I enjoyed a day at the ALIVE 2011 Christian music festival in Mineral City, Ohio and the different Christian artists such as Skillet, Britt Nicole, and Fireflight, and it was nice being able to let myself go in dancing my heart out, closing my eyes and listening to the songs. I did not have to worry about the words of the songs. Shortly before I became a Christian, I started listening to some of the words of rock-n-roll music songs, and found that some did not honor God. Before that time, I just enjoyed the beat of the music, and did not pay much attention to the words.
I would get high on marijuana or hash and listen to Led Zeppelin and let my mind go into the music and I have to say the results were not very positive. I’m a person who likes to stay in control and many times I did things in my past life that were like the movie, Hangover where I was out of control in my life. I attended a few open air concerts when I was a teenager.
After, I became a Christian at 17 years old, I had three car fender benders and I know it was because I would not give up my idol worship of rock-n-roll music from my past that God's spirit was convicting me (that inner voice inside that said to quit listening to it). I had given up a number of other sins in my life, but I was hanging on to it. I was listening to it on a radio station in my car. Finally, I gave my love of that music genre to the Lord. That is all God wanted because I have a greater appreciation of music now. I like many different genres of music.
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5
The apostle Paul said: “Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14). The apostle John also joined in the same admonition by stating at the close of his first epistle: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21).
One thing I’m keenly aware of is the words to songs and that is what I struggle with for some secular music today. It’s not the songs where I would sing about loving a man. My husband liked to sing several songs to me. He liked singing that song by James Taylor, “I’m a steamroller baby and I’m going to roll all over you." Another song was by Jim Van Morrison, “Have I told you lately that I love you.”
The secular songs I struggle with are Polkaboy or an Irish Festival and it is the words “No I don’t wanna get married, No I don’t wanna go to church, yes I wanna drink another beer.” Or they have some dance music at some venues I’ll go to where it’s the National Geographic dance which is an ape dance and sensuous.
I’ve been to a number of secular concerts in my life time being married to my husband since his company had VIP seats the fifth row back at Verizon. I spent at least 15 years going to concerts regularly in the summer. Some of the people who got stoned during Dave Mathew’s concerts would practically sit in the seat with me, other times they were so drunk during Jimmy Buffet concerts, they would step on me if we were not able to use our seats and were in the lawn area, or the smell of vomit from alcohol was gross at times. Going to a Christian concert, where I know that the words are part of worshipping the creator of the universe, not making a pledge to serving the god of beer (not to say beer is necessary evil in itself, but I don’t particularly want to serve the god of beer), and knowing that these Christian artists were using words of eternal life was quite an exuberating experience. I hope to organize a group to go to one in the future and camp out.
Unbelievers don’t realize what they are saying when they are singing some of these songs, but whenever you put idols of beer or anything else in your life above a love for God, it opens up for the attacks of Satan. When John Lennon of the Beatles quoted, "We are more popular than Jesus." He retracted the statement to say that we could have said that "television is more popular than Jesus." What happened is there were a number of young people that went around and said, "We love the Beatles more than Jesus." The damage of those words that John said was done. I heard this one woman on the Internet who phoned Ellen DeGeneres say, "I love Jesus but I love to drink." Sheep baa, goats butt. As a Christian, I'm not going to say anything that gives Satan a foothold into my life by saying things that open up for an attack on my life by idolatry. That is what I was doing as a young Christian in not obeying the voice of my spirit in hanging on to an idol that caused me to have several car accidents.
The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' Mark 12:29-30
and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:27
The whole day at the music festival it poured down rain, but we still had a great time. I thought the real fun part (the real Christianity or when the rubber meets the road) was my friend and I slipped away so we would not get too trapped in the crowd, but they had us park in a field and it was mud by 11:00 p.m. When we tried to leave, our car got stuck in the field, and also l/2 of the other cars in the field. I laughed because my friend was out in the pouring down rain trying to flag down a tractor, and I was thinking, “Wow this is really a praise Him in the storm consider I need to get on the road early to go back to my home town for a single’s event, and we are trapped in a mud field at midnight.” I was also drenched in my clothes with wet jean pants along with my friend. Fortunately, they had tractors to pull us out so everyone did not have to call a tow truck. I was in the car praising and thanking God in that situation.
I’ve had many road trips for Jesus I could write about and when I was driving back home I accidentally ended up stopping at the same McDonald’s exit my daughter and I made the day before several hours outside of Columbus. I thought it was a “weird coincidence” that I had to go to the bathroom the exact same point of the city traveling back, but the Lord showed me it’s because he cares about every single detail of my life and He is directing my steps!
We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9
I have made it a point in life as a Christian to be a blessing and at a hotel my daughter and I stayed in Cleveland, I told her I was going to tip the maid, because of the dishes she ordered room service, and when we went downstairs the hotel manager waived the $18.00 for the garage parking of my car. I knew it was a direct result of giving. I remember one time in Florida when I tipped a maid I had left a family photo album in the hotel room and the maid chased me down in the parking lot to make sure I got the family photo album back so I always have felt it pays to be polite in life and “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” After being a waitress when I was 16 years old, I know what it is to wait on tables and customers and appreciated good tips.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4
I thought I would pass along another tip from my Heavenly Father. I went to Panera Bread and they handed me a receipt, and the receipt said if I filled out the survey within 48 hours, I could win $2,000. I did the survey. I know that in my childhood, I did many contests to win a pony, and did not win a pony. I have been at several other events where I’ve won something since, but I’ve not taken full advantage of some free contests, and I know I’ve not given myself a chance to win free money. I wanted to pass that on, because as Christians, we should take advantage more of freebies in life.
A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous. Proverbs 13:22
To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Eccl. 2:26
I’ve always liked freebies and I used to work at a hospital where I got many freebies like free lunches, free baby formula for infants I had, and medicine from Pharmaceutical reps, and then my husband’s company had vendors where we got free tickets to the 500 Mile Race, concerts, plays, Pacer and Colts games. We got to use a free trip to Maui, Hawaii from a work vendor. Working at a university, I take advantage of free tuition benefits for college for both my daughters and I. I like getting earthly benefits and I like spiritual blessings. It says in God’s word, freely you have received freely give. God’s grace is free, we just have to accept it, it cannot be earned. His grace is the ability to live the Christian life. I continually depend on God’s grace.
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8
When Jacob worked for Laban, Laban recognized how God blessed Jacob. Joseph master was blessed when he was over seer of his house. There are a whole lot of benefits that I’m glad that Jesus gave those benefits to me! I’m wanting a dump truck spiritually to get some of God’s benefits. Mary did something in her life that found favor with God.
But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. Luke 1:30
I've accepted Jesus Christ in my life and that gives me favor with God. We don’t know much about Jesus growing up except from this scripture:
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:52
Noah, David, and Samuel found favor with God:
But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Genesis 6:8
And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with men. 1 Samuel 2:26
Who found favor before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. Acts 7:46
Part of obtaining favor with God is giving and soul winning. There are many ministries to give to and even if we are not called to be a missionary, we can support missions or the poor like Compassion International, World Vision, or Food for the Hungry and a number of other groups that help orphans. I know I obtain the favor of God by helping other widows.
He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses. Proverbs 8:27
Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. Isaiah 1:17
I’m not just seeking God’s benefits. It says to seek God’s face, not his hand. Many Christians just come to God as rather a slot machine when the “chips are down.” It sort of reminds me of my older children when they were in college when they would usually call me for money, because they needed something. It’s nice as children get older and they want to spend time with me. I know God appreciates us growing up that we don’t just see him as a hand that gives. Although, the Lord spoke to me that if I’m mad at him for taking my husband early in life it is like a dog who bites the hand that feeds him, I don’t consider that having God/Jesus in my life is just to receive gifts and my needs in life, but I am in fellowship and relationship with the Lord so I spend quality time with the Lord. Quality time is mediating on his word and worshipping him. The Bible talks about seeking God’s face that means I just don’t come to God in prayer always asking for something.
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek. Psalm 27:8 Living: My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me." And my heart responds, "Lord, I am coming."
When I spend time like Mary did at Jesus feet it is the part that Jesus said would not be taken away from her, worshipping him, listening to God’s word on CD or reading the Bible, fellowship with believers or helping other Christians, sharing the gospel or going to a Christian concert. I’m fellowshipping with Jesus. I’m in commune with Jesus. My heavenly Father gave me Jesus and it says “with him” he will freely give me all things.
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Roman 8:32
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Psalms 103:2
I would get high on marijuana or hash and listen to Led Zeppelin and let my mind go into the music and I have to say the results were not very positive. I’m a person who likes to stay in control and many times I did things in my past life that were like the movie, Hangover where I was out of control in my life. I attended a few open air concerts when I was a teenager.
After, I became a Christian at 17 years old, I had three car fender benders and I know it was because I would not give up my idol worship of rock-n-roll music from my past that God's spirit was convicting me (that inner voice inside that said to quit listening to it). I had given up a number of other sins in my life, but I was hanging on to it. I was listening to it on a radio station in my car. Finally, I gave my love of that music genre to the Lord. That is all God wanted because I have a greater appreciation of music now. I like many different genres of music.
Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry. Colossians 3:5
The apostle Paul said: “Wherefore, my dearly beloved, flee from idolatry” (1 Corinthians 10:14). The apostle John also joined in the same admonition by stating at the close of his first epistle: “Little children, keep yourselves from idols” (1 John 5:21).
One thing I’m keenly aware of is the words to songs and that is what I struggle with for some secular music today. It’s not the songs where I would sing about loving a man. My husband liked to sing several songs to me. He liked singing that song by James Taylor, “I’m a steamroller baby and I’m going to roll all over you." Another song was by Jim Van Morrison, “Have I told you lately that I love you.”
The secular songs I struggle with are Polkaboy or an Irish Festival and it is the words “No I don’t wanna get married, No I don’t wanna go to church, yes I wanna drink another beer.” Or they have some dance music at some venues I’ll go to where it’s the National Geographic dance which is an ape dance and sensuous.
I’ve been to a number of secular concerts in my life time being married to my husband since his company had VIP seats the fifth row back at Verizon. I spent at least 15 years going to concerts regularly in the summer. Some of the people who got stoned during Dave Mathew’s concerts would practically sit in the seat with me, other times they were so drunk during Jimmy Buffet concerts, they would step on me if we were not able to use our seats and were in the lawn area, or the smell of vomit from alcohol was gross at times. Going to a Christian concert, where I know that the words are part of worshipping the creator of the universe, not making a pledge to serving the god of beer (not to say beer is necessary evil in itself, but I don’t particularly want to serve the god of beer), and knowing that these Christian artists were using words of eternal life was quite an exuberating experience. I hope to organize a group to go to one in the future and camp out.
“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life” (Jn 6:68).
Unbelievers don’t realize what they are saying when they are singing some of these songs, but whenever you put idols of beer or anything else in your life above a love for God, it opens up for the attacks of Satan. When John Lennon of the Beatles quoted, "We are more popular than Jesus." He retracted the statement to say that we could have said that "television is more popular than Jesus." What happened is there were a number of young people that went around and said, "We love the Beatles more than Jesus." The damage of those words that John said was done. I heard this one woman on the Internet who phoned Ellen DeGeneres say, "I love Jesus but I love to drink." Sheep baa, goats butt. As a Christian, I'm not going to say anything that gives Satan a foothold into my life by saying things that open up for an attack on my life by idolatry. That is what I was doing as a young Christian in not obeying the voice of my spirit in hanging on to an idol that caused me to have several car accidents.
The most important one," answered Jesus, "is this: 'Hear, O Israel, the Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.' Mark 12:29-30
and do not give the devil a foothold. Ephesians 4:27
The whole day at the music festival it poured down rain, but we still had a great time. I thought the real fun part (the real Christianity or when the rubber meets the road) was my friend and I slipped away so we would not get too trapped in the crowd, but they had us park in a field and it was mud by 11:00 p.m. When we tried to leave, our car got stuck in the field, and also l/2 of the other cars in the field. I laughed because my friend was out in the pouring down rain trying to flag down a tractor, and I was thinking, “Wow this is really a praise Him in the storm consider I need to get on the road early to go back to my home town for a single’s event, and we are trapped in a mud field at midnight.” I was also drenched in my clothes with wet jean pants along with my friend. Fortunately, they had tractors to pull us out so everyone did not have to call a tow truck. I was in the car praising and thanking God in that situation.
I’ve had many road trips for Jesus I could write about and when I was driving back home I accidentally ended up stopping at the same McDonald’s exit my daughter and I made the day before several hours outside of Columbus. I thought it was a “weird coincidence” that I had to go to the bathroom the exact same point of the city traveling back, but the Lord showed me it’s because he cares about every single detail of my life and He is directing my steps!
We can make our plans, but the LORD determines our steps. Proverbs 16:9
I have made it a point in life as a Christian to be a blessing and at a hotel my daughter and I stayed in Cleveland, I told her I was going to tip the maid, because of the dishes she ordered room service, and when we went downstairs the hotel manager waived the $18.00 for the garage parking of my car. I knew it was a direct result of giving. I remember one time in Florida when I tipped a maid I had left a family photo album in the hotel room and the maid chased me down in the parking lot to make sure I got the family photo album back so I always have felt it pays to be polite in life and “do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” After being a waitress when I was 16 years old, I know what it is to wait on tables and customers and appreciated good tips.
Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. Proverbs 3:3-4
I thought I would pass along another tip from my Heavenly Father. I went to Panera Bread and they handed me a receipt, and the receipt said if I filled out the survey within 48 hours, I could win $2,000. I did the survey. I know that in my childhood, I did many contests to win a pony, and did not win a pony. I have been at several other events where I’ve won something since, but I’ve not taken full advantage of some free contests, and I know I’ve not given myself a chance to win free money. I wanted to pass that on, because as Christians, we should take advantage more of freebies in life.
A good man leaves an inheritance for his children's children, but a sinner's wealth is stored up for the righteous. Proverbs 13:22
To the man who pleases him, God gives wisdom, knowledge and happiness, but to the sinner he gives the task of gathering and storing up wealth to hand it over to the one who pleases God. This too is meaningless, a chasing after the wind. Eccl. 2:26
I’ve always liked freebies and I used to work at a hospital where I got many freebies like free lunches, free baby formula for infants I had, and medicine from Pharmaceutical reps, and then my husband’s company had vendors where we got free tickets to the 500 Mile Race, concerts, plays, Pacer and Colts games. We got to use a free trip to Maui, Hawaii from a work vendor. Working at a university, I take advantage of free tuition benefits for college for both my daughters and I. I like getting earthly benefits and I like spiritual blessings. It says in God’s word, freely you have received freely give. God’s grace is free, we just have to accept it, it cannot be earned. His grace is the ability to live the Christian life. I continually depend on God’s grace.
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give. Matthew 10:8
When Jacob worked for Laban, Laban recognized how God blessed Jacob. Joseph master was blessed when he was over seer of his house. There are a whole lot of benefits that I’m glad that Jesus gave those benefits to me! I’m wanting a dump truck spiritually to get some of God’s benefits. Mary did something in her life that found favor with God.
But the angel said to her, "Do not be afraid, Mary, you have found favor with God. Luke 1:30
I've accepted Jesus Christ in my life and that gives me favor with God. We don’t know much about Jesus growing up except from this scripture:
And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men. Luke 2:52
Noah, David, and Samuel found favor with God:
But Noah found favor in the eyes of the Lord. Genesis 6:8
And the boy Samuel continued to grow in stature and in favor with the Lord and with men. 1 Samuel 2:26
Who found favor before God, and desired to find a tabernacle for the God of Jacob. Acts 7:46
Part of obtaining favor with God is giving and soul winning. There are many ministries to give to and even if we are not called to be a missionary, we can support missions or the poor like Compassion International, World Vision, or Food for the Hungry and a number of other groups that help orphans. I know I obtain the favor of God by helping other widows.
He who gives to the poor will lack nothing, but he who closes his eyes to them receives many curses. Proverbs 8:27
Learn to do good. Seek justice. Help the oppressed. Defend the cause of orphans. Fight for the rights of widows. Isaiah 1:17
I’m not just seeking God’s benefits. It says to seek God’s face, not his hand. Many Christians just come to God as rather a slot machine when the “chips are down.” It sort of reminds me of my older children when they were in college when they would usually call me for money, because they needed something. It’s nice as children get older and they want to spend time with me. I know God appreciates us growing up that we don’t just see him as a hand that gives. Although, the Lord spoke to me that if I’m mad at him for taking my husband early in life it is like a dog who bites the hand that feeds him, I don’t consider that having God/Jesus in my life is just to receive gifts and my needs in life, but I am in fellowship and relationship with the Lord so I spend quality time with the Lord. Quality time is mediating on his word and worshipping him. The Bible talks about seeking God’s face that means I just don’t come to God in prayer always asking for something.
if my people, who are called by my name, will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, then will I hear from heaven and will forgive their sin and will heal their land. 2 Chronicles 7:14
My heart says of you, "Seek his face!" Your face, LORD, I will seek. Psalm 27:8 Living: My heart has heard you say, "Come and talk with me." And my heart responds, "Lord, I am coming."
When I spend time like Mary did at Jesus feet it is the part that Jesus said would not be taken away from her, worshipping him, listening to God’s word on CD or reading the Bible, fellowship with believers or helping other Christians, sharing the gospel or going to a Christian concert. I’m fellowshipping with Jesus. I’m in commune with Jesus. My heavenly Father gave me Jesus and it says “with him” he will freely give me all things.
He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him over for us all, how will He not also with Him freely give us all things? Roman 8:32
But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Matthew 6:33
Bless the Lord, O my soul, And forget none of His benefits; Psalms 103:2
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