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Brant Christopher- Climb

writercwross — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 19:28:16 +0000

Artist: Brant Christopher
Title: Climb
Website: www.brantchristophermusic.com
Style: Folk / Acoustic / Roots Music
Rating: 8.6 out of 10
By C.W. Ross

Brant Christopher music career has grown over the years first starting out as a solo artist before forming and fronting the very successful trio Fort Pastor. Now he’s back as a solo act, this time though he’s combined his music with his passion for social activism.

Christopher serves as the Director of Strategic Initiatives and Artist in Residence for the Not for Sale Campaign. The Not for Sale Campaign is aimed at ending slavery in the world.

If you’re like me you probably thought that beside the unusual case here and there that slavery was a thing of the past – be prepared to be stunned. In the material that I received about the organization they say that there is a shocking 27million slaves in the world today, 200,000 of which are located in the United States!

I would invite you to visit the organizations website to learn more. You can visit them at:

http://www.notforsalecampaign.org.

Christopher will donate 100% of the proceeds from Climb to the Not for Sale Campaign. Climb was produced by Stephen Gause (Downhere, Dave Barnes, Derek Webb) of Invertigo Productions.

The ten songs that are found on Climb fall into a guitar driven acoustic, folk rock style of music. The song lyrics are powerful as they weave stories from the victim’s side of modern day slavery.

“I started writing this album that I thought would be focusing on the concept of freedom and awareness and how we need to open our eyes to human trafficking,” Christopher explains. “I feel like it’s kind of the next generation of singer/songwriter… people are getting a little more savvy with their music and they want more than just music. They want to get behind a cause. They want to get behind something that their favorite artist believes in. They want to know more than just the music. There’s a whole generation that doesn’t want just talk – they want action.”

Christopher vocals are filled with real passion that you can tell is coming straight from his heart. What for me is the most powerful and heart wrenching track found on Climb is, “Shoes For Margaret.” This gut wrenching, tear jerker, tells the story of a woman from Uganda who at the young age of 9 became a victim of modern day human trafficking. The song is based on a story taken from a book by fellow activist and author David Bastone who Christopher met at one of his concerts. Bastone also from time-to-time tells stories between songs at Christopher’s concerts that help to drive home the point of the song.

Climb also has a very noticeable faith element that’s found in the lyrics of the songs that helps to add a sense of hope, that even in the toughest of times you must never give up, even when it seems like all hope is lost.

Sometimes releases that are tied to a cause offer up only mediocre music but that’s not the case with Climb. When you buy it you’ll not only have some good music to listen to you’ll also be helping to fight the modern day tragedy of human slavery.

Bringing The Sword!

fromthedarkorg — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 14:44:22 +0000

1 John 2:15-17 (KJV)
¹⁵Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
¹⁶For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
¹⁷And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.

Charles Spurgeon's Morning Devotional

fromthedarkorg — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 14:41:21 +0000

“For I rejoiced greatly, when the brethren came and testified of the truth that is in thee, even as thou walkest in the truth.” 3John 1:3

The truth was in Gaius, and Gaius walked in a the truth. If the first had not been the case, the second could never have occurred; and if the second could not be said of him the first would have been a mere pretence. Truth must enter into the soul, penetrate and saturate it, or else it is of no value.

Doctrines held as a matter of creed are like bread in the hand, which ministers no nourishment to the frame; but doctrine accepted by the heart, is as food digested, which, by assimilation, sustains and builds up the body. In us truth must be a living force, an active energy, an indwelling reality, a part of the woof and warp of our being. If it be in us, we cannot henceforth part with it. A man may lose his garments or his limbs, but his inward parts are vital, and cannot be torn away without absolute loss of life. A Christian can die, but he cannot deny the truth. Now it is a rule of nature that the inward affects the outward, as light shines from the centre of the lantern through the glass: when, therefore, the truth is kindled within, its brightness soon beams forth in the outward life and conversation. It is said that the food of certain worms colours the cocoons of silk which they spin: and just so the nutriment upon which a man’s inward nature lives gives a tinge to every word and deed proceeding from him. To walk in the truth, imports a life of integrity, holiness, faithfulness, and simplicity–the natural product of those principles of truth which the gospel teaches, and which the Spirit of God enables us to receive. We may judge of the secrets of the soul by their manifestation in the man’s conversation. Be it ours to-day, O gracious Spirit, to be ruled and governed by Thy divine authority, so that nothing false or sinful may reign in our hearts, lest it extend its malignant influence to our daily walk among men.

—Morning and Evening

Charles Spurgeon's Evening Devotional

fromthedarkorg — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 07:01:43 +0000

“The forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace.” Ephesians 1:7

Could there be a sweeter word in any language than that word “forgiveness,” when it sounds in a guilty sinner’s ear, like the silver notes of jubilee to the captive Israelite? Blessed, for ever blessed be that dear star of pardon which shines into the condemned cell, and gives the perishing a gleam of hope amid the midnight of despair! Can it be possible that sin, such sin as mine, can be forgiven, forgiven altogether, and for ever? Hell is my portion as a sinner–there is no possibility of my escaping from it while sin remains upon me–can the load of guilt be uplifted, the crimson stain removed? Can the adamantine stones of my prison-house ever be loosed from their mortices, or the doors be lifted from their hinges? Jesus tells me that I may yet be clear. For ever blessed be the revelation of atoning love which not only tells me that pardon is possible, but that it is secured to all who rest in Jesus. I have believed in the appointed propitiation, even Jesus crucified, and therefore my sins are at this moment, and for ever, forgiven by virtue of His substitutionary pains and death. What joy is this! What bliss to be a perfectly pardoned soul! My soul dedicates all her powers to Him who of His own unpurchased love became my surety, and wrought out for me redemption through His blood. What riches of grace does free forgiveness exhibit! To forgive at all, to forgive fully, to forgive freely, to forgive for ever! Here is a constellation of wonders; and when I think of how great my sins were, how dear were the precious drops which cleansed me from them, and how gracious was the method by which pardon was sealed home to me, I am in a maze of wondering worshipping affection. I bow before the throne which absolves me, I clasp the cross which delivers me, I serve henceforth all my days the Incarnate God, through whom I am this night a pardoned soul.

—Morning and Evening

Hello Hurricane.

susieq3c — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 05:57:10 +0000

So, I’m going a little out of order here. In between David Crowder and Switchfoot was the Point of Grace/Mark Schultz show, and there will be an image posted from that show in due time. But I finished with Switchfoot’s set tonight and decided it wouldn’t hurt to go ahead and post one of my favorites from the night. This is Jon and Tim Foreman, lead singer and bass player, respectively, for Switchfoot. They played a ridiculously great show in Atlanta Tuesday night and I was fortunate enough to have a press pass for it. I’ll be posting a review to Titletrakk.com as soon as my little fingers can type it out, but for now you can enjoy the pictures by going here And if you have a chance to see Switchfoot on their Hello Hurricane tour, do so. You won’t regret it! Tour dates are posted on their website here

Roses Will Bloom Again

rainingtruth — Sat, 28 Nov 2009 02:34:32 +0000

Psalm 126:5
They that sow in tears shall reap in joy.

Psalm 130:5
I wait for the LORD, my soul doth wait, and in his word do I hope

Psalm 31:24
Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the LORD.

Psalm 30:5
For his anger endureth but a moment; in his favour is life: weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.

John 15:11
These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.

Bringing The Sword

fromthedarkorg — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:16:24 +0000

Training in the Dojo Divine:

Philippians 4:8-9 (NASB95)
⁸Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
⁹The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Charles Spurgeon's Morning Devitonal

fromthedarkorg — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 15:15:13 +0000

“Joshua the high priest standing before the angel of the Lord.” Zechariah 3:1

In Joshua the high priest we see a picture of each and every child of God, who has been made nigh by the blood of Christ, and has been taught to minister in holy things, and enter into that which is within the veil. Jesus has made us priests and kings unto God, and even here upon earth we exercise the priesthood of consecrated living and hallowed service.

But this high priest is said to be “standing before the angel of the Lord,” that is, standing to minister. This should be the perpetual position of every true believer. Every place is now God’s temple, and His people can as truly serve Him in their daily employments as in His house. They are to be always “ministering,” offering the spiritual sacrifice of prayer and praise, and presenting themselves a “living sacrifice.” But notice where it is that Joshua stands to minister, it is before the angel of Jehovah. It is only through a mediator that we poor defiled ones can ever become priests unto God. I present what I have before the messenger, the angel of the covenant, the Lord Jesus; and through Him my prayers find acceptance wrapped up in His prayers; my praises become sweet as they are bound up with bundles of myrrh, and aloes, and cassia from Christ’s own garden. If I can bring Him nothing but my tears, He will put them with His own tears in His own bottle for He once wept; if I can bring Him nothing but my groans and sighs, He will accept these as an acceptable sacrifice, for He once was broken in heart, and sighed heavily in spirit. I myself, standing in Him, am accepted in the Beloved; and all my polluted works, though in themselves only objects of divine abhorrence, are so received, that God smelleth a sweet savour. He is content and I am blessed. See, then, the position of the Christian–”a priest– standing–before the angel of the Lord.”

—Morning and Evening

REFLECT - What a Wonderful World

rainingtruth — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 11:04:54 +0000

REFLECT

Just close your Eyes and open your heart,
And feel your worries and cares depart.

Just yield yourself to the Father above,
And let him hold you secure in his love.

For life on earth grows more involved,
With endless problems that can’t be solved,
But God only ask us to do our best,
Then he will take over and finish the rest…

So when you are tired, discouraged and blue,
There is always one door that is open to you,
And that is the door to The House of Prayer,
And you’ll find God waiting to meet you there.

And The House of Prayer is no further away,
than the quiet spot where you kneel and pray.

For the heart is a temple when God is there
As we place ourselves in his loving care.

And he hears every prayer and answers each one
When we Pray in His name – Thy will be done.

The burdens that seemed too heavy to bear
Are lifted away on the wings of a prayer.

~Helen Steiner Rice~

Charles Spurgeon's Evening Devotional

fromthedarkorg — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 23:46:14 +0000

They shall rejoice, and shall see the plummet in the hand of Zerubbabel.” Zechariah 4:10

Small things marked the beginning of the work in the hand of Zerubbabel, but none might despise it, for the Lord had raised up one who would persevere until the headstone should be brought forth with shoutings. The plummet was in good hands. Here is the comfort of every believer in the Lord Jesus; let the work of grace be ever so small in its beginnings, the plummet is in good hands, a master builder greater than Solomon has undertaken the raising of the heavenly temple, and He will not fail nor be discouraged till the topmost pinnacle shall be raised. If the plummet were in the hand of any merely human being, we might fear for the building, but the pleasure of the Lord shall prosper in Jesus’ hand. The works did not proceed irregularly, and without care, for the master’s hand carried a good instrument. Had the walls been hurriedly run up without due superintendence, they might have been out of the perpendicular; but the plummet was used by the chosen overseer. Jesus is evermore watching the erection of His spiritual temple, that it may be built securely and well. We are for haste, but Jesus is for judgment. He will use the plummet, and that which is out of line must come down, every stone of it. Hence the failure of many a flattering work, the overthrow of many a glittering profession. It is not for us to judge the Lord’s church, since Jesus has a steady hand, and a true eye, and can use the plummet well. Do we not rejoice to see judgment left to Him?

The plummet was in active use–it was in the builder’s hand; a sure indication that he meant to push on the work to completion. O Lord Jesus, how would we indeed be glad if we could see Thee at Thy great work. O Zion, the beautiful, thy walls are still in ruins! Rise, Thou glorious Builder, and make her desolations to rejoice at Thy coming.

—Morning and Evening

Bringing The Sword

fromthedarkorg — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 17:03:49 +0000

Training in the Dojo Divine

Philippians 4:4-9 (NASB95)
⁴Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice!
⁵Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near.
⁶Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
⁷And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
⁸Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things.
⁹The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you.

Charles Spurgeon's Morning Devotional

fromthedarkorg — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 16:58:52 +0000

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might.” Ecclesiastes 9:10

“Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do,” refers to works that are possible. There are many things which our heart findeth to do which we never shall do. It is well it is in our heart; but if we would be eminently useful, we must not be content with forming schemes in our heart, and talking of them; we must practically carry out “whatsoever our hand findeth to do.” One good deed is more worth than a thousand brilliant theories. Let us not wait for large opportunities, or for a different kind of work, but do just the things we “find to do” day by day. We have no other time in which to live. The past is gone; the future has not arrived; we never shall have any time but time present. Then do not wait until your experience has ripened into maturity before you attempt to serve God. Endeavour now to bring forth fruit. Serve God now, but be careful as to the way in which you perform what you find to do–”do it with thy might.” Do it promptly; do not fritter away your life in thinking of what you intend to do to-morrow as if that could recompense for the idleness of to-day. No man ever served God by doing things to-morrow. If we honour Christ and are blessed, it is by the things which we do to-day. Whatever you do for Christ throw your whole soul into it. Do not give Christ a little slurred labour, done as a matter of course now and then; but when you do serve Him, do it with heart, and soul, and strength.

But where is the might of a Christian? It is not in himself, for he is perfect weakness. His might lieth in the Lord of Hosts. Then let us seek His help; let us proceed with prayer and faith, and when we have done what our “hand findeth to do,” let us wait upon the Lord for His blessing. What we do thus will be well done, and will not fail in its effect.

—Morning and Evening

Charles Spurgeon's Evening Devotional

fromthedarkorg — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 06:14:49 +0000

“For He saith to Moses, I will have mercy on whom I will have mercy, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” Romans 9:15

In these words the Lord in the plainest manner claims the right to give or to withhold His mercy according to His own sovereign will. As the prerogative of life and death is vested in the monarch, so the Judge of all the earth has a right to spare or condemn the guilty, as may seem best in His sight. Men by their sins have forfeited all claim upon God; they deserve to perish for their sins–and if they all do so, they have no ground for complaint. If the Lord steps in to save any, He may do so if the ends of justice are not thwarted; but if He judges it best to leave the condemned to suffer the righteous sentence, none may arraign Him at their bar. Foolish and impudent are all those discourses about the rights of men to be all placed on the same footing; ignorant, if not worse, are those contentions against discriminating grace, which are but the rebellions of proud human nature against the crown and sceptre of Jehovah. When we are brought to see our own utter ruin and ill desert, and the justice of the divine verdict against sin, we no longer cavil at the truth that the Lord is not bound to save us; we do not murmur if He chooses to save others, as though He were doing us an injury, but feel that if He deigns to look upon us, it will be His own free act of undeserved goodness, for which we shall for ever bless His name.

How shall those who are the subjects of divine election sufficiently adore the grace of God? They have no room for boasting, for sovereignty most effectually excludes it. The Lord’s will alone is glorified, and the very notion of human merit is cast out to everlasting contempt. There is no more humbling doctrine in Scripture than that of election, none more promotive of gratitude, and, consequently, none more sanctifying. Believers should not be afraid of it, but adoringly rejoice in it.

—Morning and Evening

Give Thanks

rainingtruth — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 00:46:40 +0000

May you have a Thanksgiving filled with Blessings and Peace.

Isaiah 51:3
For the LORD shall comfort Zion: he will comfort all her waste places; and he will make her wilderness like Eden, and her desert like the garden of the LORD; joy and gladness shall be found therein, thanksgiving, and the voice of melody.

Jeremiah 30:19
And out of them shall proceed thanksgiving and the voice of them that make merry: and I will multiply them, and they shall not be few; I will also glorify them, and they shall not be small.

Colossians 2:6-7
As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.

Bring The Sword! 11-25

fromthedarkorg — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:29:41 +0000

Training in the Dojo Divine…

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

1 If I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have love, I have become a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. 2 If I have the gift of prophecy, and know all mysteries and all knowledge; and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. 3 And if I give all my possessions to feed the poor, and if I surrender my body to be burned, but do not have love, it profits me nothing.
4 Love is patient, love is kind and is not jealous; love does not brag and is not arrogant, 5 does not act unbecomingly; it does not seek its own, is not provoked, does not take into account a wrong suffered, 6 does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things.
8 Love never fails; but if there are gifts of prophecy , they will be done away; if there are tongues, they will cease; if there is knowledge, it will be done away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part; 10 but when the perfect comes, the partial will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I used to speak like a child, think like a child, reason like a child; when I became a man, I did away with childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror dimly , but then face to face; now I know in part, but then I will know fully just as I also have been fully known. 13 But now faith, hope, love, abide these three; but the greatest of these is love.

Charles Spurgeon's Morning Devotional

fromthedarkorg — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 15:17:39 +0000

“To preach deliverance to the captives.” Luke 4:18

None but Jesus can give deliverance to captives. Real liberty cometh from Him only. It is a liberty righteously bestowed; for the Son, who is Heir of all things, has a right to make men free. The saints honour the justice of God, which now secures their salvation. It is a liberty which has been dearly purchased. Christ speaks it by His power, but He bought it by His blood. He makes thee free, but it is by His own bonds. Thou goest clear, because He bare thy burden for thee: thou art set at liberty, because He has suffered in thy stead. But, though dearly purchased, He freely gives it. Jesus asks nothing of us as a preparation for this liberty. He finds us sitting in sackcloth and ashes, and bids us put on the beautiful array of freedom; He saves us just as we are, and all without our help or merit. When Jesus sets free, the liberty is perpetually entailed; no chains can bind again. Let the Master say to me, “Captive, I have delivered thee,” and it is done for ever. Satan may plot to enslave us, but if the Lord be on our side, whom shall we fear? The world, with its temptations, may seek to ensnare us, but mightier is He who is for us than all they who be against us. The machinations of our own deceitful hearts may harass and annoy us, but He who hath begun the good work in us will carry it on and perfect it to the end. The foes of God and the enemies of man may gather their hosts together, and come with concentrated fury against us, but if God acquitteth, who is he that condemneth? Not more free is the eagle which mounts to his rocky eyrie, and afterwards outsoars the clouds, than the soul which Christ hath delivered. If we are no more under the law, but free from its curse, let our liberty be practically exhibited in our serving God with gratitude and delight. “I am Thy servant, and the son of thine handmaid: Thou hast loosed my bonds.” “Lord, what wilt Thou have me to do?”

—Morning and Evening

Forever

rainingtruth — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 10:53:13 +0000

Psalm 40:3
And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD.

Psalm 56:10
In God will I praise his word: in the LORD will I praise his word.

Psalm 99:5
Exalt ye the LORD our God, and worship at his footstool; for he is holy.

John 4:24
God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.

In the Light

joannamallory — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 09:00:14 +0000

Jesus told us that God is light and doesn’t have any darkness in him. Now we are telling you. If we say that we share in life with God and keep on living in the dark, we are lying and are not living by the truth. But if we live in the light, as God does, we share in life with each other. And the blood of his Son Jesus washes all our sins away.
1 John 1:5-7, CEV*

I love the way sunlight strikes trees early and late in the day: slanting to emphasize details of branches and trunks we don’t notice at midday. It helps us see more clearly, and it warms the trees.

I love the image of living (the NIV says walking) in God’s pure light. It’s not a one-time deal, it’s a new way of behaviour that takes practice.

We expose ourselves to His light through the Bible, prayer, listening to the Holy Spirit’s promptings and in all the ways we interact with His believers.

God’s light will reveal thoughts, attitudes or actions that we need to change. And it will warm and strengthen us. Unlike the sun, it won’t damage us if we stay too long or don’t protect ourselves.

Father, help me stay in Your light. Warm me and help me to grow. As You show me things in my life that don’t belong, help me work with Your Spirit to remove them. Help me take wrong thoughts and attitudes captive and help me continually replace them with those which will honour You. Help me behave in ways worthy of the gospel.

Here’s a catchy song from DC Talk to remind us we need to be “In the Light”.

KJ52 “Five Two Telivision”

theoraclemag — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 06:16:58 +0000

by DJ Guardian KJ52 “Five Two Telivision” Released: 2009 Reviewed By: E Pluribus Unum Committee Rat

Charles Spurgeon's Evening Devotional

fromthedarkorg — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:42:19 +0000

“Yet a little sleep, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to sleep: so shall thy poverty come as one that travelleth; and thy want as an armed man.” Proverbs 24:33,34

The worst of sluggards only ask for a little slumber; they would be indignant if they were accused of thorough idleness. A little folding of the hands to sleep is all they crave, and they have a crowd of reasons to show that this indulgence is a very proper one. Yet by these littles the day ebbs out, and the time for labour is all gone, and the field is grown over with thorns. It is by little procrastinations that men ruin their souls. They have no intention to delay for years–a few months will bring the more convenient season–to-morrow if you will, they will attend to serious things; but the present hour is so occupied and altogether so unsuitable, that they beg to be excused. Like sands from an hour-glass, time passes, life is wasted by driblets, and seasons of grace lost by little slumbers. Oh, to be wise, to catch the flying hour, to use the moments on the wing! May the Lord teach us this sacred wisdom, for otherwise a poverty of the worst sort awaits us, eternal poverty which shall want even a drop of water, and beg for it in vain. Like a traveller steadily pursuing his journey, poverty overtakes the slothful, and ruin overthrows the undecided: each hour brings the dreaded pursuer nearer; he pauses not by the way, for he is on his master’s business and must not tarry. As an armed man enters with authority and power, so shall want come to the idle, and death to the impenitent, and there will be no escape. O that men were wise be-times, and would seek diligently unto the Lord Jesus, or ere the solemn day shall dawn when it will be too late to plough and to sow, too late to repent and believe. In harvest, it is vain to lament that the seed time was neglected. As yet, faith and holy decision are timely. May we obtain them this night.

—Morning and Evening

"Bringing The Sword" 11-24-2009

fromthedarkorg — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:58:22 +0000

2 Timothy 2:14-19 (NASB95)
14 Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers.
15 Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.
16 But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness,
17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus,
18 men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they upset the faith of some.
19 Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.”

Jesus's Gay Spokesperson

omarcelle — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 21:48:09 +0000

I want to apologize in advance for any lapse in cohesive/fluid thought in the following ‘piece’ of my mind…i am just speaking (writing) as the thoughts come…

I am a church musician, have played for various choirs and groups over the course of the last almost 20 years…and a common ‘thread’ in the church/gospel music community is the homosexual musician/artist/choir director/worship leader. Now I am warning you…WARNING: I AM GOING TO SPEAK MY MIND ON THIS…AND IT WILL BE CONTROVERSIAL…but I can do that because it is my blog!!

If I take a survey of the gospel artists/music that I/you listen to…the music that encourages us, makes us shed a tear, ‘ushers’ in the ‘presence’ of God, yea even represents christianity…If I take a survey, i don’t think that I would be exaggerating if I said that 85% or more of the artists are gay, or have gay tendencies (which is a stupid term imo). The gay man has become God’s spokesperson, the person who has been ‘called’ to ‘minister’. That is the biggest example of hipocrazy (i meant to spell it that way) in the church today. Preachers stand up in pulpits all over the country and ‘denounce’ homosexuality, they talk about it being an abomination, demon possession and the like, but then for the altar call of that same sermon the choir or praise team leader gets up and sings a song written by the very ‘demon possesed’ character that the preacher was talking about…furthermore the person singing the song and the person accompaning might be gay themselves.

Now unless you were wondering where my stand is on homosexuality…I believe that it is wrong! I know that I will step on alot of toes with that statement (even of some family members) but I believe what i believe…(I still love you though!!!) I am not gonna get into a biblical debate on the subject…even the homosexual themselves know deep down in their heart that there is something ’un-natural’ about what they are doing (ironically the same term used to describe it in the Bible)…but in this day and age we want to justify all of the garbage that we do by saying ‘Who I am to judge what someone else does…”

I spoke recently with a pastor who stood up in his church (after a gospel concert) and said that the spirit of God was not there and that were 5 other spirits present…one of which he stated was homosexuality. That statement brought heavy backlash from his own congregation! Are you telling me that it is to the point where we have accepted this behavior as normal and it can no longer be ‘rebuked’…ARE YOU SERIOUS……!!!!!!!

Ok…let me fall back for a minute…we all have our hangups…I have just as many as the next guy, so let me make it very clear….I AM NOT CONDEMNING THE HOMOSEXUAL…only God can judge…however, I am saying that we have accepted the homosexual as God’s spokesperson…the person through whom God ‘moves’ us…all the while never addressing the fact that their behaviour is in direct contradiction to the very Person they claim to have speaking through them…one blogger (http://gcmwatch.wordpress.com) called them ‘talented, but ungodly’…and I would have to agree.

We have mistakenly made the term talented synonymous with annointed and therby have allowed ourselves to be swept away into a spirit (not sure which one sometimes) by some gay dude claiming to be speaking what God told him. Tonex even had the audacity to say that you were’nt thinking about him being gay when he was ushering people into the presence of God…that’s a slap in the face to Christianity…It’s so accepted that Leo W. McDermott II can do an album and entitle it ‘God and You’ (G.A.Y.)…ARE YOU KIDDING ME…!!! Check out this review of an artist featured on http://christiangays.com/links/christian_music.shtml With her sexy shaved head and velvety vocals, gender-bending diva Androgyny will surely become a dyke favorite in no time. The Nigerian-born singer-songwriter blends gospel, jazz and soulful pop into a sound so smooth we’d fall for her even if she were a straight chick – which, thankfully, she’s not. WWWWWWTTTTTTTTFFFFFFFF! (sorry…but serious…this is blasphemy!)

Now once again…let me fall back…i listen to as much, or maybe even more gospel music than the average person…I listen to the same artists that everyone else does…In the back of my mind however, the message is always tainted by the messenger… I am reminded of something that Bill Cosby said when talking about Denise’s marriage on an episode of the Cosby show…he described this scrumptuos dinner in detail and then asked would you like it to be presented on a garbage can lid…That is how I feel about the music…sure, the words are uplifting, and the serve a purpose in the encouragement, and sustainance of our daily walk…but the fact that it is presented by mostly gay individuals is absolutely disheartening…and the fact that we seem to have accepted this as ok is down-right ridiculous! It also shuts off opportunities for true, God-called, annointed artist to be heard on a large scale because we only support and ‘bigup’ the gay folk…

Well now you know what I think…tell me what you think…(take some time to research what artists have to say about the GWMA and the workshops that Bobby Jones puts on…also check out the statements from Cleveland’s ’son’ http://www.qrd.org/qrd/www/culture/black/articles/gospel.html)

-From the Mind of Me…

Church of Christ at Barayong Thanksgiving Day

christer1 — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 20:24:36 +0000

The Church of Christ at Lion City of Digos, supports the Church of Christ at Barayong Thanksgiving Day Celebration, it was a successful celebration where the congregation at Barayong expresses their great and full thanks to God for all the blessings they received from God including the trials & also challenges.

GOD is awesome!

!!!

Charles Spurgeons Morning Devotional

fromthedarkorg — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 15:01:20 +0000

The glorious Lord will be unto us a place of broad rivers and streams.” Isaiah 33:21

Broad rivers and streams produce fertility, and abundance in the land. Places near broad rivers are remarkable for the variety of their plants and their plentiful harvests. God is all this to His Church. Having God she has abundance. What can she ask for that He will not give her? What want can she mention which He will not supply? “In this mountain shall the Lord of Hosts make unto all people a feast of fat things.” Want ye the bread of life? It drops like manna from the sky. Want ye refreshing streams? The rock follows you, and that Rock is Christ. If you suffer any want it is your own fault; if you are straitened you are not straitened in Him, but in your own bowels. Broad rivers and streams also point to commerce. Our glorious Lord is to us a place of heavenly merchandize. Through our Redeemer we have commerce with the past; the wealth of Calvary, the treasures of the covenant, the riches of the ancient days of election, the stores of eternity, all come to us down the broad stream of our gracious Lord. We have commerce, too, with the future. What galleys, laden to the water’s edge, come to us from the millennium! What visions we have of the days of heaven upon earth! Through our glorious Lord we have commerce with angels; communion with the bright spirits washed in blood, who sing before the throne; nay, better still, we have fellowship with the Infinite One. Broad rivers and streams are specially intended to set forth the idea of security. Rivers were of old a defence. Oh! beloved, what a defence is God to His Church! The devil cannot cross this broad river of God. How he wishes he could turn the current, but fear not, for God abideth immutably the same. Satan may worry, but he cannot destroy us; no galley with oars shall invade our river, neither shall gallant ship pass thereby.

—Morning and Evening

Let the blogging begin.

fromthedarkorg — Tue, 24 Nov 2009 14:52:24 +0000

As we expand ever further into the world of social networks and the bloggopshere it seemed fitting to begin blogging somewhere that actually gets readers!

MySpace is a great place to discover new bands and ministries but is not exactly a blogging mecca. So here we are!

Thanks to all of From the Dark’s prayer supporters, all the bands, guest columnists (HM Magazine’s Doug Van Pelt), our radio station listeners, and our parent ministry Founding Father’s Faith .