Music Choices

Should a Christian listen to secular music?

That is the question of the week posed by gotquestions.org.

In answering that question, they advocate looking at three aspects of the music:

1. The purpose of music.
2. The style of music.
3. The content of the lyrics.

They especially spend some time evaluating the content aspect to the music we choose to listen to, referring to two particular verses:

Philippians 4:8 “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable — if anything is excellent or praiseworthy — think about such things.”

2 Corinthians 10:5 "take captive every thought and make it obedient to Christ."

Our decision process in choosing music is similar to how we should go about evaluating all entertainment that we expose ourselves and others to. Are we too conformed to the pattern of this world? If we are, we may find ourselves unable to test and approve what God's will is...

Romans 12:2 "Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will."

Computer Resources for Parents

Parents, here are two good resources for protecting your children from the hazards and dangers of the Internet:

Eblaster - (quoted from site below) - "eBlaster is the most dependable, full-featured remote surveillance product available from the worldwide leader in Internet monitoring software."

Safe Eyes - (quoted from site below)- "Safe Eyes is the # 1 rated Internet parental control software that allows parents to determine how their children use the Internet."

I found these resources from Vicki Courtney's website. Don't know who she is? She is a well-known Christian author who specifically targets teenage girls and their parents through her resources. At church we are starting a study for High School girls titled "His Girl" and in the Spring the women's ministry is bringing her to Severns Valley BC on April 18th, 2009.

Do you currently use a filtering or monitoring software for your home or work computer? Email me to share it with others...

Do You Hate Evil? Do You Fear God?

Have you grown numb to the evilness of this world? Do you find yourself tolerating or rationalizing behaviors that you know are wrong? Solomon concludes the book of Ecclesiastes by summing up the purpose of life revolving around two aspects of a relationship with God: (Ecc 12:13-14)

1. Fear God
2. Keep His Commandments

He further states that this applies to "every person. For God will bring every act to judgment."

How do you define the "fear of God?" I used to think fearing God meant to be scared of Him but as I grew older I better understood it to mean having a respect for who He is.

If you turn back a few pages to Proverbs 8:13 you will find Solomon state that the "fear of the Lord is to hate evil." Go back to chapter 6 and see what the Lord hates..."haughty eyes," a "lying tongue," "hands that shed innocent blood," a "heart that devises wicked plans," "feet that run rapidly to evil," "a false witness," and "one who spreads strife." Across Scripture you can find many, many instances and examples of what the Lord hates (sin!).

What do you think the Lord's reaction would be to the things He sees here on earth today...our music, our lifestyles, our TV, our movies, our stewardship of our time and money, and our world and "newsworthy" events? Do you think He hates the sin that permeates our world?

Do you hate the sin that permeates this world? Or are you numb to it? Do you tolerate it? Are you passive?

Do you really "Fear God?"

"Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good." Romans 12:9