Music and The Gospel

I have a half an hour commute to and from work every day.  When I mention this in conversation, the response is usually "Built in God time, right?".  Of course, my response is always to the affirmative, but that is not always the case. Much of my weekly commute time is spent listening to music. This can be a good thing or a bad thing depending on my attitude.

How can I listen to music in a way that honors the Gospel?

• Don't let it keep me from silence. Music can be like opium, dulling the senses, drowning out our thoughts, shutting us off from the world.  The Bible says, "Be still and know that I am God."  Sometime music keeps me from silence that I need in order to think and pray.
• Don't let it be a negative influence. Music is a very powerful influence. It can help to rember lyrics and engage those lyrics emotionally. If I'm listening to music that is full of negative lyrics, Its going to help me remember negative lyrics and to engage those lyrics emotionally (road rage, anyone?).
• See it for what it is. Music is God's idea. He made it for us to enjoy, but in a way that ultimately helps us get our joy from Him. God has created musicians and given their abilities. When I listen, I should be thankful for the gift of music and praise the God that created art, that we might find our joy in Him.

 ""All things are lawful for me,” but not all things are helpful. “All things are lawful for me,” but I will not be enslaved by anything."  -1 Cor. 6:12

The Gospel

The Gospel. What is it?  Who cares?  Why should I care?  How does it effect life?    All good questions, all important questions.

What is it? - The best summary I think I've heard is this: "God saves sinners."

1. God - The Father, Son and Holy Spirit, who breathed the universe into existence, who is perfect, who never changes, who created man in order that men might find their joy in Him forever.
2. Sinners - All men and women in their natural state, who do not find their joy in God, but exalted themselves over Him.  Not only have all sinned, but all have been born sinners, hate God, and are totally incapable of doing anything to change their state.  Sinners are under the wrath of God and headed for eternal destruction.
3. Saves - God rescues sinners from the wrath they deserve through the suffering and death of Jesus (the sinless man) for their sins; past, present and future.  This makes sinners acceptable to God, who no longer sees a filthy sinner but a child who he loves.

Who cares?

• God cares. From eternity past the Gospel has been his plan.  All of creation, from beginning to end, is about the glory of God in His dealing with sinful creation through Jesus Christ.  For eternity future, Christ will be praised for his work that is the Gospel.
• Christians care. They recognize how depraved they were in the sight of God.  They see what a great salvation has been purchased for them through Christ.  They desire to take the message of the Gospel to the ends of the earth so that Christ will be glorified through the salvation all who will trust in his sacrifice.

Why should I care?

• I should care because, if the Gospel is true, I am now facing the eternal, fierce wrath of God.
• I should care because Christ has said all who come to me will be saved!
• I should care because in God there is perfectly fulfilling joy forever!

How does it affect life? - It affects everything in life.  Where I work, who I marry, how I treat my kids, what I spend money on, my attitude...

• This is the ambition of A Ware Affair, to ruminate on how the Gospel touches various aspects of life;  the spiritual nature behind practical life.

A sporadic does of virtual show and te

Chocolate Boy

I guess this is what happens when you leave him alone with chocolate. Lesson learned.

Silent Saturday

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swine flu!

Be careful! You're slightly more likely to die from swine flu than from leprosy!!


a co-worker sent me this picture, I claim no responsibility for any misinformation!