Here We Go, Once Again!

 So the Christian rock/metal band Skillet has released a Christmas song. Their first one, ever. It's a nice cover of "O Come O Come Emmanuel" They did a really nice version, then they add a little bit of metal to it. The volume cranks up, the vocals get louder. They Skilletize it! Everybody seems to be losing their ever loving minds over this. Calling it demonic, satanic, whatever their offended little selves can label it.

I for one, in my opinion say it is not demonic or satanic. It's just a rocking cover of a Christmas song. They don't change the lyrics, or the message. Everything is the same, except for the style of music that it is being sung to. The Christian hard rock band Bride released an entire Christmas album. Same with Stryper. The Christian metal band Deliverance released a cover of "Silent Night" that is anything but silent! Not a peep out of anyone. But as soon as Skillet releases a Christmas song people are up in arms.

Like I have said many, many, many times. Not every song has to be the Gaithers or Pat Boone. Those artists are fine for what they do. Others need something different. What is wrong with a screaming guitar, pounding drums, an awesome bass line and some killer vocals to get Christs message across? NOTHING!

I'm going to sound like a broken record, but here I go once again. Christian metal or rock music is not demonic or satanic. Just because you may not like it, or care for it, it is not of the Devil. If they lift up the name of Jesus and give Him all the honor and glory. Point people to Him with their lyrics, nothing wrong with that. Like I've said numerous times, but I'll say it one more time, I have worshipped more with these Christian metal bands than the "traditional" Christian artist.

The last time I checked, wasn't God The Creator? He can use whatever or whomever He wants to draw people to Himself. 

God can speak to Moses through a burning bush (Exodus 3).

If we don't speak, the rocks will cry out. (Luke 19:40).

So those of you who want to judge Christian metal or rock music for not being Christian, I offer you this.

Matthew 7:1 Amplified Bible

7 “Do not judge and criticize and condemn [others unfairly with an attitude of self-righteous superiority as though assuming the office of a judge], so that you will not be judged [unfairly].

You will never change my mind. No matter how many times I get the side eye from people, and I get it plenty trust me. I and my metal loving brothers and sisters will continue to worship The Lord with loud and heavy music. Like Pastor Bob Beeman says all the time and I agree with 100% "We Are Metal, We Are Family"

Amen.

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

From Saul To Keven!

 Believe it or not, I used to be like Saul. Not in the murdering Christian sense, but mocking and making fun of them every chance that I got! I would attend someone's wedding or baptism at church, I'd pull into the parking lot blasting Slayer, Ozzy, any kind of non Christian metal there was. I wanted to show what a cool guy I was. I wasn't. I'll admit, I was a jerk!

When I knew that some Christian relatives or friends were coming over to our house to visit, I would look out the window to see them getting out of their car and start blasting Kiss' "Hotter Than Hell" album and song! Again, to show how "cool" I was! I wasn't cool, I was acting like an infant, only I didn't know it.

I always believed in God. I never knew there was a "walk" with Him. If you would have asked me at any given time during my youth if I thought that I was a Christian, I would have said yes. In my mind, all you had to do was believe that there was a God. I did, but lived a totally different life, far from God!

Then I met a beautiful young woman who was a Christian. The only difference between her and others who claimed that they were Christians, she actually walked the walk. I could sense something different about her. The way that she carried herself. The way that she lived her life. She was the real deal.

She invited me to go church with her. She wasn't pushy about it. She just said that when I was ready, I should attend with her. So one Sunday I took her up on her offer. We meet at her apartment and off we went. Skeptical I was, no doubt. We walked through the door, and the air was different that I had ever experienced before. When the pastor had finished speaking, he gave an altar call. Before I even knew what was happening, I was raising my hand and accepting Jesus as my Lord & Savior. I had my road to Damascus moment. Jesus was calling me. My eyes were opened that very second. I realized that I had been blind to the ways of Jesus. There was more than just believing, I had to follow as well. My life forever changed in that moment. A decision I will never regret. (Acts 9)

Fast forward a few years and out comes a song by the band Newsong! It's titled "I Am A Christian." This song sums up my life perfectly.

It starts out stating that I am a Christian. Okay, I am a Christian, or Christ follower. Then it states that I am a Pilgrim. I'm on a journey but I am not alone. Jesus is with me. He goes before me, leading me in the ways that He wants me to go. 

Deuteronomy 13:4 Amplified Bible

4 You shall walk after the Lord your God and you shall fear [and worship] Him [with awe-filled reverence and profound respect], and you shall keep His commandments and you shall listen to His voice, and you shall serve Him, and cling to Him.

One step at a time. One foot in front of the other. Don't lose your focus. Stay focused on Jesus.

God bless.

Rev. Kev.

Crack & Wonder!

 I've been going to see a chiropractor for the last few months. He has done wonders for my back and neck. I had problems with my shoulder as well. After one good adjustment on the shoulder, viola, no more issues! I was in bad enough shape at the start that he had me doing three visits a week. Now I am  down to one. I feel fantastic!

After one session, he grabs my head and prepares to crack my neck. I'm waiting for the release of pressure. When he finally cracks it, I'm like "oh my, that was really good!" He proceeds to say that he doesn't know how people go through life without getting adjusted. As soon as those words came out of his mouth, I thought "I don't know how people go through life without Jesus!" I didn't say that to him, I just had that thought.

He goes on telling me about how a persons body can/will get out of alignment and need adjusting. He said he didn't know how people dealt with it.

I thought about that from a different perspective. Peoples lives get out of alignment when they aren't following Jesus! I know, I was one of them at one time!

Ephesians 2:12 Living Bible

12 Remember that in those days you were living utterly apart from Christ; you were enemies of God’s children, and he had promised you no help. You were lost, without God, without hope.

His solution for adjustment is a chiropractor. My solution is reading The Bible! His adjustments are physical. He adjusts bones and body parts. My adjustment is mental. I read The Bible to learn about God and how to live like Jesus! 

So when a person starts feeling like their body is getting out of alignment, they go see a chiropractor. When I feel like my mind/life is getting out of alignment, I turn to The Bible. Which is an everyday occurrence. I need Jesus' help everyday, not just when I'm feeling a little out of alignment. I read His word and try to put into practice what it says.

Psalm 119:105 New Living Translation

105 Your word is a lamp to guide my feet and a light for my path.

Not going to lie. I still need to see the chiropractor. I still need my body to be put in alignment. I just need Jesus' alignment more!

So I encourage you. If you need a physical alignment, go see a chiropractor. If you are in need of a spiritual alignment, turn to Jesus! His alignment is perfect! 

God bless. 

Rev. Kev.