Tonight at Phyrst Church there was a conversion! A conversion from deep within me. A piece of me was changed. A piece that resembled a tomb (Matthew 23). Earlier this evening there was a place within me that was dead, and now it's alive! That place, as strange as it may seem, is my desire to be something and/or someone that I am not. I battle worthiness. I don't feel worthy of much, much of the time. But tonight I saw something that has forever changed my view on who I am and who I am meant to be. I am Jeremiah Kingshipp. I am meant to be just that, me. God willing, from now on I will do a better job at being who I was intended to be, wired to be, bent to be.
If you are wondering what I saw, take a look at this video
Read her story here
I dream a dream that one day I too will stand up for who God made me to be and stop apologizing to the world for who I am, and start living my life the way God made me. I want the lying tombs of death to be removed. how about you?
Jeremiah
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Check out this Blog about the impact of the Phyrst Church
Check this out: We are making a difference. We do have a purpose. God is revealing himself to those who are in need of him.
http://kaseykrupa.wordpress.com/2008/11/03/16/ (copy and paste this url in your browser)
http://kaseykrupa.wordpress.com/2008/11/03/16/ (copy and paste this url in your browser)
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Be Decisive - 9-28-08
“Be Decisive” - Decisive Moments in Life
Can you imagine a marriage ceremony, where the officiate asks the groom, ‘Do you, Mike, take Sue to be your wife?” and Mike says, um, well, I…
How decisive are you? How often do you question yourself?
What are some of the decisions that you are faced with?
Signing on the dotted line…Military…4 year commitment, or on a marriage license, a life time commitment.. Deciding on the grad school to attend, Cutting the String…The cord…Separation from home (money), leaving home for good
Why do we avoid or shy away from these moments? Commitment…I believe that our decisions define our lives. And we are fearful of our lives being defined.
Singer songwriter Joe Jackson talked about our modern dilemma
I hate this supermarket
But I have to say it makes me think
A hundred mineral waters
It's fun to guess which ones are safe to drink
Two hundred brands of cookies
87 kinds of chocolate chip
They say that choice is freedom
I'm so free it drives me to the brink
I'm sure I am not the only one who has stood helplessly in the aisle at the supermarket in front of the range of laundry products that promise me whiter, brighter, color safe, biodegradable, skin friendly, non-biological, bleach free, elderflower scented tablets, powder, liquid, gel with added softener and wondered whether anybody still makes a product which just cleans your clothes.
We are confronted with many moments each day that are in need of decision. How do we “Be Decisive”, I think we need to take a look at what Jesus did in his most defining Decisive Moment.
One of the most impactive words in the Bible:
Yet - nevertheless – But
Jesus going to the Cross – Luke 22:42
42"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
Decisive Movement – Jesus acted on the will of his father rather than his own will.
We are all soon to be faced with a Decisive moment in election the next President of the United States of America. For whom will you vote? Why? Your decision, your moment will be impactive toward the future of this country. I pray that you will listen and be silent long enough to hear the whispers of God in your decision.
Unhappiness is a motivating factor in this years election. Unhappy with the economy, war, taxes, the issue of abortion, gay marriages, and the nation’s deficit. We find ourselves in the midst of a weird phenomenon: No matter who the President is to be, we, the people of the USA, will infact be in this same position in 4 or 8 years during the next election. Wondering how we got here, why the economy is so bad, why taxes are so high, Unhappy with the state of our nation…could I propose something to you to ponder. To think about, considering all of our unhappiness…
Email from David Letterman -
'As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark 'The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?
The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?''
A. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?
B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?
C. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?
D. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
E. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?
F. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?
G. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.
H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
I. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.
J. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.
K. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.
L. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
M. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?
Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy. Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S., yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.
I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks?
The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?
Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it.....are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.
Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an 'other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable” discharge after a few days in the brig.
So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane!
Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as country There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'
Let me encourage you to “Be Decisive” while all the time “Being Prayerful” while ”Being Happy”.
James 1:2-6
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
Can you imagine a marriage ceremony, where the officiate asks the groom, ‘Do you, Mike, take Sue to be your wife?” and Mike says, um, well, I…
How decisive are you? How often do you question yourself?
What are some of the decisions that you are faced with?
Signing on the dotted line…Military…4 year commitment, or on a marriage license, a life time commitment.. Deciding on the grad school to attend, Cutting the String…The cord…Separation from home (money), leaving home for good
Why do we avoid or shy away from these moments? Commitment…I believe that our decisions define our lives. And we are fearful of our lives being defined.
Singer songwriter Joe Jackson talked about our modern dilemma
I hate this supermarket
But I have to say it makes me think
A hundred mineral waters
It's fun to guess which ones are safe to drink
Two hundred brands of cookies
87 kinds of chocolate chip
They say that choice is freedom
I'm so free it drives me to the brink
I'm sure I am not the only one who has stood helplessly in the aisle at the supermarket in front of the range of laundry products that promise me whiter, brighter, color safe, biodegradable, skin friendly, non-biological, bleach free, elderflower scented tablets, powder, liquid, gel with added softener and wondered whether anybody still makes a product which just cleans your clothes.
We are confronted with many moments each day that are in need of decision. How do we “Be Decisive”, I think we need to take a look at what Jesus did in his most defining Decisive Moment.
One of the most impactive words in the Bible:
Yet - nevertheless – But
Jesus going to the Cross – Luke 22:42
42"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done."
Decisive Movement – Jesus acted on the will of his father rather than his own will.
We are all soon to be faced with a Decisive moment in election the next President of the United States of America. For whom will you vote? Why? Your decision, your moment will be impactive toward the future of this country. I pray that you will listen and be silent long enough to hear the whispers of God in your decision.
Unhappiness is a motivating factor in this years election. Unhappy with the economy, war, taxes, the issue of abortion, gay marriages, and the nation’s deficit. We find ourselves in the midst of a weird phenomenon: No matter who the President is to be, we, the people of the USA, will infact be in this same position in 4 or 8 years during the next election. Wondering how we got here, why the economy is so bad, why taxes are so high, Unhappy with the state of our nation…could I propose something to you to ponder. To think about, considering all of our unhappiness…
Email from David Letterman -
'As most of you know I am not a President Bush fan, nor have I ever been, but this is not about Bush, it is about us, as Americans, and it seems to hit the mark 'The other day I was reading Newsweek magazine and came across some Poll data I found rather hard to believe. It must be true given the source, right?
The Newsweek poll alleges that 67 percent of Americans are unhappy with the direction the country is headed and 69 percent of the country is unhappy with the performance of the President. In essence 2/3 of the citizenry just ain't happy and want a change. So being the knuckle dragger I am, I started thinking, 'What are we so unhappy about?''
A. Is it that we have electricity and running water 24 hours a day, 7 Days a week?
B. Is our unhappiness the result of having air conditioning in the summer and heating in the winter?
C. Could it be that 95.4 percent of these unhappy folks have a job?
D. Maybe it is the ability to walk into a grocery store at any time and see more food in moments than Darfur has seen in the last year?
E. Maybe it is the ability to drive our cars and trucks from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean without having to present identification papers as we move through each state?
F. Or possibly the hundreds of clean and safe motels we would find along the way that can provide temporary shelter?
G. I guess having thousands of restaurants with varying cuisine from around the world is just not good enough either.
H. Or could it be that when we wreck our car, emergency workers show up and provide services to help all and even send a helicopter to take you to the hospital.
I. Perhaps you are one of the 70 percent of Americans who own a home.
J. You may be upset with knowing that in the unfortunate case of a fire, a group of trained firefighters will appear in moments and use top notch equipment to extinguish the flames, thus saving you, your family, and your belongings.
K. Or if, while at home watching one of your many flat screen TVs, a burglar or prowler intrudes, an officer equipped with a gun and a bullet-proof vest will come to defend you and your family against attack or loss.
L. This all in the backdrop of a neighborhood free of bombs or militias raping and pillaging the residents. Neighborhoods where 90% of teenagers own cell phones and computers.
M. How about the complete religious, social and political freedoms we enjoy that are the envy of everyone in the world?
Maybe that is what has 67% of you folks unhappy. Fact is, we are the largest group of ungrateful, spoiled brats the world has ever seen. No wonder the world loves the U.S., yet has a great disdain for its citizens. They see us for what we are. The most blessed people in the world who do nothing but complain about what we don't have, and what we hate about the country instead of thanking the good Lord we live here.
I know, I know. What about the president who took us into war and has no plan to get us out? The president who has a measly 31 percent approval rating? Is this the same president who guided the nation in the dark days after 9/11? The president that cut taxes to bring an economy out of recession? Could this be the same guy who has been called every name in the book for succeeding in keeping all the spoiled ungrateful brats safe from terrorist attacks?
The commander in chief of an all-volunteer army that is out there defending you and me?
Did you hear how bad the President is on the news or talk show? Did this news affect you so much, make you so unhappy you couldn't take a look around for yourself and see all the good things and be glad? Think about it.....are you upset at the President because he actually caused you personal pain OR is it because the 'Media' told you he was failing to kiss your sorry ungrateful behind every day.
Make no mistake about it. The troops in Iraq and Afghanistan have volunteered to serve, and in many cases may have died for your freedom. There is currently no draft in this country. They didn't have to go. They are able to refuse to go and end up with either a ''general'' discharge, an 'other than honorable'' discharge or, worst case scenario, a ''dishonorable” discharge after a few days in the brig.
So why then the flat-out discontentment in the minds of 69 percent of Americans? Say what you want but I blame it on the media. If it bleeds it leads and they specialize in bad news. Everybody will watch a car crash with blood and guts How many will watch kids selling lemonade at the corner? The media knows this and media outlets are for-profit corporations. They offer what sells, and when criticized, try to defend their actions by 'justifying' them in one way or another Just ask why they tried to allow a murderer like O.J. Simpson to write a book about how he didn't kill his wife, but if he did he would have done it this way......Insane!
Turn off the TV, burn Newsweek, and use the New York Times for the bottom of your bird cage. Then start being grateful for all we have as country There is exponentially more good than bad. We are among the most blessed people on Earth and should thank God several times a day, or at least be thankful and appreciative.' 'With hurricanes, tornados, fires out of control, mud slides, flooding, severe thunderstorms tearing up the country from one end to another, and with the threat of bird flu and terrorist attacks, 'Are we sure this is a good time to take God out of the Pledge of Allegiance?'
Let me encourage you to “Be Decisive” while all the time “Being Prayerful” while ”Being Happy”.
James 1:2-6
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. But when he asks, he must believe and not doubt, because he who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.
Monday, September 22, 2008
Be Committed 9/21/08
Listen to the Phyrst Church - 9/21/08
Have you noticed that when you are fully committed to issues that affect your life or to an important cause, goal or even a relationship; you become bold, decisive, gutsy and unstoppable and are able to attract support and resources from people who have the answers or the help you need? It’s almost like you become a totally different person! When you are committed, you have lots of energy and are driven by a strong sense of purpose to achieve what you want. You unlock the doors of your imagination, your vision expands and your creativity is boundless.
When you are not committed to something, you hesitate and are reluctant to move boldly toward the things you want. You become indecisive about the actions to take and all you really have are just mere wishes, promises, hopes and a fleeting interest with no solid action. If you find yourself dilly dallying about a project, ask yourself, “how committed am I?” There is an old joke: five frogs were sitting on a log when one of them decided to jump off. Can you guess how many were left sitting on the log? Five frogs— because deciding to jump doesn’t mean jumping! The lesson is that, your decisions to commit to important issues must be backed up by some form of tangible action or motion. Take a moment and consider your life and all the commitments you made to yourself and others
Caroline Jalango
Commitment quotes:
I like villains because there's something so attractive about a committed person -- they have a plan, an ideology, no matter how twisted. They're motivated. ?Russell Crowe
The achievement of your goal is assured the moment you commit yourself to it. ?Mack R. Douglas
Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans. ?Peter F. Drucker
The uncommitted life isn't worth living. ?Marshall Fishwick
A total commitment is paramount to reaching the ultimate in performance. ?Tom Flores
The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor. ?Vince Lombardi
4 faces of Manhood
(Robert Lewis, The quest for Authentic Manhood)
1. The King Face - Proverbs 4:18, Proverbs 20:7
This face reflects Righteous Energy
This face is characterized by:
• Strong Convictions
• Courageous Moral choices
• A Servant Heart
• Righteous Leadership
2. The Warrior Face – 1 Timothy 6:11-12
This face reflects Conquering Energy
This face is characterized by:
• Initiative
• Protecting
• Providing
• Persevering
• Fighting
3. The Lover Face – Ephesians 5:25
This face reflects Romantic Energy
This face is characterized by:
• Tenderness
• Sensitivity
• Sacrificial Care
• Emotional Openness
• Physical affection
4. The Friend Face – Proverbs 17:17, Proverbs 27:17
This face reflects Connecting Energy
This face is characterized by:
• Loyalty
• Accountability
• Challenge
• Fun
Have you noticed that when you are fully committed to issues that affect your life or to an important cause, goal or even a relationship; you become bold, decisive, gutsy and unstoppable and are able to attract support and resources from people who have the answers or the help you need? It’s almost like you become a totally different person! When you are committed, you have lots of energy and are driven by a strong sense of purpose to achieve what you want. You unlock the doors of your imagination, your vision expands and your creativity is boundless.
When you are not committed to something, you hesitate and are reluctant to move boldly toward the things you want. You become indecisive about the actions to take and all you really have are just mere wishes, promises, hopes and a fleeting interest with no solid action. If you find yourself dilly dallying about a project, ask yourself, “how committed am I?” There is an old joke: five frogs were sitting on a log when one of them decided to jump off. Can you guess how many were left sitting on the log? Five frogs— because deciding to jump doesn’t mean jumping! The lesson is that, your decisions to commit to important issues must be backed up by some form of tangible action or motion. Take a moment and consider your life and all the commitments you made to yourself and others
Caroline Jalango
Commitment quotes:
I like villains because there's something so attractive about a committed person -- they have a plan, an ideology, no matter how twisted. They're motivated. ?Russell Crowe
The achievement of your goal is assured the moment you commit yourself to it. ?Mack R. Douglas
Unless commitment is made, there are only promises and hopes; but no plans. ?Peter F. Drucker
The uncommitted life isn't worth living. ?Marshall Fishwick
A total commitment is paramount to reaching the ultimate in performance. ?Tom Flores
The quality of a person's life is in direct proportion to their commitment to excellence, regardless of their chosen field of endeavor. ?Vince Lombardi
4 faces of Manhood
(Robert Lewis, The quest for Authentic Manhood)
1. The King Face - Proverbs 4:18, Proverbs 20:7
This face reflects Righteous Energy
This face is characterized by:
• Strong Convictions
• Courageous Moral choices
• A Servant Heart
• Righteous Leadership
2. The Warrior Face – 1 Timothy 6:11-12
This face reflects Conquering Energy
This face is characterized by:
• Initiative
• Protecting
• Providing
• Persevering
• Fighting
3. The Lover Face – Ephesians 5:25
This face reflects Romantic Energy
This face is characterized by:
• Tenderness
• Sensitivity
• Sacrificial Care
• Emotional Openness
• Physical affection
4. The Friend Face – Proverbs 17:17, Proverbs 27:17
This face reflects Connecting Energy
This face is characterized by:
• Loyalty
• Accountability
• Challenge
• Fun
Friday, September 19, 2008
Phyrst Church on WJACTV Last night!
Check out the Story here- Phyrst Church Story. Let me know your thoughts!
Thursday, September 18, 2008
20 years old and younger Update.
Hey Phyrst Church, The Phyrst Pub has recently decided, because of outside influences, that 20 year olds and younger will no longer be aloud in the bar during our service hours. Because of this, I have had some interest in a possible podcast of the "Messages of Hope" given each Sunday night. Therefore, I will be recording the "Messages of Hope" from now on and placing them on this blog site. My prayer is that our community of Phyrst Church participants who are 20 years old and younger would not lose their connection to the Phyrst Church. I, along with the Phyrst Church team are trying to think of new ways to interact with this younger crowd. If you have any ideas, please send them my way.
Can't wait to see all of you under age peeps on your 21st birthday!
Blessings,
Jeremiah
Can't wait to see all of you under age peeps on your 21st birthday!
Blessings,
Jeremiah
Tuesday, September 16, 2008
Thoughts from David Crowder
This is from David Crowder's blog.
question 6: “i went to the show in cincinatti and there was alcohol being
served. i was shocked that it was being served at a christian concert. can you
tell me why it was being served?”
yes. i’m pretty sure that the bar was selling alcohol because it is a bar and
that’s what bars sell. they typically like to make money and so they buy things,
such as beers, from a distributor for a certain price and then mark it up to
sell to people so that they will get a profit and get to pay their employees and
get to stay open and such. alcohol is usually a pretty big seller for bars. i am
sorry this was shocking.
i might add, both historically and currently, there are many people who love
jesus, and follow him, that also enjoy alcohol regularly. if you have not
encountered these people first hand, you should attempt to enlarge your peer
circle and i think you’ll get a clearer picture of the diversity of the body of
christ. there are denominations and traditions that denounce alcohol, and there
are those that condone it. these beliefs are typically culturally specific and
attached to a particular sect's interpretations of a few particular passages in
scripture. i should state here that we, as a band and as individuals, do not, in
any way, condone drunkenness, as it is stupid, nor under-aged drinking as it is
also stupid and against the law, and trust that those in attendance at various
dates on our club tour are intelligent enough to arrive at both of these
conclusions as well. it is not very difficult to observe the damaging effects of
abusing alcohol. it is simple that way; abuse it, it abuses you back, most of
the time immediately.
(an aside: in my experience, most conversations about alcohol with those who
adamantly reject it as a possible beverage choice, present that it could cause a
brother to stumble. this is awful logic. apply this logic to various food items
ordered at your next public meal. there will doubtlessly be present various
numbers of people who struggle with obesity or high cholesterol or heart
disease, who would really love one of your cheesesticks. there will also be
those present who are vegetarian, myself included, who are attempting to not
ingest meat. i’m sure you see the trouble with this line of thinking. this was
the very argument that peter and paul were having regarding idol meat. i will
not attempt further argument here since there is plenty to find out there, if
one were truly curious, that would present things in a much more scholarly and
organized manner than i could hope to present it. i will also state here that i
shall not require you to cease your carnivorous ways while sharing a restaurant
with me.)
and finally, i should state the reasons we went on a tour that had as its venues
bars and clu bs exclusively. we wished for the story of god to be experienced
beyond the safety of our cloistered church environments. it was our deep hope
that many who would not frequent a bar would come join us and experience the
reality of the presence of god in an environment that they might not typically
suspect to experience such a thing in. we believe, if we are reading scripture
correctly, that once the veil was torn, that in an instant, suddenly, god was
everywhere. the symbolism and consequences of this moment are epic! the way
human beings access the maker of heaven and earth were forever changed.
suddenly, once and for all, through the ultimate sacrificial offering, suddenly,
he is everywhere. every second is lived in the very presence of god. there is no
moment that is not holy. there is no space that is not sacred. it is the
awareness of our reality that shifts, not this reality. therefore, all that is
needed is for our awareness to change and we begin to view spaces and people and
cultures and music and art and eating and drinking and sleeping and waking as
moments and spaces and places where god is already active and present. our hope
on this tour was to give people a physical, tangible experience of this reality.
question 6: “i went to the show in cincinatti and there was alcohol being
served. i was shocked that it was being served at a christian concert. can you
tell me why it was being served?”
yes. i’m pretty sure that the bar was selling alcohol because it is a bar and
that’s what bars sell. they typically like to make money and so they buy things,
such as beers, from a distributor for a certain price and then mark it up to
sell to people so that they will get a profit and get to pay their employees and
get to stay open and such. alcohol is usually a pretty big seller for bars. i am
sorry this was shocking.
i might add, both historically and currently, there are many people who love
jesus, and follow him, that also enjoy alcohol regularly. if you have not
encountered these people first hand, you should attempt to enlarge your peer
circle and i think you’ll get a clearer picture of the diversity of the body of
christ. there are denominations and traditions that denounce alcohol, and there
are those that condone it. these beliefs are typically culturally specific and
attached to a particular sect's interpretations of a few particular passages in
scripture. i should state here that we, as a band and as individuals, do not, in
any way, condone drunkenness, as it is stupid, nor under-aged drinking as it is
also stupid and against the law, and trust that those in attendance at various
dates on our club tour are intelligent enough to arrive at both of these
conclusions as well. it is not very difficult to observe the damaging effects of
abusing alcohol. it is simple that way; abuse it, it abuses you back, most of
the time immediately.
(an aside: in my experience, most conversations about alcohol with those who
adamantly reject it as a possible beverage choice, present that it could cause a
brother to stumble. this is awful logic. apply this logic to various food items
ordered at your next public meal. there will doubtlessly be present various
numbers of people who struggle with obesity or high cholesterol or heart
disease, who would really love one of your cheesesticks. there will also be
those present who are vegetarian, myself included, who are attempting to not
ingest meat. i’m sure you see the trouble with this line of thinking. this was
the very argument that peter and paul were having regarding idol meat. i will
not attempt further argument here since there is plenty to find out there, if
one were truly curious, that would present things in a much more scholarly and
organized manner than i could hope to present it. i will also state here that i
shall not require you to cease your carnivorous ways while sharing a restaurant
with me.)
and finally, i should state the reasons we went on a tour that had as its venues
bars and clu bs exclusively. we wished for the story of god to be experienced
beyond the safety of our cloistered church environments. it was our deep hope
that many who would not frequent a bar would come join us and experience the
reality of the presence of god in an environment that they might not typically
suspect to experience such a thing in. we believe, if we are reading scripture
correctly, that once the veil was torn, that in an instant, suddenly, god was
everywhere. the symbolism and consequences of this moment are epic! the way
human beings access the maker of heaven and earth were forever changed.
suddenly, once and for all, through the ultimate sacrificial offering, suddenly,
he is everywhere. every second is lived in the very presence of god. there is no
moment that is not holy. there is no space that is not sacred. it is the
awareness of our reality that shifts, not this reality. therefore, all that is
needed is for our awareness to change and we begin to view spaces and people and
cultures and music and art and eating and drinking and sleeping and waking as
moments and spaces and places where god is already active and present. our hope
on this tour was to give people a physical, tangible experience of this reality.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
