Evading peace

The primary theme of this blog is “joy”. But like so many things in life, there are two sides. With joy, there is the possibility of sorrow; with victory, there is the possibility of defeat. For all of the people who hear the message of Jesus to come to peace and escape destruction, there are still so many who hear and yet reject the lifeline thrown to them.

Bob Ayala released the album Rescued on Keith Green‘s Pretty Good Records label in 1985. This track, It’s My Dream, describes the tragedy of anyone who has heard God’s message (regardless of the source), and decides to wait “until tomorrow” to take care of “that religious stuff”.

So, returning back to the theme of this blog, where is the joy? This song describes the person who rejected their rescue, which is the antithesis of joy. The joy is in the person who decides not to wait, and who makes that decision to grab the lifeline thrown to them, to be rescued from destruction.

Tags: Bob Ayala, death, Life, peace

The phenomenon of “Reality” TV is the big thing on the networks these days. From “Survivor” to “Big Brother” to “The Amazing Race”, we are fascinated with watching these people successfully move from challenge to challenge. We watch them, compare ourselves to them, watch the scheming and pushing and clawing to the top.

There’s nothing that is truly “real” about TV, whether it is the tried and true sitcom, or a so-called reality show. Perhaps reality TV is less scripted than an episode of “Seinfeld” or “C.S.I.”, but we still see people who look better than we do, and who perform in events the way we wish we could. And sometimes we can smugly look and say to ourselves, “I can do better than that!”

Sean and Julie Swanson put out an album in 2004 called Real. The first song on the disk, Channel Nine, gives their spin on reality TV. Listen to this catchy tune and hear what they have to say about the topic. Especially note the lines that point out that “there’s a battle for your heart and mind“. Don’t let your view of truth be determined by what you see on the television. Life is rarely that simple or cut and dried!

Tags: reality, Sean & Julie Swanson

Carman has been recording Christian music since his first album in 1982, and I have always enjoyed his style of music. The lyrics, the performance, his humor, and his unswaying dedication to the clear presentation of Jesus as the only way to God have enthused me and moved me.

One of Carman’s favorite themes is the victory of Jesus over Satan. Now, this victory in reality is not the result of a battle of equals or even near-equals, but more on the order of a worm (Satan) fighting a tiger (God). There is absolutely no way the worm can ever hope to defeat the tiger, no matter how hard he tries or how crafty he might think he is. It’s a done deal; the worm will always lose.

Despite this massive difference between God (the creator) and the Devil (a created being), our world and culture has been duped into attributing more power and ability to Satan than he really has. No matter — Carman’s songs that deal with this conflict with God show not only the Deceiver’s own inflated self-opinion but also how easily God defeats him.

My favorite Carman song about this battle is The Champion, from the 1986 album of the same name. It is a rather long song, over eight and one half minutes, so if you try to listen to the audio of it, give it time to load. Including movie references to Clint Eastwood‘s famous line, and to the Rocky, enjoy hearing Satan get clobbered one more time:

In the vast expanse of a timeless place,
Where silence ruled the outer space,
Ominously, towering it stood,
The symbol of a spirit war
Between the one named Lucifer,
And the Morning Star, The ultimate of good.

Enveloped by a trillion planets,
Clean as lightning and hard as granite,
A cosmic coliseum would host the end
Of the war between the lord of sin and death,
And the Omnipotent Creator of man’s first breath,
Who will decide
Who forever will be
The Champion.

The audience for the ‘Fight of the Ages’ was assembled and in place.
The angels came in splendor from a star.
The saints that had gone before were there: Jeremiah, Enoch, Job.
They were singing the Song of Zion on David’s harp.

The demons arrived, offensive and vile, cursing and blaspheming God.
Followed by their trophies, dead and gone.
Hitler, Napoleon, Pharaoh, Capone,
Tormented and vexed and grieved.
Waiting
For their judgment
From the Throne.

Then a chill swept through the mammoth crowd
And the demons squealed with glee
As a sordid, vulgar, repulsive essence was felt.
Arrogantly prancing, hands held high, draped in a sparkling shroud
Trolled by demons,
Satan ascended from Hell.

Then Satan cringed, the sinners groaned!
The demons reeled in pain
As a swell of power like silent thunder rolled
With a surge of light beyond intense,
Illuminating the universe,
In resplendent glory
Appeared
The Son of God!

Then a Persona, yes, Extraordinaire appeared in center ring.
God the Father will oversee the duel.
Opening the Book of Life, each grandstand hushed in awe
As majestically He said,
“Now here’s the rules.

“He’ll be wounded for their transgressions,
bruised for iniquities”
When He said, “By His stripes they’re healed,” the devil shook!
He screamed, “Sickness is my specialty.
I hate that healing junk!”
God said, “You shut your face, I wrote the book!”

Then the Father looked at His only Son and said,
“You know the rules.
Your blood will cleanse their sins and calm their fears.”
Then He pointed His finger at Satan and said,
“And I know you know the rules.
You’ve been twisting them to deceive My people for years.”

Satan screamed, “I’ll kill you Christ! You’ll never win this fight!”
The demons wheezed, “That’s right, there ain’t no way.”
Satan jeered, “You’re dead meat, Jesus,
I’m gonna bust you up tonight!”
Jesus said,
“Go ahead, make my day!”

The bell, the crowd, the fight was on,
And the devil leaped in fury.
With all his evil tricks he came undone.
He threw his jabs of hate and lust.
A stab of pride and envy
But the hand that knew no sin
Blocked every one.

Forty days and nights they fought,
And Satan couldn’t touch Him.
Now the final blow saved for the final round.
Prophetically Christ’s hands came down
And Satan struck in vengeance!

The blow of death felled Jesus to the ground.

The devils roared in victory!
The saints, shocked and perplexed
As wounds appeared upon His hands and feet.
Then Satan kicked Him in His side,
And blood and water flowed.

And they waited for the 10 count of defeat.

God the Father turned His head,
His tears announcing Christ was dead
The 10 count would proclaim the battle’s end.

Then Satan trembled through his sweat
In unexpected horror, yet…
As God started to count by saying,

“…10…”

“Hey wait a minute, God…”

“…9…”

“Stop! You’re counting wrong…”

“…8…”

“His eyes are moving…”

“…7…”

“His fingers are twitching…”

“…6…”

“Where’s all this Light coming from?”

“…5…”

“He’s alive!”

“…4…”

“Oh – nooooo!”

“…3…”

“…2…”

Oh…Yessssss!

He has won!
He has won!
He’s alive forevermore!
He is risen, He is Lord,

He has won!
He has won!
He’s alive forevermore,
He is risen!
He is Lord!

Proclaim the news in every tongue,
Through endless ages and beyond
Let it be voiced from mountains loud and strong
Captivity has been set free,
Salvation bought for you and me
‘Cause Satan is defeated,

And Jesus

Is

The Champion!

Tags: Carman, victory

Today, I attended a funeral. It was for one of my wife’s friends, who had suddenly and unexpectedly passed away. As I listened to the minister’s message, I was struck by one of things suffered by those who lose someone close to them. A death rarely occurs in an expected fashion, where there is time to plan a final conversation, share a final meal, or make a final expression of friendship or gratitude. What we are left with are the many things unspoken, forgiveness never asked or granted, and regrets that may be intense and may follow us for years. The obvious answer to this dilemma is to “keep short accounts”, not to leave things alone that are in need of resolution. And that is a fine and appropriate way to decide to live my life from this point on.

But what about the things from prior to this moment, the things from all of my life before now? Sure, I can make my own list of all those to whom I’ve done wrong, or who have done wrong to me, and resolve to contact them and try to make everything alright. But what happens if I cannot contact that person, or if they refuse to speak to me, or if, as in the case of today’s funeral, they are no longer living? That failed event of life still exists, and I may still be affected by it. 

God is master of the present, the future, and the past. He can come into that episode of years ago: a bad memory, a destroyed friendship, a failed marriage, or anything you might name, and bring healing and resolution from the pain it still causes. Even if that event has damaged me in some way, His healing can begin to repair the wounds and make me new. 

Bob Bennett wrote a song, Lord Of The Past, that describes this process beautifully. I do not know for certain on which album it first appeared; I do know it is available on a currently available album titled The View From Here, available here. I believe it first was released on Lord Of The Past: A Compilation, released in 1989.
 

Tags: Bob Bennett, failure, healing, past, regrets