Word Wednesday

No crossword puzzles, vocabulary or word games, I don't have the mind to come up with those. On Word Wednesday I want to talk about what we are reading in the bible this week. It’s not a Bible study, sermon or deep devotional, just a place to reflect on a verse or passage that may have touched us this week.

When you are reading in the scriptures, do you ever wonder about the lives of people that are mentioned only briefly? Those people who are mentioned by name, but little other information is given.

I was reading in Luke last night. 8:1-3
The Twelve were with him, 2 and also some women who had been cured of evil spirits and diseases: Mary (called Magdalene) from whom seven demons had come out; 3 Joanna the wife of Cuza, the manager of Herod's household; Susanna; and many others. These women were helping to support them out of their own means.

There is much talk about Mary Magdalene, speculation, controversy even, but what about Joanna wife of Cuza? What was her husband’s name - the manager of Herod’s household and was he a believer? She was a supporter of Jesus’ ministry. I picture her going out to meet with the disciples, coming home and making sure her servants had prepared dinner. I assume, as someone who was that close to Jesus, she was very kind and loving - grateful to be free from disease/demons. I hear her speaking to her servants of the Messiah and the wives of soldiers. I think she was respected, but often times talked about because she was a follower of Jesus Christ. I don't know.

Or how about the demon possessed man? You know the one naked and living amongst the tombs? The one whose neighbors could not chain down or keep clothes on. The one with the possession called "Legion", “for we are many.”

Luke says when the healed and exorcised, clean shaven and clothed man sat at Jesus' feet, he then asked to go with Jesus; but Jesus sent him away asking him tell everyone how much God had done for him. The man had spent so many years in lonely torment, I can only imagine his love, gratefulness and admiration for Jesus. . .living, in the body, Jesus! He had to be, at the very least, disappointed he couldn’t stay near his Master.

I’m confident the previously possessed man led a great, adventurous life that glorified God. I wonder about it. Did he stay in the town or travel? Did he meet up with other believers or was he alone most of his life? Where was he during the crucifixion?

Do you ever wonder about those briefly mentioned in the bible? What are you reading this week?

Phantasmagorical Freek Friday

Let’s talk about music! Artists, groups, songs, albums, concerts, memories, instruments, soundtracks.

I am a “Freek” for Christian music that can be described these words: hard, speed, rock, Goth, metal, alternative, grunge, heavy, oh you get the picture. So, for your entertainment (or mine), every other Friday I will attempt to discuss this fantastic genre here at gzusfreek.blogspot.com. Anything goes! I will share with you my insight, knowledge, and passion. And you can share on what I've shared or on your own passion!

Please feel free to leave whatever appropriate comments you feel like leaving regarding – songs, albums, groups, or individual artists! Those I may think are Godly; you may have heard rumors to the contrary. I may feel it is great art, and you may disagree! And maybe you don't like this genre at all, and you may want to let me know how much you don't care! Let's get our hands dirty!

Can you believe it’s already been two weeks and time to talk about music, again!!!!? I bet you are thrilled.

But I have to tell you about this great band, 12 Stones. I saw one of their videos on a secular TV station a few years ago. I thought, “Wait a minute. Are these guys Christians?” And sure enough, I researched and found that they were! Well, here’s how it was explained on their fan site:
Quote: “Are they (12 Stones) Christians? Yes. Are they a Christian Band? No. They are a group of kids (young adults) out to have a good time making music and spreading a positive image and message to whomever wants to listen. The whole quote is here: http://www.12stonesfans.info/faq.html
And I say: This is kind of the new way to present yourself as a Christian writer, poet, musician. “I’m a Christian who plays music for a living. You don’t call a plumber who is a Christian, a Christian Plumber.”
I don’t know how I feel about that, but I love their music and it is very Christian to me.

Their music is heavy but not “Korn” heavy. They are kind of on the same field as Skillet. The singer sounds like Ozzy sometimes. At least I think so.

My favorite CD is: Potter’s Field.

My favorite lyrics are from a song called: The Last Song
Here the best line:
You never change You never stay the same
Like a picture perfect sunrise every time with
One last song to sing

My favorite melody would be the song: Photograph
I think you should listen to Photograph if you get the chance.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jyi4Kti8eIA
The talk on youtube says the song is about suicide. I never got that from listening to it. I’ve since studied the lyrics and, if it is about suicide, I think it’s about not committing suicide. Just look at the bridge:

Did you forget about the things I said?
Fight the lies inside your head
Deny those who try to bring you down
Kill the pain and emptiness
Find a love and lose yourself
Without this life, you're just a memory

You be the judge. I thank Jesus for them “spreading a positive image and message”. Their music enhances my life and worship of Jesus Christ.

It started with a little project called Phantasmagorical Freek Friday and all I could think about was music, memories, and more music. Like I always do when I'm analyzing things, I started with my childhood first and then worked forward chronologically.(There is an interesting reason for this, but we will save that for another day)

Have you ever sat and tried to pinpoint the very first musical experience that you can remember? Go back, way back. If you have kids, or are around kids, you know music is part of a baby’s life from practically day one. Musical mobiles; toys; and momma’s sweet voice singing. But what is the first musical memory you can actually recall?

I think mine is my mom singing to my sister and I before bed as we looked out the window at the moon.
I see the moon
The moon sees me
God made the moon
And God made me

As I searched for that first musical memory, the most memorable songs were Christmas songs. Apropos for the season, I guess. Maybe they came up more because we sing the same songs year after year.

I remember Up on the House top and Frosty, but the most intriguing carols were about a babe born in a manger on a cold winter’s night in a barn. Those carols were mostly quieter melodies with mysterious lyrics. The story fascinated me. Who was this baby sleeping? Why was He so important?

Silent Night. There is an early memory. All is calm. Lot’s of things about growing up were not calm, so all things calm and bright got my attention. These were some of the first seeds of Faith planted in my heart. I was in as much awe as those blessed sheep herders were. I stood in Church near my mom and her amazing alto voice and my dad’s beautiful belting tenor. All of us were facing forward, no choir, no band, just four-part, a cappella harmony in a mass of 60-100 Christians praising the new born Lord. Great memories!

My favorite songs have always been Joy to the World and O Holy Night.
These days I am really a Scrooge about Christmas music. I think it is because it starts November 1st and mostly it is not played to remind me of Jesus’ birthday, but to remind me to spend money I don’t have. I mean for me,I want Christmas to be: “Fall on your knees, O hear the angel voices! O night divine, O night when Christ was born!” These are my favorite lyrics and melody of all time.

I wrote this blog last night in a notebook. It is five pages long, so I think I’ll stop here and spare you any more torture. It was just fun looking back. And, as always, I'd love to hear any thoughts you care to/have time to share.

Word Wednesday

No crossword puzzles, vocabulary or word games, but on Word Wednesday I want to talk about what we are reading in the bible this week. It’s not a Bible study, sermon or deep devotional, just a place to reflect on a verse or passage that may have touched us this week.

Here it is for me.

The 23rd Psalm is famous. I have heard it all my life, seen it on greeting cards and plaques, and memorized in Sunday school. But, this week my readings are from Psalms and I was touched by the 24th Psalm.

Psalm 24
Of David. A psalm.
1 The earth is the LORD's, and everything in it,
the world, and all who live in it;
2 for he founded it upon the seas
and established it upon the waters.

3 Who may ascend the hill of the LORD?
Who may stand in his holy place?

4 He who has clean hands and a pure heart,
who does not lift up his soul to an idol
or swear by what is false.

5 He will receive blessing from the LORD
and vindication from God his Savior.

6 Such is the generation of those who seek him,
who seek your face, O God of Jacob. [b]
Selah

((1-6 were great but here is where I was moved))

7 Lift up your heads, O you gates;
be lifted up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.

8 Who is this King of glory?
The LORD strong and mighty,
the LORD mighty in battle.

9 Lift up your heads, O you gates;
lift them up, you ancient doors,
that the King of glory may come in.

10 Who is he, this King of glory?
The LORD Almighty—
he is the King of glory.
Selah

I once heard someone say: There has been a lot of damage done to me in my life, but none can compare to the damage I caused myself. I don’t know about you, but I can relate. And these verses 7-10 touched me anew.

Sometimes doubt, fear and regret seem to kidnap me and weigh me down like an “Ancient door”. As I read this verse -- and heard Third Day’s melodies singing the “Who is this King of glory” -- I sang and beckoned those “Ancient doors” full of fear and doubt to open and let the King of glory in. It was a great, healing experience.

What are you reading this week?

Phantasmagorical Freek Friday

Let’s talk about music! Artists, groups, songs, albums, concerts, memories, instruments, soundtracks

I am a Freek for Christian music that can be described these words: hard, speed, rock, Goth, metal, alternative, grunge, heavy, oh you get the picture. So, for your entertainment (or mine), each Friday I will attempt to discuss this fantastic genre here at gzusfreek.blogspot.com. Anything goes! I will share with you my insight, knowledge, and passion. And you can share on what I've shared or on your own passion!

Please feel free to leave whatever appropriate comments you feel like leaving regarding – songs, albums, groups, or individual artists! Those I may think are Godly; you may have heard rumors to the contrary. I may feel it is great art, and you may disagree! And maybe you don't like this genre at all, and you may want to let me know how much you don't care! Let's get our hands dirty!

Our first discussion will regard "Brian Head" Welch. Have you heard about this former member of the extreme hard rock group Korn? Korn is not a Christian band, in fact Korn is pretty much in the face of our Savior - but I hear Brian Welch (his nickname is Head) was one of the originating members and in 2005 he politely left the band to follow JESUS CHRIST. He checked himself into a hotel and detoxed – just Brian and God!

The big news is that on March 10, 2005, Welch was baptized in the Jordan River. I was so excited when I heard this on Christian radio (in 2005) but I have yet to find anyone else who has heard his story. What have you heard, anything? He has a book out giving the details about his 360 degree-life turn -- a great witness for young people who love hard rock.

I have a special place in my heart for druggie rock stars giving their lives to Christ. Rock stars leaving their wickedness and giving everything to Christ – that is the true “Rags to riches” story!!
Brian Head Welch is living now in Arizona with his daughter serving Christ.

His debut album “Save Me from Myself” was recently released, with a single by the same name. It is kind of dark, that goes with the territory, but I love the ending lyrics!

Here they are:
Drug use i kicked it
Abuse i kicked it
I'm through i kicked it
I won't kill myself
Depression i kicked it
Suicide i kicked it
Telling lies i kicked it (I think its great he includes this line!)
I won't kill myself
Father! thank you
Father! i live for you now!
Oh my God i live for you now

I loved the song! Here is a link to a sample on youtube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=actmuAvqlrU

His story is admirable. I thought it warranted the honor of being the first to be spotlighted in Phantasmagorical Freek Friday!

I got tagged?

Travis Inman tagged me, so now I have to share 7 things about myself. I'm not certain how this is supposed to work, but here it goes: (mine will never be as interesting as Travis' - check his out!)

1. I played drums for many years.
2. My dad did a mission to Africa for two years.
3. My Grandad is a retired preacher.
4. I was born in Colorado.
5. I love Survivor!
6. I've only left the United States to cross the border of Mexico.
7. I've never been shot. hee hee

I'm tagging:
Gabby
So your face is telling me so
Nancy
Have fun!

I'm only going to tag a couple, so if you want to play, link back to me and then tag some others!