meet D-D-Praz
aka Daddy Daughter Praise
- duo that produces and promotes alternative genres of inspirational electronic music, leaving mainstream to merge a new sound from the old -- the band "not in a box." Audio engineering, Studio Production, Score Engraving, Composer/Arranger . . . les musiciens classiques
D-D-Praz Tweets- D-D-Praz . . . the band "not in a box"
- Word for the Moments
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Tweets
- BRAVO http://t.co/KvYtebMLtP
- primitive? http://t.co/8HpwYfAdnM
- Let me phrase it this way: Walking down the street a man stops me and I learn he wants a beer because he's bored,... http://t.co/s16lZnro7G
- Sweet http://t.co/VjBiV1FbkI
- Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one... http://t.co/2O2KvWYaUC
- MOBILE ALERT: Sittin on a mountain top reflecting on a long day. Nice to have affirmation - two vendors gave... http://t.co/jR1LMNvRgy
- We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should... http://t.co/2cHK6i4zHV
- potent http://t.co/UIR2tKjvj3
- ahh, uhhhhh ... kchew http://t.co/bmjZDGdOry
- Future Sound of Worship http://t.co/0LBBkNkIiV via @wordpressdotcom
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Posts
- Jan 03, 12
In the spirit of New Years, it has become customary for people to write out “New Year’s Resolutions,” or some personal goals that they would like to accomplish in the next year. More recently – as blogging has become trendy – bloggers all over the world are now blogging about resolutions. Rather than making this a personal goal; we challenge others to consider this very serious topic: the holistic condition of one’s heart and how it affects the quality of life.
Recently a friend described these disturbing actions and statements made by many of the people he has in his life. He detailed abhorrent emotional abuses in the manner of “power and control” manipulation, deception, chronic belittlement, and verbal degradation. The severity of these seemed so disturbing to me that I prayed and meditated over how to respond; and searched the Scriptures for any and all truths and encouragement I could find. Here is one verse from among many that I shared with this friend:
“For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth good things, and an evil man out of the evil treasure brings forth evil things” –Matthew 12:34-35
But after sharing these, my friend responded: “Come on, you don’t really believe all that. Like just because someone says evil and wicked things, that their heart is wicked?” This very challenge to my beliefs overwhelmed me, and prompted an intense research of the Scripture to discover what God has to say about the heart. What I discovered was amazing.
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” –Proverbs 4:23“As water reflects the face, so one’s life reflects the heart” –Proverbs 27:19
Is the heart just a physical organ that transfers clean and unclean blood throughout the human body, and when it stops the person dies? Is the heart that organ, and just something symbolic about our feelings of love and hate? NO … Everything that defines us physically, mentally, and spiritually – the very essence of our being – is a condition of the heart. How we behave or act in any situation – who we “think” we are – is controlled first by our heart. Our thoughts and attitude come from the heart, and not our intellect.
“For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality, theft, murder, adultery, greed, malice, deceit, lewdness, envy, slander, arrogance and folly.” –Mark 7:21-22
“A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart, and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart is full of.” –Luke 6:45
“He who plots evil with deceit in his heart— he always stirs up conflict.” -Proverbs 6:14
Sometimes we act out in ways that are not healthy for us or our relationships. Perhaps we unintentionally scream out hateful rhetoric or behave violently when we are provoked, and want this to change. Maybe we want to do more to help others, but remain selfish, indifferent, or feel uncharitable. What about us musicians that are somehow lacking inspiration, or other artists that cannot find motivation to start or finish a project. The question seems to be, then, have you considered the condition of your heart? It is critical we responsibly protect our hearts. We must “guard” our hearts holistically – meaning each physically, mentally, and spiritually. Other Biblical references state to do this “with all diligence,” and describe our hearts as the “well-spring of life.”
“For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” –Hebrews 4:12
There are over 700 references to the heart in the Bible. For both believers and non-believers – regardless what application the Scriptures have in your life – there are numerous parallels to what the Bible teaches about the heart, and what contemporary psychologists allude to in treatment. We know that our feelings – or something about our mental condition – have its source in our hearts. Many of them described in the Bible include: hate, love, lusts, fear, pain, pride, despair, terror, joy, hope, longings, desire, yearnings, sadness, thankfulness, sorrow, cravings, malice, trust, anguish, rebellion, enmity, greed, gentleness, forgiveness, compassion, worrying, sincerity, lying, encouragement, anxiety … and more. The Bible also boldly describes how our character and personalities are also a condition of the heart. Our stubbornness, knowledge (personal experience), morality, Faith, loyalty, commitment, integrity, wisdom, devotion, hard-work, understanding, beliefs, madness, evil, … all this is first determined in the heart, before the intellect. Our thoughts originate from what is within our hearts. Even our motivation, obedience, memories, discernment between right and wrong, the ability to seek GOD, our meditations, grievances, perversity, being drawn to evil, the rejection of truth, singing and making music — all this comes from the heart, first, and not our intelligence!
While ludicrous amounts of money are spent on mental health professionals each year, so much of our own maladies could be healed or corrected if we only took the time to discover something about our hearts, and preventatively “guard” them. We do not imply that mental health professionals are a wasted effort, and firmly believe the trained guidance of a professional is a necessary means for personal accountability and safety. Medications are useful in controlling errant behaviors; however like most, they only treat the symptoms and not the illness. Similarly what people spend on self-help literature and other remedies can be considered frivolous. The “power of positive thinking” and “envisioning our goals” just doesn’t work if one’s “heart is not in it” – and many people for many reasons are incapable of changing that about themselves. Even more tragic, we as humans cannot fully understand our own hearts — much less can any counselor or mentor genuinely understand yours.
“Each heart knows its own bitterness, and no one else can share its joy.” – Proverbs 14:10
“People look at the outward appearance, but the LORD looks at the heart“ – 1 Samuel 16:17
Being Christian, means we should have absolute confidence that what we do not understand, God does. What we cannot control or change, God can. The Scriptures are not just some words of wisdom, or “Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth” (B-I-B-L-E); but that they are God-breathed, inspired and taught to us spiritually by an indwelling Holy Spirit. They are a reliable source for what God is saying to us about our situations and who we are, whenever we earnestly seek Him for understanding, control, or change. Per the complexities of our heart, Psalms 33:15 tells us God “formed the hearts of all” and “considers everything we do.” There are countless more Scriptures detailing that only God can probe the hearts of men, and understand them – after all, He intelligently designed us with them. Ecclesiastes 3:11 states that God “set eternity in the human heart,” creating us with a predisposition to knowing there is some “eternal” afterlife (with or without Him). Something shocking to learn is that God can – if He chooses – to control our own heart.
How God “controls” the hearts of men is described in Scripture in various ways. When Moses was urging the Egyptian Pharaoh to let the Hebrews leave, God told Moses repeatedly that He would harden the hearts of the Egyptians, the Pharaoh, and his advisors! When dealing with the obstinate idolatries of the Israelis, the Bible describes God’s judgment and how He makes the “heart of this people calloused; their ears dull and closes their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears, understand with their hearts, and turn and be healed.”-Isaiah 6:10. Other references describe God placing a “veil over their hearts.” Hosea goes further to describe God declaring they were oppressed by a “spirit of prostitution.” God also moves men’s hearts to action, including Cyrus the king of Persia, who allowed the exiled Israelis to return to Jerusalem and rebuild their temple. For us as individuals, we discover our Creator controlling (and recapturing) us to seek Him, understand Him, gain strength or wisdom or joy, believe and experience LOVE – all specifically by His care over our hearts and its design. Whew.
It is humanly impossible to judge the heart, although in many ways we can make reasonable assessments by outward behavior – whether the “not so empirical” science of psychology is accurate. Our life’s experiences greatly define how our heart is conditioned. We learn to filter some of what influences our heart. We can “accept” love and give human definitions to how we feel it. Likewise we experience hatred or anger, and choose whether or not to “take them to heart.” Heartaches, grief, fear, anxiety, worrying, and many other such indications can be treated by counseling and/or medication. However, treatment does not “cure the heart,” and has minimal impact on changing the individual.
That being said, the Bible clearly describes how “every inclination of the human heart is evil from childhood.” God even expresses regret from having created man because of “how great the wickedness of the human race had become on the earth, and that every inclination of the thoughts of the human heart was only evil all the time” (Genesis 6-8). Jeremiah further states “The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. Who can understand it?” SAY WHAT? This is what Christians commonly refer to as a spiritual condition, or depravity, called the “sinful nature” that is inherent in all of humanity. We are a creation physically separated from God, and predisposed to acting out or own “free will.”
So is the metaphysical heart really beyond cure? None can truly understand everything about it. Sure, we completely understand the physical function of the heart. Through imperfect human psychology, we can generalize much about the emotional and mental health of our “heart condition.” Yet what do we understand about the heart, spiritually; without some guidance of He who made it? Scriptures show us that while the human heart is incurable, it can spiritually be made “new.” Without connection to some spiritual entity, then, we are “on our own” with our struggles. Take caution “who we choose” when seeking spiritual healing for issues of the heart. It has become worldly cliché to trust that Love is the answer. 1 Peter 4:8 says “… love covers over a multitude of sins.” Yet I (Micheal) will boldly state from personal experience that Love in a humanly existence – to love and be loved – is only superficial unless one has experienced a new heart with the Love of God, the God who IS love.
What’s in your heart … and how far will that get you?
Hopefully you’ve gained insight into your own condition and have discovered some simple truths about the urgency with “guarding” our hearts – the most significant controller of who we are and what our life is like. Here are several other passages that we pray you will glean more insight, to find the help you might need for your heart. “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” -Philippians 4:7
“Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me … a broken and contrite heart you, God, will not despise.” –Psalm 41
“Because your heart was responsive and you humbled yourself … and wept in my presence, I also have heard you, declares the LORD” -2 Kings 22
“But if you harbor bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth. Such ‘wisdom’ does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic.” –James 3:14
“Be careful, or your hearts will be weighed down with carousing, drunkenness and the anxieties of life, …” -Luke 21:34
“But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” –Matthew 6:20
“… for he purified their hearts by faith.” -Acts 15:9
“I will give them a heart to know me, that I am the LORD.” –Jeremiah 24:7
“I will give them an undivided heart and put a new spirit in them; I will remove from them their heart of stone and give them a heart of flesh.” –Ezekiel 11:19
“… God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, …” -Galatians 4:6
“For the eyes of the LORD range throughout the earth to strengthen those whose hearts are fully committed to him.” -2 Chronicles 16:9
- Dec 25, 11
After three years researching, compiling obscure scores, and arranging unique medleys and fusing genres; D-D-Praz releases its debut album, November 2010. The concept being the historical origins of many popular Christmas tunes. The motivation was simply a request by Moriah (daughter) if D-D-Praz could “do Christmas music, too.” Michael took his daughter’s request quite seriously. With a calculated approach, combining the interpretations of his research with Moriah’s choice of sounds and beats, they produced a full-length album. (More about the historical aspect of what goes into this album, track-by-track, can be found in their article Christmas CD (Notes). By Christmas 2011, a year later, this album had received phenomenal accolades across numerous websites, and we (D-D-Praz) want to share our experiences with promoting this music.
The very first musician’s website that we joined and submitted our music was SoundCloud. While bonding with many artists at SoundCloud, the encouraging comments and support we received were largely responsible for our decision to market a Christmas album. As independent artists, however, we had to aggressively promote and market it. The typical sharing posts across the gamut of social networking sites – like Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter – was combined with joining numerous other sites to “spread the music.” Upon joining IndieCharts, two tracks from our debut CD were submitted (with one other) for this site’s “panel review” – “Club House Carol” and “Medieval Carol in Baraque.” Much to our surprise, this “panel review” launched D-D-Praz to #6 for Electronica artists on the IndieCharts site. Our review scored #21 over all genres. Since our introduction to this site, there have been no peer (“member”) reviews to sustain that standing; or give a realistic perspective, per IndieCharts’ criteria, just how credible are their reviews. Nonetheless, such a high review was very exciting for both of us.
SoundClick, similar in some ways to SoundCloud, is another vast site for musicians and listeners. Several of our tracks climbed their charts by genre, most notably “Nouveau Livre de Noels,” “Club House Carol,” “El Nino del Tambor,” and “Bambino Gesu on a Holy Night” all made it above the “top 50” (per genre/subgenre). “Nouveau Livre de Noels,” even reached the #2 position on the Classical, Chamber music charts and was placed on the overall top 50 charts, among over 4 million submissions. Wow – WOW !! Something unique to SoundClick vs. SoundCloud, however, is that artists can sell their tracks directly from this website, rather than link to others.
Broadjam is a site where we submitted our tracks, and received “peer reviews” that were more criteria-based. Criteria included marketability, quality of production, originality, and etc. Being peer reviews, the professionalism of reviewers varies greatly; however, the reviews were above average scores, overall. Our Christmas tracks receiving notable scores were “Kyrie de Noel” (99/105, combined) and “El Nino del Tambor” (29/30). WOW.
At Broadjam, musicians/bands can submit to numerous opportunities for licensing (placement) for radio, TV, film, and other multi-media usage. While Broadjam represents a large volume of these opportunities, we found that manageability and user-friendliness of their website was pathetic. Numerous server crashes, out-dated notifications, misrepresentation of opportunity provider’s criteria, and excessive bragging caused Broadjam to appear “too big for it’s britches.” We did submit to many opportunities there; and while not all selections have been finalized, none of the tracks from D-D-Praz Christmas were selected.
A site that DID make song placement for tracks from our CD was MusicXray. Similar to Broadjam, this website is purposed to aid independent artists make song placements, but MusicXray has no realistic peer reviews. Tracks from our CD that did receive placement through MusicXray were “Kyrie de Noel” (filmscore, undetermined) and “Club House Carol” (radio).
If an Independent Artist really wanted a “professional review” by an experienced music industry professional, both MusicXray and Broadjam offer those services; but at exuberant – if not absurd – costs to the artist. We would recommend for any Independent artist seeking “professional review,” to shop around for cost and experience. It would be a waste for an emerging Rap or Hip-Hop artist to pay for a Country musician’s “professional” review!! In fact what we have experienced per “peer review,” the overwhelming representations of peers as independent artists are either “wannabe” DJ’s or “Rapstars.” Our productions are fusion, trans-genres, and represent a diversity of styles from Classical to Techno, so receiving unbiased reviews for our Christmas CD as a whole, has been challenging – frustrating and comical. Other sites like ReverbNation, concentrate more on the musician/band’s following rather than quality – but this is understandable. Many opportunities that such follower-based websites represent are ALSO trying to make a name for themselves by promoting the next “Blind Melon” or “Billy Joel.”
Probably our greatest challenge, however, was attempting to promote sales of the physical CD to the local public. We designed CD jewel case inserts – with cover art, track lists, and liner notes. We used LightScribe burners to etch the CD’s we manufactured from our studio. We printed business cards, tracks, posters, and “hit the streets.” Three local merchants agreed to stock the CD’s, while Moriah and I distributed these tracks to schools, churches, convenience stores, music stores, novelty shops, … anywhere that graciously allowed us to leave information that directed folks to where they could purchase our CD’s. We made three public appearances in a bookstore or on a street corner and played our Christmas music to passers-by. BUT . . . all the exhaustion, stress, and costs of these efforts to promote ourselves locally will not likely be recovered soon enough !!
Despite repeatedly soliciting our local radio station – even attempting to PAY for advertising — they never returned our calls or responded to written requests. They were no help. One weekend while braving the cold, we blew out our speakers, trying to overcome the loud diesel trucks passing by our street corner. (To this day I still chuckle, who would imagine you could blow out speakers with Classical music?) At the cafes, there was hardly any business; so turning heads and engaging interest just didn’t happen!! OMgosh.
What we learned was this is hard work promoting ourselves as Independent artists!! Even still, we gained incredible encouragement from the hundreds of compliments and genuine praise for the Christmas music we were successful in sharing. SO … we stepped it up another notch and bravely submitted the album to be considered for nomination for the Independent Music Awards “Concept album of the Year.” So if THAT gets us good reviews, then maybe we can lay-off spamming all you guys and insisting that you share all these links to our music! LOL … but this announcement is pending the end of “winter.” In the “worst case scenario,” I’ll keep my day job and Moriah stays in school. But we won’t stop producing music and prodding you to share with all your friends that HERE (click link) you can download the MP3 album, D-D-Praz Christmas, or individual tracks. Thanks
From our sincerest Compassion and Joy, we Hope that you share amazement how we celebrate the virgin birth of an infant God, who became a man and willingly gave up His earthly existence. This forever changed our relationship to Him – from absolute depravity and separation from our Creator, to an indwelling relationship with Peace, Comfort, Power, Love, and Wisdom for all who choose to Love Him. Yes we celebrate: Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Suddenly a great company of the heavenly host appeared with THE angel, praising God and saying, “Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests.” When the angels had left them and gone into heaven, the shepherds said to one another, “Let’s go to Bethlehem and see this thing that has happened, which the Lord has told us about.”
– Luke 2:13-15
- Oct 12, 11
“The International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP), also known as the Petrucci Music Library after publisher Ottaviano Petrucci, is a project for the creation of a virtual library of public domain music scores, based on the wiki principle. Since its launch on February 16, 2006, over 124,000 scores and 3,400 recordings for over 44,000 works by over 6,400 composers have been uploaded. . . . One of the main projects of IMSLP was the sorting and uploading of the complete works of Johann Sebastian Bach in the Bach-Gesellschaft Ausgabe (1851–99), a task that was completed on November 3, 2008. Besides J.S. Bach’s complete public domain works, all of Beethoven’s, Brahms’s, Canteloube’s, Chabrier’s, Chausson’s, Chopin’s, Corelli’s, Debussy’s, D’Indy’s, Dukas’s, Fauré’s, Ferroud’s, Handel’s, Huré’s, Magnard’s, Palestrina’s, Ravel’s, Roussel’s, Satie’s, Schmitt’s, Schubert’s, Schumann’s, Scriabin’s, Sibelius’s, a large percentage of Mozart’s, Liszt’s, and others are available as well.” — excerpt from Wikipedia
In September 2011, D D Praz became the 103 performer profile added to this HUGE catalog – now one of the most prestigious projects for the preservation of Classical music scores. One production track from our debut Christmas CD – “Nouveau Livre de Nöels” – was accepted and added to the Petrucci Music Library. (follow link). We consider this quite an accomplishment, since very few Electronic (non-acoustic) artists or productions are accepted. Our selection comes from Suite 4, of an 18th Century method book titled “New Book of Noels for Organ and Harpsichord” (translated from French) by Michel Corrette (1707-1795). This production is an adaptation of Corrette’s original work, for chamber instruments, instead of soley the Organ. Our choice to utilize chamber instruments was intended to “mimic” the various stops and timbres of the 18th century cathedral organ and its diversity of sounds.
Michael’s formal music training was primarily in Classical piano, thus it’s no surprise he researches Classical music scores when developing many of his productions. In fact, the majority of what was derived and published per their album D D Praz Christmas was the result of such research from the scores of various, and often obscure Classical composers. Their tracks “Buona Notte Finale,” “Mo’s Lullaby,” and “Hail That Powerful Name” are a few other notable examples of D D Praz’s historical research, applied to their unique fusion – adaptations and arrangements for “synth orchestra.” There will be more contributions by D D Praz into the International Music Score Library Project – both digitally restored scores and performance tracks.
Send us your ideas!! Please follow our links and network with us @ MySpace, or Facebook, or ReverbNation, or SoundCloud
- May 24, 11
We are proud to have contributed in this compilation of music by SoundCloud artists, a second album honoring the victims and survivors of Japan’s earthquake and tsunami this year. Please refer to our previous posts about the need and desire to help in raising funds for Shelterbox.org, a worthy charity currently assisting around the world as first responders in areas of disaster. All proceeds from Sounds for Shelter are coordinated with Shelterbox’s launching their fund-raiser “Big Box and Buy” Big Green Box Week, from 11th June until the 18th June. Please take time to follow the links to Shelterbox and the Sounds for Shelter albums to hear the sounds of compassion, meet some of the contributing artists, and help our charity. Thanks.
- Mar 26, 11
The most absurd statement I heard on Twitter like this: “Japan doesn’t need prayers. Japan needs money. #songsforJapan” REALLY? The third largest economy in the world needs money, in lieu of it’s disaster? Okay, let’s just throw a dollar at an orphan, throw a buck at a widow, give a ten spot to a Japanese farmer who just lost all his equipment and has salty, oil-soaked fields — all victims of Japan’s disaster. Really Twitter, money?
. . . uh, NO. Relief organizations like Japanese Red Cross and Shelterbox.org need money (not “Japan” or iTunes). WHY? . . . to show genuine compassion by wiping a tear and hugging the elderly, providing a meal, giving shelter, or some other form of compassion. That compassion gives HOPE, often supernaturally, as an expression of LOVE. So Twitter implies that if I cannot show compassion to someone in need, then “money” is the answer? Maybe I should pay someone else to “give a damn”? Right.
I beg to differ, and encourage others to continue to pray for Japan. The Japanese people need compassion far greater than they need money, albeit the relief organizations we support need funding. What we accomplish supernaturally through prayer has an even greater impact than mere sympathy. Prayers in Faith are orchestrated and focused on just exactly where Hope and Comfort is lacking. Money cannot buy, nor does it reveal our capacity to reach out to those in need, nearly as effectively as our collective prayers.
James 5:13
[ The Prayer of Faith ] Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songs of praise.Several artists around the world have made some efforts to show their own compassion and help instill awareness for the need of the Japanese people. iTunes has released their album “Songs For Japan,” a collection of branded, popular artists and songs (like Lady Gaga, Beiber, and some 38 artists, combined). Honestly, we are highly suspect of the genuineness and sincerity of the artists and this effort. None of the songs are truly inspired about or for the Japanese people, rather they are a collection of already popularized music. We understand that “proceeds” are diverted to the Japanese Red Cross, to fund relief efforts there. The selection of songs and artists iTunes has compiled, however, stand much more to gain than does the Japanese people from the promotion of their “Songs for Japan.” Not to entirely “knock off” this effort, people can genuinely contribute to a greater cause buy purchasing the album, but it seems that the proportion of ones contribution is paled in comparison to the efforts to promote and aggrandize the artists and iTunes, themselves. We do not imply, however, that all of the artists or those that purchase the “Songs for Japan” album do not somehow have some compassion for the Japanese people.
HOWEVER, weeks prior to iTunes “release” of their contributions to aid Japan, a number of musicians from the SoundCloud.com group gathered to share their songs that were genuinely composed with the Japanese people and their recent disaster in mind. Their release titled “Rising Japan!” is for sale, and ALL proceeds from their effort are raising funds for Shelterbox.org, who was already “on the ground” in Japan at the time of the albums release. There have been many more SoundCloud artists come forward with music inspired by and for the people of Japan. We hope you take time to experience these artists and their genuine musical inspirations — all in the sincerest compassion for Japan.
Here’s a post from a friend explaining how Shelterbox.org and “Rising Japan!” is helping the Japanese (by: Peter Owen (Soundtrack-Audio) )
“. . .the boxes that Shelterbox supply to the victims of these disasters are vital lifelines and include family tents, water containers, basic cooking facilities, children’s colouring packs (when they’ve lost everything it really becomes a treasured possession and means the world to them) and basic supplies to help in those vital first weeks and months. They have their whole lives to rebuild, so any help we can give is greatly received. Just one box from Shelterbox gives a whole family support and shelter at this desperate time.”
NOW, whether donating cash or purchasing albums, we still cannot let folks like Mojocaster infect the human condition by alluding that the Japanese people need money more than compassion. Prayer is compassion, and we strongly know to be true that prayer in Faith is the greatest transference of HOPE when one cannot be physically present to give comfort “face to face.” There is no greater or more sincere effort that an individual can make when wanting to help another, than to fall to one’s knees with “brokenness” and “compassion” and ask GOD to help those people that we have burden for. Songs, poems, and donations are secondary; and usually come “after” the initial heart-wrenching passion for our fellow mankind that is suffering.
We continue to pray, and ask all others to continue to pray in Faith, for “Brighter Days” for those wounded by the Japanese disaster. Even if not affording to buy into some fund-raiser, your prayers will do much more. Inspired to “want to share” our compassion, we composed an original arrangement of four popular Japanese melodies. The history of these tunes can be found in our previous article. The following is our last and final revision of that work. Please enjoy and allow yourself to be moved to share your compassion for our neighbors in Japan.
Kami yo Mimae ni 日本の私たちの祈り
Psalm 32:6-7 — let everyone who is godly pray–pray to You in a time when You may be found; surely when the great waters [of trial] overflow, they shall not reach [the spirit in] him. You are a hiding place for me; You, Lord, preserve me from trouble, You surround me with songs and shouts of deliverance. Selah [pause, and calmly think of that]!
- Mar 20, 11
Most of the world has become aware of the horrible earthquake, then destructive tsunami that leveled much of Northern Japan. As many as 10,000 life’s were lost and even greater numbers were left homeless, jobless, and without food. Nuclear power-plants are near catastrophic destruction, while some radiation is effecting food and many residents.
While much of Japan maintains its stoic, cultural confidence that all is well; it seems much of the world has frantically scrambled to help out. Monetary donations are being accepted from both Shelterbox and RedCross, both aiding in humanitarian relief efforts with personnel on the ground.
Through our musician friendships at SoundCloud, we’d also like to encourage supporting both the relief effort and the talents of our independent artist friends by purchasing the Rising Japan album, a collaboration with SoundCloud, BandCamp, and Shelterbox. Right now there are 22 artists, all ambient/electonica tracks, where proceeds from the albums sale are donated to Shelterbox.
Moriah and I discussed our desire to commemorate and rally for Prayer for Japan – their need for Help and Comfort in time of need. We are confident that there is GREAT Hope and Peace for the people and the nation, despite the overwhelming disaster and losses due to circumstances beyond anyone’s control. Christ in no “respecter of persons” and truly the greatest supernatural source for those in need.
D-D-Praz has compiled a song track titled: Kami Yo Miame Ni (click the link to review our unmastered track). This track is a medley of four very familiar tunes to most of Japan, and incoporates the ethnic stringed “koto” and bamboo flute instruments. The introductory tune is “Shakura,” a traditional Japanese folk song, depicting the coming of Spring and the cherry blossom. This leads to a Romantic era song “Yoimachi-guru,” (the evening primrose) first published by Tadasuke Ono (1895-1929) in 1918. The original is a vocal score with piano accompaniment, and we varied the original by changing keys (for the bamboo flute) and adding more dramatic arpeggios.
Ironically, the last two tunes of this medley originated from Western Christian Hymns. What we know as the familiar “What a Friend we Have in Jesus” is a tune made popular in Japan, as it is used in almost all Japanese “Westernized” weddings, today. The final tune, from which we get the name “Kami Yo Miame Ni,” is a contemporary adaptation to traditional Japanese musical scale of the hymn, “Lord, We Come Before thee Now.” Never more appropriate to end this medley with one verse of that musical adaptation by Tomoaki Bunya as a song of prayer.
We hope you are inspired by this work (in progress).
Many thanks and blessings,
Michael and Moriah
- Jan 13, 11
As we find ourselves incorporating our own online store, we’ve gotten stumped. Moriah and I cannot reach an agreement which “spheres” to use in printing our smaller merchandise (like mugs, bumper stickers, magnets, bookmarks, et al). We need you to help us by taking the following poll and let us know:
- Jan 08, 11
. . . after the release of our Debut CD, “D-D-Praz Christmas”? More Holiday music — NOT. Gospel Electronica; instrumental, interpretive Worship music; and “on-demand” accompaniment sound tracks remain in production. Michael and Moriah, both, would like to participate in another local theater production (Daddy, sound; Daughter, cast). Each continue to serve in their local churches, and look forward to “concert season” with the Holy Rollers starting around May. Rumors suggest the Holy Rollers are being invited to three towns in Texas this Spring !!
Michael continues his research “restoring” and publishing Romantic era piano and guitar scores. Early this year, D-D-Praz will contribute a few recovered scores and their digital MIDI notation to the International Music Score Library Project (IMSLP). From those scores may come our next releases, electronica circa 1800′s !! Moriah and I are also collaborating on remastering several of our earliest accompaniment tracks employed in past Christian music productions. You might even get to hear us play the Native American flute and Moriah sing on these tracks (as they were originally composed) !!
AND YES, we do requests. From time to time, we are asked to compose arrangements for specific instrumentation or choral settings. Once perfected, we also digitally produce the scores and/or recordings for specific events. Or, perhaps, you have a favorite hymn or praise song you’d like turned to techno – or you’ve composed your own original score and have no orchestra to perform. It’s in these situations our home studio is most suitable to help you.
Send us your ideas!! Please follow our links and network with us @ MySpace, or Facebook, or ReverbNation, or SoundCloud
- Dec 16, 10
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- Apr 21, 13A few months ago at a local chain restaurant, we had a delightful, engaging conversation with our waitress. We shared tidbits of our personal lives, and eventually the conversation led to “Well, things happen for a reason.” So I asked, “Do you believe that things happen because of something supernatural, because of God?”“I don’t know, … yeah?,” was her answer.Too much of pop culture today uses this cliché: “things happen for a reason.” Perhaps this sentiment evoled from the once popular “shit happens.” The majority of people we meet believe that “things happen,” and the reason is fate, somehow implying “God” was involved. Especially in drug subcultures has this been adapted for every circumstance in their lives. "Things happen" and, regardless what, it's normal. The supernatural control they lack allows “things” to happen as if it was "meant to be." Many people just accept whatever happens as God’s plan for their lives - good or bad.WAIT … wait … oh, hell nawh …Never accept “whatever happens” as merely our uncontrollable fate. Addicts, prostitutes, and deceivers "happen" because God "made them" that way?!!! Rather we must realize and acknowledge that “things happen” almost always because of choices we make, absent from Him. “Things happen,” and more often than not, the reason has absolutely nothing to do with God’s intervention. He was never involved in the plans we made; thus it was not the “fate” He planned. “Shit happens” because we most often choose it.“For there are many, of whom I have often told you and now tell you even with tears, who walk and live as enemies of the cross of Christ. They are doomed and their fate is eternal misery; their god is their appetites and their sensuality; and they glory in their shame, siding with earthly things and being of their party.” – Philippians 3:18-19“This is the fate of those who trust in themselves; and of their followers, who approve their sayings. They are like sheep and are destined to die; death will be their shepherd. . . but the upright will prevail over them in the morning.” – Psalm 49:13-14ONLY those that walk and live upright – the “righteous” – are those that can claim that God controls their fate. God promises when we trust Him – when we “know, recognize, and acknowledge” His ways, FIRST – He is then in control of our fate. This promise applies to both “things” that happen in this life, and what happens to us in the next.
“Lean on, trust in, and be confident in the Lord with all your heart and mind and do not rely on your own insight orunderstanding. In all your ways know, recognize, andacknowledge Him; and He will direct andmake straight and plain your paths.” – Proverbs 3:5-6
“The Lord makes firm the steps of the one who delights in Him; though he may stumble, he will not fall, for the Lord upholds him with his hand.” – Psalm 37:23-24“Because of your great compassion you did not abandon them in the wilderness. By day the pillar of cloud did not fail to guide them on their path, nor the pillar of fire by night to shine on the way they were to take.” – Nehemiah 9:19Yet it’s still not about being perfectly righteous and making perfect choices. God always keeps His promises. Even when we stumble His promise is to “make firm” our steps and to give a helping hand. What an awesome promise. He can be the reason “things happen,” but only when we choose Him – even when we fail!! During the mass exodus of Hebrews leaving Egypt, God directed the paths of millions of people for decades with a cloud by day, and fire at night. Both our physical fate, and supernatural things that happen, has God's intervention. We must completely abandon our plans and how we understand things; then learn His ways. Then by His Holy Spirit; our paths – even the desires and thoughts of our heart – become the destiny He planned for us.Suggest further reading: Proverbs 16 and Psalm 37Listen to these lyrics and consider what the Scriptures above means to your life. Are you free to choose?A prayer based on Psalm 119:Dearest Heavenly Father, look upon me, be merciful unto me, and show me favor, as is Your promise to those who love Your name and call out to You. Establish my steps and direct them by means of Your word; let not any of my guilt, shame, or sin have control over me. Teach me Your ways so I can know which way to go. Deliver me from the oppression of man; so I will continue to hear, to receive, to love, and to obey Your Word and to know You. Thank you for Your promise to be the reason things happen – in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen. - Mar 16, 13CD GOSPEL - Compre e pague no cartão ou Boleto Bancário: NOVO EP DJ FRANK NUCKLESS 2013 ANO DA PROMESSA: PREVIEW EM BAIXA QUALIDADE, NA COMPRA O CD SE ENCONTRA 320KBPS EXTENDED Já a venda o novo EP do DJ Frank Nuckless: 2013 Ano da Promessa
PREVIEW the latest by Frank Nuckless; the blessed and annointed Brazilian DJ. An awesome EP. - Apr 19, 12The tomb is now empty
and He did it for our sake.The following track is an instrumental adaptation of a popular Keith Green song:"Easter Song (He Has Risen)" Lyrics to this song are printed below.They are profound and mature for any Christian.<timing of lyrics with instrumental><0:17>Hear the bells ringing, they're singing that you can be born againHear the bells ringing, they're singing Christ is risen from the dead
<0:37>
The angel up on the tombstone
Said He has risen, just as He said. Quickly now, go tell his disciples
That Jesus Christ is no longer dead
<1:01>
Joy to the world, He has risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah. He's risen, hallelujah, hallelujah
<1:28>
Hear the bells ringing, they're singing that you can be healed right now
Hear the bells ringing, they're singing Christ, He will reveal it now
<1:48>
The angels, they all surround us and they are ministering Jesus' power
Quickly now, reach out and receive it for this could be your glorious hour
<2:11>Joy to the world, He has risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah. He's risen, hallelujah, hallelujah<2:53>
The angel up on the tombstone said He has risen, just as He said.Quickly now, go tell his disciples that Jesus Christ is no longer dead
<3:16>
Joy to the world, He has risen, hallelujah
He's risen, hallelujah. He's risen, hallelujah. He's risen, hallelujah, HallelujahThese lyrics celebrate what Christians have - thanks to how Christ suffered on the cross, was resurrected from the dead, and ascended into heaven to be with God the Father. Walking in the power of Christ's resurrection creates for the Believer a new life (born again) - a heart that's regenerated, healed, and full of joy and hope; and a mind that receives direction and wisdom to recognize our Creator's own purpose for our life.Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in the heavenly realms with EVERY spiritual blessing in Christ - Ephesians 1:3
NOTE: this says EVERY Spiritual blessingMost people today, when they think of Jesus and the Resurrection, they identify with John the Baptist's introduction: “Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!" - John 1:29. "He died for our sins," is what many quote like cliche. God's plan for the redemption of mankind is prophetically complete in Christ's resurrection. Our shortcomings and imperfections - that which separates us from God - can no longer keep us apart. We have access to the Kingdom of God - an eternal life with Him - because Christ willingly died for us. AND He rose again! -- Are you celebrating, yet?What most Christians seem to miss is how powerful and accessible that Love really is to us in the present. We don't have to WAIT until death for our NEW LIFE - the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. Today we benefit from Christ's death and resurrection, daily, reconciled in our relationships with Him and each other by Love. There is so much to celebrate and be thankful for in this."Hear the bells ringing, they're singing that you can be born again"But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who dwells in you. - Romans 8:11We were buried with Him (Jesus) through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the Glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life - Romans 6:4Jesus answered him, I assure you, most solemnly I tell you, that unless a person is born again, he cannot ever be acquainted with or experience the kingdom of God. . . . unless a man is born of water and the Spirit, he cannot ever enter the kingdom of God. What is born from the flesh is flesh [of the physical is physical]; and what is born of the Spirit is spirit. Do not be surprised or astonished at My telling you, You must all be born anew (from above). The wind blows (breathes) where it wills; and though you hear its sound, yet you neither know where it comes from nor where it is going. So it is with everyone who is born of the Spirit. -John 3:3-8Therefore if any person is grafted in Christ, the Messiah, he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old, previous moral and spiritual condition has passed away.Behold the fresh and new has come!But all things are from God, Who through Jesus Christ reconciled us to Himself and gave to us the ministry of reconciliation - that by word and deed we might aim to bring others into harmony with Him. - 2 Corinthians 5:17-18"Hear the bells ringing, they're singing you can be healed right now"He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our guilt and iniquities; the chastisement needed to obtain peace and well-being for us was upon Him, and with the stripes that wounded Him we are healed and made whole. All we like sheep have gone astray, we have turned everyone to his own way; and the Lord has made to light upon Him the guilt and iniquity of us all. – Isaiah 53:5-6When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return. When He was abused and suffered, He made no threats of vengeance; but he trusted Himself and everything to Him Who judges fairly. He personally bore our sins in His own body on the tree - as on an altar and offered Himself on it - so we might cease to exist to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like so many sheep, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Guardian. - 1 Peter 2:23-25Easter Sunday, 2012, in Telluride, CO "Hear the bells ringing, they're singing Christ, He will reveal it now
Quickly now, reach out and receive itfor this could be your glorious hour"However, as it is written:“What no eye has seen,
what no ear has heard,
and what no human mind has conceived”the things God has prepared for those who love him—These are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit. The Spirit searches all things, even the deep things of God. For who knows a person’s thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.- 1 Corinthians 2:9-11Nothing in all creation is hidden from God’s sight. Everything is uncovered and lay bare before the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has ascended into heaven - Jesus the Son of God - let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to empathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet he did not sin. - Hebrews 4:13-15Are YOU walking with this resurrection power in your life?KEITH GREEN (per Wikipedia)Keith Gordon Green (October 21, 1953 – July 28, 1982) was an American gospel singer, songwriter, musician, and Contemporary Christian Music artist originally from Sheepshead Bay, Brooklyn, New York Beyond his music, Green is best known for his strong devotion to Christian evangelism and challenging others to the same. Often considered controversial for his frequently confrontational lyrics and spoken messages, some notable songs written by Green and/or his wife, Melody Green, include "Your Love Broke Through," "You Put This Love In My Heart," and "Asleep In The Light." Green is also known for numerous popular modern hymns, including "O Lord, You're Beautiful" and "There Is A Redeemer," written by his wife, Melody. Read more about Keith Green.For us at D-D-Praz studio, Keith Green is a favorite Christian songwriter. His keen, 70's, upbeat piano-playing attracted me to Green's works when I was very young. Keith Green's music was one of the very first Christian artists that I ever heard commercially played on the radio. His style, humbleness, and passion for evangelism are both inspirational and influential. Among the songs written by Keith and his wife, Melody, D-D-Praz has also performed "There is a Redeemer," "He'll Take Care of the Rest," and "You Put this Love in My Heart." - Jul 23, 12the MastersGroove. Moriah and I regularly tune in to these live, inspirational broadcasts of Gospel House music, and join in the chats. DJ’s that contribute to the MastersGroove also join the chatroom, regularly. Last week I was inspired by a loving Word shared in this chatroom, from which resonates much of what the Word of God tells us. Here's an excerpt from that chat:
Oh how we must lift each other up and stay encouraged! We proportionately receive our own encouragement from being an encourager, ourselves – like we reap what we sow!! If we don’t heed this exhortation from the chatroom, we cannot effectively represent Christ and His teaching. In fact this exhortation is exactly HOW to represent that His Holy Spirit resides within us. We can positively and miraculously change our own neighborhoods and families. However, without operating by the Holy Spirit (Love) and standing up for what is righteous and true, we will absolutely risk joining the devil’s army. None can combat and defeat wickedness in this world while sowing with the enemy’s tools; or silently allowing our friends and neighbors to remain engulfed in sin.We must lift each other up and stay encouraged . . . Part of the problem today. We mind our business and don't want to be deemed a snitch...but you must stand up for righteousness or join in the devils army through silence. . . . Watch out for your neighbors child, help the elderly, share your wealth, bite your tongue, practice patience . . .“But instead warn, admonish, urge, and encourage one another every day, as long as it is called ‘Today,’ that none of you may be hardened, or settled into rebellion of sin; warn of the deceitfulness, the fraudulence, the stratagem, or the trickery with which the delusive glamor of sin may play on someone” - Hebrews 3:13“And he set captains of war over the people and gathered them together to him in the street of the gate of the city and spoke encouragingly to them, saying: Be strong and courageous. Be not afraid or dismayed before the king of Assyria and all the horde that is with him, for there is Another with us greater than all those with him. With him is an arm of flesh, but with us is the Lord our God to help us and to fight our battles" - 2 Chronicles 32:6-8“Also David told Solomon his son, Be strong and courageous, and do it. Fear not, be not dismayed, for the Lord God, my God, is with you. He will not fail or forsake you until you have finished all the work for the service of the house of the Lord" - 1 Chronicles 28:20. . . Part of the problem today. We mind our business and don't want to be deemed a snitch...but you must stand up for righteousness or join in the devils army through silence . . .Watch out for your neighbors child“If your brother or sister sins against you, rebuke them; and if they repent, forgive them” - Luke 17:3
“And whoever welcomes one such child in my name welcomes me. If anyone causes one of these little ones—those who believe in me—to stumble, it would be better for them to have a large millstone hung around their neck and to be drowned in the depths of the sea. Woe to the world because of the things that cause people to stumble! Such things must come, but woe to the person through whom they come!” - Matthew 18:5-7
Here we learn that to “watch out for our neighbor’s child” doesn’t mean just for their protection. We must live as examples and role models, exemplifying the manners and behaviors of righteousness and truth. Our children should see and hear us proclaiming only truths and generously loving one another. Should something about our actions, life-style, or our words cause a child to stumble into sin, or create a deception of some truth about God – Jesus has promised a woeful judgment.
. . . help the elderly, share your wealth, bite your tongue, practice patience . . .“If anyone thinks himself to be religious (piously observant of the external duties of his faith) and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart, this person's religious service is worthless, futile, and barren. Religion, as it is expressed outwardly, that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this: to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need, and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.” - James 1:26-27
“Do not turn to mediums that have familiar spirits or to wizards; for you will be defiled by them. I am the LORD your God. Stand up in the presence of the aged, show respect for the elderly and revere your God. I am the LORD.” - Leviticus 19:31-33
“In the same way, you who are younger, submit yourselves to your elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility [as the garb of a servant, with freedom from pride and arrogance] toward one another. For God sets Himself against the proud, the insolent, the overbearing, the disdainful, the presumptuous, and the boastful -- and He opposes, frustrates, and defeats them, but gives grace, favor, and blessings to the humble. Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that He may lift you up in due time. Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you” - 1 Peter 5:5-7
“Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously” - 2 Corinthians 9:6
“He who belittles and despises his neighbor lacks sense, but a man of understanding keeps silent.” - Proverbs 11:12
“Whoever conceals hatred with lying lips and spreads slander is a fool. Sin is not ended by multiplying words, but the prudent hold their tongues.” - Proverbs 10:18-20
“Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Depart from evil and do good; seek, inquire for, and crave peace and go after it!” - Psalm 34:12-14
“Finally, brethren, rejoice! Be strengthened, perfected, completed, and made what you ought to be; be encouraged and consoled and comforted; be agreeable one with another; live in peace, and then the God of Love - the Source of affection, goodwill, and benevolence toward men - and the Author and Promoter of peace will be with you.” - 2 Corinthians 13:11-12 - Jan 28, 12The wicked are sentenced to suffer just as Sodom and Gomorrah and the adjacent towns - which likewise gave themselves over to impurity and indulged in unnatural vice and sensual perversity. They are laid out in plain sight as an exhibit of perpetual punishment to warn of everlasting fire. Nevertheless in like manner, today’s dreamers also corrupt the body, scorn and reject authority and government, and revile and libel and scoff at the glorious Heavenly angels. . . . Men scoff and sneer at anything they do not happen to be acquainted with and do not understand; and whatever they do understand by mere instinct - like irrational beasts - by these instincts, they corrupt and kill themselves. . . . they are:
Their talk is boastful and arrogant, and they claim to admire and pay people flattering compliments only to gain advantage. . . . they are merely sensual creatures, worldly-minded people, devoid of the Holy Spirit and destitute of any higher spiritual life. - Jude 1:7-20clouds without water, swept along by the winds; trees, without fruit at autumn gathering time--twice dead, lifeless and plucked up by the roots; wild waves of the sea, flinging up the foam of their own shame and disgrace; wandering stars, for whom the gloom of eternal darkness has been reserved forever. ... inveterate grumblers who complain of their lot in life, controlled only by their selfish passions and desires.Do you not know that the unrighteous and the wrongdoers will notinherit or have any share in the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived or misled: neither the impure and immoral, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor those who participate in homosexuality, nor cheats, swindlers, and thieves, nor greedy, nor drunkards, nor foulmouthed revilers and slanderers, nor extortioners and robbers will inherit or have any share in the kingdom of God. - 1 Corinthians 6:9-10
WOW . . . is this a reference to Justice, or what? Does God Love us enough to warn us, or is He trying to "scare us into submission"? Throughout our blogs "Does God Hate Us?" Part 1, Part 2, and Part 3 examine Proverbs 6. God hates the sinful character in man - especially sins committed against one another. He hates the sins and entities that separate us from Him. We also learn that our separation is each physical, emotional, and spiritual. We hear this familiar cliche, "God hates the sin, but loves the sinner," - HOWEVER, this is not stated anywhere in Scripture. Rather God warns us how He hates that sinners make choices to sin, while knowing the adverse consequences of that choice - knowing the difference between good and evil. The consequences are detachment from our Loving Creator and Heavenly Father, and separation from the abundant life He's purposed for us.Here we learn God not only despises those that persist in sin; and for those that reject Him - and/or reject His instruction - He will leave alone "to their own devises," separated from Him, and given over to a mind that can only do loathsome things. From His instructions we learn that God is extremely Just, and perfectly evaluates the condition of our hearts - not just our actions. He knows our hearts better than we know our own. So is there anything we can do to establish Justice for our own heart? Is there anything or anyone we can pay off or make amends, to make up for our faults and separation from God? If the world is "the devil's playground" how can any human overcome the wickedness of this world or from within their own heart alone, separated from God? How can one "beat the devil" when the only weapons and rules to use are from the devil's own playground? No individual can overcome, change, or remove the darkness and destruction within their own hearts - none can redeem their own hopelessness. Nothing we can do within our own devises - not any other person we go to for help - can reconcile our relationship to God, except God Himself.For God's wrath and indignation are revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who in their wickedness repress and hinder the truth and make it inoperative. For that which is known about God is evident to them and made plain in their inner consciousness, because God, Himself, has shown it to them. For ever since the creation of the world His invisible nature and attributes, that is, His eternal power and divinity, have been made intelligible and clearly discernible in and through the things that have been made - His handiworks. So men are altogether without any defense or justification, because when they knew and recognized Him as God, they did not honor and glorify Him as God or give Him thanks.
And so, since they did not see fit to acknowledge God or approve of Him or consider Him worth the knowing, God gave them over to a base and condemned mind to do things not proper or decent but loathsome, until they were filled (permeated and saturated) with every kind of unrighteousness, iniquity, grasping and covetous greed, and malice. They were full of envy and jealousy, murder, strife, deceit and treachery, ill will and cruel ways. They were secret backbiters and gossipers, slanderers, hateful to and hating God, full of insolence, arrogance, and boasting; inventors of new forms of evil, disobedient and undutiful to parents. They were without understanding, conscienceless and faithless, heartless and loveless and merciless. Though they are fully aware of God's righteous decree that those who do such things deserve to die, they not only do them themselves but approve and applaud others who practice them. - Romans 1
And God Loves us so much, that despite who we are or what we've done that He hates, His Love is Greater than Justice. Rather than rewarding us with what we deserve, He has provided a means for us to receive absolute absolution - complete acquittal and pardon. Forgiveness. Not only do we receive Mercy, but in His Grace, He also promises to renew our hearts, making us new creatures in Him - reborn with a second chance at life, the past in the past. He Loves us so much more than that. He promises to give us benefits we never deserved - freedom, Power, peace, prosperity, Love, Joy, new life, abundant life, protection, healing, and on and on. But why would a Just God not judge us accordingly, and see to it that we each get the punishment we deserve?Such hope never disappoints or deludes or shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us. While we were yet in weakness [powerless to help ourselves], at the fitting time Christ died on behalf of the ungodly. Now it is an extraordinary thing for one to give his life even for an upright man … But God shows and clearly proves His own Love for us by the fact that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Therefore, since we are now acquitted, made righteous, and brought into right relationship with God by Christ's blood, how much more certain is it that we shall be saved by Him from the indignation and wrath of God. For if while we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, it is much more certain, now that we are reconciled, that we shall be daily delivered from sin's dominion through His resurrection life. – Romans 5For God so greatly loved and dearly prized the world that He even gave up His only begotten Son, so that whoever believes in (trusts in, clings to, and relies on) Him shall not come to destruction, but have eternal (everlasting) life. For God did not send the Son into the world in order to judge, to condemn, or to pass sentence on the world, but that the world might find salvation and be made safe through Him. He who believes in Him is not judged - he who trusts in Him never comes up for judgment; for him there is no rejection, no condemnation--he incurs no damnation. But he who does not believe has already been convicted and has already received his sentence, because he has not believed in and trusted in the name of the only begotten Son of God. – John 3:16-18
So that's it? All one has to do is believe that Jesus was God's Son and accept that He came as a sacrifice for my sin? The key to my freedom from the addictions, this enslavement to sin and my heart's wickedness, comes from believing and trusting in that name? Belief is going to get me into heaven, reunited with God, and life ever-after? Well, not quite - belief is not enough ... and this is where many people professing to be Christians remain deceived. Pay attention:Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but only the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven. Many will say to me on that day, ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name and in your name drive out demons and in your name perform many miracles?’ Then I will tell them plainly, ‘I never knew you; away from me, you evildoers!’ - Matthew 7:21-24
So Jesus said to those Jews who had believed in Him, if you abide in My Word, hold fast to My teachings and live in accordance with them, you are truly My disciples. And you will know the Truth, and the Truth will set you free . . . What do You mean by saying, You will be set free? Jesus answered them, I assure you, and whoever commits and practices sin is the slave of sin. Now a slave does not remain in a household forever; the son does remain forever. So if the Son makes you free men, then you are really and unquestionably free. – John 8:31-36I will judge each of you according to your own ways, . . . Repent! Turn away from all your offenses; then sin will not be your downfall. Rid yourselves of all the offenses you have committed, and get a new heart and a new spirit. Why will you die? For I take no pleasure in the death of anyone, declares the Sovereign LORD. Repent and live! – Ezekiel 18:30-3Repent, then, and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped out, that times of refreshing may come from the Lord - Acts 3:19
[Jesus says] But unless you repent, you too will all perish - Luke 13:3
God requires not just belief or some acknowledgement that Jesus is God's plan of redemption for all of mankind. Jesus told us we must repent, as well as be obedient to the will of the Father. How does one know or understand, then, what God's will is for us, if our sins have separated us from God? How do we know, then, what God wants us to obey if we do no have a genuine relationship with Him, with His Holy Spirit? Only by His Spirit can our heart be purified, such that we truly know Him, hear Him, and are led to repent. Repentance means to "turn around" or "change from." Despite our depravity and enslavement to sin, somehow we must come to the acknowledgement that we have sinned and confess these things to Him. We must make an honest evaluation of our heart condition and cry out to Him to change our heart when predisposed to continue evil, we need a heart conditioned for His Love.
It doesn't matter what we've done that God hates - this God promises to forgive everything if we are committed to follow Him. It doesn't matter how ugly or wicked we are when we seek Him. What matters is that we accept how much God Loves us, despite our rejection of Him and His teaching - regardless what He finds in our heart. We must not be naive to what God hates, and regardless if we call ourselves Christian or not, our separation from God might yet be incurable - we never really knew Him because we did not Love Him enough to obey. In exchange for His full pardon, He only asks that we love Him back, with all our hearts. To Love Him, Christ says to obey: be trusting Him, His Word, and repenting for our sins. Yet only God can renew and change the human heart; only His Spirit can create for us a heart to know Him. Only He can deliver us from the influences that separate us from Him. Unless we fully surrender our hearts to Him and request Him to give us new life, there is nothing humanly possible to reconcile us to God and His promises. And when calling out to Him, God promises to hear those calling for Him with a broken or "contrite" heart - those truly repentant.Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days, keep your tongue from evil and your lips from telling lies. Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it. The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and his ears are attentive to their cry; but the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to blot out their name from the earth. The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to those who are of a broken heart and saves such as are crushed with sorrow for sin and are humbly and thoroughly repentant. - Psalm 34:12-18For God did not call us to be impure, but to live a holy life. Therefore, anyone who rejects this instruction does not reject a human being but God, the very God who gives you his Holy Spirit - 1 Thessalonians 4:7-9And this is His command, His injunction: that we should believe in - put our faith and trust in and rely on - the name of His Son Jesus Christ, the Messiah, and that we should love one another, just as He has commanded us. All who keep this commandment –all who obey His orders and follow His plan - live and continue to abide in Him, and He in them. They let Christ be a home to them and they are the home of Christ. So by this we know and understand and have the proof that He really lives and makes His home in us: by the Holy Spirit Whom He has given us. – 1 John 3Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. – Galatians 6:7-8Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone. At one time we, too, were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, He saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of His mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by His grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. - Titus 3
We pray you take the time to seriously consider your living and your relationship with our Heavenly Father - what's in your heart and how far that will get you in this life. We are not alone in our suffering, and Christ is the only God that ever walked and talked among us, experiencing the human heart; then willingly gave it all up to die, so that we could be drawn back into God's presence and reconciled to Him. We need His Loving Justice. - Jan 27, 12The idea that God - who is Love - would hate anything is difficult to comprehend. If God is Love, how could He hate? The fact that hateful wickedness and evil do exist, causes doubts of the very existence of a God that Loves. To many people, God is impersonal, indifferent to the sufferings of human society – much less concerned over us individually. Humanists, denying the existence of God, have “rationalized” that evil doesn’t exist, either. Should we really believe that a person’s actions and plans are never sinister?
There is no difference between Jew and Gentile, for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God - Romans 10
For we have already made the charge that Jews and Gentiles alike are all under the power of sin. As it is written: “There is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands" - Romans 3
The heart is deceitful above all things and beyond cure. - Jeremiah 17
In this series of articles "Does God Hate Us," we are examining Proverbs 6 - a list of things God specifically states He hates. In the first two blogs we reviewed, "haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, and feet that are quick to rush into evil." If reading this list and thinking, "oh, I'm not like these;" then we ask you to review the full articles, Part 1 and Part 2. Yes, folks - all of us have done something, or behave someway, that God has told us He hates. We all have sin and are accountable, even if only bearing the heaviness of a guilty conscious during this life. We can choose to live oppressed:
Sin speaks to the wicked deep in his heart. -- Psalm 36
These actions that God hates are offenses against our human society, and not merely against God. What we do that destroys human relationships and destabilizes social order, God hates "with a passion." They don't just bring temporary pain and conflict, but severely separate us from relationship with our Heavenly Creator. Yet only He can accurately know our hearts. These behaviors - chosen, or not - prevent us from having any knowledge of God, whatsoever; and can prevent us from ever experiencing Him and His Love. We can even hinder another person's ability to know God. Such spiritual separation, without justice and forgiveness, can be eternal.
For the wages of sin is death – Romans 6
The wages of the righteous is life, but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death - Proverbs 10:16
For some of you have NOT the knowledge of God [you are utterly and willfully and disgracefully ignorant, and continue to be so, lacking the sense of God's presence and all true knowledge of Him]. I say this to your shame. -- 1 Corinthians 15
There are six things the LORD hates,seven that are detestable to him:- Proverbs 6:16-19
(1) haughty eyes,
(2) a lying tongue,
(3) hands that shed innocent blood,
(4) a heart that devises wicked schemes,
(5) feet that are quick to rush into evil,
(6) a false witness who pours out lies
(7) and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.
It's interesting to note this list makes references to parts of the body: eyes, tongue, hands, heart, and feet. Of these that God hates, all would ordinarily characterize "a person who stirs up conflict in the community." None can be more devestating, however, than (6) a false witness who pours out lies. God hates this SO much, in fact, He included this in the old-school "Ten Commandments" - Deuteronomy 5:20 "Neither shall you witness falsely against your neighbor." What we learn about false accusations, however, is how it devastation transcends the physical and impacts our mental and spiritual health.Bearing false witness is the most prolific from this list of things God hates, and has become a normality in Western culture. This is also a "learned behavior," and it's something we begin learning at an early age. An attorney once told me that in all court cases, each party always tell lies about the other party, even do the attorneys. Curiously what is often true is how the innocent, the victim, or the plantiff will also offer false testimony or exaggerate their claim. False witnesses are everywhere around us - not just in courts. There's false advertisements on TV, politicians regularly shift-blame, and children repeatedly hear false accusations about their character from places like radio, the movies, and very often from classmates. The deception from false accusation is unmeasurable, and utilizes techniques that are not just verbal assaults.A false witness will not go unpunished, and whoever pours out lies will perish - Proverbs 19
Blame-shifting is a psychological issue, where rather than being personally accountable and accepting guilt, a person tends to blame someone or something else. False accusations often manipulate or control feelings through guilt. Rebellious children blame their parents for their own immaturity, abuses, and addictions (which, unfortunately, often bears credibility). Another mental "false witness" is when a person who has hurt someone else, subconsciously generates a hatred against their victim. They hate the victim, rather than consciously acknowledging their guilt. In marriage, the cheating partner will falsely blame their spouse for the same offense. They pour out lies, creating a hatred that is falsely justified. It's like the "oh no, I broke up with YOU" syndrome, where the accuser actually makes themselves hate the other person for no reason - something much more devastating than immature.
The most common form of persecution of the Christian in Western society, originates as false accusations, slander, and hateful rhetoric that comes from the world and the enemies of God. This becomes spiritual oppression, because the chronic belittling, mocking, and accusations defeats the human spirit. Emotional abuse becomes spiritual oppression, and we can self-inflict and deepen our wounds. Whether originating as untrue verbal insults, or coming from false teachings about our God-given identity and purpose - God hates these fallacies, and the people that pour them out. Regardless Christian or not, all of us are victims. Some Words to consider:Bless those who persecute you, who are cruel in their attitude toward you; bless and do not curse them - Romans 12:14When men revile us and wound us with an accursed sting, we bless them. When we are persecuted, we take it patiently and endure it. When we are slandered and defamed, we try to answer softly and bring comfort - 1 Corinthians 4:12-13
A truthful witness saves lives, but a false witness is deceitful - Proverbs 14:24-26
A man who bears false witness against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, and a sharp arrow - Proverbs 25:18
The judges must make a thorough investigation, and if the witness proves to be a liar, giving false testimony against a fellow Israelite, then do to the false witness as that witness intended to do to the other party. You must purge the evil from among you - Deuteronomy 19:18-19
You shall not circulate a false report. Do not put your hand with the wicked to be an unrighteous witness. You shall not follow a crowd to do evil; nor shall you testify in a dispute so as to turn aside after many to pervert justice - Exodus 23:1-2
A false witness shall not be unpunished, and he who breathes out lies shall not escape - Proverbs 19:5
- Jan 27, 12
So does God hate us? This is a provoking question that many Christians, non-Christians, agnostics, even atheists will impulsively and thoughtlessly respond with "of course not. God is Love." However true that is, many people - self-professed Christians, even - continue to struggle with genuinely experiencing the "Love of God." Some are at a point where they believe they are beyond help, that somehow God isn't involved or doesn't care enough. In all seriousness, however, there are actions we take where the Love of God cannot be found. In His Word to us, God has repeatedly described people and behaviors that are abhorrent to Him. This article addresses only a few of the things God does hate - the second post examining Proverbs 6. If you have not read Part 1, we encourage you; although it is not required for understanding this article.
There are six things the LORD hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
(1) haughty eyes,
(2) a lying tongue,
(3) hands that shed innocent blood,
(4) a heart that devises wicked schemes,
(5) feet that are quick to rush into evil,
(6) a false witness who pours out lies
(7) and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.- Proverbs 6:16-19Continuing from Part 1, what God hates:"A heart that devises wicked schemes" - God hates not just wickedness (sin), but hates the very heart that has become so depraved and so corrupt that everything that comes from it is riddled with sin. We are warned that we get this way from denial - failing to acknowledge that evil is just plain evil. So we persist in behaving in ways that are contrary to God's purpose for our lives. We condition our hearts so we become enslaved by our sins, addicted; and will lie awake at night plotting, scheming how to continue in our sins the next day. God hates this.Sin speaks to the wicked deep in his heart. There is no fear or dread of God before his eyes. For he flatters and deceives himself in his own eyes that his sinful nature will not be found out and be hated. The words of his mouth are wrong and deceitful; he has ceased to be wise and to do good. He plans wrongdoing on his bed; he sets himself in a way that is not good; he does not reject or despise evil. -- Psalm 36:1-4
God is Love. He loves us so much that He prepared us a manual, His Word - to better understand Him, providing sketches of His plans for our lives. They are guidelines for us - not just good advise or common sense. These are expectations, instructions, and warnings, about what we must do to experience Gods Love. His teaching promises us a healthy and abundant life for ourselves, our families, and our community - even the atheist cannot debate that God's guidelines are bad for us.But the word is very near you, in your mouth and in your mind and in your heart, so that you can do it. See, I have set before you this day life and good, and death and evil. If you obey . . . , then you shall live and multiply, and the Lord your God will bless you. But if your heart turn away and you will not hear, and are drawn away . . . , I declare to you today that you shall surely perish, and you shall not live long . . .
"Feet that are quick to rush into evil"- This is just plain foolishness, especially when we know the difference between good and evil. It's one thing to have a bad heart, but then another to spend the time and energy to carry out wicked schemes - whether by our own initiation or as an accomplice. How quickly we once ran to those parties - smoking that dope, drunken, hitting that trim, and scamming others money. It was so easy to join in with friends when trespassing and thieving, as if there were no need to think twice. We are quick to beat down our challengers - physically and verbally - as if that were the best way to survive and maintain control. Yes none of this was healthy, and we live with the physical, emotional, and spiritual curses as a consequence. How easy to be sold out to Satan's lie that everything will will be alright in the end, "surely you will NOT die." Many thousands of years later, we are faced with this blatant realization - we will all die !!!! God even hates that, for He IS long-suffering for us, not willing that any should perish.
I call heaven and earth to witness this day against you that I have set before you life and death, the blessings and the curses; therefore choose life, that you and your descendants may live and love the Lord your God, obey His voice, and cling to Him. For He is your life. -- Deuteronomy 305. AGS- Miracle 1 by DaSouth.comThe blessing of the LORD brings wealth, without painful toil for it. A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes, but a person of understanding delights in wisdom. Proverbs 10:22-24WOE TO those who devise iniquity and work out evil upon their beds! When the morning is light, they perform and practice it because it is in their power. . . .
Therefore thus says the Lord: Behold, against this family I am planning a disaster from which you cannot remove your necks, nor will you be able to walk erect; for it will be an evil time. -- Micah 2For the fool speaks folly and his mind plans iniquity: practicing profane ungodliness and speaking error concerning the Lord, . . . The instruments and methods of the fraudulent and greedy are evil; he devises wicked devices to ruin the poor and the lowly with lying words, even when the plea of the needy is just and right.
But the noble, openhearted, and generous man devises noble things; and he stands for what is noble, openhearted, and generous. -- Isaiah 32:6-8The LORD examines the righteous, but the wicked, those who love violence, he hates with a passion. -- Psalm 11:5Do not be so deceived and misled! Evil companionships corrupt and deprave good manners and morals and character. Awake from your drunken stupor and return to sober sense and your right minds, and sin no more. For some of you have not the knowledge of God [you are utterly and willfully and disgracefully ignorant, and continue to be so, lacking the sense of God's presence and all true knowledge of Him]. I say this to your shame. -- 1 Corinthians 15:33-34To be continued, Part 3 . . . - Jan 27, 12
While researching and preparing this recent article - "Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it" - I stumbled upon this passage that provoked some pretty deep sentiments.
There are six things the LORD hates,
seven that are detestable to him:
(1) haughty eyes,
(2) a lying tongue,
(3) hands that shed innocent blood,
(4) a heart that devises wicked schemes,
(5) feet that are quick to rush into evil,
(6) a false witness who pours out lies
(7) and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.My first impression was 'how uncanny' that I have been victimized by all but one of these, having often felt persecuted. Yet as I deliberated over each, I recognized how I have not just felt victimized, but that we all are. The entirety of our society is plagued by these things that God hates, and all of us are perpetrators. The significance to these seven things God emphasizes in this passage, is that they are not just personal, selfish acts of immorality. These dysfunctions severely impact all social relationships, and sever our relationship with God.
"Haughty eyes" - what are haughty eyes? They are pride and being "high in one's own estimation;" peering down on others as less significant, or less knowledgeable. In its severity, these act out by shunning and ignoring others, turning arrogance into indifference and self-exaltation. This brings to mind Jesus' Parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25-37). Similarly, it is this pride that not only shuns our neighbors, but our Heavenly Father- refusing His Grace and provisions for us.. . . he who has a haughty look and a proud and arrogant heart I cannot and I will not tolerate. -- Psalm 101:5
A man's pride will bring him low, but he who is of a humble spirit will obtain honor. -- Proverbs 29:23
Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall. -- Proverbs 16:18
"A lying tongue" - very little can be added to this meaning. It causes pain, destroys trust, corrupts family and social order, and represents the antitheses of Love and Truth - two profound characteristics of God. Jesus states that Satan "is a liar [himself] and the father of lies and of all that is false" (John 8:44). It was because of a lie that sin - death and decay - came into human reality. This sin infected every creation on earth - even initiating the destruction of the earth itself. (ATTN: Global warming buffs!) Satan deceived Eve in Genesis with this lie. "God has said, ‘You shall not eat it, nor shall you touch it, lest you die.’ Then the serpent said to the woman, ‘You will not surely die.’" A lie caused the fall of humanity, introduced death, and established a physical separation from God that only He can redeem for us.
Whoever says, ‘I know God,’ but does not do what he commands is a liar, and the truth is not in that person. But if anyone obeys his Word, love for God is truly made complete in them. -- 1 John 2If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. -- 1 John 1
"Hands that shed innocent blood" - for this I spent much time meditating. Murder, as what's implied here, is understandably something to despise. The death of the innocent is always grievous and incites vengeance - whether that death by malice, negligence, or accident. After the Hebrew people made their exodus from Egypt, and while establishing themselves as a nation, elaborate laws were created to punish the "shedding of innocent blood." Murderers were legally avenged by their own death; while accidental man-slayers were provided safe havens, or cities of refuge. The laws regarding the cities of refuge were to protect the accidental murderer from being killed, where they could flee from an avenger. These laws were literally dictated by God's instruction.
Today our culture has severely perverted God's intent to avenge the "shedding innocent blood." Murder is legalized in the tolerance of abortion (of the innocent); yet the punishment of premeditated murder is no longer avenged by death. As the nation of Israel grew in apostasy (falling away from the truth) and practiced pagan worship, the sacrifice of infants became common. God venomously rebuked them, and justified His severe wrath against the nation of Israel for accepting that very practice of murdering the innocent.
Today our culture tolerates murder, yet will punish the "shedding of innocent blood" from negligence, somewhat to our credit. Murders caused by drunk driving accidents, industrial accidents, or abuse are prosecuted. So what can we learn from the Scriptures about murder by negligence?"Son of man, speak to your people and say to them, 'When I bring the sword upon a land and the people of the land take a man from among them and make him their watchman, if when he sees the sword coming upon the land, he blows the trumpet and warns the people, then whoever hears the sound of the trumpet and does not take warning, and the sword comes and takes him away, his blood shall be upon his own head. . . . But he who takes warning shall save his life. But if the watchman sees the sword coming and does not blow the trumpet and the people are not warned, and the sword comes and takes any one of them, he is taken away for his perversity and iniquity, but his blood will I require at the watchman's hand. . . . I have made you a watchman for the house of Israel; therefore hear the word at My mouth and give them warning from Me. When I say to the wicked, O wicked man, you shall surely die, and you do not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his perversity and iniquity, but his blood will I require at your hand. But if you warn the wicked to turn from his evil way and he does not turn from his evil way, he shall die in his iniquity, but you will have saved your life." -- Ezekiel 3
From this we perceive how God not only holds us accountable for our own sins, but even the death of others caused by our negligence - our double jeopardy. Deaths caused by drunk driving, drug abuse, reckless violence, and even chronic emotional abuse (to name a few) are doubly avenged. Yes, the drunkard, the needle pusher or pill pusher, the angry, and the arrogant all have their day "in court." Those of us foolish enough to "not blow the trumpet" are also held accountable. Naivety is no excuse, for even a child knows that these ways are wicked, especially when they see what results in death. Even our courts do not differentiate whether that death is prolonged, or an immediate accident; nor do they distinguish between intentions and consequence.
Now consider Jesus teaching in Matthew 5:"You have heard that it was said to the men of old, 'You shall not kill, and whoever kills shall be liable to and unable to escape the punishment imposed by the court. But I say to you that everyone who continues to be angry with his brother or harbors malice (enmity of heart) against him shall be liable and unable to escape the punishment imposed by the court; and whoever speaks contemptuously and insultingly to his brother shall be liable and unable to escape the punishment, and whoever says, You cursed fool! [You empty-headed idiot!] shall be liable to and unable to escape the hell (Gehenna) of fire." -- Matthew 5:21-22
We are a culture being deceived. For not only is murder a physical action, but taken from God's Word, emotional and spiritual assassination is murder. Ironically, there is debate all around the World about hate crimes, but we ignore what God teaches us about every sin that leads to the "shedding of innocent blood." Ultimately, God judges each of us by His standard, true to His character, and never according to the laws established by man. Each of us need take these to heart:A consistently righteous man hates lying and deceit, but a wicked man is loathsome, his very breath spreads pollution, and he surely comes to shame. -- Proverbs 13:5
. . . to be continued, Does God Hate Us? - Part 2
But your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden His face from you, so that He will not hear. For your hands are defiled with blood and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue mutters wickedness. None sues or calls in righteousness, but only for the sake of doing injury to others--to take some undue advantage - no one goes to law and honestly pleads his case in truth; they trust in emptiness, worthlessness and futility, and speaking lies! -- Isaiah 59:2-4
The thoughts and purposes of the consistently righteous are honest and reliable, but the counsels and designs of the wicked are treacherous. The words of the wicked lie in wait for blood, but the mouth of the upright shall deliver them and the innocent ones that are endangered. -- Proverbs 12:5-6
For if you thoroughly amend your ways and your doings, if you thoroughly and truly execute justice between every man and his neighbor, if you do not oppress the transient and the alien, the fatherless, and the widow or shed innocent blood by oppression and by judicial murders - or go after other gods to your own hurt - then I will cause you to dwell in this place, in the land that I gave of old to your fathers to dwell in forever. -- Jeremiah 7:5-7 - Jan 09, 12
"Recently a friend described these disturbing actions and statements made by many of the people he has in his life. He detailed abhorrent emotional abuses in the manner of “power and control” manipulation, deception, chronic belittlement, and verbal degradation. The severity of these seemed so disturbing to me that I..."- WHAT'S IN YOUR HEART AND WHERE'S THAT GOING TO TAKE YOU?
We've included this article, first, as it expounds greatly on a very important topic for all people with struggles in life. The link follows. We are proud that TastyFresh, a youthful site dedicated to Christian music and dance, has included the article for their followers. Click the link bellow to follow this article:Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.
- Jan 28, 12Greetings from Colorful Colorado. I am a divorced, single-father, employed as maintenance supervisor at the residential neighborhood where I reside. My daughter, now 11 years old, is the most significant thing that ever happened in life. I've taken being a supportive and disciplinary (teaching) parent very seriously - having emerged myself in classes, programs, and internet research to develop healthy parenting skills. As a young adult I attended different colleges, with different career pursuits, and ultimately settled into a "road-scholars" approach to living, traveling as a Merchant Mariner, hitchhiker, and tourist throughout the United States, parts of Europe, and Latin America. A social life - which I now have none, if compared to most peer standards - evolves largely around being a published musician, blogger, audio engineer, and a Christian. These activities focus a great deal of time on the Internet - promoting and networking with other musicians, fans, acquired friends, and Christian ministries - internationally.From these experiences come numerous challenges - whether associations at work, at music, at home, in my community, among the followers of Christ, from my travels, or seemingly random - but Divinely appointed - meetings with people. As I have grown in Faith and relationship with our God, I've acquired an incredible compassion for people of all walks of live, and more specifically ... those living in severe dysfunction, not having direction or purpose in life, seeking wisdom or understanding, needing a friend and to be loved, or otherwise seeming hopeless. This indwelling compassion is regularly overwhelmed by an incredible passion and motivation to share my own hope, joy, and strength to those lacking.So, ... in conjunction with scores of music websites, social networks, and other blogs; I decided to start this blog to specifically address these recurring heartfelt concerns that arise from our society. Many times I find myself believing "enough is enough" with our social problems. I'm emboldened to encourage or provoke insight about what our Creator says in His Word about us, about our situations. Being led by an indwelling relationship with the Holy Spirit, I am regularly compelled to share His remedies and promises; desiring to improve the quality of life and self-worth for all of us.My goal and purpose in creating this blog is both: (1) to create an outlet to share, or mentor; and, (2) personally document these "revelations" and personal insights. I will share what arises from our common challenges to support, encourage, and discipline those we care about. We are on a journey together, never truly alone when in fellowship with God. Let's do away with this concept of being hopelessly alone and without purpose in our universe - "enough is enough."
Michael McMahon"As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another." (Proverbs 27:17)
