WTTTA - The 6 P's

I was the one who would boo the talent show contestant who chose to sing "His Eye Is On The Sparrow" if he/or she sounded like a lonely dog.  People would get mad, but my logic on this I believe is respectable.  Being the event is a talent show, the contestant has opened themselves up to be examined by their talent (or lack thereof) regarding their performing arts gift (the term gift used loosely).  The unit of measure of this examination is usually in either cheers (good work) or boos (not so good work).  Furthermore, the audience member more than likely is not examining the subject matter of the art, but how the artist displays the actual art.  This is why one contestant can sing a sexually explicit song and another can sing a Christian-themed song in the same show.  It's all about the skills.  And I, for one, refused to be fooled by the contestant with lack luster skill and has attempted to get cheers by singing a gospel song.  The good news of Jesus is great, but you stink...and frankly, you are mocking who God is by trying to use a gift (to gain personal accolades) that you haven't developed or simply don't have.

Built Solid

As a man I can only speak on this from a mans' point of view, but I'm sure there's a womans' side...

It ain't rocket science.  Good wisdom would say before making a declaration on something about anything, viewing the complete ball of wax will allow a person to carefully distinguish the authenticity of the existing circumstances.  Along with that, even though the individual is responsible for the decisions of what their hands will or will not do and what will come out of their mouth; causality cannot be denied.  And regardless of the reasons, the faults, even the excuses, a bottom line always, I mean always is there. 

You (Yes You) Are the Hope of the World

This month (obviously) I've been exploring some thoughts on the origins of the negro spiritual.  I think we're pretty familiar with the general legends surrounding them...songs derived from insane plantation work and worship sessions that were limited by ownership; performed to lighten the psychological load of slave labor and abuse, as well as to communicate.  Now depending on what Christian denomination a person is affiliated with, he or she might hear these classic cuts every Sunday now--especially in the traditional Baptist church.  But when I process the words, the meanings, and the historical reference of the songs, I wonder what that says about the mental state of many of us (as related to our faith) who still sing them, and sing them passionately.

Deceived to Death

...and it continues.  People will be drinking and dancing; making war and imitating love; buying, selling, claiming, and denouncing...before many of us vanish.  Even afterwards when those who understood why we disappeared will be very vocal about the reason, to the point of martyrdom; people will still be drinking and dancing; making war and imitating love; buying, selling, claiming, and denouncing.

It's popular to talk about the Rapture in this sense, because it allows for us Christian cats to drum up a ministry for those "lost ones".  You know, preach the goodness of Jesus to the ends of the earth, right?  Interestingly enough, Jesus said everybody who always brings up His Name will be right along with the so called lost ones....being lost (Matthew 7:21-23).  Hmmmm.....