Note on Mother Teresa

Here is a link to an article that says what, in some ways I was trying to say in my previous blog on the subject, better than I said it. I agree with this quote: "I possess no ability to read Mother Teresa's heart, but I do sincerely hope that her faith was in Christ, and not in her own faithfulness" and I would add to that that I hope her faith was not in her works for Christ.

And I just came across this comment that hit home for me, especially since I too thought of Martin Luther:


"I appreciate Dr. Mohler for reminding us that Christ, and what He has accomplished in His life, death, and resurrection, is the source of our hope.

As I read about some of Mother Teresa's struggles, I cannot help but think of the Catholic Monk, Martin Luther, who was himself plagued with doubt and fear for much of his early religious life. For, having a keen legal mind, he knew all too well how he had not met the perfect demands of the law of God.

Yet, as I read Dr. Mohler's article, I am also reminded of the beautiful, life-transforming truth that Luther discovered in the pages of Scripture: that God saves sinners by grace alone, through faith alone, on the basis of Christ's life, death, and resurection alone.

I hope and pray that the recent revelations of the struggles and doubts of a women who was so loving and kind, and had done so many wonderful things, remind us of what Dr. Mohler has echoed in his post: out of gratitude and love to God for His marvelous grace, let us serve others; but let us trust in Christ alone to save us sinners who cannont save ourselves. Thanks be to God, Christ came to save sinners!" (Josiah Jones)

One more thing ...

while I am in the mood to rant. The report came out about the Virginia Tech shootings, pointing the finger every which way. Now I am ok with talking about the response time (to an extent), but blaming the university for failing to properly care for a mentally ill student? I think that is where I would draw the line. The last time I checked, adults were in college. The last time I read a story on this shooting, I seem to remember that there was a family for this student. The last time I checked, there were constitutional and other statutory protections against having someone treated for mental illness unless an appropriate showing can be made. Now I am not saying that there weren't enough warning signs or anything like that. What I am saying is that, looking back, there is always something that could have been done since, to use a cliche, hindsight is 20/20. I am not saying that we shouldn't learn from what happened in the past, but what I am saying is that we should just learn from it. If there is someone who rightfully needs to be punished, punish them. Should you fire the officials at the university? Probably not. I mean, who is in a better position to learn from mistakes than the person that committed the mistakes. How can we teach people to take responsibility for their actions if we are always trying to shift the blame on someone other than the person who acts? There are always going to be factors that lead to someone committing a crime, but it is time that we teach people not to point to those factors, but to point to the problem within themselves. Take some responsibility for your actions for once. This shooter killed people. He made the conscious decision to kill. He deserves the blame. Everything else is what we can learn to stop a future event from occurring. Placing the blame on others isn't going to help anyone heal.

Banning Tag?

I have heard stories like this one for a while now, but this is the first one that I have seen since having my blog, so I can now write a comment about it. This Colorado school has banned tag on its playground. Was it because someone got hurt? Not this time (well, at least not in my opinion). It was banned because children complained that "they were harassed and chased against their will." The answer is not banning the game of tag, especially since children are going to play it no matter what. Get a big group of kids together and chances are, the kids are going to begin a game of tag at some point. First, the teachers should monitor the situation, and if a child is bullying kids during the game of tag, make that child sit out. Discipline is a good thing, not a negative thing. Second, teach those who are being harassed and chased against their will to stand up for themselves. In the adult world we like tattletails just about as much as we did on the elementary playground. Teach them now how to be assertive. There is so much more that can be said about this since we aren't letting kids be kids, we aren't teaching kids the reality of the competitive adult world by treating them all equally in school, we aren't disciplining our kids, we are taking the fun out of being a kid at recess, etc., etc., etc.

Hurricane Katrina - Two Years Ago

Wow. It is hard to believe that two years have passed since then, yet it also seems so long ago. So much has changed for me personally since that time (including starting a job and buying a house to name two biggies). It has been a while since I have been to New Orleans. It took me a while to get down there after the storm, although I drove to Houston and Shreveport and Rustin plenty after the storm to visit friends affected by the storm. I remember the first trip, which was made in March after the storm hit in August, and the 9th Ward looked almost like it did right after the storm. Progress is slow. Now those houses are gone and the lots in the lower 9th were mostly empty when I was there this spring. Progress is slowly occurring. Progress takes time. Rebuilding takes time. In some ways, I think of the rebuilding of the temple in Judah when the Babylonian exiles returned. They wanted the temple to return to its former glory, but that was not possible. Without really trying to get into too deep of a theological comparison (or draw too close of a parallel), I think that we can look to the minor prophets and Ezra and Nehemiah to gain insight into what the people of New Orleans must be feeling as well. There must be a sense of frustration and exhaustion that runs on so many different levels. I think that we can learn a lot about what to say to New Orleans by studying God's Word. I know that I need to remember that since I come in contact with so many from that area so often (whether it be through e-mails, websites, text messages, phone calls, or hopefully a visit soon). We also need to remember that as part of the Church, we still have a huge ministry opportunity in the whole Gulf region.

Think About What You Are Saying

In a recent Sunday School lesson on worship (from Malachi 3-4), the statement was made that a certain person likes special music and misses the fact that our new minister of music doesn't have as much special music anymore. I made the statement that part of the explanation that I have heard him give is that he strives to keep the focus on God, and doesn't want special music to become a time where the focus is on the person singing so that we can continue to worship God. The person, who shall remain nameless, proceeded to say that they focus on God when the singing is going on and can worship God by listening and that they don't focus on the singer at all. Not more than two minutes later, this same person was saying that they could listen to a certain person in the congregation sing any song all day long because they like their voice that much. Hmmm ... maybe that is what the minister of music is afraid of :-)! Surprisingly, I remained silent although I had an inward laugh at the statement.

Funny Quote

Sometimes you run across random statements that, when you take them out of the context of an article, can really result in a pretty good laugh. For example, this quote was taken from an article stating that we should sell our teenagers to China as slaves (the blogger likes to state the outrageous to make fun of some of the more liberal members of the media that come up with kooky ideas):

"We've been brainwashed into believing kids are mini-moralists, when in fact they are hateful little creatures who would sell their grandmother into slavery, if it got them a basket of Zagnuts."

By Grace Alone through Faith Alone

I read an article this morning about Mother Teresa and her struggles with feeling God's presence and believing in God toward the end of her life. There is a truth that we can teach about her life.

Looking at her life and work with the poor and sick in India, we see a woman that, by the world's standard, is as righteous as you can get. Yet, we know that by God's standards, her righteousness was like filthy rags to God. Reading the excerpts that Fox News decided to use, you can't help but see that she wonders for what purpose she is striving in doing her good works. It reminds me of the life of Martin Luther who tried to be as good as he could on his own, and eventually came to the realization that "the righteous man lives by faith." Only by the grace of God do we receive the faith we need to believe in Christ and repent. It is only at that point that we are justified, not by works, or we would have something to boast about. Now I am not saying that Mother Teresa was not a Christian (although we cannot know for sure that she was because that is a matter of the heart), but what I am saying is that it is sad that she was trapped in a faith that teaches works. It is sad that she was trapped in a faith that teaches you should strive to do more and more good in order to obtain your salvation instead of teaching that doing good is evidence of the work God has done in your life. We need to remember this as we are striving to do good works. Is it because we are motivated by wanting to be good enough? for our own glory? or to be a witness to the world of what God has done in our life (for His glory alone)?

And Then There are the Mannings :-)

In a sporting world filled with criminals, convicts, drug users and abusers, and all around bad people, it is unusual to find someone who has an ounce of integrity left. I mean look at the headlines from the sporting world this summer, the main ones being Vick's fall and the Asterick. However, I found this article today about Archie Manning. It seems that Archie is not conducting his usual pre-season routine with the Saints, including interviews with the coaches, watching the team's practices, and providing commentary from the booth at the games. Now for anyone who knows anything about Saints football, this would almost seem like a slap in the face from the great hero of Saint football. That is until you read about Archie's reason for taking this stance. You see, preseason is all about leading up to the first game of the season. The games don't tell you much since they are played mostly by people trying to make the team instead of the team itself. However, in the practices, teams are trying out new offenses and defenses. So who is that first game for the Saints against? None other than the Colts. Archie wants to uphold the integrity of the sport so much, that he does not want to even be tempted to share Saints' secrets with his son Peyton. That is admirable. I think that even if Archie were at the practices or asking the coaches his typical preseason questions, he would not give away secret information to Peyton in order to give Peyton and his Colts an advantage over the Saints. However, this is a man that understands that you shouldn't even give the appearance of impropriety. This shows that Archie values integrity, and that is something that so many in the sports world should learn from. I think that too many people are going to look at this and think it isn't a big deal. I think it is, especially in an environment that seems to be focused on winning at all costs, even if it means you have to pay millions to criminals and drug addicts just to get fans in the stands. It is about time that people start to praise those who make a stand for integrity, like Archie Manning. What an example he is to the sons he has in the league and to his beloved Saints!

30 Runs

I am not much of a big baseball fan (although I love going to the games -- there just seems to be something so right about sitting at a baseball game during the summer months), but I could not help but laugh when I saw this article today. It seems that the Texas Rangers, who I tend to cheer for if I watch baseball at all, managed to pull out 30 runs in a single game. Pretty impressive to beat a team 30-3. Then you look at the fact that the Rangers are the last place team. Hmmmm...seems that they may want to save some of those runs and spread them out over the course of a few games. Then I saw that it was the first game of the double header. I so wanted the Rangers to have lost the second game because that would add an additional level of irony, but they did manage to win that game too, but a score of 9-7. Anyway, I found it funny enough that the last place team beat someone by 27 points. I guess the entire Orioles pitching rotation had an off day. And, I have to admit, I would rather be the Rangers than the Orioles right now. How embarassing must it be to get beat by the last place team, much less by 27 points. However, the Rangers can only hope that the hitting streak will continue even if it is too late for this season.

Update on Things Bugging Me Blog

Last week (I think it was last week), I published a Things Bugging Me This Week blog and mentioned the guy that thinks we should change God's name to Allah when referring to God to help with relations with Muslims. Today, Dr. Albert Mohler posted a blog on the same subject, and you can go to it here to see what he had to say on the subject.

Disney Channel v. MTV

I have to tell you that as a person who works with youth, I cannot be more thrilled that so many of the youth I work with watch the Disney Channel more than MTV. Don't get me wrong -- I am not a big fan of TV in general. However, when you look at what the kids are watching on MTV, it is enough to make you want to tell every parent to block the channel from their TV or they are going to lose their kids to this culture around us. MTV is teaching the kids that it is normal to sleep around, seek popularity, engage in the party culture with drugs and alcohol, and become mean people. I mean, look at how the girls on almost all of the shows treat each other with their fighting and bickering and backstabbing, resulting in our youth saying things like "that is just how girls are" to justify their own fighting and bickering and backstabbing. Please parents, block the channel from your TV (or at least the shows that do not support the values you promote). And please parents, become informed about what your children are watching. Sit down one night and watch the shows with them, or at least take a Saturday to watch a few episodes of some of the more popular shows as they are typically shown in a marathon-type format on that day. It is eye-opening!

I am not saying that the Disney Channel is perfect.  There are shows that I do not like.  There are actors that I do not like because of the choices they have made in their personal lives.  However, I am a fan of the fact that the channel is not showing "wait to have sex" commercials, but then portraying teenagers in the shows as having sex as if it is a normal decision.  Speaking of commercials, I am a fan of the fact that Disney doesn't promote products or movies other than Disney products or movies in its commercials.  Given the alternative of skantily clad men and women and horror movie previews to which my eyes were subjected on Saturday while watching MTV, I am a huge fan of this decision on the part of Disney.  I am a fan of the fact that I don't think I have ever seen a gay couple on the Disney Channel even though MTV is coming out with a bi-sexual dating reality show.  Sure, Disney has endured some gay scandals, but at least promotion of that lifestyle isn't leaking over into kid programming (although I must say, yet.).

Parents, please be informed about what your children are watching, whether it be on the Disney Channel or on MTV.  Parents, be proud of your children when they choose to watch High School Musical (cheesy as it may be) over the most recent episode of The Hills or Real World.  Parents, don't allow TV to be the babysitter/main entertainment/replacement for books for your children, but limit the time your child has access to TV.  Parents, remember that it is your responsibility to raise your children and not society's.

In Spirit and In Truth

In reading a book recently and hearing a sermon on Jesus' encounter with the woman at the well, I began to contemplate what it means to worship in spirit and in truth (John 4:24). There are several aspects of that which must be discussed.

For starters, some of you will notice that I did not capitalize spirit, and you have probably recognize that I always capitalize God's name, even when referring to Him as He as a matter of reverence and respect. So why did I choose the little s? Well, in the Bible verse quoted, there is no definite article before spirit meaning that it is more than like not referring to the Holy Spirit, who is typically referred to as The Spirit in scripture. Therefore, I believe that this verse is talking about the spirit of man. Does this matter? Yes and no. When we come to worship God, our spirit should unite with His Spirit so that you cannot tell where the human spirit ends and the Holy Spirit begins. For the believer who is indwelt by the Holy Spirit, our spirit should constantly yield to The Spirit so that The Spirit is controlling us at all times. So I guess all of that is to say that I think it should be spirit instead of Spirit, but practically speaking true worship will result in it being in Spirit as well.

To worship in spirit, I think that there should be a certain amount of preparation for a corporate worship service. I think that worship leaders should lead the congregation in a time of prayer before starting the service, and a time of silent prayer instructing the congregation to contemplate the sin in their lives and repent of it. Sin will hinder the work of the Holy Spirit in a person's spirit. Therefore, worship leaders need to teach the people how to come before God. I also think that in services where true worship is occurring, the worship leader needs to be sensitive to the worship, and may need to have a time of personal prayer and repenting. Coming before a holy God will result in conviction of sin.

Also, notice that it says in spirit and IN TRUTH. I point this out because of my previous post regarding singing in worship services today. Truth should permeate every aspect of our worship service, not just one or two areas. What I mean is that we need to make sure that everything we are doing is scriptural. This will cut out most (if not all) videos, skits, modern worship music, or anything else that takes the focus off of God in our worship services (or at least in the middle of the worship service). Worship is supposed to be our coming together to proclaim God's worth through who He is and what He has done for us. It is not to be a focus on self and how I can be a better person (although that will come naturally when we look at who God is and what He has done for us). Too many things that we add to worship services are a distraction from God.

I think that real worship occurs when the Holy Spirit is flowing out of those in attendance because they are truly worshiping in spirit and in truth. The truth part is important because it is the Holy Spirit within us that enables us to praise God, but the Holy Spirit cannot speak things that are not true. Therefore, we should examine each and every element of our worship services to make sure that they contain nothing but truth. The only way to do this is to have a high view of Scripture and make sure that everything that is contained within our worship services aligns with Scripture. Scripture must become a priority in our worship services because it is God's Word and truth. Scripture teaches us the words of God as He has revealed them, and provide us with instructions on how to worship Him for who He is and what He has done.

Another thing that needs to be said is that in order to worship in truth, we must have an understanding of truth. Jesus said that He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life (John 14:6). To worship in truth, we must worship Christ for who He is and what He has done for us. When we give a personal testimony through song, it must be because of what Christ has done for us. I think that I would go so far as to say that there should not be a worship service where we do not sing or speak of Christ and His atonement for our sins.

So what do I think an ideal worship service will look like? Doctrinally sound singing, public reading of Scripture, prayer, preaching the Word, tithes/offering all focused on God (and not necessarily in that order). All the other stuff can come before or after (if it must be present at all). Of course this will only be ideal if I come to the worship service having prepared to corporately worship God and dealt with my own sins that are hindering me from worshiping God, and if I am in a place where there are others committed to the same.

Walk the Line

I guess that today I am just in a writing mood! I get into these sometime and just feel like there is so much I want to say, yet don't have too much time to say it in since I do need to work sometimes.

Anyways, the movie this past week that I received as part of Netflix was Walk the Line. I am very impressed with the movie. I ended up watching it twice. The acting was some of the best I think I have seen and the music is phenomenal (of course -- I already like all of Johnny Cash's music anyway). The movie has me thinking too. It is incredible the gift of music and words that some people have, including Johnny Cash. His ability to put words to music to convey some ordinary and some extraordinary human emotions was a talent to create works of art. It is amazing the things that humans are capable of doing because God has given us different gifts and talents. Music is an incredible gift from God to mankind. I enjoy listening to music, even to Johnny Cash's music. I also enjoy watching movies that are works of art instead of just entertainment on the big screen (I think this movie qualifies as a work of art). Unfortunately, for each of these works of art, there are hundreds if not thousands of bad movies/music that claim to be works of art. I am getting a bit off subject, but I think it is important that we evaluate whether something is a waste of time and noise and space, or whether it is really a work of art. I also think it is important that we make sure our talents do not waste time and noise and space, but are really meaningful. For the Christian, that means using our talents to glorify God.

All in all, I think that this movie is one of the best movies I have seen in a long time. I think it is worth seeing. You see how a man seeks his gratification in things of this world, and how he ends up at rock bottom because of it. You also see the pain and heartache caused by loving someone who is not your spouse, although both John and June ended up divorcing their spouses and eventually married and spent many years together. Watching this movie and Ray show how so often in the world of music and show business, a rise to fame also means a fall in your personal life as too many give in to drugs, alcohol, and sex. Really should make someone think twice about wanting to become famous.

Better to not have lived

I was listening to the Albert Mohler Program a few days ago as I washed my dishes (yes, mom, I finally washed my dishes!), and there was an interesting program on a modern philosopher who has determined that it is better not to live and that humans should phase themselves out to extinction. It sounds like a radical argument, but when you see yourself as just another animal, you can see how one would begin to think this way. Also, this guy says that if you take a life, bad things outweigh good things, and therefore it is not worth it.

Really, if you think about it, any non-Christian should feel this way. The only way to find meaning in this life is through a relationship with God through Christ. It is only in a relationship with God that bad times can even be seen as good because of the change of character and blessings from God that one receives through trials. It is only through a relationship with God that we can look past the bad of this world and long for the good in the world to come. It is only through a relationship with God that we find our true worth. Our response to ones making this argument that life is not worth living because the bad outweighs the good should be to share the gospel.

The whole theory that humanity should phase itself out to extinction is crazy! The guy didn't suggest that we start killing people off, but that we start aborting more (I think, but I really can't remember) and stop having babies. Can you imagine what that would look like in the last generation? Paints such a bleak future! However, we must remember that we have been commanded to be fruitful and multiply and populate the earth. Christians should understand that is a command from God and should realize it is how we are a witness of God's manifold witness, on earth and in the heavenlies, since God's grace can often be seen through generation after generation in many families.

The Vicks

Wow ... what a proud mom Marcus and Michael must have. I mean, she taught them that they needed to become someone. Need to seek fame and money and notoriety to get out of poverty. I remember watching VT games, and they would always pan to a shot of her standing there proud wearing whatever son was playing at the time's jersey. Bet she's not proud now. One son is a criminal who got kicked off VT's team (which must be pretty hard to do given some of the hoodlums that are still playing on that team), gets arrested for either drugs or alcohol or violence (I can't remember, although it may be all three), but at least the other son was making it big in the NFL. That is until his dirty (and bloody) little secret about the dogfighting surfaces. Now he is pleading guilty (which I must say is a bit admirable given that he is forcing himself to take some responsibility ... must have been some pretty strong evidence against him) and facing jail time. He probably will end up kicked off the team (remember, he isn't playing for VT anymore) or traded. What is sad is that he has talent. For some reason these athletes think that talent is enough, and character is not required. This should be a wake up call to athletes that character is important. Or at least it should be a wake up call to their mothers to try to instill some value for things besides money and fame. And the fathers? I don't know whether the Vicks had a father at home, but their father(s) should be ashamed of how they raised their boys (or the lack of raising that they gave their boys). Even more sad is that some parents will continue to allow their little boys to be fans of the Vicks in spite of their reputations and lack of character.

Things that are bugging me this week

Now I have a few things that are really getting under my skin this week, so here goes:

Some Roman Catholic priest who is about to retire wants us to change God's name to Allah. Here is a quote from the article: "Allah is a very beautiful word for God. Shouldn't we all say that from now on we will name God Allah? ... What does God care what we call him? It is our problem," Muskens told Dutch television." Story here. The last time I checked, God cares very much what we call Him. So much so that He revealed His names to us in His word. He named Himself. There is an amount of reverence and awe that should be spoken when talking of God's name. We all tend to take His name in vain by not treating it the way it should be treated. Of course this is just an attempt by a priest to accept all faiths in a form of universalism and uniting everyone together because it is about how life is lived instead of the correctness of the faith. Wow, he is misguided.

Keeping on the name theme, there is a new trend for married couples to create new last names instead of the wife giving up her name and taking on the man's name. I think this further shows the breakdown of the family. In the past, family names were important and reputations were made on the name. Just go to a small town, mention a last name, and see the response you get. Or, better yet, go into a church and mention a last name. However, when families are so broken and dysfunctional, it is hard to maintain the last name and family reputation. It is also hard for a bride to understand that she is entering into a family. I could go on, but it would take too much room to fully develop this. Needless to say, I think it shows a tremendous lack of respect to our family lines to treat the family name in this way. It also passes on a lack of concept of family to children who will be taking on these new last names.

Also bothering me today is the media attention that little things get and the warnings that are issued constantly. Just moments ago there was a warning that roller coasters make hearts race to unsafe levels. Isn't that the point? Isn't that part of the thrill of the ride? Isn't that why they put those heart problem warnings on the rides already?

What is the deal with the facination surrounding the late-teens/early-20s celebrities who are ruining their lives with drugs, sex, alcohol, and eating disorders? Do I really need to know every time Lindsey Lohan leaves rehab to go get a tan? Yet that seems to be news here recently. Maybe we should stop making it look like they are on vacation and start addressing the real problems behind these sad excuses for celebrities. What does it tell our kids when you can get the attention you crave by making a huge deal out of something that should be dealt with privately? Even worse, you can watch those who are becoming celebrities do some of the same stuff on MTV's Real World and The Hills/Laguna Beach. Too many girls are learning that it is cool to be social, to be social you must act the way these girls do, and girls are supposed to fight with girls "because that is how girls are." I am glad that some of my youth still watch Hannah Montana and High School Musical instead, and I dread the day that they trade the Disney Channel in for MTV.

Well I guess that is enough for today. More to come soon, although probably not a rant this time.

The Office

I have been cutting most of TV out of my life for the past year or two now (except football and American Idol), and I hope that doesn't change. However, since I rarely watch TV, I had not seen an episode of The Office until recently. Now I am hooked! That show is very funny and I can't help but laugh through each episode. I still don't think I will watch it on TV when the new season comes out. However, I do actually want the seasons on DVD. I have never really understood the whole watching a season of TV on DVD until now. I think I could see each episode over and over and still laugh. So if my parents or brother need a hint this year when it comes to birthday and/or Christmas gifts, I REALLY want The Office on DVD (The Office - Season One, The Office - Season Two, The Office - Season Three), or a Dwight Schrute Bobblehead if you can find one for my office. Also, if you do something that you really don't think is funny but I burst out laughing, you probably just remind me of something I saw on The Office.

*Disclaimer: the characters from The Office do not resemble those who work in my office in any way. OK, maybe they do a bit, but not too much! In fact, the youth/college at church remind me more of the characters on The Office and that has become sort of an inside joke with fellow The Office junkies like me. :-)

It's Just a Song?

Yesterday during a discussion in Sunday School about a particular song played on Christian radio, I heard words that made me wonder at what contemporary Christian music is teaching us. Now granted, I was probably wrong in the way that I pointed out my dislike of the song because of its lack of theological correctness (with a sneer and a twinge of spiritual arrogance unfortunately ... that is what happens when truth is spoken outside of love, but that is the subject of another blog for another day). However, the words that were spoken next by someone who was well meaning have been playing over and over in my head since the moment they were spoken -- "It's just a song."

Those of you reading this are probably thinking the same thing. However, all of you know that songs get stuck in our heads (and hearts). I mean, if I were to ask you what your favorite song is, you could probably sing it word for word, and just the mention of the song causes it to be stuck in your head for hours (or days). I know that during my quiet time I will often read Scripture that will make me think of a song or hymn or psalm that will then be on my mind and heart for the next few days. Just yesterday I made those riding in my car with me to lunch listen to "In Christ Alone" no less than six times because it went so beautifully with the sermon that Jared preached on Galations 3:15-26. Songs are an important part of our spiritual walk. They express our feelings of love and gratitude to God through the gift of music that He has given us.

In Ephesians 5:19-20, we are told of the importance of corporate worship. As a church, we are to speak to each other through songs, hymns, and psalms. Does that mean that we walk around looking like a musical with only songs coming out of our mouths? I hope not because there are some voices (and mine is included in this category) that only sound pretty to God and can only be classified as a joyful noise! Instead, I think that the verses mean that we should take the opportunity in corporate worship to speak to each other through the songs that are chosen. This means that we should preach to each other through song and exhort each other through song. I know that I have a hard time singing so many of the songs that are focused on myself. I think that as a church, we should sing things like "Open the eyes of our heart Lord" instead of "Open the eyes of my heart, Lord" because that takes the focus off of self and places it on the purpose of the church. We should sing songs focused on God, who He is, and what He has done for us. I think that we should carefully examine a song to see its purpose before singing a song that has I, me, my, etc. in it.

My views of music also lead me to like hymns in corporate worship more than choruses (with the exception of the chorus that are directly from the Psalms or Revelations -- a little heavenly choir practice is fine with me!). Many of you are probably inclined to make fun of me right now (because I have heard you make fun of people, especially those in the younger generation, who like hymns), but I think that those who make fun are probably not really reading the words on the screen or in the book so that the truths can be branded in their minds and hearts. I know that as a child, one of my favorite hymns was Holy, Holy, Holy. As a child, I learned important truths about God by singing this song -- the concept of the Trinity, the eternality of God, the fact that we must worship God for who He is, etc. Therefore, I think that it is important to remember that we can teach those sitting in the congregation doctrine and theology through our songs. A song I mentioned before, In Christ Alone, teaches so much about the work of Christ.

Some of you that know me well (and know some of the songs mentioned) are probably thinking, but isn't one of your favorites also It is Well with My Soul and doesn't In Christ Alone start out "In Christ alone my hope is found"? Like I said earlier, we should examine the songs that contain these words. Here is what I think. These songs enable us to exhort others in the congregation when we are able to sing them out to God. When we go through trials, we need to me reminded of the personal testimony of others who have gone before us and were able to say "When peace like a river attendeth my way." We need to proclaim to a lost world (some of whom are sitting in our church services) that Christ is our personal hope.

Some of you also might be saying that David is very personal in some of the Psalms, and if those were made into songs, it probably would go against what I am saying right now. I think that type of music has a place in my personal time alone with God. I think that there are songs that can help me voice prayers to God when I have a hard time putting words to what I am feeling. I think that it is perfectly fine for me, in a time of personal worship before God, to sing out for Him to open my eyes.

Having given my view of songs and their proper place, I am finally going to reach my main point. Songs that are not theologically or doctrinally sound have no place in the church or in our personal lives. We should be Berean about the songs we sing, not just the material that we teach and use in Bible study. We must remember that there are children and unbelievers in our congregations that do not need to be deceived by the music we are singing. There are children and unbelievers that do not need to be deceived by the music we play on the radio. Our own hearts need to be guarded against false teaching and unsound doctrine. Too many in the church choose their music based upon how easy it is to learn, the type of beat it has, whether it is peppy enough for them, etc. instead of basing their opinion of music on the words contained in the song. I don't know how many times I have heard that someone liked the special music at church (although usually the singer does a good job of singing the material), but it stirs up uncomfort in my heart because the words are not sound. I know that many people would tell me to lighten up a little, "It's just a song," but that is not how we should look at music that we are singing while worshiping God. Our goal is not to play on the emotions of those listening. Our goal should be to sing praises to our Heavenly Father, to exalt His name as He prepares our hearts to hear His truth. This cannot be done by playing on the congregation's emotions (although emotions may be involved because we are emotional creatures) or on the musical likes of those in the congregation, but by singing songs that are meant to teach and to exhort during the time of worship for the glory of God.

I encourage those that have an opportunity to pick songs for corporate worship to really think the songs through before the songs are sung. Also, for those of us sitting in the congregation that have a hard time singing some of the songs, change the words a bit to enable yourself to worship God. I know those around me probably look at me funny when I sing "Open the eyes of our heart," but that is what enables me to focus on our purpose as a church and to glorify God in my singing praises to Him. So the next time you are sitting near me and hear me change the words, I promise I can read what is on the screen!