Alternative rock is one of my favorite genres of music. Actually, it may be my favorite of all. I can usually find such passion and emotion in these types of songs. What makes it better is when that passion and emotion is accompanied by a substantive message. In my opinion, Flyleaf is one such band that utilizes that combination in their music. When I first listened to their latest album "Memento Mori" I was often moved to tears. Once I read the fictional journal entries they created in explanation of each song, while listening to the music, I was moved to full waterworks. These entries display examples of such love, conviction and commitment. In addition, the light is shown on the desperate circumstances of many who attempt to live as if everything is okay when it really isn't. However, a picture is lyrically painted of the grace and mercy that is available to all.
The music contained in this article is a great motivator for me. Oftentimes, I can get bogged down by the heavy weight of apathy - simply reaching a place of complacency where, in reality, I am dissatisfied with my current circumstances but not enough to do anything about it. One song in particular serves as a reminder of the comfort that can be mine when I hold out my arms for it. Another song encourages me to take the focus off myself and consider where another person is coming from and what his/her reality may be. Because of this, I have taken the time to craft a piece that explains what I take from a number of the song and how I they have been useful in my own life.Many times the Mission is forgotten and replaced with the frivolous. Who cares what denomination you adhere to as long as lives are being reached and people are being shown The Way? What does it matter what So-And-So did to you however long ago? Are we not called to forgiveness? Memento Mori - Remember your Mortality! Life is too short to be caught up in meaningless offenses. Our society has become obsessed with not being offended. So much so that the Truth is watered down and rendered useless. When we comprehend the urgency of the message we realize that we are called to share the Truth in Love and to not be cowed by a fear of being misunderstood. While we are busy harboring hurt feelings others are experiencing pain so deep that many of them find it inescapable. Who is serving them as we wile away the time bickering? In order to show a unified front we must be united in Truth. The Commission is great and is the responsibility of the ENTIRE body. This song calls us to come together in order to achieve the Goal. "Unified diversity! Functioning as body..."The magnitude of the Mission can be overwhelming. But we are not called to solitary work. There is a Reference to multiple parts of the body for a reason and we are expected to assist each other in accomplishing our goals. So often it is said that it is intended that more than what we can handle would never be put upon us. But it would be useful for us to grasp the fact that humans are quite capable of taking on more than we can handle under the false pretense that we are helping or being of service. It is very difficult to be any use when we continuously, albeit unknowingly, set ourselves, and often the Mission, up for failure. Memento Mori - Time is Short! We need to recognize that failure is unavoidable when we are spread too thin. It is easy to give up when we believe that too great a burden has been placed upon us by Another. This song serves as a reminder that the "yoke is easy and the burden is light". Although the weight of compassion may feel heavy in our heart, the reality of the change needed should never feel heavy on our shoulders. Many times the seemingly unlovable appear that way for a reason. Not living in the light is deceptive. Looking in the mirror and only seeing the lie of the fascade is numbing. In the dark, there is no true perception of reality. The lie is comforting. Although our society is more than willing to go through the litigation process over the most minor of offenses, we seldom hear any cries of outrage over the truly offensive. Dishonor, perversion, agreed, selfishness all get overlooked as many seek to justify their own "personal truth".
This reality can be overwhelming and soon it become easy to harden ones heart. Yet no matter how frustrated we get we must never allow this to happen. Memento Mori - The Time is Now! Some many are being devoured by darkness but we have been given the responsibility to share the Light with them. This song reminds us that those who would seek to deceive us and have us believe that everything is fine are deceived themselves. But we are called to make the Truth known. How can we ever find the compassion to share this Message if we allow our hearts to be hard?For those of us who have been called to a live a life of prolonged singleness this song may strike two chords in ones heart. On one hand, this is an expression of the happiness a future bride feels on the night that her beloved proposes. On the other hand, this is an expression of the joy a person has when he/she decides to live for Love. In essence, he/she has been made a member of the True Bride.
Of course, when it comes to natural marriage, we must make certain that we wish to be married for the right reasons. Fear of loneliness is not the best motivation. In most situations, it is good to maintain hope for marriage. If it remains a desire in ones heart chances are it is a part of the Design. At the same time, simply believing that marriage is meant is seldom enough to combat loneliness. Being reminded that as Believers we've called into Relationship is the true cure for loneliness. There is encouragement to never settle or enter into unhealthy romances in order to avoid being alone. There is joy is recognizing that True Love has already come to live in our hearts well before we are introduced to our future lovers.
The music contained in this article is a great motivator for me. Oftentimes, I can get bogged down by the heavy weight of apathy - simply reaching a place of complacency where, in reality, I am dissatisfied with my current circumstances but not enough to do anything about it. One song in particular serves as a reminder of the comfort that can be mine when I hold out my arms for it. Another song encourages me to take the focus off myself and consider where another person is coming from and what his/her reality may be. Because of this, I have taken the time to craft a piece that explains what I take from a number of the song and how I they have been useful in my own life.Many times the Mission is forgotten and replaced with the frivolous. Who cares what denomination you adhere to as long as lives are being reached and people are being shown The Way? What does it matter what So-And-So did to you however long ago? Are we not called to forgiveness? Memento Mori - Remember your Mortality! Life is too short to be caught up in meaningless offenses. Our society has become obsessed with not being offended. So much so that the Truth is watered down and rendered useless. When we comprehend the urgency of the message we realize that we are called to share the Truth in Love and to not be cowed by a fear of being misunderstood. While we are busy harboring hurt feelings others are experiencing pain so deep that many of them find it inescapable. Who is serving them as we wile away the time bickering? In order to show a unified front we must be united in Truth. The Commission is great and is the responsibility of the ENTIRE body. This song calls us to come together in order to achieve the Goal. "Unified diversity! Functioning as body..."The magnitude of the Mission can be overwhelming. But we are not called to solitary work. There is a Reference to multiple parts of the body for a reason and we are expected to assist each other in accomplishing our goals. So often it is said that it is intended that more than what we can handle would never be put upon us. But it would be useful for us to grasp the fact that humans are quite capable of taking on more than we can handle under the false pretense that we are helping or being of service. It is very difficult to be any use when we continuously, albeit unknowingly, set ourselves, and often the Mission, up for failure. Memento Mori - Time is Short! We need to recognize that failure is unavoidable when we are spread too thin. It is easy to give up when we believe that too great a burden has been placed upon us by Another. This song serves as a reminder that the "yoke is easy and the burden is light". Although the weight of compassion may feel heavy in our heart, the reality of the change needed should never feel heavy on our shoulders. Many times the seemingly unlovable appear that way for a reason. Not living in the light is deceptive. Looking in the mirror and only seeing the lie of the fascade is numbing. In the dark, there is no true perception of reality. The lie is comforting. Although our society is more than willing to go through the litigation process over the most minor of offenses, we seldom hear any cries of outrage over the truly offensive. Dishonor, perversion, agreed, selfishness all get overlooked as many seek to justify their own "personal truth".
This reality can be overwhelming and soon it become easy to harden ones heart. Yet no matter how frustrated we get we must never allow this to happen. Memento Mori - The Time is Now! Some many are being devoured by darkness but we have been given the responsibility to share the Light with them. This song reminds us that those who would seek to deceive us and have us believe that everything is fine are deceived themselves. But we are called to make the Truth known. How can we ever find the compassion to share this Message if we allow our hearts to be hard?For those of us who have been called to a live a life of prolonged singleness this song may strike two chords in ones heart. On one hand, this is an expression of the happiness a future bride feels on the night that her beloved proposes. On the other hand, this is an expression of the joy a person has when he/she decides to live for Love. In essence, he/she has been made a member of the True Bride.
Of course, when it comes to natural marriage, we must make certain that we wish to be married for the right reasons. Fear of loneliness is not the best motivation. In most situations, it is good to maintain hope for marriage. If it remains a desire in ones heart chances are it is a part of the Design. At the same time, simply believing that marriage is meant is seldom enough to combat loneliness. Being reminded that as Believers we've called into Relationship is the true cure for loneliness. There is encouragement to never settle or enter into unhealthy romances in order to avoid being alone. There is joy is recognizing that True Love has already come to live in our hearts well before we are introduced to our future lovers.
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