Next Week
It’s coming. I hope its warm.
Next week I want to write a little about Lent and some other subjects. However, I am making it my goal to get at least one of my two e-books done. You may notice shorter posts as I aim to accomplish this. Believe it or not, I still don’t have a theme picked out for the site, so I may do my time looking for one of those, too. I hate looking for themes.
I am ending this week by thinking “warm” thoughts.
I feel like a 10-year-old boy. I want to go outside and play baseball. I want to go hiking or mountain climbing. Play football in the yard with the boys. Help plant the garden with my wife. Put up the fence out back so the neighbors dog won’t be able to poop in my yard.
When the warm weather hits, we will have little Abigail Ryan to play with too.
-Don-
Nothing to Say
No really. I have nothing to say. You should read these guys today, instead:
http://www.fallenandflawed.com/natural-reasons-sin/
http://www.desirespiritualgrowth.com/
http://sortingbeans.com/ (FYI, I did guest post there yesterday…so in a way, you are reading my stuff…)
http://www.elizabethesther.com/
What should I say tomorrow?
I don’t know, you tell me.
-Don-
The Depravity of Pop
Not to sound legalistic, just some questions. 
I love music. I like all types, but I am especially fond of metal and hip hop. One of my all time favorite bands is named Clutch. They have more of a southern rock flavor (my sister hates them. Granted, I don’t know the last time she listened to them, she may like them now but will never give them a chance. Come on sister, what have you got to lose?).
I’m getting old
I have found myself listening to more pop music in the car. It might be the sorry state of rock music right now. I cannot stand most of what I hear. Not to sound like my dad here, but it all sounds the same. Well. I guess all pop music sounds the same too. Maybe I just need to boost my testosterone. Watch some UFC and eat some hot wings while drinking a good ale.
I digress.
The other day I was at the library. I was with my boys while looking through some music (I already have more books than I can read, but that’s another post). I saw Avenge Sevenfold was available. I had only heard a couple songs by them and thought their musicianship was up to par. So I picked it up. I’m not insane (inside joke to fans of the band there…)
While I was doing some work in my office, I popped the CD in my computer and proceeded to listen. I think I got the edited version. They bleeped out the “F” word on the first track. Part of me was upset. Geesh. Let the artist say what he needs to say (that was not a John Mayer joke…). The other part, and probably the bigger part, was relieved. I knew some kid would not get the CD and learn new ways to use old swear words.
I have a potty mouth, at times.
I have really curbed my swearing. I try my hardest to bite my tongue. For example, I dropped a paper shredder on my toe yesterday and said “shhhhhh…..ow, ow, ouchie,” followed by seething sounds. Success. I really don’t want my boys picking up daddy’s bad language.
For the record…
I do not get all prudish around swear words. I don’t really care as long as you are not using them to degrade someone. Calling someone a name of any kind, swear word or otherwise, degrades God’s creation. Jesus says those who call others name are guilty of hell (see Matthew 5:22).
What does this say about what we should listen too?
Sorry, I got on a rant about curse words there. Back to the music thing. My big question is, what should a Christian listen too and what should they not? I would argue it is a matter of conscience, for the most part. Some of us can handle more in the ways of music than others. For example, I am too impressionable when it comes to the band Tool. My mind goes to bad things when I listen to them. I get severely depressed and mean. On the other hand, no other bands really have that affect on me.
Should I worry more about what I allow to be input?
While pursuing holiness, should I be more worried about what music I listen too? Just as I am more cautious about what I watch on TV or what movies I see, should I have the same consideration with what I listen too?
What do you think?
What do you listen too? What don’t you listen too? Is it because of sanctification? Is it still cool to listen to Megadeth?
Leave your thoughts in the comments.
-Don-
PS, My friend Bryant and I thought it would be fun to start a metal band that covered Lady Ga Ga and Ke$ha songs…Seriously
This Week
A quick recap
You still have time to enter the contest to win Chris Tomlinson’s book, Crave, Wanting more of God. Just leave a comment here.
Tell me the best apps for my iPod Touch.
Monday I talked about the ability for men to step up and preach.
What to do this weekend:
Don’t forget, it’s Valentines day this weekend (men, you have been warned). You can check out some history on St. Valentine here. While you are at it, you can check out some scholarly criticism on George Barna and Frank Viola.
Thats all I got.
Happy Friday.
-Don-
