Its been a long time since I have read something that has made my blood boil like it did when I read the post about rock music....Only because I have been involved with youth so long, and I have had my reservations. But once again, experience with something first hand, that someone else can just comment on without experiencing it does something to my stomach that cannot be described.. and I'm pretty sure its not just gas. Is country Christian music straight from the DEVIL??? is it?, is opera from the devil?? It is if the opera singer is a worshipper of Satan now isnt it.. So let me get this straight, all these people that have given their Lives to Christ are misleading teens and young adults and old people into the GATES OF HELL unknowingly??, all the people that have turned their lives over to Jesus have been mislead by the people playing ROCK MUSIC and have actually signed a death warrant instead.. Oh what a miserable life we lead.. and our intentions were so good.. you have got to be kidding me!!! Growing up in the heavy metal era,, being bombarded with heavy metal music of which the majority was not glorifying God.. obviously,,, I must say when I turned my life over to the loving care of Jesus the Christ It was a nice break to BREAK away from secular music... God had changed my heart instantly.. and I liked it that way. And nothing has ever been the same.. Being a youth pastor I have learned many things about our teens... they could care less about pipe organs and some old school singer standing up there playing his guitar that has made a worship song out of some secular song........and no matter how many sermons I preach showing the importance of old Hymns,, they arent buying it.... They will however listen to newer versions of Hymns,, WHY?.. Because that is the language they speak.....Sing to the Lord a new song. So all of a sudden the devil owns music huh....??? thats funny because I thought all good gifts came from God.. I didnt think God could give a bad gift. The Devil uses everything to get a strangle hold on those that let their gaurd down.. GO on tour with some of these guys and you will see the same thing when you follow Bill whatever hisnameis from church on Sunday.. sometimes lukewarmness, sometimes sin,,, sometimes doubt,, and a myriad of other problems that frequent the lives of Christians on a daily basis when we dont focus on our Lord and Savior Jesus the Christ.. Let me get this straight,,, I go down to Wal-Mart and buy some beautiful instrumental composition with no words.. and it just sounds so lovely that I must listen more.. not knowing that the person that recorded it has been casting spells on the music and anyone that would buy it to further the corruption and demonic forces in this world, unlikely? probably,, but more likely than a band of CHRISTIANS that decide to use their gifts to win souls using music.... So it all comes down to Rock music huh????? We dont serve a God that can take a style of music and turn it towards good?...WHAT???? Would that not depend on the heart of the person with the gift?? would not God be the only judge of that?? What planet is this?? Is it not GODS? Just a question,, would you even be caught dead at a Christian Rock concert to see what happens after the music plays?? have you seen what goes on?. Have you seen the thousands upon thousands of teens that never would have even heard the gospel had it not been for those Christian ROCKERS who love Jesus with all their hearts witnessing to these teens that have basically turned away from anything churchy or uptight, or dress cody,, or whatever..... and they do it all across the nation bringing in thousands upon thousands of teens each week between all of them.. Some of them have traveling Pastors,, and they should. Most of these CHRISTIANS are young,, immature in their walks,, but they are hanging around bands with maturity.. Some are just like the church. ITs a process to see who is ready for the ministry and who is in it for themselves.. and we have seen this year alone, that just because you are in the ministry and lots of people trust you, and you are well versed in Gods word, doesnt mean you will not fail.. RIGHT?? and I know this for I have failed today,, and I didnt even listen to one ROCK SONG. I know teens that are saved.. right now, today, as a result of going to a concert to rock out,, hearing a positive message and then hearing the gospel by people they look up to... and realizing the people that are witnessing to them do not want them to look up to them,, but to Jesus.. I will say this.. if one does not experience God moving through something like Christian men who have started rock bands,, then one could easily make the mistake that it doesnt seem right.. its just not traditional, and it reminds me too much of myself when I wasnt saved, or that guy that did drugs when he was listening to rock music.... BUT GUESS WHAT!! its not the same, not in any way,, it doesnt even come close. I know, because I am an old guy that is set in his ways, and I dont want to admit that kids are getting saved by something Loud and obnoxious... and then right in the middle of it, these same teens will have their hands in the air stretched out to a Living GOD, as the screamo punk band breaks out into spontaneous worship out of nowhere.. I have seen it happen time and time again... God will go where HE is invited.. even if Joe blow has himself convinced that its not of GOD.. it sure is to the one who is getting saved in that wonderful moment in time.... Hey, I have a great idea.. why dont we sit back and do nothing, and not communicate with our teens in their current state of awareness.... I'm sure they will come in by the droves to listen to music they hate.. great idea.. who cares right??? Lets just sit in our empty church walls and wait,, or go down to the high school where we arent even allowed most of the time,, or have a nice pizza party.... whooppaadeee doooooo everyones saved.. Give me a break. How bout we just keep the blue haired old lady alive on a respirator, give the pipe organ a tune up,, and keep things safe, and churchy,, and absolutely FAKE.... Never changing the way we do anything and just settling for the few that do happen to come in... Is there anything wrong with using a HOOK to save someones life??? If perhaps some people have started Christian Rock and Roll bands who are in it for themselves,, thank God, there is God to judge that and deal with it.. IF they are not supposed to be there, God will remove them.. and that goes for the suit wearing pastor that thinks he's fooling everyone flashing his fancy jewelry on TBN while I sit there and ponder. A twist on Promise Keepers huh???? like Promise Keepers holds the key to innovative ideas in mens ministry..... It was a good idea, where a lot of men decided,, HEY, THIS IS A GOOD IDEA, LETS DO IT,, lets do it together, and lets invite God into this huge stadium and watch what happens. Lets humble ourselves, and get real for a weekend. And maybe, if we are lucky, a couple of us will actually take it out of the stadium and apply it to our families... what a concept!!!!!!!!!!! OF COURSE IT WORKED!!!.. For the same reason GODMEN will work,, because men will believe in each other, support each other, quit goofing around with this walk with Jesus in our spoiled little American world,,, and LIVE FOR GOD.. I hope twelve more just like it pop up around the world.. and men go every weekend, I hope they do one with men and women and provide a day care where someone does a mini GODMEN for kids... Men need something like this every weekend because we ARE MOSTLY BONEHEADS THAT NEED CONSTANT REMINDERS OF WHO WE ARE IN CHRIST...... Not to mention prompting just taking out the trash... Something needs to change.... All these churches with all of their disagreeing theologies and always griping and complaining why the world doesnt come crashing through the church door.. ITS NO WONDER.. we cant even agree with each other.. and everyone says,, ITS ABOUT JESUS,, ITS ABOUT JESUS.. I got news for everyone,, IF people are not getting saved using every means neccesary,, then its really not about JESUS now is it?.. quit griping and complaining about every little thing that comes down the pike just because it doesnt line up with your perception of church, could it be perhaps that isnt the case? could it be because one may feel it doesnt line up with scripture... HERE WE GO AGAIN.. you give me ten scriptures why I'm following Satan, and I'll give you 15 why you're wrong.. Perhaps God may want us to REASON... do you think GOD had in mind a dress code and some guy wearing cologne so thick you need a respirator to sing hymns next to him........ Is that Biblical, no, its insanity and has to be in violation of the clean air act. The reason why we go through these changes in ministry,, is because there's not one person on this earth that has it figured out yet.. we just keep wanting and desiring some magic bullet to penetrate the hearts of those who are lost.. why do we desire that change for someone else?, because it is so amazing what has truly happened to us that we have to tell the world.. and if we screw up occasionally doing it.. GOD KNOWS OUR HEARTS,, and GOD WILL DEAL WITH US.. other than that,,,, yeah, I agree with everything you said. May God truly bless you as you seek His face.. because lets face it, thats what it comes down to... If I am truly seeking GOD, not only does GOD know that,,,,, but I will be put in my place if my heart is true, and put in my place if its not. What I wouldnt do to loose this flesh, oh how thankful I am for Jesus. P.S... stevers, seriously man.. I am sorry I disagree with you so much on this subject.. I'm just tired.. I'm tired of preaching an empty gospel, I'm tired of just settling for things the way they are.. I'm just tired.. I really dont mean a thing by it. IF anything, I just encourage you my brother to stay in Gods word. Pray for me my brother, that I would see things early as I walk with Jesus, so that I may not be hindered from His plan for me.. I truly pray for the best in your walk. I pray that everything goes well for you this week. And if it doesnt, I pray you learn from the experience.. sometimes I just get so tired of the complacent worlds we have built around us.,,,Not allowing Jesus to move.. because of our comfort zones. jC