking at your side. Most stars who feel even a sliver of doubt about being in the spotlight will buckle under the constant pressure. Fearing criticism or failure, they become risk-averse and pass up opportunities.
The hip-hop mogul Diddy, for example, has been in and out of courtrooms over the years, facing charges for assault, gun possession and bribery—yet he continually bounces back with a new name and a new career. When I asked him if he ever felt fear, he replied, "My faith is in God. Like, look who I'm rolling with. Look who my gang really is. My gang is God. Come on, now, I don't have fear."
The meek may indeed inherit the Earth, but until then, stars who are presumptuous enough to see themselves as God's chosen ones are likely to dominate the pop charts, award shows and sports championships. Talent counts for a lot, but so too does the motivating power of divine conviction.
—Neil Strauss is the author of seven best-selling books. His latest is "Everyone Loves You When You're Dead: Journeys Into Fame and Madness," which will be released March 15.
Copyright 2011 Dow Jones & Company, Inc. All Rights Reserved
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Stellar Kart - Innocent
This vid is so funny. It's like a comedy about four male dancers lookin all 80's style. But, the song is about being pure in this world despite all the corruption in it.
I'm overdressed for success
In a world that has no shame
I've had enough of seeing love
Being played like some game
I know why the good old days are gone
Cause everyone just tolerates whats wrong
I'm not some empty space for rent
I wanna be innocent
Yours wholeheartedly
Innocent
Every part of me
Take me back so I can see
The way that love was meant to be
Boys and girls
The real world
Is one that's filled with consequence
And all the lies that glamorize
It's a life that's broken
I see why the good old days are gone
Every time I turn my tv on
What's wrong with being different
Buried underneath this avalanche
You are my hope and second chance
Don't let my heart get away
4/15/2011
Jay Whatley - Just Can't Get Enough
Jay Whatley makes a Christian version of Black Eyed Peas' "Just Can't Get Enough."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=khGVqtPnM1M
Katy Perry (Hudson) - Search Me
This is Katy Perry from way back in 2001 when she was only 16. Before she was the famous pop singer she was a Christian singer. Before the song begins she gives a testimony about how she had strayed from God for a while, but that God led her back to the right path. It appears she went off the right path again sometime after. I find it really sad. It reminds me of how there have been times when I've strayed away and see or hear about others doing so. I always felt bad about it, like I really didn't want it to be that way. Sometimes it's hard, but it's always worth it to stay on the right path with God, and live for Him. God bless Katy.
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