Murder, Ever Feel Like It?

Let me first say that the title of this is intentionally ridiculous. It’s meant to be an attention getter. Recently, Ray Boltz made it public that he is actively living a homosexual lifestyle. Without getting into the endless debate as to whether homosexuality is moral or immoral, I’d like to bring to some attention to his newest single that he has released. The new single is titled “Don’t Tell Me Who To Love” (the songs lyrics are posted below). The first verse of the song is really good. He reflects on a court case that took place in 1966, regarding inter-racial marriage. I am pleased with the progress that our country has made in regard to racial equality. This is illustrated with the election of Senator Barack Obama to be the next President. 

I’m not going to even address the second verse of the song, because when reading and listening to it I am assuming what Boltz is meaning. Unfortunately, he doesn’t clearly say what he means. The most likely assumption is that he is referring to homosexual marriage, but since he doesn’t specifically define what he is meaning I’m not going to assume.

What I do want to bring the most attention to is what Boltz communicates in the chorus of the song. Boltz justifies actions based on feelings! “Don’t tell me that’s there’s something wrong because I feel like this.”  What? Does he really mean that? Has he really stopped to think about what he is communicating? In case he hasn’t stopped to think about what he is communicating, allow me to flesh it out. Based on that line of logic, I can do whatever I want to, because I feel like it. I can murder because someone makes me mad. I can help someone out because I happen to be in a good mood. I can do “filll in the blank” because I “fill in the blank.” Would that hold up in court? “Sorry you honor, I just had a bout with rage that’s why I beat that person to a pulp, so I didn’t really don anything wrong. Don’t judge me.” The judge would throw me in jail so fast! Yes, the line makes a good rhyme, but it would be a horrible method to determine right and wrong! 

Our culture is failing to think with the lump that’s in most cases 3 feet above their rear end! Why do we accept junk philosophy like this? My wish would be that this post would encourage you to take a logical look at the way you make decisions. Do you make decisions based on the way you feel, or based on a fundamental truth that you believe in? 

SONG LYRICS: “Don’t Tell Me Who To Love”

written by Ray Boltz (c) 2008 Shepherd Boy Music/ASCAP

VERSE ONE

The year was 1966 and they were wearing their wedding bands

She was black and he was white and some people didn’t understand

The judge said that’s not legal, the preacher called it a sin

But they couldn’t stop them cause he loved her and she loved him

CHORUS

Don’t tell me who to love, don’t tell me who to kiss

Don’t tell me that there’s something wrong because I feel like this

I know what’s in my heart, that should be enough

Don’t tell me, don’t tell me no, don’t tell me who to love

VERSE TWO 

Maybe you’re in love today and you’ve been making wedding plans

But there is someone in your way shouting things cause they don’t understand

The judge says that’s not legal, the preacher calls it a sin

Oh you just remember they were wrong before and they’re wrong again 

REPEAT CHORUS

BRIDGE 

Now there always will be hatred and voices that condemn

Oh but I believe that true love is gonna make it in the end 

REPEAT CHORUS (fade)

Culture of a Kingdom

This week as I study Isaiah 8-9 I’m reminded of how practical the scriptures are to life in 2008. During this time in history (of Isaiah 8-9), the kingdom of Israel had been divided into two nations. During this time the people of the nations were mostly in two categories: full blown idolatry or on the fence about what they believe. Isaiah prophesied to the people in the name of the Lord by communicating that if the people did not turn from their wicked ways God would destroy their kingdoms. Naturally, the people ignored Isaiah’s preaching and continued in sin. Isaiah then prophesied at the end of chapter eight that the nation would end up in a cloak of darkness for a long period of time. Sounds depressing! However, chapter 9 opens with a promise that the end of Israel is not to be in darkness but that a great “light” is coming to restore the people. We know Isaiah was referring to the Messiah come in the person of Jesus who brought light in that He rescues His people from their sin.

Does this not describe the culture of the kingdom in America today? People are either in idolatry to their wants, desires or on the fence about what they believe. When we feel like we’re in an uphill battle in ministry, we must know and place our hope in the great “light” that is coming in the person of Jesus. In the same way that He came the first time to remove the cloak of darkness from His people, I believe He will do that again! Oh, that I might live in the hope and promise of His return to rescue me from my darkness!

thirdPlace

Yesterday afternoon I needed to do some reading so I decided to try out the newest coffee bar in Tyler. Caffe Tazza officially opened for business January 1st of this year. Caffe Tazza is not commercialized the way Starbuck’s has become, and the coffee is amazing. You’ll pay about 30 cents more for a cup of coffee, but you get free refills and free internet. Starbuck’s by contrast charges per cup and has a contract with T-Mobile for internet. I’ve wanted to have a place here in town to go read, reflect, and chill for a while. Maybe now I’ve found my “third-place.”