When abnormal becomes normal.

I saw a planes vapor trail across the moon this morning, it looked really cool, and I had never seen it like that before. But if it became an everyday occurrence, eventually it would loose it's "cool factor." I used to live in Colorado, and my friends and I always fought the tendency for the Rockies to lose their magnificence, and for most, they did. I feel we are doing that with the Lord, He's losing His magnificence, His brilliance, His rightful place in the Church, and our lives as the most awesome thing ever. One of the things that leads to this is compromise, or sin. When compromise enters the Church we become the devil's play toy. When Christ isn't on the throne of our hearts, our lives, our church boards and committees, then who is? Us? Are we the new Lord of the manor? Have we become some kind of king? It seems like it. If we are usurping the Lord and His place, we may even be acting like we're gods, except without all that power...and love, and all good God like things....all the things we've surrendered so we could become king. "Forgive us Lord, place us Lord, with You, the true King of Kings and Lord of Lord's, in Jesus name, Lord, we surrender to You, in Jesus name, please, have Your rightful place in us again.""For we do not preach ourselves, but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus' sake." —2 Corinthians 4:5

Legalism versus being holy

Pilate said to Jesus, "What is truth?" (John 18:38) Funny, Jesus said before that that, "I am the way, the truth and the life, no one can come to the Father but by Me." (John 14:6) So if we can't receive truth, except by Jesus, and He is the Solid Rock, and all else is sinking sand, (Matthew 7) and He alone has these words of life; (John 6:68) then what are we doing by trying to receive truth through any other means? I was in a Bible study once, and no one there believed that the Bible was an authority of truth, everything was questionable. One thing I learned from that group is that there seemed to be no truth there, everyone believed differently than each other! This article is about the difference between being Holy and being legalistic. As a Christian we are supposed to know what sin is. By the power of the Holy Spirit we can. If we are not even sure what sin is, how can we be holy, or how can we even repent, turn away from sin, if we don't even know what sin is. If we are to be "Holy as He is holy" (1 Peter 1:16) then we must allow the Holy Spirit to teach us what being holy is. If we are raised in a strict home, that can be a holy place, or a place filled with legalism. Most people think that if a person is raised with a lot of standards, a lot of rules, like don't eat this, don't watch this, don't listen to these songs, don't dress in certain ways, most believe that would be a legalistic, or a strick house. Jesus was raised with such rules, as was Samson, Apostle Paul and John the Baptist. There is a big difference between holy and legalistic. "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free." (John 8:32) This is one way we can know if something is true, does it set us free. If you grow up in a holy house where there are high standards, if you leave that house and fulfill all your desires, do whatever you want, you may feel a measure of what you would call freedom. But has it really set you free, or has it bound you up? Has it broken relationships because you no longer have the same standards? Has it brought death to relationships, including your relationship to God? We are to be pure and holy as Jesus was pure and holy. (1 John 3) Of course the Bible is a main source of what is right and holy, but having a relationship with Jesus, and allowing the Holy Spirit to "teach us in all things" (John 14:26) is key in knowing what he wants for your life. Sin does two things: It separates us from God, and it hurts us, and possibly others around us. That's why God doesn't want us to sin, and that's why it's important to know what sin is. We have the Bible, and we have His Holy Spirit, which is the real convictor of sin. Without the Holy Spirit we actually can't know we're in sin. And without the Holy Spirit teaching us, the best we have is legalism. The worst way to try and have something holy is a mixture of both legalism and conviction of the Holy Spirit, and I think that's where a lot of us fail. To have a holy house, a holy church, something that is truly pure, it takes the constant presence and filling of the Holy spirit. It cannot be obtained by us, it can only be obtained, and maintained, by the power of the Holy Spirit. So if I am convicted that something is unholy, and teach my children this is unholy, and it isn't, that's majorly confusing and can be damaging to their relationship with God. If it is actually unholy, but our kids leave the house and don't think it's unholy, and then they fall into it, it will bind them up, and it can even cause them to rebel against God, and you, because they don't believe as the Holy Spirit convicted them to believe. If I get mad or impatient with my children, or people in general, then I know, even if it's a conviction of the Holy Spirit, that it is not the Holy Spirit that is implementing this thing I am trying to do by the flesh. We have to remember that it is God's "Kindness that leads us to repentance." (Romans 2:4) We must do all things in Love, and a good description of these things is in 1 Corinthians 13, starting with "love is patient and kind...takes into account no wrong." That's one of the hardest things for people to look past is if their parents, pastors or leaders get it wrong, and yet they are still expected to get it right! That's why there is a strictor judgement upon us who lead, because if we lead in sin, we will only produce death, not life, even if what we're saying is true. This is how we can tell if we are on the right track or not: Galatians 5: 22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law.

Why our police are being attacked

When a nation turns it's back on God, and it's laws no longer reflect the laws of God, God can no longer bless that nation. Then those who govern that nation become a laughing stock, and will be mocked and ridiculed. Luke 16:15b "For what is highly esteemed among men is an abomination in the sight of God." God can't honor a nation whose laws don't protect the unborn. A nation whose laws reflected the laws of God, but no longer do; adultery was illegal, abortion was, homosexuality was, but now in many states none of these is illegal, and in some, these once illegal acts are now being celebrated. Also Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." We have left the wisdom of God, for our own wisdom. Listen to the Word of God: James 3:13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. This whole world is becoming sensual, and we are losing all peace, because we have rejected God and His wisdom, and we have sought our own. God can't bless where He has been rejected, because He isn't there to bless. There are many promises of God, this is one of the best for us as a nation: 2 Chronicles 7:14 "if My people who are called by My name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin and heal their land." Notice it says to not only pray, but to "turn from our wicked ways?" We have to do it God's way, we can't choose our own ways and expect God to bless it.

Man's religion won't save us, but God will!

God is stirring up things like crazy in the spiritual realm, and it's affecting the physical one too. This morning I saw another shooting star, almost daily I see these. As I was sitting in the shelter at a park, a manmade structure, I thought I heard sirens, 8 or more. Then I realized they were coyotes, a lot of them, and they were loud, really loud. I have seen more deceiving spirits than I ever have at work, even in the church. Basic truths are now being traded in for what is right in our own eyes. There is a way that seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. (Proverbs 14:12) Instead of trusting in the Word of God, we are trusting in the words of man. The Word of God washes us and cleanses us; the word of man leads to death. The structure of man, many churches he has built, are places not of safety, but places filled with man's righteousness God calls filthy rags. Not salvation centers, but centers of the filth of man's wisdom, the carnal understanding of God's Word. Places where people are kept from faith in Christ. Instead of being led to the Cross, they are being kept from it. God is not happy with places that call themselves churches but are keeping people from Him. I spoke to a woman who was raised in a traditional church for over 100 years. As I shared the Gospel with her she stated "I have never thought about it that way" and "I have never gone that deep." Her childhood baptism didn't bring her to Christ. Her confirmation class didn't bring her to Christ. It is the work of the Holy Spirit to draw all men, but the Spirit of God is quenched as we protect our man made doctrines that keep people from Jesus. We must let go of the pride of self, the religion that is man made, and humble ourselves so that we can receive true religion, which is relationship with our God and Maker. "Father, forgive us, cleanse us with Your Words of life You alone have. Bring us to Your side, deliver us from evil, for Yours is the kingdom, the power, the glory forever and ever, in Jesus name, Amen."

How we should live.

What if the only thing I had to do was to sit at His feet and worship Him and let Him do everything? Luke 10:38 Now it happened as they went that He entered a certain village; and a certain woman named Martha welcomed Him into her house. 39 And she had a sister called Mary, who also sat at Jesus’[k] feet and heard His word. 40 But Martha was distracted with much serving, and she approached Him and said, “Lord, do You not care that my sister has left me to serve alone? Therefore tell her to help me.” 41 And Jesus[l] answered and said to her, “Martha, Martha, you are worried and troubled about many things. 42 But one thing is needed, and Mary has chosen that good part, which will not be taken away from her.” So, let the Lord do everything? Realy? Like, every single thing? Yes. Let Him do the speaking, the leading the loving. And all we do is worship Him. Isn't that what He intends for us for all eternity? So let's start eternity now, let's start His plan now. His kingdom come, His will be done on earth as it is in heaven, right? Yes Lord we say, amen Lord. But now Lord You do it, Your kingdom, here now, as it is in heaven. Yes Lord Jesus. Amen. Jesus is Lord.

Caught!

As I sit in the court administration building, the sun shining, I stand guilty. I am asking for leniency, grace, mercy, something the law may not allow. Even though the sun shines outside, still in the heart of man darkness lurks. On my left a man was caught drunk while driving. In front of me a teen waits with his parents not knowing what his outcome will be. Will the judge show leniency? Well to finish this story, my traffic ticket was not forgiven, but they lessened it. Instead of a 65 in a 55, it's a 60 in a 55. So, the law was lenient, a little! Christ is merciful, graceful, a LOT!

U2 Songs of Innocence lyrics

Lyrics for new U2 album. Music is one part lyrics, 2 parts music & spirit. When David played before King Saul, and the demons fled because of it, it was because of a Spirit that was inhabiting the songs. That same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead dwells in you. So if you are singing, writing, playing in that same Spirit that raised Christ from the dead, then the same thing that happened when David played, demons fleeing, can happen in your music. If you chose to play in your flesh, it will conflict with the Holy Spirit of God, and if the Spirit dwells in you, then that Spirit, the very Spirit of God in you, will bear witness, testify, that the same Spirit is at work in the music. If there is not the fruit of the Spirit; Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, gentleness and self control, then it may be of a different spirit. If we are not listening to Holy Spirit filled music, then we cannot expect that the peace of God will inhabit it. 1 Samuel 16: 23 And so it was, whenever the spirit from God was upon Saul, that David would take a harp and play it with his hand. Then Saul would become refreshed and well, and the distressing spirit would depart from him. John 3:6 Jesus said, That which is born of the flesh is flesh, and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. Hebrews 11:6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him So we see according to scripture, if we don't have faith, don't know Christ, even if we are doing the right thing, singing the right words, unless it is born of the Spirit, it cannot please God. If the Spirit of God lives in you, then you will be able to tell. If the music draws you closer to Christ, fills your mind with the things of God, it may be very well something the Sprit of God has given someone. If not, it may not be. Track 1 on Songs of Innocence Rock Genius The Miracle (Of Joey Ramone) U2 Produced By: Danger Mouse, Paul Epworth & Ryan Tedder [Verse 1] I was chasing down the days of fear Chasing down a dream before it disappeared I was aching to be somewhere near Your voice was all I heard I was shaking from a storm in me Haunted by the spectres that we had to see Yeah, I wanted to be the melody Above the noise, above the hurt [Pre-Chorus] I was young Not dumb Just wishing to be blinded By you Brand new And we were pilgrims on our way [Chorus] I woke up at the moment when the miracle occurred Heard a song that made some sense out of the world Everything I ever lost, now has been returned The most beautiful sound I'd ever heard [Verse 2] We got language so we can't communicate Religion so I can love and hate Music so I can exaggerate my pain, and give it a name [Bridge] We can hear you We can hear you We can hear you [Chorus] I woke up at the moment when the miracle had come I get so many things I don't deserve All the stolen voices will some day be returned The most beautiful sound I ever heard [Outro] Your voices will be heard Your voices will be heard Every Breaking Wave LYRICS U2 Produced By: Danger Mouse & Ryan Tedder Every Breaking Wave [Verse 1] Every breaking wave on the shore Tells the next one there'll be one more Every gambler knows that to lose It's what you're really there for Summer I was fearless Now I speak into an answer phone Like every falling leaf on the breeze Winter wouldn't leave it alone, alone [Chorus] If you go? If you go your way and I go mine Are we so? Are we so helpless against the tide? Baby every dog on the street Knows that we're in love with defeat Are we ready to be swept off our feet And start chasing Every breaking wave [Verse 2] Every sailor knows that the sea Is a friend made enemy Every shipwrecked soul, knows what it is To live without intimacy I thought I heard the captain's voice It's hard to listen while you preach Like every broken wave on the shore This is as far as I could reach [Chorus] [Bridge] The sea knows where are the rocks And drowning is no sin You know where my heart is The same place that yours has been We know that we fear to win And so we end before we begin Before we begin [Chorus] This song is about long distance relationships and how we all are on our own journeys at the mercy of the world. California (There Is No End To Love) LYRICS U2 Produced By: Danger Mouse, Declan Gaffney & Paul Epworth California (There Is No End To Love) [Intro x4] Bar-Bar-Barbara, Santa Barbara Bar-Bar-Barbara, Santa Barbara Bar-Bar-Barbara, Santa Barbara Bar-Bar-Barbara, Santa Barbara [Verse 1] California, then we fell into the shining sea The weight that drags your heart down Well that's what took me where I need to be Which is here Out on Zuma Watching you cry like a baby California, at the dawn you thought would never come But it did Like it always does [Chorus 1] All I know And all I need to know is there no end to love [Verse 2] I didn't call you Words can scare a thought away Everyone’s a star in our town It’s just your light gets dimmer if you have to stay In your bedroom In a mirror Watching yourself cry like a baby California, blood orange sunset brings you to your knees I've seen for myself There's no end to grief That's how I know [Chorus 2] That's how I know And why I need to know that there is no end to love All I know and all I need to know is there is no end to love [Guitar Solo] [Chorus 3] All I know And all I need to know is there is no end to love We come and go Stolen days you don't give back Stolen days are just enough This song is inspired by U2’s first trip to California, and mirrors other American-location-named U2 songs likeNew York and the much-derided Miami Song for Someone Produced By: Danger Mouse & Flood [Verse 1] You got a face not spoiled by beauty I have some scars from where I've been You've got eyes that can see right through me You're not afraid of anything they've seen [Pre-Chorus 1] I was told that I would feel Nothing the first time I don't know how these cuts heal But in you I found a rhyme [Chorus 1] If there is a light you can't always see And there is a world we can't always be If there is a dark that we shouldn't doubt And there is a light, don't let it go out And this is a song, song for someone This is a song, song for someone [Verse 2] You let me in to a conversation A conversation only we could make You breaking and enter my imagination Whatever's in there it's yours to take [Pre-Chorus 2] I was told that I would feel Nothing the first time You were slow to heal But this could be the night [Chorus 2] If there is a light you can't always see And there is a world we can't always be If there is a dark within and without And there is a light, don't let it go out And this is a song, song for someone This is a song, song for someone [Outro] And I'm a long long way from your hill or cavalry And I'm a long way from where I was and where I need to be If there is a light you can't always see And there is a world we can't always be If there is a kiss I stole from your mouth And there is a light, don't let it go out Iris (Hold Me Close) Produced By: Paul Epworth & Ryan Tedder [Verse 1] The star That gives us light Has been gone a while But it's not an illusion The ache In my heart Is so much a part of who I am Something in your eyes Took a thousand years to get here Something in your eyes Took a thousand years, a thousand years [Chorus] Hold me close, hold me close and don't let me go Hold me close like I'm someone that you might know Hold me close the darkness just lets us see Who we are I've got your life inside of me Iris... Iris... [Verse 2] Once we are born, we begin to forget The very reason we came But you I'm sure I've met Long before the night the stars went out We're meeting up again [Chorus] Hold me close, hold me close and don't let me go Hold me close like I'm someone that you might know Hold me close, the darkness just lets us see Who we are I've got your life inside of me Iris... Iris... [Bridge] The stars are bright but they do know The universe is beautiful but cold You took me by the hand I thought that I was leading you But it was you made me your man Machine I dream Where you are Iris standing in the hall She tells me I can do it all Iris wakes to nightmares Don't fear the world it isn't there Iris playing on the strand She buries the boy beneath the sand Iris says that I will be the death of her It was not me Iris... Iris... Free yourself, to be yourself if only you could see yourself Free yourself, to be yourself if only you could see... Volcano LYRICS U2 Produced By: Declan Gaffney [Verse 1] The world is spinning fast tonight You can hurt yourself tryin to hold on To what you used to be I’m so glad the past is all gone? [pre-Chorus] Been out in the wild Been out in the night Been out of your mind Do you live here or is this a vacation? [Chorus] Volcano, you don’t wanna, you don’t wanna know Volcano Something in you wants to blow Volcano You don’t wanna, you don’t wanna know [Verse 2] Your eyes were like landing lights They used to be the clearest blue Now you don’t see so well The future’s gonna land on you [Pre-Chorus] Been out in the wild Been out in the night Been out of your mind Do you live here or is this a vacation? [Chorus] Volcano, you don’t wanna, you don’t wanna know Volcano Something in you wants to blow Volcano You don’t wanna, you don’t wanna know You’re on a piece of ground above a volcano [Verse 3] You were alone Now you’re not alone You were alone But now YOU ARE ROCK N ROLL YOU AND I ARE ROCK N ROLL YOU ARE ROCK N ROLL YOU AND I ARE ROCK N ROLL [Chorus] Volcano, you don’t wanna, you don’t wanna know Volcano Something in you wants to blow Volcano You don’t wanna, you don’t wanna know You’re on a piece of ground above a volcano Raised by Wolves Raised by Wolves LYRICS U2 Produced By: Danger Mouse & Declan Gaffney [Verse 1: Bono] Face down on a broken street There’s a man in the corner in a pool of misery I’m in white van as red sea covers the ground Metal crash I can’t tell what it is But I take a look and now I’m sorry I did 5:30 on a Friday night 33 good people cut down I don’t believe anymore I don’t believe anymore [Verse 2: Bono] Face down on a pillow of shame There are some girls with a needle trying to spell my Name My body’s not a canvas My body’s now a toilet wall I don’t believe anymore I don’t believe anymore Raised by wolves Stronger than fear Raised by wolves We were raised by wolves Raised by wolves Stronger than fear If I open my eyes You disappear [Verse 3: Bono] Boy sees his father crushed under the weight Of a cross in a passion where the passion is hate Blue mink Ford, I’m gonna detonate in your den Blood in the house Blood in the street The worst things in the world are justified by belief I don’t believe anymore I don’t believe anymore Raised by wolves Stronger than fear Raised by wolves We were raised by wolves Raised by wolves Stronger than fear If I open my eyes You disappear This song appeared on U2’s surprise album Songs of Innocence. It was released on September 9th 2014. It talks about growing up in a tough part of town, with the effects of ‘The Troubles’ all around. Cedarwood Road Produced By: Danger Mouse & Paul Epworth [Verse 1: Bono] I was running down the road The fear was all I knew I was looking for a soul that’s real Then I ran into you And that cherry blossom tree Was a gateway to the sun And friendship, once it’s won It’s won... it’s one [Hook] Northside just across the river to the Southside That’s a long way here All the green and all the gold The hurt you hide, The joy you hold The foolish pride That gets you out the door Up on Cedarwood Road, On Cedarwood Road [Verse 2: Bono] Sleepwalking down the road Not waking from these dreams ‘Cause it’s never dead it’s still my head It was a warzone in my teens I’m still standing on that street Still need an enemy The worst ones I can’t see You can... you can [Hook] Northside just across the river to the Southside That’s a long way here All the green and all the gold The hurt you hide and the joy you hold The foolish pride that sends you back for more Up on Cedarwood Road, on Cedarwood Road [Verse 3: Bono] If the door is open it isn’t theft You can’t return to where you’ve never left Blossoms falling from a tree they cover you and cover me Symbols clashing, bibles smashing Paint the world you need to see Sometimes fear is the only place that we can call our home Cedarwood Road A HEART THAT IS BROKEN IS A HEART THAT IS OPEN Sleep Like a Baby Tonight LYRICS U2 Produced By: Danger Mouse [Verse 1] Morning, your toast, your tea and sugar Read about the politician's lover Go through the day like knife through butter Why don't you You dress in the colors of forgiveness Your eyes as red as Christmas Purple robes are folded on the kitchen chair [Chorus] You're gonna sleep like a baby tonight In your dreams, everything is alright Tomorrow dawns like someone else's suicide You're gonna sleep like a baby tonight [Verse 2] Dreams It's a dirty business, dreaming Where there is silence and not screaming Where there's no daylight, there's no healing [Chorus] You're gonna sleep like a baby tonight In your dreams, everything is alright Tomorrow dawns like a suicide But you're gonna sleep like a baby tonight [Bridge] Hope is where the door is When the church is where the war is Where no one can feel no one else's pain [Chorus] You're gonna sleep like a baby tonight In your dreams, everything is alright Tomorrow dawns like a suicide But you're gonna sleep like a baby tonight Sleep like a baby tonight Like a bird, your dreams take flight Like St Francis covered in light You're gonna sleep like a baby tonight Edit the description to add: • Historical context: what album the song's on, how popular it was • An explanation of the song's overall story (example: "In this song, Kurt breaks down a day at his grandparents' house") • The song's instrumentation and sound This Is Where You Can Reach Me Now This Is Where You Can Reach Me Now LYRICS U2 Produced By: Danger Mouse [Bono] For Joe Strummer [Chorus] Soldier soldier We signed our lives away Complete surrender The only weapon we know Soldier soldier We knew the world would never be the same Soldier this is where you can reach me now [Verse 1] We come from an ancient place Beyond what we can see We’ve come to colonise your night And steal your poetry Old man knows that I never listen So how could I have something to say Old man knows how to cheat ambition You don’t lose if you don’t play 1, 2, 3, 4, was enough [Chorus] Soldier soldier We signed our lives away Complete surrender The only weapon we know Soldier soldier We knew the world would never be the same Soldier this is where you can reach me now [Verse 2] On a double decker bus Into College Square If you won’t let us in your world Your world just isn’t there Old man says that we never listen We shout about what we don’t know We’re taking the path of most resistance The only way for us to go Hup, 2, 3, 4, was enough [Chorus] Soldier soldier We signed our lives away Complete surrender The only weapon we know Soldier soldier We knew the world will never be the same Soldier this is where you can reach me now [Outro] This is the site This is the season This is where you can reach me now This is the time This is the number This is where you can reach me now The song is dedicated to Joe Strummer, lead singer and co-founder of The Clash, another early influence for U2, especially in how they approached political matters in their music. The Troubles The Troubles LYRICS U2 Produced By: Danger Mouse [Chorus / Intro] Somebody stepped inside your soul Somebody stepped inside your soul Little by little they robbed and stole Till someone else was in control [Verse 1] You think it’s easier To put your finger on the trouble When the trouble is you And you think it’s easier To know your own tricks Well it’s the hardest thing you’ll ever do I have a will for survival So you can hurt me and then hurt me some more I can live with denial But you’re not my troubles anymore [Chorus] Somebody stepped inside your soul Somebody stepped inside your soul Little by little they robbed and stole Till somebody else was in control Somebody stepped inside your soul Somebody stepped inside your soul Little by little they robbed and stole Till someone else was in control [Verse 2] You think it’s easier To give up on the trouble If the trouble is destroying you You think it’s easier But before you threw me a rope It was the one thing I could hold on to I have a will for survival So you can hurt me then hurt me some more I can live with denial But you’re not my troubles anymore [Chorus x2] Somebody stepped inside your soul Somebody stepped inside your soul Little by little they robbed and stole Till somebody else was in control [Verse 3] God knows it’s not easy Taking on the shape of someone else’s pain God now you can see me I’m naked and I’m not afraid My body’s sacred and I’m not ashamed [Chorus] Somebody stepped inside your soul Somebody stepped inside your soul Little by little they robbed and stole Till somebody else was in control Somebody stepped inside your soul Somebody stepped inside your soul Little by little they robbed and stole Till someone else was in control