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Category Archives: Hymns and Songs

“Mama” by Third Day

08 Oct

“Mama” by Third Day

Well hey Mama, take a look at me now
Things are going fine here in the big town
Hey Mama, if you could only see
All of my friends and how they love me

And I know, you said “I need Jesus”
But mama can’t you see I’m doing fine
Oh yes I know, you said “I need Jesus”
But mama I ain’t got the time, no I ain’t got the time, well no, no

And hey mama, well it’s been two long years
Since I have seen you, how are things you hear?
Hey mama, things they aren’t the same
Since I last wrote you, well things have changed

Yes I know, you say “I need Jesus”
But mama can’t you see I’m doing fine
Oh yes I know, you say “I need Jesus”
But mama I ain’t got the time, well I ain’t got the time, no, no
No, mama, no, no, no mama, mama no

Well, every thing’s going wrong
Yes, every thing’s going wrong
No, I can’t take it no more
Well, every thing’s going wrong
Yes, every thing’s going wrong
No, I can’t take it no more

Well, I need Jesus
I guess, I need Jesus, well forgive me
Come into my life, come into my heart
Precious Jesus, precious Jesus

And I know, you said “I need Jesus”
But mama can’t you see I’m doing, can’t you see I’m doing
Oh yes, I know I’m doing, you said “I need Jesus”
Well mama He is in my life, yes He is in my life, yeah, yeah
Yeah mama, Jesus save me
Yeah mama, yeah, yes
Yeah mama, Jesus save me
Yeah mama, mama, yeah

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Johnny Mac Powell / Samuel Tai Anderson / Bradley B. C. Avery / David Carr / Mark D. Lee

Dear God, there’s so much her, but I’ll start with this. According to the credits, this song was written by five guys. Isn’t it interesting how kids have different relationships with their parents. Boys have unique relationships with their moms. Girls do too, but it’s different still. I’m curious to know how these guys wrote this song and what their conversations were like. This obviously has echoes of the prodigal son story, but he’s talking to his mama and not his father.

In thinking about this song, I’m reminded of the song “The Hard Way” by DC Talk. The beginning of the chorus says, “Some people gotta learn the hard way. I guess I’m the kind of guy who has to find out for myself.” As a parent, one of the challenges is to give that child the leash they need to learn the hard way.

In this song, the mother had to give two years of silence. Sometimes it’s longer. The double-edged sword of stubbornness is that, on the one hand, it can be very hard to break that person’s will and get them to surrender to you, but, on the other hand, when they do come to the end of themselves they are able to apply that stubbornness into serving you. I think of Paul and his zeal for you. When he was killing and persecuting Christians he was doing it out of his zeal for you. But after his conversion, you used that zeal to reach the world.

Father, keep my children close to you. Direct their paths. Don’t let my wife or me get in your way. Give them the lives you have for them to lead. Give them the lives you need them to have for your glory’s sake and the sake of their peace and joy.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on October 8, 2019 in Hymns and Songs

 

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“Know Who You Are” (from Moana) by Lin-Manuel Miranda, Mark Mancina, and Opetaia Foa’i

28 Sep

“Know Who You Are” (from Moana)

Dear God, I got home from rehearsal last night and there was a gap between Friday night college football games so I flipped channels and landed on the movie Moana. It was towards the end so I rode it out until it was over. When it came up at the end, I remembered the reaction I had to this scene and song the first time I saw the movie.

I have an old friend I’ve know for over 20 years who, several years ago, chose to start going down a self-destructive path. In fact, at lunch yesterday, I was telling another friend about him and wondering what role you have for me to play in his life. Do I have a voice to speak into his life? If I said something, would he hear me? Would I come across as sanctimonious? Would it destroy the shreds of friendship we have left? On the other hand, am I failing him by not risking everything for him? And if I did say something, what would I say?

That’s where this song/scene comes in. I don’t know what happened to my friend that made him turn on a dime. I don’t know if he did something that caused him shame or if something shameful happened to him. Perhaps neither. Perhaps both. But there are times I feel like I know him in a way that he doesn’t. Or at least I remember something about him that he has forgotten. When I first saw this scene in 2016, I thought of him, and I thought of him again last night. Is it a coincidence that I was talking about him yesterday and then I saw this last night, or was it providence?

So, Father, if the green heart in this scene can represent the renewing mercy and grace you offer, show me how to carry it to my friend with this message.

I have crossed the horizon to find you

In other words, I’m willing to risk everything to bring you this message.

I know your name

I know you in a way and things about who you are that you’ve forgotten.

They have stolen the heart from inside you

Something happened that caused you shame. Whether it was self-inflicted or done to you, it stole and hid from you who you are.

But this does not define you

There is mercy and grace. You know God. I know you remember the mercy that is available. Don’t let the secret of whatever happened control you.

This is not who you are

This is the truth. You may not see it, but this is not who you are.

I know who you are

Please remember and cling to Jesus. Let him heal your wounds.

Father, show me the way to him that I might carry your message to him and to others around me as well.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 28, 2019 in Hymns and Songs

 

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“Grace Wins” by Matthew West

15 Sep

“Grace Wins” by Matthew West

In my weakest moment I see you
Shaking your head in disgrace
I can read the disappointment
Written all over your face

Here comes those whispers in my ear
Saying who do you think you are
Looks like you’re on your own from here
‘Cause grace could never reach that far

But, in the shadow of that shame
Beat down by all the blame
I hear you call my name sayin’ it’s not over
And my heart starts to beat
So loud now, drowning out the doubt
I’m down but I’m not out

There’s a war between guilt and grace
And they’re fighting for a sacred space
But I’m living proof
Grace wins every time
No more lying down in death’s defeat
Now I’m rising up in victory
Singing hallelujah
Grace wins every time

Words can’t describe the way it feels
When mercy floods a thirsty soul
A broken side begins to heal
And grace returns what guilt has stole

And, in the shadow of that shame
Beat down by all the blame
I hear you call my name sayin’ it’s not over
And my heart starts to beat
So loud now, drowning out the doubt
I’m down but I’m not out

There’s a war between guilt and grace
And they’re fighting for a sacred space
But I’m living proof
Grace wins every time
No more lying down in death’s defeat
Now I’m rising up in victory
Singing hallelujah
Grace wins every time

For the prodigal son, grace wins
For the woman at the well, grace wins
For the blind man and the beggar, grace wins
For always and forever, grace wins
For the lost out on the street, grace wins
For the worst part of you and me, grace wins
For the thief on the cross, grace wins
For a world that it lost

There’s a war between guilt and grace
And they’re fighting for a sacred space
But I’m living proof
Grace wins every time
No more lying down in death’s defeat
Now I’m rising up in victory
Singing hallelujah
Grace wins every time
Every time
I’m living proof grace wins every time

Source: LyricFind
Songwriter: Matthew West

Dear God, the lyrics of this song deserve some time. On a macro level, this song is all about your Plan A vs Satan’s Plan A. Satan’s Plan A is all about dividing us and using judgment and shame between us to accomplish it. Your Plan A is to do your work in the world through unity with us and then us with each other. The way we are able to do that is your grace for us and then our grace with each other. If we actually tap into your grace then, as this song says, “Grace wins every time.”

In my weakest moment I see you
Shaking your head in disgrace
I can read the disappointment
Written all over your face

Here comes those whispers in my ear
Saying who do you think you are
Looks like you’re on your own from here
‘Cause grace could never reach that far

This is the first part in Satan’s Plan A. He lies to us about you. He takes the shame we feel in letting others down and he applies the same standard to you. Yes, our family and friends might judge us for what we’ve done, but you see us through the blood of Jesus. People who feel judged by you are taking the judgment they feel from others, including Christians, and associating that with you. But you are just waiting to love us and then give us freedom from whatever is behind our shame, whether it is something we’ve done or something that was done to us.

But, in the shadow of that shame
Beat down by all the blame
I hear you call my name sayin’ it’s not over
And my heart starts to beat
So loud now, drowning out the doubt
I’m down but I’m not out

I have some people in my heart right now who need to hear your call. This is where I struggle–what is my role in helping to be your voice to them? What exactly am I afraid of? I guess I’m afraid that if I address your grace for them then they will feel judged that I’m sitting around thinking they are awful people. In the case of a couple of them, in particular, I suspect things were done to them for which they feel shame and it has colored the rest of their lives. But it’s only a suspicion. How do I know? How do I broach the subject? How do I offer them your grace without sounding either 1.) sanctimonious or 2.) judgmental myself.

There’s a war between guilt and grace
And they’re fighting for a sacred space
But I’m living proof
Grace wins every time
No more lying down in death’s defeat
Now I’m rising up in victory
Singing hallelujah
Grace wins every time

Maybe that’s the answer. Maybe I tell them my story. Maybe I tell them about the guilt and shame I used to feel and how your grace won in my life. Maybe I need to tell them how I still feel shame over some of my decisions and I still need your grace. Maybe I need to tell them I love them and I truly want the best for them. Maybe I need to tell them that I have firsthand experience that your grace wins every time.

Words can’t describe the way it feels
When mercy floods a thirsty soul
A broken side begins to heal
And grace returns what guilt has stole

I’ve experienced the tears and release of turning loose of my guilt and shame and embracing your forgiveness. It’s amazing. He’s right. “Words can’t describe the way it feels, when mercy floods a thirsty soul.” To quote Dennis Jernigan song, “I wish I could take your heart into my heart. I wish I could show you just how good it feels to let go of the pain you know is killing you and cling to the only one who can heal you.”

For the prodigal son, grace wins
For the woman at the well, grace wins
For the blind man and the beggar, grace wins
For always and forever, grace wins
For the lost out on the street, grace wins
For the worst part of you and me, grace wins
For the thief on the cross, grace wins
For a world that it lost

I’ll tell you who else wins. The man who feels shame for lust. The woman who feels shame for how her children turned out. For the person who felt judged by and could never please their parents. For the child who was sexually abused. For the adult who was sexually assaulted. For all of us, grace wins every time.

Father, I really, earnestly pray that you will guide me in knowing how to be your messenger of grace to those around me. Show me what to do in each relationship and opportunity I have.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on September 15, 2019 in Hymns and Songs

 

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Some Old CCM (Christian Contemporary Music) by Michael W. Smith

31 Aug

For those of you who read this blog, I’m doing something a little different with my prayer journal this morning. When I woke up a bit ago, I was wondering what scripture I should use to inspire my prayer time with God today. I looked at the Revealed: A Storybook Bible for Grown-Ups book and found an interesting image for Joseph interpreting dreams while in prison, but it didn’t really inspire me–at least not now.

When I went in to make my breakfast, I thought of some of the Christian music my wife and I listened to in the 80’s and 90’s. I started shuffling through some old Michael W. Smith songs and found some great lyrics and good memories. A couple of them really made me think about some people I know and how they struggle to be free from shame and guilt. A couple reminded me of what Jesus actually did here on earth and what he offered to us. So I have four songs I’m putting below that are my prayer today. I’m praying the lyrics of each of these songs to God as a prayer on behalf of those who are struggling and as worship to the God that make a bridge to wholeness.

—

“Cry for Love” — Michael W. Smith

My life is like a racing car hurtling towards the wall
At the speed of sound
My time has been so finely tuned
But I’ve never seen a human being so tightly wound

At times it seems beyond belief
I just need a bit of relief
Like a war-weary soldier
Marching up and over the edge
Take my hand and pull me up cause I’m falling too fast
Somehow I’ve lost my way – I’m cryin’ save me

Can you hear me…I’m calling out
I’m crying out…a cry for love
I can feel you…you’re touching me
You healing me…my cry for love

I will be the first to admit
I don’t have the strength to handle it alone anymore
I don’t have to fret, don’t have to explain
All my worrying’s in vain
I’m not alone anymore

Why is this so hard to believe
What is mine is mine to freely receive
Like the changing of seasons
This is the beauty of the word
And for all that I have seen and heard
Oh I want to come home
Somehow I’ll make my way – my way home to you

Can you hear me…I’m calling out
I’m crying out…a cry for love
I can feel you…you’re touching me
You healing me…my cry for love

Oh Father hear my call (Oh Father hear my call)
I know you’ll catch me when I fall
Oh Father hear my call
I know you’ll catch me when I fall
Oh I pray that you’ll hold me now
Hold me
And take my fear away
I’m cryin’ save me

Oh I know that you can hear me
Hear me crying out for love
Oh I know that you can feel my cry for love…ooh…
I can feel you – you’re calling out
You’re crying out – a cry for love
I can feel you – you’re touching me
You’re healing me – my cry for love

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Michael W. Smith / Brent Bourgeois

—

“I’ll Lead You Home” by Michael W. Smith

Wandering the road of desperate life
Aimlessly beneath a barren sky
Leave it to me
I’ll lead you home

So afraid that you will not be found
It won’t be long before your sun goes down
Just leave it to me
I’ll lead you home

[Chorus]
Hear me calling
Hear me calling
Just leave it to me
I’ll lead you home

A troubled mind and a doubter’s heart
You wonder how you ever got this far
Leave it to me
I’ll lead you home

Vultures of darkness ate the crumbs you left
You got no way to retrace your steps
Just leave it to me
I’ll lead you home

Hear me calling
Hear me calling
You’re lost and alone
Leave it to me
I’ll lead you home

So let it go and turn it over to
The one who chose to give his life for you
Leave it to me
I’ll lead you home

Hear me calling
Hear me calling
You’re lost and alone
Leave it to me
I’ll lead you home

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Michael W. Smith / Wayne Kirkpatrick

—

“Rocketown” by Michael W. Smith

A Friday night affair
Out in the city heat
Always a party there
Along the sordid street
And it was guaranteed
The place to be was Rocketown

The drinks were two for one
Inside the crowded bars
The girls would make their run
Out on the boulevard
It was the idol place
We lived the ways of Rocketown
Hang around by the street light
In the heart of the night life

There came a certain man
A stranger to the crowd
We didn’t understand
What he was all about
He walked a different pace
So out of place in Rocketown

They made a fool of him
They teased him when he’d speak
But when they knocked him down
He’d turn the other cheek
He told me I could find
A life outside of Rocketown
Hang around by the street light
In the heart of the night life

What was his mission
Where was he going
Why was his heart light
Always glowing
All I was missing
He stood there holding
What was his secret
Could I know it

Some didn’t like him near
Some laughed and turned away
But me, I longed to hear
All that he had to say
He had a peace of mind
I couldn’t find in Rocketown
And when I reached down inside me
I could feel the emptiness

What was his mission
Where was he going
Why was his heart light
Always glowing
All I was missing
He stood there holding
What was his secret
Could I know it

He said it’s in the heart
This change that comes to be
Now he had done his part
The choice was up to me
As we were standing there
He said a prayer for Rocketown
As we were standing there
He said a prayer for Rocketown
As we were standing there
He said a prayer for Rocketown
He walked off silently
And prayed for me
And Rocketown

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Wayne Kirkpatrick / Michael W. Smith

—

“Secret Ambition” by Michael W. Smith

Young man up on the hillside
Teaching new ways
Each word winning them over
Each heart a kindled flame

Old men watch from the outside
Guarding their prey
Threatened by the voice of the paragon
Leading their lambs away
Leading them far away

Nobody knew His secret ambition
Nobody knew His claim to fame
He broke the old rules steeped in tradition
He tore the holy veil away
Questioning those in powerful position
Running to those who called His name
But nobody knew His secret ambition
Was to give His life away

His rage shaking the temple
His word to the wise
His hand healing on the seventh day
His love wearing no disguise

Some say, “Death to the radical
He’s way out of line.”
Some say, “Praise be the miracle
God sends a blessed sign.
A blessed sign for troubled times.”

Nobody knew His secret ambition
Nobody knew His claim to fame
He broke the old rules steeped in tradition
He tore the holy veil away
Questioning those in powerful position
Running to those who called His name
But nobody knew His secret ambition
Was to give His life away

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Michael W. Smith / Wayne Kirkpatrick / Amy Grant Gill

 
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Posted by on August 31, 2019 in Hymns and Songs

 

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Solomon — “Because of You” by Kelly Clarkson

17 Aug

“Because of You” by Kelly Clarkson

I will not make
The same mistakes that you did
I will not let myself
Cause my heart so much misery
I will not break
The way you did, you fell so hard
I’ve learned the hard way
To never let it get that far

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don’t get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

I lose my way
And it’s not too long before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know that’s weakness in your eyes
I’m forced to fake
A smile, a laugh everyday of my life
My heart can’t possibly break
When it wasn’t even whole to start with

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don’t get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid

I watched you die
I heard you cry every night in your sleep
I was so young
You should have known
Better than to lean on me
You never thought of anyone else
You just saw your pain
And now I cry in the middle of the night
For the same damn thing

Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don’t get hurt
Because of you
I try my hardest just to forget everything
Because of you
I don’t know how to let anyone else in
Because of you
I’m ashamed of my life
Because it’s empty
Because of you
I am afraid
Because of you
Because of you

Source: LyricFind
Songwriters: Kelly Brianne Clarkson / Ben Moody / David Hall Hodges

—

Dear God, I was letting a random playlist run on YouTube this morning when this Kelly Clarkson song came on. I had just made myself a sandwich and I came in on the middle of the video. I know from other songs and interviews she’s done that she had a problematic childhood with her parents’ divorce. According the Wikipedia (the source of all dependable truth 😉), she wrote this song when she was 16. There was obvisouly a lot of damage done to her through this, and you can tell that it seems to have some words for both of her parents. I must admit that I’ve never listened closel to this song before. I always thought it was about a currently emotionally abusive relationship with a boyfriend or husband. But the video was very powerful.

So why am I praying to you about this today? Well, in the midst of all of the prayers I’ve been doing lately about Solomon, this made me wonder how his childhood might have affected him later in life. He obviously had an issue with women. I don’t know what his sexual habits were, but to have that many wives and concubines there was obviously something going on there.

What kind of damage did he carry into his adulthood. Assuming that it was an open secret about how his parents had first come together, was that how he fantasized about treating women when he became king? Did he decide at that point to just take what he wanted? Of the 700 wives and 300 concubines, did he have to take them from any men or kill any men for them? I think I have underestimated (neglected is probably a better word) how much the influence his childhood had on Solomon’s reign as king.

So how do I continue to allow my influencers from childhood to impact my adult life? What baggage do I carry to this day? Of course, we all have it. We all have damage. As a husband, mine mainly manifests itself as insecurity and neediness. As a discipling Christian, I think I worship you, but I still keep you at just a bit of a distance because I don’t want to become too pious. As a father, I’m getting better at overcoming neediness, but it’s still something I fight. Even in my work, there is still a bit of neediness for approval. Hmm. Maybe I’m catching a patter here.

Father, help me to find my peace and my worth in you. Be glorified in me. Help me to love with no strings, work as unto you, and worship you as you deserve.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 17, 2019 in Hymns and Songs, Solomon

 

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“No Insult Like the Truth” by Charlie Peacock — No strength like utter weakness, no insult like the truth

07 Aug

“No Insult Like The Truth” By Charlie Peacock

I’ve run my ship aground
on the rocks of the soul
There’s no lie like independence
there’s no demon like control
I’ve fanned the burning embers
til my house was on fire
There’s no parody like power
There’s no fever like desire
I’ve drained the wine of darkness
to the dregs of deceit
There’s no drug as strong as pride
There’s no blindness like conceit
I’ve railed against the mountain
With a pickaxe and a file
There’s no minefield like presumption
There’s no death wish like denial

There’s no gunshot like conviction
There’s no conscience bulletproof
There’s no strength like utter weakness
There’s no insult like the truth

I’ve adjusted my prescription
til I couldn’t trust my vision
there’s no killer like convenience
there’s no sickness like omission
I’ve amended resolutions and resisted explanation
There’s no trap door like emotion
There’s no pit like reputation

There’s no gunshot like conviction
There’s no conscience bulletproof
There’s no strength like utter weakness
There’s no insult like the truth

There’s no cancer like ambition
There’s no cure like crucifixion
There’s no cancer like ambition
There’s no cure like crucifixion

There’s no gunshot like conviction
There’s no conscience bulletproof
There’s no strength like utter weakness
There’s no insult like the truth

This is part of a series dissecting the song “No Insult Like the Truth” by Charlie Peacock. In the series, I am taking two of the statements he makes and exploring the depth of meaning behind them and what I can learn about myself in the process

—

Dear God, so this is the culmination of this little series. I intentionally saved these two for last since they are the punch line of the chorus.

There’s no strength like utter weakness

When I think about the people I admire the least I would have to say that it is those who have the most bravado. If I’m around someone who needs to show me how strong they are, it is a complete turnoff, and they really don’t have anything to offer me.

One of the worst sermons I’ve ever heard was on Father’s Day several years ago. I was in a particularly bad spot as a father at that time, and I decided to visit a church I don’t normally attend but had been growing quite a bit. The pastor decided to approach Father’s Day by talking about all of the things he did well as a father and how great his kids turned out. I was devastated. I felt condemned and like a failure. It was terrible. Apparently, I wasn’t the only one because a member there told me he apologized the following week.

Portraying weakness is a strength, but what about genuinely recognizing the reality of my own weakness and living out of that. It’s a biblical cliche to say when I’m weak you are strong, but it’s true. Why does power corrupt? Because the person with power starts to make an idol out of themselves and the power they have instead of submitting themselves completely to you.

One last thing on this. The most powerful testimonies I have ever heard have been from those who talk about either a failure/weakness from their past, or a current failure/weakness. Vulnerability is where we all meet. There is no condemnation in vulnerability. If only I could truly learn that lesson.

There’s no insult like the truth

Hearing truth from someone else is important. Not that we need to seek out “insults,” but we have to put ourselves in situations where we are known by others so that they can speak truth to us about ourselves. This goes back into the vulnerability thing. If I build a wall around myself and create a facade of strength, then no one will know me and be able to speak truth to me. You will lose your ability to use others in my life to “sharpen” me.

Father, help me to embrace my own weakness and the truths about how I still fail you. Help me to leave myself vulnerable to those around me so that you can use my life as a comfort or inspiration for them. Love through me and help me to feel your love and acceptance.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 7, 2019 in “No Insult Like the Truth” by Charlie Peacock, Hymns and Songs

 

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“No Insult Like The Truth” by Charlie Peacock — No gunshot like conviction, no conscience bulletproof

06 Aug

“No Insult Like The Truth” By Charlie Peacock

I’ve run my ship aground
on the rocks of the soul
There’s no lie like independence
there’s no demon like control
I’ve fanned the burning embers
til my house was on fire
There’s no parody like power
There’s no fever like desire
I’ve drained the wine of darkness
to the dregs of deceit
There’s no drug as strong as pride
There’s no blindness like conceit
I’ve railed against the mountain
With a pickaxe and a file
There’s no minefield like presumption
There’s no death wish like denial

There’s no gunshot like conviction
There’s no conscience bulletproof
There’s no strength like utter weakness
There’s no insult like the truth

I’ve adjusted my prescription
til I couldn’t trust my vision
there’s no killer like convenience
there’s no sickness like omission
I’ve amended resolutions and resisted explanation
There’s no trap door like emotion
There’s no pit like reputation

There’s no gunshot like conviction
There’s no conscience bulletproof
There’s no strength like utter weakness
There’s no insult like the truth

There’s no cancer like ambition
There’s no cure like crucifixion
There’s no cancer like ambition
There’s no cure like crucifixion

There’s no gunshot like conviction
There’s no conscience bulletproof
There’s no strength like utter weakness
There’s no insult like the truth

This is part of a series dissecting the song “No Insult Like the Truth” by Charlie Peacock. In the series, I am taking two of the statements he makes and exploring the depth of meaning behind them and what I can learn about myself in the process

—

Dear God, I think I’m going to combine these two since they seem to go together. Conviction and the conscience. They obviously go together.

I guess the first thing I would point out is that there is a difference between feeling guilty and feeling convicted. At the most basic level, just because I don’t feel guilty about something doesn’t mean that the Holy Spirit isn’t trying to convict me of it. For example, I might feel just fine about rejecting an enemy or someone who has been mean to me, but the Holy Spirit might still convict me that there is something I need to do on my end.

And conviction can come in different forms. It can relate to a behavior or attitude that needs changed. It can also be that nudging I need to be part of a solution for a problem I see around me. The trick is to make sure I am continuously preparing my heart to be reached by the Holy Spirit. To go back to some stuff I have written earlier about the parable of the sower, am I doing my part to ensure that there is good soil for you to work with.

Father, convict me today of the things I need to see and to which I need to respond. Love through me. Work through me. And then search me and give me the humility to repent of the sins that are permeating my life. Help me to turn loose of the world and be the man you need me to be. The man I want to be. And do it all for your glory. Help me to decrease and have you increase through me.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 6, 2019 in “No Insult Like the Truth” by Charlie Peacock, Hymns and Songs

 

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“No Insult Like The Truth” by Charlie Peacock — No cancer like ambition, no cure like crucifixion

05 Aug

“No Insult Like The Truth” By Charlie Peacock

I’ve run my ship aground
on the rocks of the soul
There’s no lie like independence
there’s no demon like control
I’ve fanned the burning embers
til my house was on fire
There’s no parody like power
There’s no fever like desire
I’ve drained the wine of darkness
to the dregs of deceit
There’s no drug as strong as pride
There’s no blindness like conceit
I’ve railed against the mountain
With a pickaxe and a file
There’s no minefield like presumption
There’s no death wish like denial

There’s no gunshot like conviction
There’s no conscience bulletproof
There’s no strength like utter weakness
There’s no insult like the truth

I’ve adjusted my prescription
til I couldn’t trust my vision
there’s no killer like convenience
there’s no sickness like omission
I’ve amended resolutions and resisted explanation
There’s no trap door like emotion
There’s no pit like reputation

There’s no gunshot like conviction
There’s no conscience bulletproof
There’s no strength like utter weakness
There’s no insult like the truth

There’s no cancer like ambition
There’s no cure like crucifixion
There’s no cancer like ambition
There’s no cure like crucifixion

There’s no gunshot like conviction
There’s no conscience bulletproof
There’s no strength like utter weakness
There’s no insult like the truth

This is part of a series dissecting the song “No Insult Like the Truth” by Charlie Peacock. In the series, I am taking two of the statements he makes and exploring the depth of meaning behind them and what I can learn about myself in the process

—

Dear God, so I’m up to the bridge of the song. I notice he says it twice. “There’s no cancer like ambition. There’s no cure like crucifixion. There’s no cancer like ambition. There’s no cure like crucifixion.”

There’s no cancer like ambition

So what does cancer do? It grows until it takes what is alive and kills it, replacing it with itself. It’s absolute killer if not treated and removed. If not cured. Is Charlie right to hold ambition out as an exceptional vice above the others? Is ambition worse than independence, control, power, desire, pride, conceit, presumption, denial, convenience, omission, emotion, or reputation?

The thing that ambition can do that is dangerous is it will ultimately lead me to replace you with me. Even if I am ambitious for your and your kingdom, the danger is that I will start doing it for myself and my glory instead of your glory. My own wisdom will start to take hold. And I suppose I could say that my ambition will lead to all of the things that have come before it in the song. Ambition leads to independence, control, power, desire, pride, conceit, presumption, denial, convenience, omission, emotion, or reputation. Yes, I don’t know that I can say this definitively, but an argument can certainly be made that ambition is like a cancer in my soul.

There’s no cure like crucifixion

The know that my sin creates cannot be untied. Sometimes the damage done in relationships by hurting others cannot be undone through talking and reason. It requires sacrifice and humility. In terms of my relationship with you and the healing of my soul, the only thing there is to do is ask your forgiveness and that the sacrifice that Jesus made be applied to me as well. I must die to myself. I must put myself up there on the cross with Jesus, crucified, buried with him in baptism, and walk in newness of life. There’s no cure like Jesus’s crucifixion, but my own death to self is part of that as well.

Father, help me to sink into you. This is my first day back at work after a nice vacation. Help me to walk in your light and your power. Help me to walk humbly with you. Help me to hear your voice in the noice and in the still, quiet moments. Help me to carry you with me to others. Help me to bring glory to your name.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 5, 2019 in “No Insult Like the Truth” by Charlie Peacock, Hymns and Songs

 

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“No Insult Like the Truth” by Charlie Peacock — No trapdoor like emotion, no pit like reputation

04 Aug

“No Insult Like The Truth” By Charlie Peacock

I’ve run my ship aground
on the rocks of the soul
There’s no lie like independence
there’s no demon like control
I’ve fanned the burning embers
til my house was on fire
There’s no parody like power
There’s no fever like desire
I’ve drained the wine of darkness
to the dregs of deceit
There’s no drug as strong as pride
There’s no blindness like conceit
I’ve railed against the mountain
With a pickaxe and a file
There’s no minefield like presumption
There’s no death wish like denial

There’s no gunshot like conviction
There’s no conscience bulletproof
There’s no strength like utter weakness
There’s no insult like the truth

I’ve adjusted my prescription
til I couldn’t trust my vision
there’s no killer like convenience
there’s no sickness like omission
I’ve amended resolutions and resisted explanation
There’s no trap door like emotion
There’s no pit like reputation

There’s no gunshot like conviction
There’s no conscience bulletproof
There’s no strength like utter weakness
There’s no insult like the truth

There’s no cancer like ambition
There’s no cure like crucifixion
There’s no cancer like ambition
There’s no cure like crucifixion

There’s no gunshot like conviction
There’s no conscience bulletproof
There’s no strength like utter weakness
There’s no insult like the truth

This is part of a series dissecting the song “No Insult Like the Truth” by Charlie Peacock. In the series, I am taking two of the statements he makes and exploring the depth of meaning behind them and what I can learn about myself in the process.

—

Dear God, as I continue on with this series of journals to you, it can be hard to feel like I’m not repeating myself a bit because, when it all comes down to it, a lot of this comes down to dying to ourselves and letting go. Letting go of secrets. Letting go of independence, control, power, desire, pride, conceit, presumption, denial, convenience, omission, emotion and reputation. Just letting go and getting to the bridge of this song, which I’ll do tomorrow (no cure like crucifixion).

There’s no trapdoor like emotion

Emotion can be good and important. It can be an indicator that something is wrong or that something is right. But it is fleeting and it can’t be depended upon for the longterm. Emotion can get you into a relationship too quickly, and out of one too fast. It can make you paralyzed with fear or depressed with despair.

When I was a freshman at Baylor, they did “Welcome Week” for incoming students, and the t-shirts they gave us had the “Welcome Week Wheel.” The wheel had four areas of our lives that they said should be equal in their weight if we are to have balanced lives: Mental, Physical, Emotional, and Spiritual. The wheel also had a hub in the middle of it where Jesus was. I’ve always liked that representation. Emotion is important, but it can be a trapdoor that can’t be trusted.

Applying this to church, I heard a Christian artist talk about someone telling him after a worship service, “Wow, the Holy Spirit really moved in there.” His reply was, “How could you tell? There was so much going on, how could you tell what the Holy Spirit was doing or saying?” He then made the point that we sometimes mistake an emotional experience for the Holy Spirit. Then we start to depend upon that emotion to sustain us in our faith and walk with you. That can be a trapdoor. The same is true for romantic relationships and friendships. And anger can drive us the other way. Anger can push us away from people who might actually need us.

There’s no pit like reputation

When I think of a pit I think of a place where I’m stuck and the pit is keeping me from getting out. In this case, reputation is the pit that holds me in. Perhaps my reputation keeps me from admitting fault. Maybe it keeps me from stepping out and taking a chance. Maybe it causes me to create a facade that keeps others away and mistreats those that are closest to me. Maybe, and this is the most dangerous, it causes me to create an image that brings glory to me and not to you.

—

Father, help me to, first, keep you in the center of my life. I have had a morning that has been a bit self-indulgent. I’ve been lazy and lethargic. And maybe there’s a place for that sometimes, but I know that at the end of those times I always feel the need for you. I feel like I need your presence to bring me peace. I pray that you will help me to submit my emotions, physicality, mentality, and spirituality to you. Help me to die to myself. Help me to love others richly. And there is someone in particular on my heart right now. I pray for her and her parents. I pray for her siblings. Please help her and all of them.

In Jesus’ name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 4, 2019 in “No Insult Like the Truth” by Charlie Peacock, Hymns and Songs

 

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“No Insult Like The Truth” by Charlie Peacock — No killer like convenience, no sickness like omission

01 Aug

“No Insult Like The Truth” By Charlie Peacock

I’ve run my ship aground
on the rocks of the soul
There’s no lie like independence
there’s no demon like control
I’ve fanned the burning embers
til my house was on fire
There’s no parody like power
There’s no fever like desire
I’ve drained the wine of darkness
to the dregs of deceit
There’s no drug as strong as pride
There’s no blindness like conceit
I’ve railed against the mountain
With a pickaxe and a file
There’s no minefield like presumption
There’s no death wish like denial

There’s no gunshot like conviction
There’s no conscience bulletproof
There’s no strength like utter weakness
There’s no insult like the truth

I’ve adjusted my prescription
til I couldn’t trust my vision
there’s no killer like convenience
there’s no sickness like omission
I’ve amended resolutions and resisted explanation
There’s no trap door like emotion
There’s no pit like reputation

There’s no gunshot like conviction
There’s no conscience bulletproof
There’s no strength like utter weakness
There’s no insult like the truth

There’s no cancer like ambition
There’s no cure like crucifixion
There’s no cancer like ambition
There’s no cure like crucifixion

There’s no gunshot like conviction
There’s no conscience bulletproof
There’s no strength like utter weakness
There’s no insult like the truth

This is part of a series dissecting the song “No Insult Like the Truth” by Charlie Peacock. In the series, I am taking two of the statements he makes and exploring the depth of meaning behind them and what I can learn about myself in the process.

—

Dear God, I read the to “truisms” from this song this evening and I knew exactly what I think about convenience and I have no idea what to say about omission. So let’s see where we end up.

There’s no killer like convenience

This one seems so obvious to me that it almost doesn’t need my explanation. However, those are usually the times when you have something new for me to examine.

Convenience is absolutely dastardly. On a macro scale, just look at the difference in the need for antidepressants and anti-anxiety medications in developed nations vs. third-world countries. You would think that all of the conveniences of life in developed nations–access to food, clean water, transportation, work, nice/air conditioned/heated shelter, Internet, etc.–would fill us with joy. Why doesn’t it? Why does it seem that the more we are challenged the happier we are as people?

Take the NBA. Why is it that the biggest guys are usually (not always) the worst free throw shooters? Why are the smaller guys usually better? Is it because the smaller guys had to develop part of their game that the big guys never did because they were just able to physically dominate? I just listened to a series about the rivalry between Shaquille O’Neal and Kobe Bryant. It drove Kobe crazy that Shaq didn’t work hard on his game. Why didn’t Shaq work hard? Because he didn’t have to in order to be dominant. The convenience of his size killed his drive to maximize his true potential. Hence, opposing coaches used the Hack-a-Shaq strategy to defend him because they knew he couldn’t shoot a free throw consistently enough to hurt them.

That’s enough about others. Where do I allow convenience to kill me? By American standards, I am decidedly middle class, but in the eyes of the majority of the world, I would be considered very wealthy. I live in a nice, well-maintained home. I have reliable transportation. I don’t have enough money in the bank to retire early or even retire comfortably at this point, but I do have enough to take care of an unexpected emergency. And I am a person who likes to create my comfort zone. At work, I want to build a safe situation where I know that I won’t have to worry about paying the bills, making payroll, or having the resources to help the patients who come to us. It is very tempting for me to lose the “eye of the tiger” (thank you Apollo Creed from Rocky III), and one of the things I need at work and in my personal life is accountability. I need my wife and friends to hold me accountable at home, and I need our staff and board of directors at work.

I would be remiss, I suppose, if I didn’t spend some more time about why people in industrialized nations are so depressed and anxious. I think the answer is probably pretty simple. You created us to work. You created us to survive. However, when everything is just there for the taking (i.e. convenient) we feel an incredible lack of meaning in our lives. I suppose it’s up to me to figure out how to find that meaning in my worship of you and the work you call me to. Even if I had all of the money in the world, there are still things in the world that need attention from someone. Children are suffering. Schools are struggling. People are hungry or need medical attention. I could go on an on. The point is, just because some parts of my life might be “convenient” doesn’t mean that I shouldn’t press on and reach the end of the race (Philippians 3:14).

There’s no sickness like omission

Omission can mean so many things. I wish I knew more concretely what Charlie was referencing here. Did he mean omitting information and truth? Did he mean omitting people? If this is in any way related to “convenience,” perhaps he means being exclusionary of others and only accepting certain people. I guess I’ll go with that one for now. It kind of fits.

The idea of accepting or rejecting others based on some sort of pre-determined criteria is a sickness that permeates not only our society, but our individual souls. And I’m talking about rejection for any reason–race, religion, politics, socio-economic standing, etc. If I set myself or my social circle apart from others then I am missing a huge part of your creation and I am grieving you. After all, how can I be your ambassador, how can the church be your body, and how can our nation impact the world for your glory when we are prejudiced over one criteria or another?

I confess that I am still tempted in this area. I watched a movie last night in which the actress was dressed like a complete s***. At one point, she platonically checked into a hotel with a much older man and I told my wife that if I were the hotel clerk I would call the police because it looked like a human trafficking situation. I did NOT like this character. I wouldn’t have wanted anything to do with her in real life. I would have missed how damaged she is. I would have possibly missed an opportunity to help her. I would have simply judged her and moved on. I still do it every day, and it is a sickness in me and so many of us.

—

Father, please help me to be aware of the omission of others that I allow into my life, and help me to not be killed by convenience. Help me to ask you each day to make me aware of the work you have laid out for me, including the people who have for me to love, and then please bless that work so that I and everyone who comes into contact with me will be drawn closer to you.

In Jesus’s name I pray,

Amen

 
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Posted by on August 1, 2019 in “No Insult Like the Truth” by Charlie Peacock, Hymns and Songs

 

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