Half

Man, this place is dusty. . . looks like it hasn't been used in a minute. 

I want half. Right now there are just too many of them, duplicating and re-duplicating the work of others. A lot of times, they're doing it right across the street from each other.

Of course, I'm talking about churches.

I love (read: hate) when you come to an intersection in a town and as you sit there, there are 4 churches in eyesight. Probably 3 right there at that corner! How did we get so many churches crammed into such a small area?

Yes, yes, I know. It's because of disputes of theology, doctrine, blah blah blah. Look, I don't care. Get over it. Is the filoque really what's keeping you apart? Salvation at baptism or before it (or after)? If so, get over yourself. Sheese.

Here's why I want half the number of churches.

1. Unity. Showing the world that we're not a bunch of children arguing about where a comma should be placed, but a body of Christ followers devoted to loving and serving the world just like Jesus taught us and prayed for before he was hung on a cross. Are you a Methodist or a Christian? Are you a Catholic or a Christian? Are you stupid or are you a Christian? Get it?

2. Money. It makes the world go round (and some say the mo you have, the mo problems). What if two churches decided to join up and close the other facility. Bango bongo. You just got double the funds. That youth pastor you wanted to hire, congrats! You now have the money for it. Or maybe you wanted a small groups leader, or an outreach pastor, or any number of staff positions. You got it! But as it is now, you got First Church of the Lame trying to "win" more townsfolk than Second Church of the Lame. All the while they're destroying themselves from the inside.

3. Love. Love, baby. Lovey dovey. How will the world know we follow Christ, if we love each other. The Man said it himself. So why don't we do it?

So, I know I'm being sort of curt (not Russel). And I know I'm being way too naive about how much some doctrine matters. But a boy can dream, can't he? Maybe it won't ever happen. But as someone smarter than me once said, the journey is the destination.

Rev.

SFC - Phase III

Wow. I'm only on CD number 2 and man, have I found a good one. A special shout out to Naterob for getting me hip to these guys.

If you know me, you know I like my rap underground and old school. None of this ring tone rap that they have out now (definition: ring tone rap - rap who's music quality is equal to what you would find defaulted on your cell phone). The first hip hop that I can remember truly liking was A Tribe Called Quest. Smooth lyrics, jazzy beats, all mixed together to form something that you could jam to while cruising the boulevard.

Would you, in your lifetime, think that you would find something Christian that is on par with Public Enemy or Eric B & Rakim? Probably not. I most certainly didn't.

Bring on SFC's album, Phase III.

SFC stands for "Soldiers for Christ" apparently (finding any information about these guys is tough). This piece of awesome came out in 1993 and as far as I could find, this is their only record. What happened to them after this is a mystery to me. So the only thing I have go off of is the record itself.

Have a listen:



If you recall, I was looking for some Christian music that I could jam to in my car and not feel weird or chumpy. Also, I want good music. Not music that is "good for being Christian music".

I think SFC fits the bill and then some.

Some people might flinch at the following song because it uses the N word. And rightly so. It's a word that is degrading and inherently wrong. When white racists use it, they're telling black people that they're lesser people. When black people use it, it's promulgating the ghetto mentality that being ignorant and "gangsta" is something to be proud of. Both are demeaning and bring people down.



Oh, and not to mention, it's a great song. Beat is awesome. I love how they switch beats when they switch subjects.

So that's a taste of SFC. If you like, I highly recommend seeking out the whole album. There's an instrumental track with their DJ, DJ Dove, breaking it down proper old school style. I love it.

Kickin' it old school,

Rev.

Dear Mama

I've had a few things I've been wanting to write about but just haven't had the time. Here is the first of a few. This was back near Mother's Day. 





When you're a kid, you're parents were the best. Your dad was stronger and smarter than other kids' dads, and course, could beat them in a fight. Your mom was the best cook and was the most beautiful woman you've ever seen.

Then the teenage years hit and as you gain perspective on yourself, you also gain perspective on your parents. Not only is your dad not smart, he's actually not that bright at all. He's made bad decisions with his money, causing the family some struggles. He is definitely not the strongest, with his pot belly showing from the bottom of his shirt. Your mom wears too much make up because she's insecure and that food? Well, it's barely fit for prisoners.

Usually a little later in the teens, you get a little more bitter with the 'rents as you realize that a lot of the faults they have are passed along to you, causing no amount of angst and anger towards them. Armed with the knowledge that most of the problems you have in your life is being caused by your parents, you are quite bitter with them.

Soon enough your 20's come along and you start to see your parents as real people, instead of the enemy or the hero of your youth. Sure, they caused you problems but really they're just people trying to make it like everyone else. Dad's not that bright but hey, not very many people are. And mom, well, she's old. No wonder she's not that pretty. Your folks are regular schmucks just like everyone else is.

However, if you're lucky enough and smart enough, hopefully you'll take the next step. Where you see that despite all their flaws and insecurities, despite being bad with money and losing a job, and despite not being able to cook worth a lick, your parents tried their best to raise you and to love you. And it's because of their effort, despite their short comings, that you love them back.

Suddenly, dad is strong and mom is beautiful again.

Christian Music To Do List

So, to really get into this Christian music scene, I think there are a few things I need to do. What are they, you ask? Well if any of you know the Reverend, and most of you do, you know I think in lists.

1. Keep reviewing CD's. I still have quite a list of music I want to check out. In fact, I just ordered a CD today off of Amazon. I'm going to check out the old stuff  (Stryper!) as well as the new stuff (Casting Crowns, etc.). Not to mention up and coming artists (my homey's in Chasing Chariots).

2. Apparently, Cornerstone is the Christian music Mecca (like how I mince religions?). A special shout out to Steph for getting me hip to it. It's in Bushnell, IL (where?). Luckily, my beautiful assistant and girlfriend, Robyn, loves to travel and likes live music. So this little shin dig is a must.

3. I need to read this book (again, shout out to Steph). Rapture Ready: Adventures in the Parallel Universe of Christian Pop Culture. As the title states, it's an exploration into the world of Christian pop culture. From Christian music, to Bible and Creation museums, Christians books, and all things Christian media. I'll be getting this from my local library soon. I'll let you know when I'm done and will report back.

4. I'm tempted to watch that movie, Fireproof. No, I'm not married (I'm sure Robyn is happy to read that) but I'd like to see a Christian movie. I've heard people tell me about it (good message, bad acting). But I'd like to see it for myself. Pop the popcorn, Robyn! We got us a moo-vee to watch!

Whew! Sounds like a busy schedule! But I'm excited to check it out. Deep down in my heart, I know there has to be something in all this mess for me. You know, that CD I can keep in my glove box and not feel like a cheese ball for putting it into the stereo.

Did Robyn know this is what she signed up for when we started dating?

Rev.

Free at Last - DC Talk

Before I can start this review, we have to go back in time. Think back to 1992. If you're a white guy, you had lines shaved in the side of your head. My black friends had boxes. Ladies had that 6 inch poof ball in the front of their heads. Maybe you wore an IOU sweater with your Bugle Boy jeans. Maybe you're still wearing them, in which case, please update yourself.

If you were a young Christian who liked rap, then you listened to DC Talk. . . wait, no way. I most certainly did not. Dude, Dr. Dre's The Chronic came out that year. That's what I was listening to. Not that cheeseball stuff.

Alright, alright. I need to be less biased. I, also, need to remember that it was 1992.

For this music review I need to take off my "hard core hip hopper" hat and put on my "I like pop music that I can dance to" hat. It's a dirty, gross, stinky hat but sometimes a man has to take his lumps.

It's with that in mind that I present to you DC Talk's Free At Last. A pop/rap album that came out in 1992, when C+C Music Factory was giving you things to make you Mmmmm and Mark Walhberg was Markie Mark. And it's in that context that I review this CD.

Within those bounds, I have to say, it's not that bad. The beats are right on par with what Markie Mark was doing. You know, that rap mixed with R&B mixed with techno beats.

Check out their Jesus is Just Alright song here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NqCccV6Y31s
(they wouldn't let me embed it. Lame).

Musically, as I said, it's standard early 90's studio beats. That organ beat, the yelling voice samples, and the stock scratching sounds. The funny thing is that in that video shows a band playing. . .um, yeah, I don't hear any band playing here.

The lyrics aren't too bad. A little corny because they're "religious". But I challenge anyone to listen to any pop music from 1992 and tell me it's not completely lame flavored cheese. So I give them a pass on this.

I do want to point out that this Toby Mac guy is actually quite a good rapper. Remember, this is coming from a guy who listens to Jurassic 5. I think he's a solo artist now. I might have to check him out. Soon. . .

I also liked this track a little. I've always had soft spot for that neo-gospel sound:



They also do a cover of Lean on Me by Bill Withers that sounds a lot like that other version done by Club Nouveau. Personally, I hate all covers of this song. The original was too good. Oh well.

Would I ever in my life buy this album and play it? No, I would not. However, if you like 90's pop and you're looking for something Christian, well, I will point you here. You won't be disappointed.

Personally, my search continues. There has to be something out there for me.

Reverend

Christian Muzak

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Christian music sucks.

Wait. Does it?

Well, as far I've heard, it does. Everything I've heard been either contemporary (boring!) or just some knock off of whatever is popular (lame). I remember being at church when I was kid and some of my church friends talked about DC Talk. I think I heard one song and almost vomited in my mouth. After hearing the likes of Tribe Called Quest, Beastie Boys, and Wu Tang, these weak Christian rappers didn't stand a chance. How could they compete? Not to mention, they talked about "not having sex" and "Jesus" where these other guys were talking about guns, drugs, and women. You know, exciting stuff.

A lot of Christian music is just a knock off of popular music. To some people, that's good enough for them. If the singer is good and it's got a good beat, they like it. But for a music snob like me, I need something more. I need new, creative, innovative, eclectic, and interesting.

I remember seeing that chart in church that said "If you like this band _____ then you'll like this Christian band _____" Yeah right. I'm sure if I like Nirvana then I'll love Stryper. Do they take me for a fool?

But I do feel a certain sense of guilt for not listening to Christian music. I feel like I should listen to it.

Also, I love finding and listening to new music. Anyone who knows me knows that I take a lot of pleasure in listening to things that no one else has heard of (ever heard of Buffalo Daughter? Didn't think so!).

And that leads me here: I'm going to be exploring Christian music. I'm convinced that if I look hard enough, dig deep enough, and really set my mind to it, I can find some good Christian music. Music that I could actually put into my CD player and not feel weird listening to it. Music that my secular friends would turn an ear to .

Even now, I have found one group that I might like. But you'll have to wait to hear about them.

The Wandering Reverend wanders into the land of Christian music. It'll be scary, weird, and most certainly corny.

Rev it up!
Rev.

Jesus Makes Great Booze

It seems like this has been coming up in my conversations a lot lately, so I figured I'd take some time to write out some thoughts on this subject.

The subject, you ask? Jesus, booze, and freedom.

This is a subject that's been debated for centuries and I'm certainly not going to it settle here. But I do think that this debate brings up a bigger topic which I find interesting.

A little background.

There are some Christians who believe that having any alcoholic beverages is wrong. I think the reason they believe this because drinking too much eventually leads to getting drunk, which is bad. And on that point, I agree with them. Getting drunk is not a good thing and the Bible clearly forbids it.

However, not all drinking leads to getting drunk. I know for me that I can have at least two beers and not feel anything. Some people can't do that, or maybe they can do more. It's different for everyone, which is the point I'm making here.

Being a Christian isn't about following a set of rules, it's about your relationship with God. Sure, there are definitely things we shouldn't do but one of Jesus' main points throughout his entire ministry was that it isn't about checking off a list of do's and don'ts, it's about the love you have for God and your fellow man.

To be clear, there is such a thing as sin and we should avoid doing them. But what Jesus made clear in the Sermon on the Mount is the heart of the rules, not the letter. These rules were put into place to help you please God and to help you live a happy and decent life. For example, if you're married, you might have never had sex with another woman, but at the same time, you could be looking at other women and wishing you could have sex with them. Well that, as Jesus said, is the same thing as having an affair! Just not doing it doesn't make you good, it's also defeating that desire to want to commit it.

Keeping and knowing the heart of all those rules it the hard part of being a Christian.

Back to drinking, it's definitely wrong to get drunk, but perfectly fine to have a few drinks within your limit. But it goes further than that. There are times when I should check my freedom at the door. What if I'm hanging out with a recovering alcoholic? Should I have a beer then? No way! Conversely, what if you have buddies that like to hang and have a few beers? Would it be good to meet up with them for a beer and have a meaningful conversation? I think it would be.

What about seeing naked girls? Is that a sin? Well, again, I think it has to do with how you see them, not if you see them.

There is an awesome organization called XXX Church. Their specific ministry is to witness to those who are involved in the pornography business: porn stars, strippers, and prostitutes. Not only do they go to these places, they even set up a booth at their annual porn conventions!

Just as in drinking, where it's necessary to know how many you can have without getting crocked, you'd want to know just how tempted you'd be around a bunch of naked people. Personally, I'd need to stay away. My mind would turn quickly from the reason I was there. However, the men and women at XXX Church have been called to do this and are much stronger in this area than I. I'm sure that after being at one porn convention, they've seen enough naked people for a life time!

Gambling? Same thing. Know your limits. Can you go in, lose twenty bucks, and then walk away. Or would you be hitting up the ATM to go and "win it back"?

As the bumper sticker says, "Freedom ain't free" and it is most definitely true in a Christians case. Our freedom was bought at a price by Jesus and his sacrifice. And at the same, we need to be responsible with our freedom. Most importantly, we need to ask are we using our freedom to please God?

The Rev.