Whatever Takes Us Away

To the naysayers and religiosity that may not be able to see the reality of today’s culture.

Do not judge, or you too will be judge. For in the same way you judge others, you will be judged, and with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your brother, “Let me take the speck out of your eye,” when all the time there is a plank in your own eye? (Matthew 7:1-4, NIV)

I recently visited a “Christian” website, that will remain unnoted, where people can post items about sermons, Bible passages, events, concerts, etc. and I came across a series of messages about Acquire the Fire. One post reads,
“Re: Acquire the fire. Acquire WHAT fire? Here is an image of a band named "Skillet" that perfoms at these types of rallies. I look at this, and I want to weep. How did Satan ever infiltrate? If this is a sampling of the "fire" that is yet to be "acquired"...God help us. Oh, what has happened to the glorious hymns of Wesley and Watts? Is this the fruit that provokes one to a life of holiness and humility?”

And another,
“Last weekend, some youth from our church went to see the popular "Acquire the Fire" down in San Antonio. I don't really know anything about ATF, other than it's some sort of travelling rally geared to "fire up" youth group kids. One of the girls (my niece) came back seemingly impacted and even "signed up" to go on a remote missionary trip come summer. Of course, knowing me, I am instantly wary of anything that purposes to instill a kind of "fire" in people that are plainly destitute of holiness and self-denial.”

I WEEP FOR YOU! So many people who call themselves “Christians” today are, in large part, the largest group of hypocrites on this planet. Whether it is a stadium event with 50,000 or more people or a local revival with little more than 20 people, the fact that when two or more are gathered in HIS NAME HE WILL BE IN THEIR MIDST cannot be taken away. Some of us plant seeds; some water and nurture those seeds; others still feed the plant and care for it as it grows, pruning it; others still watch the plant as it bears fruit. Even if some of the youths that attend an ATF event aren’t immediately impacted by what they had witnessed, that SEED has been planted, and in GOD’S time (not yours, not mine, not your pastor’s) that seed will begin to grow, thrive and produce good fruit. For, "a good tree cannot bear bad fruit and likewise a bad tree cannot bear good fruit." (Matthew 7:18)

Skeptical or nonsense in the ability to believe that even with the most detestable looking person on the face of this earth, God can do anything. I’ve met more than a fair share of Christians throughout the years, some I still have a hard time being in close proximity with due to looks, body odor, perfumes, etc., but that doesn’t mean they aren’t JESUS FREAKS! For those of you who think bands like Skillet, P.O.D., Project 86, Thousand Foot Krutch, Pillar, and a vast array of other hard rock bands are merely “Jesus-fluff” in it for the money only, please reconsider what your words are really saying. If you don’t like the music the looks that’s fine and it is called personal preference. However, because you don’t like someone, something or a band like Grits, KJ-52, TobyMac, or Hawk Nelson, care for your tongue (or in this case, your fingers as they type), for out of the mouth flow the things of the heart.

Who, I ask you, did our Lord Jesus hang out with? Who did He choose to travel with? Who did He spend time with when His disciples tried to push them away? Answers: Tax collectors & sinners. Smelly fishermen, tax collectors, simple folk. Children. Yet, when I read, and hear people say that nothing good can come of an event like Acquire the Fire I simply have to weep; for when people say things like that it only detracts from the overall experience – or can make a teenager not want to attend what could be his/her only chance to hear the gospel in a non-clinical setting like a church on Sunday morning.

Not everyone will have a life changing event at one of these. The same can be said for the Catholic Cursillo, the Lutheran Bretheran Way, or the Walk to Emmaus retreats. I have attended at least one of the aforementioned retreats, and I can say that having been on the volunteer side and the first time attender side, there are pros and cons. Had it not been for that weekend I may have never actually believed that I AM WORTHY. Others who have attended such retreats have said that it meant nothing to them. With each thing that comes around every year, every season, every week comes pros and cons. The same can be said for the music.

I grew up in a church that has one enormously large pipe organ (I have yet to see one that even comes close to the size of this thing). I enjoy hearing those things, I really truly do. My personal preference for music on a regular basis would lead you to believe otherwise. I like hard rock, heavy metal, praise & worship and some hip-hop. Would you go to a church that has only contemporary music and expect to hear wonderful hymns by Wesley? Or, would you go into a church that has pipe organs and a piano and expect to hear a praise band? And what of those people, much like myself, that would walk by an open church door on Sunday. If they heard something that caught their attention, a nice guitar riff, some congas banging, a deep bass line – what if that was the only thing that brought a man or woman into church. Has satan infiltrated our music, our lifestyles? How about this slant (and I’m a believer in this one) what the devil has posed for us to take as evil, we turn that against him and use for the glory of God.

Images like the one from Skillet? You know what I think, those guys are awesome! And praise God for allowing them to use the talents, gifts, skills and abilities to try to reach a world that is seemingly unreachable. I choose to be “in” this world, not “of” this world. I have had my fair share of sawdust, and planks in my eyes. I have been judged many times, and I have unwisely judged as well. I have matured in my walk with Jesus enough to know when to open my mouth and fight for what He has given us to work with. We live in a world that is stubborn, fraught with lies from TV, radio and Hollywood; and this is what reaches those who have not heard the Gospel. ATF and other similar events that help plant the seed are not for those who are already “well established” in the faith journeys (though it can be an uplifting experience for them), my understanding of them are not for “validation” of faith, but more for guiding those untouched souls towards a knowledge and understanding of the Birth, Life, Death, and Resurrection of Christ Jesus. As soon as reality sets in, please comment – we live in a world that is dying, and by dividing ourselves (the Body of Christ) with useless quarreling, we only further advance the demise of Christian civilization; what little is left of it anyway.

If you have the time to after reading this, please read 2 Corinthians 12:1-10. And if you have the means to (local library, book store, Christian book store, catalog, order online) find a way to read Ron Luce’s book, “Battlecry for a Generation” – you may find that ATF is more than a “feel good” event for teens to go to.

Well, when I started this blog I only wanted to do it for 1 year, just to see if I could post at least once each week. Here it is, one year later, and I have managed to go above and beyond that goal. I’m now over sixty posts and feel I should continue to write as I have time and something to say.

This past year has been one of high highs, and low lows – but all in all it has been a good year. For those of you that have been reading from the beginning and for those of you new comers I’ll try to get you up to date with some of what I have posted about.

“Bob” and I continue our friendship. I am still working on this one, but have actually started letting our mutual love of music guide things. You see, we both like music, almost any style of music. I have found that many of the Christian bands I listen to on a regular basis fit into a lot of what he enjoys listening to. TobyMac, P.O.D., Reliant K, Thousand Foot Krutch, etc. are just a few of the band I have introduced to him. I may only be the one to plant the seed, and even if that seed is planted by ways of music, at least there is a Biblical foundation to that.

Nearly a year into it, I am still a PK (preacher’s kid). Whether or not I am fit to be a youth director is still yet to be determined, but that’s a whole different topic. And while being a PK isn’t all that hard, it is sometimes difficult to deal with, but not impossible. Thankfully I have my faith and it helps get me through tough times. During this past year, my Dad has found that he has Prostate Cancer and has undergone radiation treatment for it – one of the low-lows for this year. Time will tell, and prayers will certainly help. I know the Lord didn’t give him this appointment as Pastor only to take it away due to health issues.

“Thou art a votary to fond desire.” Read post: A Message from Valentine (Shakespeare). I have called for a long time. I have asked questions. I have waited for an answer. And, whether or not I have listened properly I think I am doing what the Lord has asked of me. There was no one else to step into the role of Youth Director at the church and I just started working with them. It feels like the right thing and I actually enjoy it (when I can keep their attention for more than a minute or two). I will continue to follow this path until God puts something else in front of me. Thanks for the answer!

I am still NOT a singer, but continue to lead songs for youth group and on occasion during Sunday morning services. I have found since last summer that there are certain keys I cannot sing in as they are much too high for my vocal range (very limited range I might add).

There are a ton of other posts I could re-comment on, but for now I think that will help you all better understand what and who I have found myself to be and become over the past year. I have found that plan for me, or better put, God has let me know what HIS plan for me is. We all have a plan, our own plans, that usually don’t come of much. If we take the time to, ask, listen and be patient with our Lord, He will lay the plan in front of us. After several years of desiring to find what my plan was, I think I’ve found it. If you are struggling as I was, be patient, ask questions, spend time in prayer and listen for that still, small voice.

Thanks for reading and posting comments for the first year! I will continue to add to this; at least for another year!

Many of you may not know why I've been writing about and posting things about Acquire the Fire or Battlecry - I'll give you a brief (maybe) description of what this is all about.

Last fall Tina and I talked about, between ourselves and with the youth group, whether or not we should try to do an ATF event. We decided it would be something beneficial for us as youth leaders and beneficial to those precious few that are a part of our youth group. That said, I started doing research into the history of ATF and the events that occur around the country. If you type in http://acquirethefire.com your will immediately be redirected to battlecry.com. I began reading and found a link to a book written by ATF and Teen Mania founder Ron Luce called "Battlecry For A Generation" and made the decision to purchase it. I like to read.

Two and a half days later I finished the book and immediately passed the book along to my pastor, who happens also to be my father. The contents of this book shocked me. The contents of this book made me question things. The contents of this book took a hold of my heart and I decided to do something about it.

Further research lead me to the iTunes store and the Podcast section. Therein I found video clips that described, with visual images, all that I had just read about. There is also a video about 30 minutes long that is a basic outline of the book, and for those of you that are not like me (I like to read) you can get the low-down version of the contents of the book; and have the author, Ron Luce, spell it out to you with more images and video clips.

You see, the contents of this book describe the current generation of teens in America. This is the largest generation of people the U.S. has ever seen with 33 million people. Of that number current estimates are that only 4% of them are Bible believing Christians. As you look towards the older generations that number increases dramatically, and the oldest of the U.S. generations has around 50% Bible believing Christians.

The book lays out, in great detail and sighting many studies, the influences we all face; not just this current generation of teens. It isn't a book telling one how to run their life. Nor is it a fix-all how-to book. It is, however, a book that will open your eyes and make you question what has happened to our country and our world.

There is also a version of the book for teens/young adults called "Battlecry For My Generation" that helps the reader understand how to deal with all of the influences in his/her life. Both books can be used as Bible studies, for small group discussion or for the single reader. If you have an opportunity to, pick of a copy, read it and pass it along - especially to your Pastor and Youth Director at your local church.

How have we gone from a country born of Christian believers to a nation without God?

So, who's up for a trip to Muncie? Anyone for an overnight? Well, if you're going, you are staying the night. While I can't promise a luxurious stay at the W Hotel, I can say we have a place to lay our heads Friday night. Thanks to our brothers and sisters at College Avenue United Methodist Church in Muncie, we will have a place to sleep and keep our things while we attend Acquire the Fire. It may not be fancy, but it will save us money, and it will be a place we can sleep.

Short packing list:
Sleeping bag/blanket & pillow(s)
Pajamas/sweats
Towel, wash cloth, soap
Toothbrush & toothpaste
Extra set of clothes for day two
Camera(s) with extra batteries
Bibles
CD/MP3 players
Extra money (gifts, souvenirs, etc.)

I need input from those of you going. We will be returning late Saturday night and need to decide if we will be taking everyone home of if you want to spend the night at the church. I'm sure we can make arrangements for showers that night or Sunday morning with those that live near the church if we decide to stay the night there. Let me know.

If there is anything else you can think of let me know. See you Sunday morning!

And for those of you wondering . . . Tina is feeling better for now. We've changed her diet to incorporate less dairy and fatty foods (more fruits and veggies!) and that seems to be helping. CT Scan? She doesn't have enough body fat for the CT scan to do much good as it bounces off the body fat to give a better image. Ultrasound? A little more info from that one, but still nothing has been pinpointed as to what the problem has been. MRI anyone? In a couple weeks she'll go in for an MRI and maybe then we'll have an answer. Until then, keep praying!

For those attending or wanting to attend the Acquire the Fire event with us in a few weeks, here's a preview of one of the bands we'll be seeing. Enjoy!