Back in 1994, I wrote a song entitled “Welcome To The Real World” (you can hear it on my website at greggmpro.googlepages.com or click on the QuickLinks above) which is a somewhat tongue-in-cheek, yet serious, statement about how Christians shouldn’t expect everything in life to be hunky-dory simply because they received salvation. As I mentioned in a previous commentary: Our souls may have become perfected in God’s eyes but our human lives remain prey to an imperfect world.
I think we can all accept the notion that the devil uses bad people for his evil accomplishments in this world. I’d like to take this concept one step further, though, with some insight worth considering.
I believe the devil loves to use Christians to do his bidding more than anything else in life. He is, after all, one of the most clever angelic beings ever created. The very fact that he can orchestrate situations and maneuver people with shrewd cunning gives him his claim as the Great Deceiver. Simply put: The devil is a master manipulator... and deception is his forte.
We all love (and I use the word euphemistically) to see evil in its terrifying and horrid state. Why? Because we can rally up our spiritual armor, unite together as Christian brothers and sisters, and beat the son-of-a-bitch with prayer and conviction. What happens, though, when it comes at you with stealth; invades your life with a subtle assimilation that seems benign and immaterial? Ahh, this is where the devil shines.
The devil, that goddamned devil (and I use this in the literal sense), really can play with us. We don’t have to be engaging in the “dark side”, playing with Ouija boards, snubbing our nose at God, or anything else contrary to righteous living. Christians can be duped, plain and simple... and the devil is just the one to do it to us.
Where does this leave us, then? The cold, hard truth is we need to be ever vigilant with our faith. We need to acknowledge and accept the fact that we can be pawns in the devil’s game. We need to realize with absolute conviction that as long as we are in this world, we can be prey to the one that lurks around this world seeking to devour our lives. Our lives, however, can be devoured shrewdly and with evil cunning so as not to be noticed until we’re in dire trouble. This is why we must pray. Pray in earnest. Pray constantly. Pray consistently. Pray as if your life depends on it... because it does.
Greg A. Morton
© May 30, 2008
Friday, May 30, 2008
Tuesday, May 27, 2008
Mercy and Worship
I have a confession to make…… I’ve been convicted. No, not for a felony, but convicted nonetheless. I was reading Romans 12 (which is chock full of wonderful guidance and wisdom, by the way) and the chapter begins by stating what exactly is (or should be) your act of worship. To be holy and pleasing to God is pretty straight-forward, but what I extracted out of this simple phrase hit me much deeper. The direction and basis for worship, which is all predicated on God’s mercy to us. I hate to admit, but my perspective has been quite backwards for many years.
Many times I would come home from church and make the comment “Ya’ know… worship just wasn’t that great today.” What I really meant was: the music or worship band didn’t get me all energized or moving the way I was hoping for. Oh, for shame, that I heap that kind of responsibility on the church. Paul clearly states in the very first verse that worship is a “me-to-God” act… not a “church-to-me” relationship. Worship should be the by-product of how much you truly appreciate the mercies that God has bestowed on you. Worship comes from the heart. The worship music that happens in church should be an expression of your heart, not just an impression on you. If I don’t think worship was “all that great”.... guess what; that’s my heart talking and I need to do some serious one-on-one with God, not the worship band.
It’s kind of comical (though not really) that I am a musician and my writings are absolutely an expression of my heart… and I get that. I’m not sure why, then, I would expect anything else just because someone else happens to be playing the music.
Let’s face it, we all need to be ministered to and God provides so many ways for that to happen. That’s why he gave his body of believers so many unique and different gifts, so that we can collectively benefit from all He has given us. What needs to be in the very forefront of our minds, however, are the mercies He has so lovingly imparted on us. We don’t deserve them, but He gives them anyway.
The next time you settle into church with expectations of being spiritually moved, remember, the music or the moment my carry you on a wonderful journey but the true worship comes from within. Acknowledge, appreciate and be humbled by the mercies God has given you and worship will spring from you in an honest and true expression of yourself. I can already see God smiling.
Greg A. Morton
© 5-27-08
Many times I would come home from church and make the comment “Ya’ know… worship just wasn’t that great today.” What I really meant was: the music or worship band didn’t get me all energized or moving the way I was hoping for. Oh, for shame, that I heap that kind of responsibility on the church. Paul clearly states in the very first verse that worship is a “me-to-God” act… not a “church-to-me” relationship. Worship should be the by-product of how much you truly appreciate the mercies that God has bestowed on you. Worship comes from the heart. The worship music that happens in church should be an expression of your heart, not just an impression on you. If I don’t think worship was “all that great”.... guess what; that’s my heart talking and I need to do some serious one-on-one with God, not the worship band.
It’s kind of comical (though not really) that I am a musician and my writings are absolutely an expression of my heart… and I get that. I’m not sure why, then, I would expect anything else just because someone else happens to be playing the music.
Let’s face it, we all need to be ministered to and God provides so many ways for that to happen. That’s why he gave his body of believers so many unique and different gifts, so that we can collectively benefit from all He has given us. What needs to be in the very forefront of our minds, however, are the mercies He has so lovingly imparted on us. We don’t deserve them, but He gives them anyway.
The next time you settle into church with expectations of being spiritually moved, remember, the music or the moment my carry you on a wonderful journey but the true worship comes from within. Acknowledge, appreciate and be humbled by the mercies God has given you and worship will spring from you in an honest and true expression of yourself. I can already see God smiling.
Greg A. Morton
© 5-27-08
Friday, May 23, 2008
Keeping It In Context – Part II
Generally speaking, my commentaries stem from introspection… not reaction. This commentary, however, is a response to something I read in this morning’s paper. The headline “Church to Begin Same-Sex Nuptials” caught my eye and, as I read, something very unsettling came over me. Granted the subject of same-sex marriages has been circulating for decades here in the U.S. and, of course, was probably even news back in biblical periodicals (or whatever they had) referring to the likes of Sodom and Gomorrah (re-read Genesis Ch. 18 & 19).
But something struck me unusually hard in this article. In response to the May 15th Supreme Court ruling which allows same-sex marriages, All Saints Church in Pasadena has indicated it will begin performing same-sex ceremonies. The church’s pastor, Rev. Ed Bacon, quoted Micah 6:8 as support that their church is aligned with biblical principles: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Talk about taking a snippet of scripture and building a principle around it. Sheeesh.
Now, I’m no theologian but based on everything I’ve read in the Bible that speaks of homosexuality… it’s wrong. I’m not inclined to argue how the dynamics have changed over time, or open my mind to the “true essence” of what love is all about. Doesn’t matter…. the Bible says it’s wrong. End of discussion.
It wasn’t really my intention to state my position on this subject more than I simply thought it was a perfect example of what I spoke about in my commentary posted April 30th; the dangers of taking a small section of a more global concept and customizing it to fit your own agenda.
Greg A. Morton
© May 23, 2008
But something struck me unusually hard in this article. In response to the May 15th Supreme Court ruling which allows same-sex marriages, All Saints Church in Pasadena has indicated it will begin performing same-sex ceremonies. The church’s pastor, Rev. Ed Bacon, quoted Micah 6:8 as support that their church is aligned with biblical principles: “He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.”
Talk about taking a snippet of scripture and building a principle around it. Sheeesh.
Now, I’m no theologian but based on everything I’ve read in the Bible that speaks of homosexuality… it’s wrong. I’m not inclined to argue how the dynamics have changed over time, or open my mind to the “true essence” of what love is all about. Doesn’t matter…. the Bible says it’s wrong. End of discussion.
It wasn’t really my intention to state my position on this subject more than I simply thought it was a perfect example of what I spoke about in my commentary posted April 30th; the dangers of taking a small section of a more global concept and customizing it to fit your own agenda.
Greg A. Morton
© May 23, 2008
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Grace, Mercy & Forgiveness
God is gracious, God is merciful, God forgives. This is a precept we hear often in church and, to that end, we should be hearing it. I wonder, though, if perhaps there is an inherent danger of this truth if not conveyed in the proper context.
Christians invariably extol the fact that the forgiveness of Christ frees them from shame and guilt. The cleansing which comes from Jesus’ blood has washed away all traces of sin and, ostensibly, any remnants of things for which to feel ashamed. This is certainly true in the context of those who may feel shame for which circumstances are, or were, out of their control (molestations, etc.) or guilt over actions which have been truly repented.
I contend, however, that sinful actions which seem to be an inveterate part of our day-to-day living falls under a separate type of grace. Our merciful Lord looks down upon our lives and sees the failings and short-comings; quite simply... our humanness. But are we to simply dismiss the shame or guilt of continually and repetitively sinning? I think not. Shame and guilt are some of our most important and integral counter-balances we have. They are the weighted keel of our ship which helps keep us upright during the harsh and stormy seas. They are our conscience manifested in twisted, aching stomachs; in having the runs; in sleepless nights.
I rely on these ugly and formidable effects as much as I rely on breathing each day. I know God is merciful and understands when I miss the mark. It is incomprehensible to me that He can look at mankind’s sin over and over with the same behavior and same detrimental conduct and still pour out His grace on us. I don’t try to understand it... yet I don’t want to be complacent about it or take it for granted either.
On the cross Christ paid the price--the ultimate price--for our sins. He has told us that he throws out our sins as far as east is from west and remembers them no more. I fear that some of us, including myself, try to apply that to our own lives as well. It is not our place to throw our sins away and remember them no more... that is God’s job. Forgetting our sins would, in fact, relinquish us from our responsibility of repeating the same sins over and over. I don’t believe this pattern of “sin and forgiveness” is what God ever intended. We must be responsible for seeking righteousness; we must be responsible for portraying Christ’s love in our actions; we must be responsible for acknowledging what we do and why we do it.
Bottom line is: The love of God transcends all the screw-ups we make. The love of God also created us to feel, think, say and act accordingly. This means feeling bad about doing bad things. Don’t let those opportunities of feeling bad pass you by without thanking your Heavenly Father that He is incredibly and indescribably gracious, full of mercy, and lovingly forgiving.
Greg A. Morton
© 4-26-2006
Christians invariably extol the fact that the forgiveness of Christ frees them from shame and guilt. The cleansing which comes from Jesus’ blood has washed away all traces of sin and, ostensibly, any remnants of things for which to feel ashamed. This is certainly true in the context of those who may feel shame for which circumstances are, or were, out of their control (molestations, etc.) or guilt over actions which have been truly repented.
I contend, however, that sinful actions which seem to be an inveterate part of our day-to-day living falls under a separate type of grace. Our merciful Lord looks down upon our lives and sees the failings and short-comings; quite simply... our humanness. But are we to simply dismiss the shame or guilt of continually and repetitively sinning? I think not. Shame and guilt are some of our most important and integral counter-balances we have. They are the weighted keel of our ship which helps keep us upright during the harsh and stormy seas. They are our conscience manifested in twisted, aching stomachs; in having the runs; in sleepless nights.
I rely on these ugly and formidable effects as much as I rely on breathing each day. I know God is merciful and understands when I miss the mark. It is incomprehensible to me that He can look at mankind’s sin over and over with the same behavior and same detrimental conduct and still pour out His grace on us. I don’t try to understand it... yet I don’t want to be complacent about it or take it for granted either.
On the cross Christ paid the price--the ultimate price--for our sins. He has told us that he throws out our sins as far as east is from west and remembers them no more. I fear that some of us, including myself, try to apply that to our own lives as well. It is not our place to throw our sins away and remember them no more... that is God’s job. Forgetting our sins would, in fact, relinquish us from our responsibility of repeating the same sins over and over. I don’t believe this pattern of “sin and forgiveness” is what God ever intended. We must be responsible for seeking righteousness; we must be responsible for portraying Christ’s love in our actions; we must be responsible for acknowledging what we do and why we do it.
Bottom line is: The love of God transcends all the screw-ups we make. The love of God also created us to feel, think, say and act accordingly. This means feeling bad about doing bad things. Don’t let those opportunities of feeling bad pass you by without thanking your Heavenly Father that He is incredibly and indescribably gracious, full of mercy, and lovingly forgiving.
Greg A. Morton
© 4-26-2006
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