Death To Traitors

Beyond Forlorn

2010-02-14T17:45:00.005-07:00

Westminster Confession of Faith.

Chapter IX: Of Free Will.

I. God has endued the will of man with that natural liberty, that is neither forced, nor, by any absolute necessity of nature, determined good, or evil.

II. Man, in his state of innocency, had freedom, and power to will and to do that which was good and well pleasing to God; but yet, mutably, so that he might fall from it.

III. Man, by his fall into a state of sin, has wholly lost all ability of will to any spiritual good accompanying salvation; so as, a natural man, being altogether averse from that good, and dead in sin, is not able, by his own strength, to convert himself, or to prepare himself thereunto.

IV. When God converts a sinner, and translates him into the state of grace, He frees him from his natural bondage under sin; and, by His grace alone, enables him freely to will and to do that which is spiritually good yet so, as that by reason of his remaining corruption, he does not perfectly, or only, will that which is good, but does also will that which is evil.

We learn history as to not repeat it. This is doubly applicable to Christians of the modern church.

Some people learn history and it just doesn't sink in. Profound theological ideas tend to be not learned all throughout history. Instead they are understood by few, and in an attempt to convey these truths these men would spend their lives trying to make the people surrounding them understand all of these ideas, but would perhaps succeed in only getting a fraction of the ideas across.

Have you ever wanted so badly for someone to understand what you know to be true that you would take any risk and any measure for them to see the way you see?

Understanding God's grace, election, and eventual redemption given to me leads me to want to go to any depth to make people understand a sliver of this truth and love. The love that I have for people after understanding these ideas is something that is too incredible to describe. Now I know I cannot truly love, because God is only capable of that, but the feeling of encouragement and comfort that I receive from these truths is so profound, and so undeniably prevalent in my heart that I cannot hope but to share these truths with everybody that I know.

Understanding my purpose in this world makes every single mountain in life seem like it is but a step away from conquering. The faith that I have in God knowing that he does love me, and God does care about me is so calming that it is impossible to describe. Knowing that everything I do is in his will and he has known from the beginning of time is something so overwhelmingly amazing that words cannot describe it.

A peace that surpasses all understanding is only a fraction of what these ideas carry, a life full of contentedness, regardless of circumstance, is just the beginning of this iceberg. My journey is seemingly just beginning, and I would do anything for anyone to understand the love that I feel, and wish to show to everyone. Knowing that you are loved in a way that will never be comprehended by human minds is so comforting and calming, that I am willing to take ridiculus actions to see that my point gets across.

So to end, do you feel loved?

Are you trying to love?

One more point: Everyone who has heard me say I hate humanity, please know that I do not hate everyone, I hate the construct of being human; that we deal with a sinful nature, and humanity is inherently evil is the reason that leads me to such frustration when dealing with people who have seemingly no reign over this nature. In all reality I do love you, but hate the sinful nature that we are all born with. I hate it even more in myself than in anyone else.

Good day,
Austin Death.

Human Wasteland

2009-08-10T00:55:00.000-06:00

You and your decency are like old friends who never talk anymore. Your party never stops. Waysted Youth is something I hope you will grow to regret. As your head spins, the sweet you swallowed is coming back sour. Your gyroscope they call balance is about to collapse.

The party is the same old crowd. Beer stained couches line the walls of the dingy smelling house. Andrew WK is heard in the background bringing the party tunes to white suburbanites who think they have turned into adults. This time it was BYOB, so people are hording their cache of alcohol like it’s the end of the world. The night comes to a climax, when the communal alcohol level is above normal, only to come to a crashing halt with the first fight, or multiple vomiting fits.

I always end up covering you with the scratchy sheets in the small odd shaped bed in the house you always seem to find yourself. You’ll probably wake up screaming, for liquor or maybe this time out of sheer fright. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to be here. You drag me, convincing me it will be different. This time I come out of fear.

You and your decency are like old friends who never talk anymore, you throw him into the wind the minute your lips hit the bottle, burning with the new taste of something I will never know. My frustration is like teaching an old dog new tricks, it has been overcome by apathy. For the ideas of sobriety I wish to convey fall on deaf ears. If Waysted is how you wish to spend your days, consider me your decency.

You can treat me like an old friend who wishes to hear the same voice, wishes to see the same best friend, but only sees a drunk trying to keep up with appearances for solely the sake of appearances. I only hope these newfound wasteland dwellers, or “friends” will help you up when the gyroscope begins to fail again.

Ode to Heavy...

2009-08-10T00:51:00.000-06:00

Thus Spake the Night Spirit.

1983, L.A. strip

Hair as far as the eye can see,

Fights break out over who looks the best.

Fights over who rocks harder.

Stockholm, Sweden; a new generation

of troubled teens start brewing powerful remedies

to their troubled lives.

Dark, frightening, and powerful.

You are the bane of parents existence,

lifeblood of children without comrades.

You are the sound that sends chills

down the listeners spine. You are the fuel

that keeps me going, without you my hate

would overwhelm me.

The outlet you provide has saved

more than one innocent life.

You are truly an idea to behold.

Heavy, like darkness befalling a small village.

This darkness is never ending energy

powering the minds of those who choose to listen.

Metal, the many greats you have produced,

Ozzy, Maiden, Priest.

We owe a debt to you.

Heavy Metal.

Hallowed Be Thy Name

To you we owe the thunderous riffing,

and pounding rhythms.

Crowds lurch to your primal rhythm.

The pulse is deafening,

as the speakers are filled with our hate through you.

You shape impressions on a blank slate.

You are received by young and restless minds,

with cheers and affection.

Reciprocated through admiration and imitation.

Creators are idolized.

It’s why we keep on rocking,

Like its 1983.

Hormones, Make-up and Beer.

2009-07-29T22:58:00.005-06:00

One more day one more show. The familiar sound of the tuning guitar, and check, check, check in the microphone,
the lights dim in the dirty club, the copycat opener is underway.

Every show it seems I get more jaded and my soul aches for the end.
Beer glasses clank at the bar, as even they understand my hate,
but they choose to escape it through the frothy gold of the tap.

Every concert my misanthropic side begins to show a little more.

Understanding and accepting my hatred and despair for this species called humanity is what keeps me afloat;
everyday I seem to drown in the sea of false smiles and meaningless conversations.

My mind stresses.

Not from overstimulation, but from the lack of anything intelligent within this cesspool of hormones, makeup and beer.

The idea that anyone within our scene or any scene has had anything resembling intelligent to say makes me chuckle.

Even the heartfelt passions of these bands I know will die within a year.

Passion is unattainable for long periods.
It’s the curse of being human.

A conversation struck with a bright eyed lad about the band on my t-shirt distracts me from this dreary thought process, the idea that advertising for a band other than your own is something that still blows my mind.

The bands play.

Another bands tic mark on my endless tally sheet that to me means nothing anymore, but to others has given me legendary status.

"You’ve seen them how many times?"
My answer usually even startles me.

My world filled with endless rants on why this band is better than the next, who started what first, and when I had seen them back in the day.

It doesn’t matter.
It never will.

I had hoped for a long while that it would, but the day has come when I truly know it doesn’t
and never will.

The bands I think are the only people more jaded and hate-filled than me. The endless routine that was once glorious and awe-inspiring now so gloom, and depressing.

I share their pain.

But for me it happens in the same town week-in and out. The idea that they might have something new in the town they travel to next is surely what keeps them afloat.

I envy them slightly.

The capability that they have to travel to another cesspool of hormones, make-up, and beer must make their toil and misery better in the slightest bit. Spreading across the nation, their ideas and passions can at least find a new venue and outlet each night, especially if it wasn’t understood the night before.

Onward they travel like Viking warriors
trying to find new and exciting battles in new cities that they haven’t ravaged already, always in a quest to get back.

As I leave with other cynics and outcasts, I do have a little joy, the joy that the endless repetition will always be here, and if I leave, it will always welcome me back.

The small dirty club nestled in the heart of a ghetto whose doors were always warm, welcoming, and never judging of all who entered.

Austin Death
PS: This was I poetic prose piece I wrote for my creative writing class. Let me know what you think.

Misanthropy Pure

2009-03-28T15:27:00.002-06:00

Misanthropy- noun: hatred, dislike, or distrust of humankind.

I hate humanity.

This perfectly describes the last few months of my life. Humanity is so depraved in its mindset, that I can't get away from these terrible feelings of hatred I feel towards them.

I have no Love.

If I hate humanity and the depraved nature of fallen man so much, and I am imperfect in nature just like everyone else, how does God love us still?

Let me repeate: I hate Humanity.

Every minute of every day I am told to look out for myself, care for myself, get ahead for myself, and the minute I start doing that I feel absolutely terrible. The minute my own wants and needs come above others I know I am not loving at all. How can one be selfish and love at the same time?

You can't!

I hate, yes I abhor, humanity in its selfish deprived nature. I do my best to be selfless, always doing my best to be nice, polite, serving others, and it gets you stepped on and crushed, spiritually and mentally. I am sick of meeting so many fake people and hearing of their ideas about what God wants for them, or what they think God is.

God already is.

Your opinion of him if won't change the fact that you are a sinner and need his grace more than you could ever possibly imagine. Without grace I am terrified of what I am as a human. Horrible, Hate-Filled, Loathsome, Un-loving, Disgusting, Unworthy.

I don't deserve grace.

Humanity doesn't deserve grace, and if you think you don't need it, you need to be thrown from you high horse you pharisee.

I can't even express in words how thankful I am for Jesus, the Cross, and God's Unhuman, Miraculus, Perfect, Generous, Complete Love.

I still hate Humanity.

But hopefully through grace, and love, I will someday Be able to not hate it nearly as much as I do now.

Good day,
Austin Death.

Nailed.Dead.Risen.

2008-07-12T14:36:00.002-06:00

So lately a musical connundrum has been brewing in my head.

WhiteChapel vs. Impending Doom

This is an interesting battle... It goes kinda with my earlier posts about death metal music, and why I love it.

So anyways, I have been thinking about how people can get so mad at me for listening to such "death" inspired music, and I thought I would show everyone a great comparison. Lately I have been comparing the bands Impending Doom, and Whitechapel. Two very similar "deathcore" bands, that to the untrained ear may sound like the exact same band, with few differences. This is the Connundrum:

Impending Doom has some of the most amazing positive and spiritually heartfelt lyrics I have read in a while, that talk about Christ and his love for us. This is simply brilliant, cause this is what they sound like:
www.myspace.com/impending

On the other hand you have Whitechapel. These dudes make some killer tunes, and basically the same with their lyrics... Very death/gore inspired, and they are pretty much ridiculus. They are very hate filled, and are just plain goofy when it comes down to their lyrics in my opinion.
www.myspace.com/whitechapelmetal

So the next time you jump to conclusions about someones music from hearing it, just realize that not all music is death inspired if it sounds like it. Some of my favorite bands of all time you couldn't distinguish from secular bands at first listen.

Hope you enjoy,
Austin Death.

Its A Kind Of Magic...

2008-06-03T16:41:00.002-06:00

When I can go in to the DMV after just waking up, and being able to pass both the written and Driving portions of the Drivers license test. Brilliant!!

Backstory: So if you live in Denver and you are 18+ and get in 2 accidents in 3 yrs, you have to go get your license re-evaluated within the time period.

So yesterday I had to go and rock the written test... And today I rocked the driving test... Without even studying...

It was pretty awesome. Its weird how intimidating everyone at the DMV is when your 15.

But 5 years later they all were really nice and social...

I guess I am just getting old.

Oh well, Life is nice.

Later,
Austin Death.

PS. Listen to Coldworker, and Cult of Luna... Genius.

Deliver Us...

2008-06-01T00:42:00.002-06:00

From false teachings...

That is what the American church needs to pray for...

Seriously...

Romans 8 is seemingly taken out of context every time I hear it preached...

Mostly Romans 8:37

37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.

This more than Conquerors verse is said so often in positive mental inspirational sermons to the masses now lets look at the whole context. I believe the verse changes a little when you see the bigger picture.

Lets look at the whole paragraph Paul writes to get the full context: Romans 8:28-39(I have highlighted what I believe are a few key words)

28And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose. 29For those God foreknew he also predestined to be conformed to the likeness of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brothers. 30And those he predestined, he also called; those he called, he also justified; those he justified, he also glorified.
31What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things? 33Who will bring any charge against those whom God has chosen? It is God who justifies. 34Who is he that condemns? Christ Jesus, who died—more than that, who was raised to life—is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us. 35Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall trouble or hardship or persecution or famine or nakedness or danger or sword? 36As it is written: "For your sake we face death all day long; we are considered as sheep to be slaughtered." 37No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, 39 neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

It looks to me as if Paul is saying alot, not just that we can be more than conquerors because God is on our side... This is one of those paragraphs that as I have re-read over and over it helps me to see God more like he actually is rather than what the church paints him to be.

I do agree that Romans 8:37 is an inspirational verse, but the rest of the chapter should be read to get the whole context of the verse in particular...

I just want people to start reading their Bibles more when people are teaching from the pulpit, because if you don't get the entire context of the verse, then you are missing the point of it. Its just hard for me to listen to these feel good sermons nowadays with select cliche verses that are sculpted and shaped to the way people want their sermons to go... I just want people to start reading and comprehending what Paul meant when he said stuff like this.

I feel like this is a mouthfull, but hopefully you will read it, and understand it a little more.

Thanks for reading,
Comments and discussion is encouraged.

Austin Death.

Are you Serious?

2008-05-20T01:38:00.005-06:00

Why is being able to read people sooooo hard?
Mostly women.
I always get mislead.
I hate it, but at the same time I know its how God made me, so I guess I will own it like there is no tomorrow.
I don't need another girl that is a friend... I have plenty of those haha.
But seriously...
I am so sick of alot of things in general in society.
I am not a fan of alot some things right now...
Vent complete...

Later,
Austin Death.

Ps... Every blog title is the name of a song or album I am listening to currently. I hope some can eventually start to pick a few out. haha.

ARMADA!!!

2008-05-11T21:41:00.002-06:00

Mmmmm...

Keep of Kalessin...
Some awesome streamlined and ferocious Black Metal.
Gorgeous sounds and textures. He even does some crazy singing in some songs too. Epic and beautiful at the same time. Man I really like this band.

I have been trying to figure out why I love black metal soooo freakin much lately, and I think I have found out why.

PASSION

Many black metal album are so ferocious and intense, and they invoke this sense of cacophonic urgency that can only be done if you have such a passion for playing that type of music.

I can literally feel their passion that they have through music. Whether it be hatred, love, or just insanity, I can feel it, and it makes sense in a way.

Now many bands just sound that way because it sounds cool, but I think that it takes alot more passion to play something loud and fast, than to sit back and strum some chords in a rock/pop band.

For me, that is why I listen to what I listen too.

Oh yeah BTW, my band(Endless Yeti) has a new Black Metal type song that we will be unveiling on Friday at our show at Lifespot.

A link to our page can be found there.(approx) ------------------------->

Check it out to see what I am talking about.

Later,
Austin Death.

Blackout...

2008-05-01T23:41:00.002-06:00

So yeah.

Its been a weird few weeks...

Good though.

I think I have hit a weird point in life.

I got a job... after 2 years haha.

I officially need a break from school. I haven't been this burnt out on it in a while.

I am really wanting to move out, but don't want to have to deal with being an adult.

I really want to just be free from alot of stuff, and go on tour.

That would be awesome.

But I know it will be a while.

I am officially over this whole thing called women.

But at the same time I am not.

I really just wish I didn't have to try so hard and get seemingly nowhere in alot of things.

I just need patience... Even more than what I have been given.

More patience is what everyone needs. At least some of the time haha.

Anyways, I thought I would give a kind of update.

So if you see me and I seem distant, its cause there is alot goin on.

So don't worry.

Hopefully I haven't been writing this blog for no one.

Anyways,

Goodnight.
Austin Death.

The mirrors truth...

2008-04-22T02:02:00.003-06:00

In this Blog:

-New Albums that suck, or are just way below par.

-In Flames

-Cryptopsy

In Flames: A Sense Of Purpose.

Dangit. Dangit. Dangit.

WHY!!!!!!!

Oh In Flames whatever happened to your brilliant guitar melodies with three part harmonies and wicked guitar solos?

Seriously guys why...

They traded awesome guitar shred for bland boring "catchy" choruses with almost no good screaming. All to be the biggest selling swedish metal band of all time.

At what expense?

They have lost my vote as one of the best with this new album. Lackluster guitarwork, that is just leagues below par. I am sorry. But I just am not a fan... In Flames is gone, and it will be hard for them to redeem themselves from this boring album.

Cryptopsy: The Unspoken King.

UGH!!!!

Cryptopsy... Why did you fall for the idea that having clean vocals will make you popular? You are a DeathGrind band. It truly saddens me to see such greats fall to the mainstream pressures. And to do it so quickly.

This album is actually really really good from a musical sense. Well written and recorded, its easily one of their best.

But to call this Cryptopsy is almost Blasphemous.

Seriously guys... drop the name Cryptopsy, and rename your band with either, slaughter, massacre or murder in the name, and we'll call it even. Cause maybe even then I would like you guys, but to say that I like the new cryptopsy is to deny the band of the greatness that you deserve.

Please don't kick dirt on a band... your band... who deserves to be cherished forever for what they were, and are no longer. Lord Wyrm would have never let this happen.

Sorry for the random bad album rant, but here are some new noteworthy listens.

Nachtmystium: Worldfall Ep.

Agalloch: White Ep.

Thrice: The Alchemy Index III and IV

Origin: Antithesis

Arsis: We are the Nightmare.

Enjoy,

Austin Death.

When Darkness Falls...

2008-04-22T01:54:00.002-06:00

So tonight.

Wow... Tonight was freaking awesome.

I love being able to hang out with new friends one on one for the first time. People are so intricate and complex. I love just sitting and talking about life. It has to be one of my favorite things ever!

You never realize what all people go through in their lives without actually putting a face to certain things whether they be bad or awesome. It really doesn't hit home until you can look at that person and realize. It has happenned to them.

Tonight was a crazy eye opener for me. I just hope everyone stop and realize that everyone alive has something amazing that has happenned to them, and hopefully everyone can have enough time in our crazy schedules to just sit and listen.

Listen to someone else for a while.

It makes for an amazing experience.

-Austin Death.

Ps. Blog Title=Track 3 from The End of heartache by KSE.

"Lasciate ogne speranza, voi ch'intrate"... Abandon All Hope, Ye who Enter Here

2008-04-11T02:30:00.004-06:00

So recently I have been presented with almost a paradox from several sources and peoples.

How can one claiming to be a Christian listen to Death Metal, Black Metal, or even some older generations will go to say all forms of Rock and roll? My focus is on the more extreme forms of music, more specifically Black Metal.

I am an avid listener to Black Metal. Black metal is essentially what the title says... Black, evil, scary, and hard to listen too. It has spawned a culture of extreme people who are very different than even most metal heads in the sense that they have formed an "elitist" attitude towards the music that they listen too. This elitist attitude has even rubbed off on me a little, but it doesn't consume my life as much as the crazy kids who listen to the stuff. Black Metal, which will be referred to as BM from now on is one subgenre of Metal littered with satanic, and blasphemous bands who scoff at the name of God, and many have an extreme hatred of Christianity, not to mention any organized religion.

This is the paradox presented.

How could I like this type of music? My answer is that its all personal preference, but I find it quite refreshing and almost cathartic to listen too. Ask me in person about it, and I would love to tell you about it in great detail.

For my opinion on whether or not we as Christian should listen to this will follow; seeing as the Bible has no specific mention of how to deal with modern secular forms of music I will try to establish what I think it is.

First off I want to try to walk you through the logic process I have in my head.

God created everything right? so that means God created music. Now since God is perfect, everything he created was originally perfect right(garden of eden for example)? But once sin entered the world, the world has taken what God has made perfect, and turned it into something imperfect. An obvious example would be sex. God created it to be perfect, to join a man and a woman together as one. The world changed it into something disgusting, impure and selfish. The world distorts everything that is made to be perfect into whatever it wants it to be. Which is usually selfish, and not loving.

Music has been distorted by the world.

Now hopefully you can see where I am going with this, I am not saying that God created Satanic BM but God did create music, and allowed people of the world to distort it how they wanted. If you believe that God is all and knows all, then you will understand that he allowed this to happen.

Who is to say that one cannot find beauty in something considered harsh, cruel, relentless, and hate-filled?

Well I find beauty in many things that many christians have essentialy blacklisted. And if you know me at all, then hopefully you will understand that I listen to 90% of music for the sheer music performance involved.

Music is Passion.

Passion is one fundamental aspect of love.

God is Love.

I have never let the lyrics of a band stop me from listening to them, because as far as I care, the vocals of a band are an instrument in themselves, I treat my band in the same way. Whatever they speak about, I could care less. It is about the musical experience, and not the agenda that the big ego frontman is trying to get across.

So now that thats out of the way. I would like to address why people in the world, such as BM bands, are hateful towards religion:

John 15:18-21 puts it nicely:"18"If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. 19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you. 20Remember the words I spoke to you: 'No servant is greater than his master.'[b] If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also. 21They will treat you this way because of my name, for they do not know the One who sent me.

Christians face this opposition, because the people in the world; "do not know the One who sent me". Simply put, since they don't know God, then they will treat you as a christian with hatred and disrespect.

Now as Christians we are called to the Great Commission: Matthew 28:19-20"19Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

SO we are to be reaching all of the people of the world.

We are also to be living in the world and not of it: "19If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you."(see above)

To end this blog I want to propose a few questions...

If you have blacklisted this type of music, have you also blacklisted the kids who listen to it as well?

Didn't Jesus associate with prostitutes and tax collectors or sinners of the world?

Jesus also called us to love our neighbor, and to show them the love of God, so if you ostrasize these people because of the music they listen too, how is that showing love?

Just a few thinkers.

Comments and Discussion is encouraged.

Later,
Austin Death.

PS. Blog Title=Words written on the Gates of Dis... ala Dante's Inferno.

Point of No Return

2008-04-09T11:25:00.002-06:00

I have decided I need a motorcycle.

This has gone beyond simple want.

I now know that I need a motorcycle.

They call to my soul.

1969 Honda CB 750...

This is the definition of Glory.

Later,

Austin Death.

Slaughter Of The Soul

2008-04-03T22:35:00.002-06:00

Show of the year...

Maybe Decade.

Seriously.

Its a Kinda Magic

2008-03-31T21:05:00.006-06:00

Ok, if you can't get the title, then there is no hope.

Now for the greatest band of all time.

STRYPER!!!

I want everyone to be hyped for their world tour in 08.

The Rock That Makes Me Roll

The Way

Honestly.
Probably one of the best ballads of all time. Due to the Uber cheesines of it.

Enjoy all.
Austin Death.

The Test for Leprosy

2008-03-31T11:02:00.005-06:00

First off if anyone can tell me where the title of this post is from,(hint: Song Title) then they are amazing.

Its a test of ones musical prowess. From now on I think I will use some reference for my titles, regardless of relevance or not.

Now to the nitty gritty... haha

So lately I have been reading alot. I mean more than I normally do. Between all my homework and stuff, and I have come across something that is kinda disturbing to me. After researching, and through personal experience it has become a big enough thought distraction to where it will take blog form.

The topic is: Christians living and Pastors preaching a "Me-centered" gospel, which essentially is a Christ-less form of Christianity.

Living as Christians in a culture where wealth and luxury is very prevalent, I know that it is hard for us to not focus on what we do ourselves everyday. It is embedded so deeply into our thoughts and minds, that it is hard for us to really understand what Christianity is about. Now I don't claim to be an expert at all, but when I read and understand my Bible I do my best to learn things that I otherwise may not have paid attention too.

The issue at hand is the fact that so many churches nowadays preach something that is not at the focus of Christianity, they preach how to be rich, how to have a perfect family, perfect marriage, perfect job etc... I know that churches do this, because I have been there and seen it. This is not what Christianity is about, in 1 Corinthians chapters 1 and 2 Paul very plainly states what his job is to do.

Preach Christ and him Crucified: 1 Corinthians 1: 21 For since in the wisdom of God the world through its wisdom did not know him, God was pleased through the foolishness of what was preached to save those who believe. 22 Jews demand miraculous signs and Greeks look for wisdom, 23 but we preach Christ crucified: a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles

When was the last time you heard the Gospel message of Christ crucified for our sins preached to the BELIEVERS in church instead of the unbelievers?

For me... The answer would be so long ago, that I really don't remember. And this is a problem, because for me, a believer my whole life, 15+ years, to have not truly understood this concept, in the sense that it should be, is sad... Really sad.

Now I am not saying I never understood it until now, cause I always did understand it, but the way that the church preaches to us, "believers", is different from the non believers in the sense that the church teaches us the law and how to live right, and they get sidetracked from teaching us that no one is perfect and no one can get to heaven by being good; "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God" Eph 2:8.

The way the church preaches on living your "right/best/awesome/amazing life now", and trying to focus on doing right works more than faith, at least to the Believers of their congregation is just a little off from what scripture says: Romans 9:30-33 addresses this perfectly:

30What then shall we say? That the Gentiles, who did not pursue righteousness, have obtained it, a righteousness that is by faith; 31but Israel, who pursued a law of righteousness, has not attained it. 32Why not? Because they pursued it not by faith but as if it were by works. They stumbled over the "stumbling stone." 33As it is written:
"See, I lay in Zion a stone that causes men to stumble
and a rock that makes them fall,
and the one who trusts in him will never be put to shame.

Paul eloquently puts it in the sense that the Gentiles, or more simple minded folk, have understood righteousness, and have therefore obtained it through faith. Whereas the Jews, or the more educated, never received righteousness because they pursued it through works which is a backwards way of thinking. According to God, but not according to our culture, which is why it is hard to comprehend sometimes.

I have seen this being preached so often that it is really hard for me to sit through a sermon anymore, and actually have confidence in the person preaching. I just want people to be thinking for themselves, and really try to understand the word for themselves, and although it may be hard to "think on your own" it is rewarding, and you may understand much more about what Christianity truly means.

I want to urge people to not focus as much on the works that surround faith, but the faith that should be the cause of good works, cause I know many preachers and churches are misconstrued on their idea of what this is.

I know this is long but hopefully it makes you rethink the way that you pursue God and seek righteousness. Works will never get you there, unless you are perfect, and as far as I am concerned, I never will be perfect. Only Jesus will ever be.

This is open for discussion, and I will gladly talk about, and dialogue with any one who wants.

Thanks for reading.

Austin Death.

Search for Knowledge...

2008-03-19T12:18:00.004-06:00

Hokay so as of late I have been thinking... No more like consumed with learning about what I as a Christian believe, and why exactly I believe it.

Lets just say a seed of extreme doubt was placed in me by someone, and began to grow through Conviction of God and the Holy Spirit, and I became very cynical and skeptical of what people say in church. To not accept anything without a logical deduction in their thought process and mine, as we deduce what we know from the Bible and what it says.

This came as a revelation to me, but we can see that everyone should be doing this continually as to sort out false doctrines. Matt 7:15 says: "Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves."

And Titus 1:9-11 concerning teachers of the word and how they should present it:"9He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it.

10For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. 11They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach—and that for the sake of dishonest gain.

This came as a complete revelation to me. Due to the fact that I had grown complacent, and was never truly convicted enough to read and study the word for myself. I know!... I was ashamed that I never truly got this until a few months ago. Its sad, that me, a Christian his whole life, never truly contemplated what people had thrown at me from countless sermons. It disgusts me now a days when I see and hear people sucking in complete junk that has nothing to do with anything in the Bible. Ex:

Your Best Life Now.

Purpose Driven Life.

Or any other book driven to show you financial success through Biblical principles.

GAHHHHHH!!!! I can't describe my hatred for such Fallible APOSTASIES!!!!!

Defn: Apostasy-a total desertion of or departure from one's religion, principles, party, cause, etc.

This is clearly a desertion of Biblical principles in the sense that where in the Bible does it say that we will all be monetarily(money-wise) prosperous? Please someone show me so I don't have to worry about this anymore!

We are abandoning scripture in order to teach something that everyone wants to hear... How to manage your money according to God. How to have the best now, or the ever amazing revelation never failing: Tithe your 10% and you will be blessed!

AAHHGHHHAGHAGGHGAYHG! I have never been this mad as to the point of cursing in so long!!

I only want people to see that not everyone claiming to be a pastor truly is. Take their sermon, and words spoken in their sermons and back it up with scripture.

PLEASE. PLEASE. PLEASE!!!! DO NOT BE IGNORANT!

I am begging you to not be, cause it breaks my heart when I see friends and family eating this stuff up, and not checking to make sure it lines with scripture.

I have a way to help.

READ TITUS!

It is the most simple explanation of what we can be to be a good Christian.

Hopefully you all will see my passion as well as how much my heart breaks for this generation that is subject to this.

More to come.
xAustinDeathx

Paul gilbert... Paul Gilbert.

2008-03-02T16:45:00.000-07:00

My hatred for his perfect guitar skills is surpassed by my love for him as a magical guitarist.

He has been vaulted in to my "Top 3".

Enjoy.