Apologetix Concert

Last night I attended an Apologetix concert. I had never heard this band before. In fact, until very recently, I never heard of this band. Being there stretched my comfort zone.
One reason was the presentation: flashing lights, very loud music, young teens standing at the foot of the stage screaming and twirling their heads and bodies, etc. This is easily the first rock concert I ever attended in sixty years plus of living.
Another reason the concert stretched my comfort zone is that I didn't have the "code." Apologetix is a Christian rock parody band. They specialize in Biblical/Christian lyrics put to the tunes of rock hits from the 1960's to the 1990's and up to now. I have never followed popular music starting with any time. I bet I was the only person in the place who was unable to connect with any single song.
I think the idea behind Apologetix is quite clever. I applaud their creativity. Obviously I'm not their target audience either.
However, I can connect with experiencing their concert on a totally unexpected level. I needed the "code" to participate fully in the concert. Without the "code," I was lost at the start. Forget all the personal preference issues - there is still the "code" issue which was huge last night.
That started me thinking. Are there other areas where I just don't have the "code"? Sometimes that's a good thing, but often it's not.
Ray Boltz and Steve Green both sing "People Need the Lord." It's a great song with compelling lyrics: Everyday they pass me by, I can see it in their eyes.
Empty people filled with care, headed who knows where?
On they go through private pain, living fear to fear.
Laughter hides their silent cries, Only Jesus hears.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize, people need the Lord?
We are called to take His light to a world where wrong seems right.
What could be too great a cost for sharing Life with one who's lost?
Through His love our hearts can feel all the grief they bear.
They must hear the Words of Life only we can share.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord
At the end of broken dreams, He's the open door.
People need the Lord, people need the Lord.
When will we realize that we must give our lives,
For peo-ple need the Lord. People need the Lord.
SO how to "take His light to a world where wrong seems right ... (and) through His love our hearts can feel all the grief they bear" unless I get the "code" of how to "feel their silent pain" and love people in the "grief they bear" with Jesus' love.
What's the "code"? It's having a heart that's underconstruction, that's in the process of God's loving restoration so I can go and love and care and give my life however, whenever, wherever to take Jesus to people who are at the end of "broken dreams" - whatever form that brokenness takes. It's pretty simple: it's just following Jesus to the places and people He would go and find and love and help were He on earth today!
I missed the words Apologetix sang last night. (I could have used a lyrics sheet.) The lights and music were outside my comfort zone, but I got something very valuable from the concert. I got the affirmation that my comfort zone isn't where I need to stay. There's a world of people outside my personal comfort zone who need Jesus, and I just might be their link to Him.

The Power of Love Trumps Love of Power!

Rock musician guitarist Jimi Hendrix wrote: "When the power of love overcomes the love of power, there will be peace on earth." I doubt he understood the truth he revealed.

I listen to the amazing field of presidential wanna-bees and I see a startling "love of power" and quest to get it.

I have had my own experience with those who love power at the expense of the power of love.

When Jesus hung on a Roman cross more than 20 centuries ago, he was put there by those who loved power. The Jewish leaders and Roman officials and murderous mob all wanted to crucify Jesus. They were threatened by His life of love. The leaders and officials feared that His love might trump their power.

When Jesus came to earth about 33 years prior to His death, angels sang, "Glory to God ... and peace on earth!" They signaled the truth that Love in human form (the baby Jesus) was born that night in Bethlehem. Their song said that the triumph of love brings peace.

Those who hated Him and His Love, those who were threatened by Jesus chose power over all! They even thought love is weakness and that power is strength.

They got it all wrong. They hung Love on a cross. They tried to kill Love. But, in the end, the world will know that the power of true love (God's love) always trumps those who love power.

Sadly, however, there is a love for power that hides in all our hearts. Only as God works to restore our hearts can we learn that love is stronger than power every time - maybe not here and now - but always in the end! The power of Love will always trump the love of power! And only then will there be peace on earth!