Cory Asbury - Reckless Love

This is song number 2 that I will be giving a critical listen to. I chose this song because it was a 2018 Dove Award winner. Before I begin, I want to note that Cory records under the Bethel Music label. This is associated with the Bethel Church in Redding, California. While I am not a fan of their theology, I am going to (try and) not let that affect my opinion of the doctrinal validity of this song.

(My comments are in blue)

"Reckless Love"

Before I spoke a word, You were singing over me
You have been so, so good to me
Before I took a breath, You breathed Your life in me
You have been so, so kind to me

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah

When I was Your foe, still Your love fought for me
You have been so, so good to me
When I felt no worth, You paid it all for me
You have been so, so kind to me

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine
I couldn't earn it, and I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah

There's no shadow You won't light up
Mountain You won't climb up
Coming after me
There's no wall You won't kick down
Lie You won't tear down
Coming after me

There's no shadow You won't light up
Mountain You won't climb up
Coming after me
There's no wall You won't kick down
Lie You won't tear down
Coming after me

There's no shadow You won't light up
Mountain You won't climb up
Coming after me
There's no wall You won't kick down
Lie You won't tear down
Coming after me

There's no shadow You won't light up
Mountain You won't climb up
Coming after me
There's no wall You won't kick down
Lie You won't tear down
Coming after me

Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God
Oh, it chases me down, fights 'til I'm found, leaves the ninety-nine
And I couldn't earn it, I don't deserve it, still, You give Yourself away
Oh, the overwhelming, never-ending, reckless love of God, yeah

Lyrics found here

Listening to the song, I find myself worshiping the God that is spoken of. I also see a lot of Scriptural basis for the lyrics. God does pursue us, He does leave the 99, He pursues us even while we are sinners (foes). This song does not present God or my response to Him in a way that I find offensive. I did read a few criticisms for Cory's description of God's love as reckless, but I find it a word that really creates a feeling of appreciation for a God who would pursue us in so many wild and wonderful ways.

If I were to rate this song based on its impact as well as what it teaches I would have to give it a 10 out of 10. In fact, I'm going to listen to it again!

Aren't You Missing the Point?

One of my problems with the institutional church, at least the ones that I have been to, is that they are missing the point, the gospel.

I was listening to a sermon from a large, nearby church. One that my children are involved with in the Youth programs. It was a missionary speaker, and he was telling stories about some of his experiences with the people of Tanzania. He spoke of having to eat really rare meat, eating honey with all of the components (like the comb, larva, and bee parts) not filtered out by the bowlful, and about their hospitality when housing visitors.

In housing visitors, he spoke of how this people liked to give their guests the best of their accommodations, even when their best is somewhat meager. He spoke of how in Tanzania and other African cultures as well, putting others first is just a part of their culture. Not that this is everywhere in Africa or even Tanzania, but it is evident among many there. He then spoke of how he is in a season of transition as he is taking a new role in ministry. He asked the questions, "What will you do with your opportunities? What will you do with your resources? What will you do with the relationships that God blesses you with? How will you serve?"

These are great questions! But it is how we answer these questions that determines how successful we will be at honoring the God we serve. He even narrows that question down as he wraps up his talk. Since the verse he was focused on is Matthew 7:13-14, he asks, "How do I stay on the narrow path?" I thought, he is getting to the meat now, what an opportunity to present the gospel. But no. Nothing. Just a challenge to serve better, mentor better. Recommit yourself to God. Do more. Try harder.

I think if I were an average pew-sitter, I might be leaving here with a few questions. Like, "If these people were already basically good people who followed Jesus's teaching (even though they did not necessarily know Jesus himself) and put others first, why send missionaries to them?" Or, "How am I going to do this?" I already struggle with just doing what I do and being who I am. I don't know how to do any better. Nice stories though." Or maybe I would just smile, say amen, and start looking for my car keys.

Maybe he could have told us that even though these were basically good people, that still was not enough. Maybe he could have told us how he shared the gospel message with them, showing them that while their hospitality was appreciated, there was still something missing in relation to God.

The gospel is not "Try better, do more, don't give up." The gospel is, "Jesus has done it. Relax. The burden now is light." Not that your good deeds are in vain, but that your good deeds are now a response to the glory and mercy of God. Anyone can try harder, and many do. But on the narrow road, the lives that we now live we live for God. We have seen his glory, and our response is to love Him and others in a powerful way.

Keith Green - Oh Lord, You're Beautiful

In my last post, I noted that I would start looking at some of the music that touches my soul, but a little more critically, since I believe that doctrine is important. I chose this song, because it goes back to the beginnings of my connection with CCM (Contemporary Christian Music). Kind of shows my age, as this song was released in 1980. I was in college (a Christian college), and had only been a believer about 4 years.

At this time, Keith Green was a phenomenon. Everyone on campus seemed to love him and his music. His story and the way that he was portrayed as living what he believed was amazing. His death in 1982, while I was still in college, was quite a shock and honestly even a test of faith to some extent. I mean, if God would take him, a man with such talent and potential, that brings up so many questions about how I thought things should work in the world of faith.

Lyrics are bolded, my comments are in blue.

Oh Lord, you're beautiful,
Your face is all I see,
For when your eyes are on this child,
Your grace abounds to me

These words still touch me, and melt m heart. God is beautiful, and I need to be melted by that beauty in to a deep and reverent love for Him. I need to hear this daily.

Oh Lord, you're beautiful,
Your face is all I see,
For when your eyes are on this child
Your grace abounds to me

I want to take your word and shine it all around

So powerful. My deeds are not a offering that I give to earn God's favor, but are the response of seeing His beauty.

But first help me to just, live it Lord

I am just a little perplexed at what he is asking hear, but I love the humility of the question. Let my response be worthy somehow.

And when I'm doing well, help me to never seek a crown
For my reward is giving glory to you

Yes, the reward is not a pat on the back, or a "well done," for if that is what I am after, then I have come with the wrong motive and my efforts are in vain. My reward is the glory that God gets, and the joy I have found in giving Him that glory. Period. 

Oh Lord, please light the fire
That once burned bright and clean
Replace the lamp of my first love
That burns with holy fear

Seems like a bit of a struggle has taken place. But I love the openness and honesty. When those times come, and they do, turn to God and cry out for help. Isn't that what most of the Psalms are about?

I want to take your word and shine it all around
But first help me to just, live it Lord
And when I'm doing well, help me to never seek a crown
For my reward is giving glory to you

Oh Lord, you're beautiful
Your face is all I see
For when your eyes are on this child
Your grace abounds to me

Oh Lord, you're beautiful
Your face is all I see
For when your eyes are on

Source: LyricFind

Songwriters: Keith Gordon Green

Oh Lord You're Beautiful lyrics © Universal Music Publishing Group, Capitol Christian Music Group

What a place to start. If I were to rate this song based on its impact as well as what it teaches I would have to give it a 10 out of 10. 

Music can soothe the soul

One of the things that really draws me to the heart of God is a good song. Chorus or hymn or single, music touches me in a way that nothing else does.

But if I am going to expose my heart and soul to the lyrics of a song, and if I believe that doctrine is important to me, should I not be taking a more critical look at what I am taking comfort in? I believe that answer is yes.

Take my last post for example, I commented on a sermon snippet that someone had posted from Joel Osteen. Their comment was, "Love this!" And while I agreed with some of what it said, and wanted to believe all of it, I found that some of the statements made were not able to be backed by the Bible. That some of it was Prosperity Theology that seems like tickling men's ears rather than the truth of the gospel. At least it is when viewed in the context of his ministry.

So what about the songs I find that soothe my soul, that pick me up when I am down. I am going to start to look at them a bit more critically. Hopefully, I will find that they are solid and worthy of listening to. Maybe sometimes I won't. My goal is to take an honest look, to ask questions (because sometimes I may be misinterpreting something), and to present a point of view based upon what I believe.

So many choices, I wonder where I should start!

Tweaking the Gospel

Content from a Joel Osteen sermon (bold type) that came across my Facebook page...

Will you be a Hosea and go after the hurting, go after those that are addicted, those that have been written off by society? Not with your finger pointed in judgment, telling them what they're doing wrong, go after them with something more powerful, with love, with mercy, with the goodness of God. They don't deserve it, neither did we. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. You've been shown incredible mercy. I'm asking you, show that mercy to others. Be a Hosea.

Let me say that had the content stopped here, I would have no problem with a word of it. We should show mercy, and the reason for us showing mercy is because we see the incredible grace and mercy God has shown to us. It is the following text that I take issue with...

If you'll do this, I believe and declare, as you lift others up, God is going to lift you up. As you rescue somebody else, God will always have somebody to rescue you and your children. The seed you sow will come back to you, In Jesus's name, and if you receive it, can you say Amen today?

This is where he loses me. Because now, instead of my action being a response to the grace and mercy God has already given me, I am now doing it for the future gain God will give to me because of my behavior. Is this the pattern we see every time in the Bible?

Did Paul suffer so many things for the promise of rescue? What did Stephen do that caused God to not rescue him from stoning? What about Uriah the Hittite? He did everything right from what is recorded in the Bible. The list goes on...

I want to believe this. I want to believe I can appropriate God's mercy through what I do, that I can facilitate his healing through my faithfulness. Problem is, I don't see it that way in life or in the Scriptures.

Truth is, I should believe and behave as I do because of what God has done, past tense. Period. If God wants to show me more grace and mercy, wonderful. If I must suffer for the gospel, I am okay with that as well. God has already rescued me through the cross, he does not have to do it again.

Joel, the gospel is enough. It does not need your tweaking to make it more appealing. Because once you add to the gospel, you are no longer preaching the gospel.

I'll have an order of Christianity, hold the cross.

Post found here.

I read a post I had written before, it speaks of the fact that Satan offered Jesus a shortcut to achieve his mission, one that would bypass the cross. A legitimate temptation for Jesus, who while fully God, was also fully man. No cross means no suffering. What a deal!

But Jesus said, "No deal!"

He knew that to eliminate the cross was to fail. Can we think any less?

How did he do it? How did he overcome that immediate temptation and press on? Satan was not aware of one important thing about Jesus. He saw the cross as joy. "Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God." (Hebrews 12:2)

How could the cross be a joy? Was it because he was going to be so happy he gave me salvation? I don't think so. I think it was because Jesus was not focused on himself (or me for that matter), but on his Father and the mission God gave him. Jesus relished in doing the work of God, no matter the cost.

We too, are called to take up our cross and follow Jesus. (Matt 10:38; 16:24 for starters) If we look at the cross, that is very unappealing. If we look at ourselves, it is still unappealing. But if we look to Jesus, if we understand that our cross is not ever going to be as big a burden as his. Even in death, we do not have to suffer the consequence of the sin of the world. I can and should take up my cross because I am focused on God the Father, and God the Son. I can bear my cross, because God has promised to see me through.

Try as you might, if you do not have the cross, you do not have Christianity.

Feels Like Home

It has been over 5 years since I last posted. (I feel like I am in a confessional, telling the priest when the last time I have been to confession.) A lot has happened in that time. A lot.

So I am on the internet, and for some reason, I am looking at old posts and reading several. I find that I am thankful that I have recorded some of the thoughts I shared. Others, maybe not so much.

I started this blog after going through a messy situation with a church we were invited to attend, and did attend for a while. Reliving some of that was painful, yet convicting. It seems that God has reawakened me regarding my zeal for him. So today I post again. Maybe tomorrow or a few times in the future too. I don't know. But today I am thankful that I have recorded these thoughts, so maybe in the future I will be thankful for what I am recording now. And maybe it will help someone else who might stumble who is in a similar situation.

Not sure what these posts will consist of. Probably thoughts on what I am currently reading. Maybe some of my own spiritual journey and struggles. Possibly revisiting some old posts and thoughts.

I had thought about starting over with a new blog. But somehow this is what seems right. It feels like home.