Have You Really Heard?

When we were children, many of us heard frustrated parents asking if we really heard their reminder to finish an unwanted chore. We may have claimed to have heard, but our attitude and actions said otherwise.

What about your own response to the gospel. Have you heard it? Have you responded? It's easy to put off making a decision, and this becomes an even greater tendency when it seems a long way off.

The gospel is a simple but heart-penetrating truth. The Bible tells us that all of us have sinned and fallen short of God's perfect standard of righteousness (Rom. 3:23), resulting in separation from a holy God (Rom. 6:23). But the Bible also says that because of God's compassion for us, He became a man and allowed Himself to be nailed to a cross to pay the penalty for our sin (1 Peter 3:18).

It's not enough just to know these great truths. We must respond to them by personal choice. The Scriptures tell us, "As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12).

Will you respond to this spiritual truth?

If you're able, humble yourself and get on your knees, Acknowledge you're a sinner before God. Ask Him to make you His child, to wash you and fill you with His Holy Spirit. Then begin by praying throughout your days to God. Talk to Him. Read the Bible daily. Ask God to show you a church that is legit and then get involved. Serve others. Let your deeds show you really believe!

If you need prayer contact me or my wife. God bless!




Part of this message was adapted from the Our Daily Bread devotional.

Matthew Eldridge

Here is a guy that I wanted to get out there, as I feel he has a lot to offer the body of Christ. I found out about him through MySpace by coming across one of his side projects, "Raising Lazarus". I was blown away and sadly they only released two songs that I know of. I wanted more because it's great material. You should also check out some of his more recent "solo" endeavors and some of the books that he has written. I also subscribed to him on YouTube and found out that he is involved with youth and leads worship. I heard a video of him giving a heart to heart on complaining in the church. Very timely message and one that we all need to hear. Check him out!


Author Page

Band Page - Raising Lazarus

Band Page - Matthew Eldridge

Interview - theWAY

Here is a nice interview featuring Johnny of theWAY. Shows how sold out these guys are for Jesus. Amazing. We need more people on fire for Jesus like he is.

Band Page

I Built The Cross

I Built The Cross just released a smokin' new EP titled "Banish The Disconnect" and I gotta tell you, It rates high on the heavy factor. Check it out!

Band Page

Purgation

Here is a band that is far-removed from the Christian metal scene. For whatever reason, they just never continued after releasing one EP titled "Realm Of The Dead". Purgation can be described as a mixture of Soundgarden and Black Sabbath... Maybe a little Tool here and there. Interesting band. I wish they had made more stuff because I really like it. I will be honest though. After initially going to their website and seeing how influenced by Sabbath they were, I was a little hesitant about promoting them in any way. I don't know; Sabbath was one of those bands that you should definitely steer clear from as a Christian (coming from a long-time previous fan). With that said, I uncovered an interview somewhere on the internet by the lead singer Ronnie Griffin. Pretty convincing where he stands... The album is also full of great lyrics—mostly doom-type, end of the world, repent stuff, but great nonetheless. If anyone reading this knows what happened to these guys, let me know.  I would like to know what they're up to.


INTERVIEW with Ronnie (singer) that I found on the internet:

Conducted via email in March of 2001. 
 
Thunderline - How would you describe the sound of Purgation to someone who has never heard you? (and what does the name Purgation mean)? 

Ronnie - The music would be described as heavy doom with a dark feel to it that sets the mood for the world we live in today which is pretty dark. The word Purgation means the act of purging which means to cleanse which we know God is going to do to this world sooner or later. 
 
Thunderline - You have a new cd out called "Realm of the Dead" can you tell us a little about that? 

Ronnie - I was listening to David Barton who is a Christian historian and he was talking about our country's founding fathers and he was giving some quotes from one of the signers of the Declaration of Independence, Thomas McCain, who was talking about hell and he called it "The Regions of Sorrow" and I thought that would be an interesting title for a song and song subject and I got to thinking about all of the people I've talked to over the years about Christianity and being saved and the Bible says that people who aren't saved are spiritually dead and that's what this world is like. It's spiritually dead. In the song I say "and as I look on I begin to see, the despondence hints reality" and what I mean is the lack of response to the Christian message shows that this world is non-acceptant of the message. I decided to give it the title Realm of the Dead to fit what the Bible says about people who don't accept Christ and that is spiritually dead. 
 
Thunderline - What sort of lyrical topics do you cover? 

Ronnie - I like to counter-act what some of the secular bands are saying in their songs which is a total anti-Christ message. It used to be that the earlier metal bands would have topics in their songs about Satan or Satan worship but now it's pure blasphemy towards Christianity and Jesus. That's what the song Eulogy ( part 2 ) is about. It's a counter action towards a secular band's song which is really blasphemous towards Jesus. I don't think it's right that these guys can put down my beliefs and then expect not to get a response to it. I'm not saying that they can't say what they want or say something that might offend someone else's beliefs but they should respect my right to say something about what they say if it offends me. 
 
Thunderline - Do you consider Purgation a "ministry" band? 

Ronnie - Yeah. I'd like to change the world and the only real way to change the world is through Jesus. Music is a good way to get to people. I remember hearing a quote from a musician who said to a law maker, and I quote, " You make the laws and I'll write the songs and I'll rule the world". Not that I want to rule the world but it just shows you how powerful a tool music is. When I first got into music I wanted to be just like the bands I was getting into. So I know music can change people. I know it's not as easy as it sounds but it can be done. 
 
Thunderline - How important do you feel it is to deliver a message within your lyrics? 

Ronnie - It's very important but there are right ways to deliver a message and wrong ways as I've come to find out in the past year. The message is the most important thing in this music. It should be for all Christian bands. I was looking at a secular band's website and it seemed that the most important thing for them to get out was their message. It's a message of new ageism and I think we need to counter-act this kind of thing and I think that our message should be just as important. The music has to be there too though. 
 
Thunderline - Who is the lineup of Purgation? 

Ronnie - Ronnie Griffin - Vocals, Guitar and Bass, Jerry Allnet - Guitar, Peppy Ruiz - Drums 
 
Thunderline - Do you get to play many live shows? 

Ronnie - We're only a studio band at the moment. 
 
Thunderline - If you could go out on our with any band in the world (Christian or secular) who would it be and why? 

Ronnie - I've never really thought about that but it would be great to play with anybody. 
 
Thunderline - What does the future hold for Purgation? 

Ronnie - We hope that this will take off and we can do this full time. There's definitely another CD in the future. 
 
Thunderline - What are you guys' jobs, hobbies, interests outside the band? 

Ronnie - We all work full time day jobs. 
 
Thunderline - Who are some of your influences (or bands you just enjoy listening to)? 

Ronnie - I respect bands like Tool, Black Sabbath and Solace for their musicianship but not for their message. These are the bands that influence me musically but it's hard to enjoy them because of their lyrics. 
 
Thunderline - Final comments? 

Ronnie - Thanks for the interview Norm. It's greatly appreciated and we'd like to invite people to visit our website at www.purgation.com 

Letter To The Exiles

My son brought these guys to my attention a while back, and after listening, I could tell they were different. They definitely bring it metal-wise, but they have a nice alternative feel as well. Here is their latest video called "The Greater Hands Of Lesser Sons" off their album Make Amends. Enjoy!

The Old-Timers

I was given an album a while back of a band called "The Old-timers". I went through a punk-period back when I was a skater (in the 80's) which consisted of bands like:  G.B.H., Subhumans, Vandals, Minor Threat, Hard Ons and so many others. Listening to this album took me back in a totally positive way. It's filled with all of the same energy and sound that all those older bands had, but with the love of Jesus Christ throughout. Getting this album has really taken me back to a special place in time, only now it's something I can totally get in to. They are signed to a label called Thumper Punk Records. They have many other bands that are signed that I plan on checking out.

For now, if you ever liked real punk, drop what you're doing and check out The Old-timers. You won't be disappointed. God bless!


Buy Their Albums HERE