A Trip to Berea

Spiritual balance is not obtained by being a unitarian in one's beliefs. It can never be achieved by combining a smorgasbord of beliefs from various sources... which often conflict with one another and lead to confusing doctrines of the mind. It can only be obtained through the practice of being a Berean... studying and applying the spiritual source which has God's miraculous stamp of approval implemented upon it.

Spiritual balance is obtained by stepping outside the comfort-zone of one's church, denomination, pastor, preconceived ideas, and familiar practices and traditions. It comes by making that extra little effort of listening, taking notes, comparing, scrutinizing and finally taking the information back to the 'original source' where you see if it all stacks up. Don't assume your favorite teacher/speaker/pastor is beyond error. Be a Berean... and grow.

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Taught By God

On the road between Jerusalem and Emmaus, two men were unaware they had just been greeted and taught by the resurrected Messiah. His words were not those of any ordinary man but had the authority and power of God Himself. Later, Luke 24:32 tells us: “They asked each other, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He talked with us on the road and opened the Scriptures to us?” And so their amazed reaction is reflected by every other person who has experienced the empowering words of Jesus and allowed Him to change their life!

Throughout history, people have expressed their views pertaining to what God might be like and what His character and nature are. Many, and most of the time these ponderings are nothing more than man’s own imagination or educated guesses and reasonings. Occasionally these man-made viewpoints have had devastating effects and have even lead people further away from truly knowing and understanding God. The bible has gone as far as declaring that some of the false views are actually “doctrines created by demons.” We wonder if men create religions that are so harmful and far-off base, can any of us know who the true creator of the universe is? Can we ever actually comprehend His character and what He desires for us? Can the true God be known at all?

Though we might be spiritually short-sighted, God is quite aware of this problem-causing limitation of ours. When we ignore Him or worship inaccurate deities of our own making, He is not shocked, dismayed or caught off guard. He is so lovingly understanding of our problem that He was able to foresee it long before He created mankind; long before we fell into sin; and long before each one of us were individually born into this world. The omnipotence of God is so overwhelming that He was able to develop a solution to a problem long before the problem itself ever existed! If man himself is incapable of reaching God and knowing him personally, then God must be the one to transcend the void and make Himself known to us. What we are unable to do, He is able to accomplish with no problem what-so-ever.

God has revealed Himself in three distinct ways. First, the very world in which we live, with all it’s complexities and uncountable life forms point to their creator. Scripture states: “What may be known about God is plain to them, because God has made it plain to them. For since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities — His eternal power and divine nature — have been clearly seen, being understood from what has been made, so that men are without excuse.” Second, His Spirit has impressed upon the heart and mind of the early prophets to pen the revelations found within His written word. Scripture reveals: “Above all, you must understand that no prophecy of Scripture came about by the prophet’s own interpretation. For prophecy never had its origin in the will of man, but men spoke from God as they were carried along by the Holy Spirit.” Third, and most important, God Himself entered our world and gave us instruction and spiritual guidance. Jesus even quoted the scripture which foretold of His teachings: “All your sons will be taught by the LORD, and great will be your children’s peace.”

In harmony with the teachings of Christ is the understanding given to the believer by God’s indwelling Holy Spirit. As we study scripture and grow in the instructions of Jesus, His spirit whispers to our intellect and richly illuminates these words of power and of life. We become receptive vessels for receiving the truths which lie within God’s written word. This is in full contrast to the unrepentant mind which can read the same words but is in no way capable of comprehending their richness and full meaning. Scripture explains it this way: “And even if our gospel is veiled, it is veiled to those who are perishing. The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, who is the image of God.”

So what does God want us to know about Himself? This question actually has a plain and simple answer. There are no big mysteries involved which should cause anyone to travel to a distant mountain peek in search of an ancient and secluded spiritual guru. We just need to look at the life; the teachings; the facts; and the example which Christ left for us. It’s that simple. When the disciples asked for Jesus to show God the father, He let it be known that He had been showing God to His followers all along. He replied: “He who has seen Me has seen the Father; how can you say, ‘Show us the Father’? Do you not believe that I am in the Father, and the Father is in Me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on My own initiative, but the Father abiding in Me does His works.”

Here’s the good part… the true account of Christ is quickly becoming available to all. It is the most widely published written document in history. It has been translated into the greatest number of languages and read by the greatest number of people of any other book the world has ever known. Scholars are increasingly amazed at the accuracy of the modern translations when compared to the most ancient documents available. If we don’t know anything about the Living God, it’s plausible we have made little effort to know Him. He has given us the means to know Him intimately. He has given us His Son that we all might be “Taught by God!”

Colossians 2:6-10

There are numerous ways of studying God’s word… both the good and the bad practices. The most important aspect of studying scripture is to derive from it what was intended. It is to nurture our spiritual growth and help us become all that God intends for us to be. It is to help us understand God, His standards and expectations. It is to help us understand humanity’s spiritual weaknesses in our self and also in others. And it is to be understood within the presented context, and within it’s historical framework.

The following example of breaking down a verse is one of the simplest and most basic ways for a believer to begin a bible study. As one becomes accustomed to this approach, he or she can grow and learn several other equally valid methods of getting into God’s word.

Verses are in RED… broken down into individual words or phrases. Followed by( in BLACK parentheses) intended meaning, both universal and personal application.

6 Therefore, (Let’s grow and move forward… based on God’s word. Imperative. Definite.)
as you (All who are in Christ, including myself. Those born a 2nd time.)
received (Not rejected or discarded. Offered to us/me and we/I accepted.)
Christ Jesus the Lord, (Jesus only… no other religious teacher, guru, or charlatan. He takes precedence above any other)
so walk in Him, (Our/My actions, thoughts, desires, efforts are grounded in Him)
7 rooted (That which holds us/me in place, balances us, gives us strength, and sustains… living water)
and built up in Him (”He is the potter… I am the clay”)
and established in the faith, (Many world systems and philosophies, but our/my purpose is in Christ’s gospel)
just as you were taught, (Not our/my education from other sources, but that from sound biblical teaching)
abounding in thanksgiving. (Always thankful for what Christ has done, giving Him praise and glory)
8 See to it (Our/My effort, not God’s or anyone elses)
that no one (It doesn’t matter who it is, how great, mighty, or attractive they might be)
takes you captive (Loss of freedom… once caught, we/I am trapped and unable to escape)
by philosophy (Man’s best thinking and deepest thoughts, no matter how appealing they might seem)
and empty deceit, (Not beneficial to our/my spiritual purity, but that which tricks us/me into putting our/my Christ-centeredness aside)
according to human tradition, (Man’s teachings and ways of doing things which are passed down through the generations)
according to the elemental spirits of the world, (The most basic, seemingly normal and commonly encountered spiritual teachings)
and not according to Christ. (If it doesn’t stack-up with Christ’s teachings and example, then it’s potentially harmful and incorrect. It should be shelved and discarded)
9 For in Him (Nothing outside of Christ, but only that which is in Him alone. He is the source)
the whole fullness (Complete and not lacking for more. Entire)
of deity dwells bodily, (If we want to see God… just look at Jesus. He alone is God-in-man. God cannot be found, or seen, in any other living or dead person)
10 and you (All who are in Christ, including myself and all others who have submitted to Him)
have been filled (Filled is uppermost… all the way to the top, not just part way. Over-flowing)
in Him, (Jesus only… no other religious teacher, guru, or charlatan)
who is the head (The boss, the top dog, the one in charge, the one to be obeyed and listened to, the one who makes the rules. Leader of all leaders)
of all rule and authority. (At the very top, doesn’t get any higher than this, my ways and desires submit to His. It is impossible to locate any authority above His)

AMEN!

So Unique it Cannot be Categorized Accurately

It's not 'Christian music' written for the choir... no, it's music meant to be heard by those who wouldn't enter a church's doors. It's not worldly or secular music, but it's also not traditional Christian music. It's definitely not religious music. Though it contains elements of praise and worship, it doesn't fall into the category of 'praise & worship' either. So what is this confusing music?

First of all... it is 'thematic' music. This means that though there are thirty five individual and unique parts, they all merge together into one big theme. They're all part of the whole; contribute to the whole; and work together to be part of the whole... sorta like the human body. Each part is individual and unique, but each part is very important in the functioning of the body as a complete unit. Together, they make-up two hours and forty minutes of music that can be listened to in one sitting or heard leisurely at the listener's discretion.

Importantly, all parts contribute in shedding light on the creator of the universe and how He has made Himself known to us. These songs try not to reflect man's concepts of god, because that falls into the realm of religion, and if there's one thing the Alpha & Omega Suite isn't about, that's religion! God Himself has shown that He's not impressed by the religions of mankind, He's given His stamp of disapproval on them, and has made it clear to us that our religious activity normally only confuses the issue of who He is, and only draws people away from Him and His truths.

But God has made Himself known to us. He says that even the very world around us reflects some aspects of Himself and His nature. He's also given a consistent and historical account of Himself which has spanned many millennium. His very actions have affected human history and the outcome of certain events. He has even spoken (though rarely) to certain people face-to-face. But most importantly, He has entered our world, in a certain time and place, as one of us! At one time, some two thousand years ago, He entered our world and became part of our history, and shown us exactly who He is... and what He expects from each one of us! That's precisely what the Alpha & Omega Suite is all about.

Feel free to listen to some of it. Ideally, listen to all of it... if you have the time and patience. But definitely listen to the lyrics. Hear the message. Contemplate. Ponder. Become angry, or rejoice. Disagree or agree. Become convicted. But don't dismiss. Some things are too important to quickly dismiss and forget. Let God touch your heart... and change your life! Maybe He's tried to talk to you in the past and you didn't listen. Listen to Him now. This is what the Alpha & Omega Suite is all about.

After nine years of composing, arranging and recording, the Alpha & Omega Suite can now be heard!
"Thematic music that's nearly impossible to categorize!"

The Faithless and Faithful Trilogy

There are three songs in the Alpha which cover all the ideologies in our relationship with God and how we relate to Him. It doesn't matter what type of religious or non-religious person you are, we all fall within one of four categories, and most of us overlap between more than one. Oftentimes we jump, or slide between one category and another. I personally have been in each one of these spiritual areas in my life... at one time or another.

Four types of "faithless and faithful" people
(as Biblically defined and proclaimed in the Alpha & Omega Suite)...
1) The agnostic
Those who are spiritually confused, uncertain and complacent concerning God and His place in their life.
2) The atheist
Those who deny God's existence and fill the spiritual void by elevating humanity to pseudo-deity status.
3) The religious
Those who worship gods, religious institutions, and spiritual traditions created by man's imaginations.
4) The faithful
Those whose lives have been altered by God; belong to Him; follow His desires; and live a life of devotion to Him.

At one time or another I have been each type of "faithless and faithful" person. My childhood was spent in the religious arena. I ventured into the area of agnosticism and later slid over into atheism. But when trying to disprove God, He showed Himself real and authentic, which pulled me into the final stage of being part of the faithful. Since then, the reality of doubt has occasionally (rarely) resurfaced but God being faithful and just always shows Himself true... thus never allowing me the self-deceptive freedom to move back into any of the other three areas. His love and truth is so much greater than the fiendish wanderings of my carnal imagination.

As we listen to the trilogy of songs (10) Eyes Wide Open: Cannot See (11) Idols in The Mud (12) The Psalmists Sonata, we hear and feel the struggle of fallen humanity as we either receive God, reject Him, or substitute gods of our own design. This is our universal condition. This is who we are. This is you, and this is me.

The Alpha Prelude

The first half of the Alpha & Omega Suite is the Alpha. It portrays the God of history as He interacted and manifested Himself to the nation of Israel... the precious seed of Abraham. The Alpha is also the section which corresponds with the writings and teachings found in the Old Testament of the Bible. These are the history verses... and songs. They are the historical accounts of an ancient nation as well as being the historical accounts of God's dealings with these people. Their purpose is for us to learn and grow from. They help us understand God more fully and accurately.

The Alpha's sixteen songs might be the most difficult for us to accept of any in the entire Suite. They are the ones which deal with the inward nature of man. They also paint a bleak picture of our broken spiritual condition. We are shown as rebels fighting against righteousness, holiness and all that is godly and good! We are full of wrath, violence and disobedience. Though we might be loving and kind on occasion, the deceitfulness of our heart even stains our virtues and good works. And because of the way we are on the inside, the judgmental side of God is portrayed... and that is one aspect of Him which we tend to dislike. Give us 'God the Loving' but don't show us 'God the Divine Judge'. But, if we are to accept what we find attractive, then we also need to realistically accept the authoritarian, strong and all-controlling part of God as well. And as we mature, we then see the benefits of those attributes. We love and admire Him for being that way!

The Alpha & Omega Suite opens with the 'Alpha Prelude', preparing the way for all that is to follow. It's more-or-less a little fanfare stating "Don't feel that God cannot be known". Not only has He written His presence on our consciousness and can be seen in nature, but He's also worked directly in the history of Abraham's lineage! God is here! He's given us sufficient proof of whom He is. He wants us to have the desire to know Him better... and more intimately. Let's do!

God's Word put to Song and to Verse

After nine years composing, arranging and recording... The Alpha & Omega Suite is now finished and ready for distribution in 2009! The Suite consists of thirty five parts which span two hours and forty minutes. This inspired music praises God and His Word; introduces His laws; His doctrines; His decrees; His covenants; and His grace to those who may have never been exposed to His written Word otherwise. I expect no glory, honor, or prestige from my part in getting this 'musical odyssey' complete, I only desire that glory be given to the One Who deserves and is worthy of it... our Lord!

For a small sampling, please visit:
http://www.myspace.com/alphaomegasuite
or
For the complete thirty five parts available for free download, please visit:
http://www.last.fm/music/tAaOS/AlphaOmegaSuite