Jesus is…
The Alpha and Omega -- The Amen -- The Atoning Sacrifice for our Sin -- The Author of Life -- The Author and Perfecter of our Faith -- The Author of Salvation -- The Beginning and End -- The Bread of Life -- The Bridegroom -- The Chief Cornerstone -- The Good Shepherd -- Our Deliverer -- The One who is Faithful and True -- The Faithful Witness -- The Firstborn From the Dead -- The Firstborn over all creation -- The Gate -- Our Great High Priest -- The Head of the Church -- Heir of all things -- Our Hope of Glory -- The Image of God -- Emmanuel (which means, "God with us") -- The Judge of the living and the dead -- The King Eternal -- King of kings and Lord of lords -- King of the Ages -- The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world -- The Way the Truth and the Life!

Jesus is all of those things and much more! The Bible is packed with titles for Jesus. And every single one of them reveals something about His character, His nature and/or His great love for us! John opens his Gospel with this wonderful, mystical passage—calling Jesus "The Word" who was with God and who was, is and indeed forevermore will be -- God. He also declares that Jesus is "the light (the life source) of men" – an amazing statement – we’ll get into that later.

You’re gonna be fire up as we learn together what John is communicating to us in this passage. It’s awesome! It’s life-changing. It will make you thankful that you’re a Christ-follower, if you are one, and it will cause you want to become one, if you’re not already!

John 1:1-5 (NIV) "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it."

John wants us to understand three awesome truths about Jesus.
Truth One: Jesus is the LOGOS of God

Logos is the Greek word that is translated "Word" here in John’s opening passage. We read this passage and it sounds intriguing and kind of mystical. We think, "Hmmm, ‘WORD’, that’s cool. What’s John getting at here?" If we think about it a little bit we can see how Jesus is the one through whom God communicated with us – so we can see on that level why John called Jesus "The Word." But friends, it goes so much deeper than that.
Logos can also be translated "Wisdom of God". This is what Paul was getting at when he wrote to the Corinthians, "to those who are the called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God." (1 Cor. 1:24). By "Wisdom" Paul meant the omniscient, righteous, holy, plan and will of God regarding all that is eternally right, just, merciful and gracious. Jesus is embodies that and he reveals it to us—most clearly in the cross.

Dr. Richard N. Longenecker, Professor of New Testament at Wheaten College, says, "Just as our own words and thoughts come from us and cannot be separated from us, so it is that Jesus cannot be completely separate from the Father. We speak of Christ as the "Word" of God, God's "speech" in living form. In Hebrew and Ancient Near Eastern thought, words were not merely sounds, or letters on a page; words were things that "had an independent existence and which actually did things. Judaism understood God's Word to have almost autonomous powers and substance once spoken; to be, in fact, 'a concrete reality, a veritable cause.'" (The Christology of Early Jewish Christianity , 145.)

When John called Jesus the Word, he was saying that Jesus, as the second person of the Trinity, is the embodiment and expression of God’s Wisdom, Power, Grace, Mercy, Holiness, and Creativity walking around
with human skin on!

This is why the Bible is packed with all of these various titles for Jesus. He is so many things! He is our Savior, our Lord, our Sabbath Rest, our Advocate before the Father, our High Priest, The Alpha and the Omega, Our Wonderful Counselor, Our hope of glory, the Lamb of God, The image of the invisible God… and on and on! Jesus is all of these things and more!

When you are weary---Jesus is your rest.
When you are frightened—Jesus is your peace.
When you are in need—Jesus is the Good Shepherd who cares for you.
When you are lost—Jesus is the Way.
When you are confused—Jesus is The Truth and The Wisdom of God.

Are you encouraged yet?

Truth Two: Jesus is agent of Creation.
You know what an "agent" is right? An agent is a person or a thing through which something is accomplished. You know, like when Wheaties wants to secure a contract with a sports star to feature them on their cereal box – how do they do it? They work through that star’s "agent" and he or she takes care of the deal. Or, here’s another, totally different example. When you want to clean your bathtub, you use an agent called "Soft-Scrub" or "Comet" or whatever you use. That cleaner is an "agent". You work with/through it to get the job done. Got it?
So, when John writes, "Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made" (John 1:3, NIV) – do you see how Jesus was the agent that God created all thing through?
Any time God expresses Himself—He does so through the Second Person of the Trinity (Jesus – the Logos of God). So back in Genesis 1:1, when God began the work of creation, He did it through the Logos (Jesus), the spoken word. God said… and it was.

As a side note -- If you really want something to chew on—consider this. Every time God communicates with us—be it through prophets, priests, kings, experiences or whatever – Jesus was/is at the center of it. That means that every prophecy Jesus fulfilled during his earthly ministry, He communicated as the Logos through the OT Prophets… amazing isn’t it? I know someone may be thinking, "No—those prophecies we’re inspired by the Holy Spirit." Yes they were, but remember, The Holy Spirit is "The Spirit of Christ."

1 Peter 1:10-12 (NIV) Concerning this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you, searched intently and with the greatest care, 11trying to find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would follow."
Jesus is the Logos of God…

He’s the agent of creation…

Truth Three: Jesus is both the source of life, and life itself.
John 1:4 (NIV) "In him was life, and that life was the light of men."

The word translated "life" here is the Greek word, " zoe." Vine's Expository Dictionary of New Testament Words, offers a lengthy definition of zoe—that can be summed up like this, "zoe" is life—on every level. It’s the biological force that animates the flesh of men and animals. It’s the force that allows plants to grow and have life. And in it’s truest sense, it’s the eternal spiritual life that God has possessed for all eternity.

So here’s the deal, God, through Jesus -- the Logos of God and the Agent of Creation—created us with spiritual and physical life (zoe). But we died spiritually when we sinned (Genesis 2:17). Our heart didn’t quit beating, but our spirit—that part of us that communes with God died. That’s why the Author of life had to put on flesh and come reveal the fullness of God’s love to us and lay down His physical ZOE for us—so that we could receive Him (the One who is life) as Savior be forgiven and be born again with new spiritual zoe—so that we could again connect and commune with God!

And then in verse 5 John writes, "The light (the Logos, agent, zoe force of God) shines in the darkness, but the darkness has not understood it." I appreciate the Amplified Version of this verse. It reads, "And the Light shines on in the darkness, for the darkness has never overpowered it [put it out or absorbed it or appropriated it, and is unreceptive to it]."

Jesus—the source of Life—came to His own creation to offer it new spiritual life, but the darkness, (the broken part of this world, the sin, and all of that which is "dead" in man and cannot connect or commune with God) --
couldn’t overpower Jesus or absorb Him (i.e. they couldn’t relegate him to being just another prophet or great teacher who came and went.

2) couldn’t receive Him (because of the deadness and hardness of their hearts)
John 1:11 (NIV) He came to that which was his own, but his own did not receive him.
Sad words. The One who made us, loves us and gave us life – put on flesh and came to us in order to bless us and restore us – and was rejected by his own creation.

But then, praise God, John continues, "Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God" (John 1:12, NIV)

THE BUMBLEBEE: "Did you know that a bumblebee, if dropped into an open tumbler, will be there until it dies, unless it is taken out. It never sees the means of escape at the top, but persists in trying to find some way out through the sides near the bottom. It will seek a way where none exists, until it completely destroys itself."
Jesus-the Logos of God, the Author of Life, put on skin and dwelt among us-to show us the way back to real, spiritual life. And then he willing laid his physical life down for us on the cross, to pay the price for us so that we could receive new eternal, spiritual life through faith in Him. I.e. JESUS IS THE WAY OUT! All we have to do is LOOK UP to Him! Don't keep banging your head trying to find your own way out of this mess like the bumblebee -- look up and see the way out through Jesus!

As my Grandma Rachel used to say, "If that doesn't fire you up, your wood's wet!"
Now, aren't you glad you're a Christ follower? And if you're not, aren't you inspired to trust Him and receive as your Savior? If you'd like to know more about how to do that -- check out this link:

http://www.guitarjams.net/howdoibecomeachristian.html

Or feel free to contact me anytime @ pastorbrad@aol.com

Max Life Blessings,
pb

I feel Like Mel Gibson -- Discovering Who God Made You To Be

I feel like Mel Gibson's character at the end of the movie "Signs." You know the part where he's holding his little boy, just after giving him that shot of medicine to help him overcome that asthma attack. Remember? He starts putting it all together: his wife's final words, "Swing away!" -- all those glasses of water left around the house by his daughter -- the fact that his brother, the homerun slugger, just happened to be living in their home at the time -- and now the fact that his son had just experienced an asthma attack RIGHT WHEN THE ALEN WAS HOLDING HIM-EXUDING THAT POISONOUS GAS! It just hits him like a ton of bricks and he realizes, "It's not coincidence! It's Jesus!" It's an Aha, Romans 8:28 moment! God is working in ALL things for the good of those who love him and who are called according to HIS purpose!

Yup-I feel sort of like that right now…

I'm sitting here typing this and I'm just flooded with a sense of God's providence.
You see, like Mel's character in Signs, I've been struggling with my call in life lately. Let me explain. You see, I’m a Pastor. I serve a great church here in central PA. I love what I do. I’m also a metal style guitarist. I love to rock! I'm ALSO a very passionate guy. EVERYTHING I do-I do 100%, full-throttle! So when I discovered PC Recording software and found out that I could actually create my own Christian metal albums and share them with the world, I dove in headfirst! I just went nuts—releasing albums and doing the website, etc. I wanted to go all the way! The whole "stars in the eyes" thing was creeping in there BIG TIME! Don't get me wrong-I was 100% committed honoring Christ in ALL of it, but I was struggling with the question, "Am I a Pastor, or a Musician?" Then I experienced the Mel Gibson, Signs, Aha moment…

It hit me -- all of these thoughts at once –

I grew up in a home that taught me about Jesus…

I discovered rock-n-roll in third grade when my friend Darrin turned me on to KISS ALIVE and my life was NEVER the same-I wanted to be Ace Frehley!

Then I was introduced to Angus Young (AC/DC) when my dad to Jay Harvey and I to Market Square Arena in Indianapolis to see them on the Back in Black touch. I was mesmerized by Angus and immediately started bobbing around the house doing air-guitar Angus imitations!

Then it was Ozzy, Judas Priest, Iron Maiden, Scorpions… and on and on…all those great metal bands of the 1980s.

And then it was, "Hey man, drink this…smoke this… swallow this…" You know the story… And during that same time period I fell totally and completely, head over heels, in love with the guitar and practiced my fingers to the bone! I had plans on hitting the BIG TIME and joining all my Metal Heroes on MTV...

But --for some reason that just never worked out. Hmmm… interesting…

I hit rock bottom in 1987 - and long story-short - Jesus scraped me up off the bottom of that barrel and gave me a brand new life! Six months after I recommitted my life to Jesus… I was diagnosed with a brain tumor in 1988… had it removed… lost 75% of my vision (was pronounced legally blind---which still sort of freaks me out to say -- was granted all the money I needed (via grants and aid, and just a few loans) to attend six years of college and was ordained as a pastor in 1995… eight years later, in 2003, discovered PC Recording software and was inspired to begin writing Christian metal and the rest, as they say is history!.

Were all those unique experiences just coincidences? I don't think so. God was working through it ALL to SHAPE me for THIS VERY MOMENT-- this "Aha, Mel Gibsonish moment", where I finally "got it"… It's not an either or thing-it's a both and thing! I don't have to choose between being a musician OR being a pastor---I'm both… it's how I'm SHAPED and what I'm CALLED do and be.
APPLY THIS TO YOUR LIFE...

S.H.A.P.E. is an acronym used by Pastor Rick Warren in his book, The Purpose Driven Life," to help people discover who God has created them to be. It's great and it works! Here's how it breaks down:

S = Spiritual Gifts --
Those ministry abilities that God stirs up in us via His Spirit once we've received Christ as Savior. Read: 1 Cor. 12-14 and Eph. 4 to get a sense of what the Bible says about Spiritual Gifts. A quick word of encouragement here – As you read 1 Cor. 12 and 14, don’t get all bogged down in "tongues". That’s a whole other study, but for our purpose here, just focus on what Paul teaches about the nature of gifts—how everyone receives one and how their purpose is mutual edification, service and blessing.
Look up "Spiritual Gifts Test" on Google or talk to your Pastor about it – and take work through a test.
Talk to Brothers and Sisters in Christ and ask them, "Do you see any strengths in me that God might use in ministry, or to bless others? Lots of times others will see things in us that we fail to see in ourselves.

H = Heart (I.e. passions) --
What are you passionate about? What do you love to do? What could you do for hours and not even notice the time passing? That’s probably something your passionate about – take inventory of that.

A = Abilities --
Those natural abilities you have---what are you good at? What have you be successful at in the past? What have people told you that you do well? Again, take inventory of that.

P = Personality --
Do you tend to be more of an introvert or an extravert? Are you more spontaneous or do you like things to be planned out? Are you a thinker or a feeler? Etc. Let me respond to what you may be thinking here... "Yes it is true that very few people are 100% anything." I.e. most people will say something like, "Well, I'm an introvert sometimes, but other times I'm a BIG TIME extravert..." Or, "I'm a thinker... but I have a big heart too." I get that--It's not about being squeezed into a mold---just take some time and think about your personality... look up "personality test" on Google and take a few. As you work at this and contemplate the discoveries you make about yourself, you'll begin to get a better grip on "who God created you to do/be". God wove all of the various little characteristics that are you -- into a wonderfully unique blend to create your unique personality.

Ephesians 2:10 (NLT) "For we are God’s masterpiece. He has created us anew in Christ Jesus, so we can do the good things he planned for us long ago."

E = Experiences --
What have you been through, seen, felt, etc. What painful experiences have you come through and how did God mold you or teach you in that season of life? Often times our most powerful callings come out of painful times in life.

God uses ALL OF THE ABOVE -- your spiritual gifts, your heart passions, abilities, personality and experiences to SHAPE you -- and he will use all of it in mighty ways for his glory if you will simply say, "God, it's all yours... all of me, the good, the bad and the ugly -- all of it! Take me and use me for your glory!

If you've never done it--I would encourage you to take a season of time and study yourself... seriously... take that spiritual gift inventory, talk to fellow Christ-followers about these things, pray about it -- think and reflect on your life.

As you seek and reflect on your S.H.A.P.E.--you will God will bring "Aha" moments into your life… you begin to discover who God made you to be. You, like me, will have that moment when you feel a little bit like Mel Gibson did in Signs. And that’s a very good thing.

Metal Music can change your life!

Seriously... I'm sitting here--after working on my MAX LIFE Ezine (to go out over Labor Day weekend) and I'm just sort of amazed at how God works. He uses EVERYTHING! I mean, I just posted a video on the home page at Guitar Jams--basically telling my story--how I grew up in a Christian home... totally rebelled and dove head-first into the rock-n-roll world -- thinking I was going to be the next Ace Frehley or Angus Young---wound up with a life spiralling out of control because of a series of stupid, selfish sex drug and rock-n-roll type choices... I hit rock bottom and turned to Jesus---And He totally changed my life! Revived me, set my feet on solid ground--gave me purpose, direction and a sense of calling... And now I feel like I'm right on the edge of a brand new--very cool chapter of life and ministry through Guitar Jams. Romans 8:28 is true! God works in EVERYTHING in our lives--for our good and HIS glory! I don't know what you're facing---and I would never be trite and through cliche's at you---but God---I can assure you---is a God who specializes in taking horrible, hopeless situations and circumstances and turning them into glorious things! Just look at the cross---think about that.

Anyway---back to the point---I'm getting ready to put the finishing touches on an ebook I'm compiling/editing--called The Metal Devotional---It's a collection of 70 stories rock/metal fans and artists have sent me about HOW GOD USED ROCK/METAL MUSIC--Christian and secular---to touch their hearts and draw them closer to HIM. I guess the title could have been GOD can use ANYTHING to change your life---heck he used a fish with Jonah! It's all about us taking time to LISTEN---many that's the deal---God uses whatever will get our attention--so He can grab out hearts and turn then back to Himself... What an awesome God we serve!

Metal Blessings,
pb
http://www.guitarjams.net/

Using Heavy Metal to take ground on the www!

Mayby "taking ground" is a little bit too harsh... but seriously. That's the way the Bible seems to potray this thing called evangelism... atleast sometimes it does... I mean--we are called soldiers in God's army--and He is our King and we servy His Kingdom... and are called to wage war (1 cor. 10)... not as the world does...but still... we tear down stronghold and demolish every thing that sets itself up against the things of God---what would you call it? :- )

So anyway--for me and my friends in the Metal Militia (www.guitarjams.net) -- we're ready to "take some ground" ... with Heavy Metal of course... How? Simple... get prayed up and boldly go where no whimpy Christian has gone before---into the secular metal forums, chat rooms, sites etc... why? To connect, make friends and drop little thoughts about God and grace... and links to Christian metal sites everywhere possible---not in an IN YOUR FACE/SPAMMY way... not at all... but just in a friendly, consistent, grace-filled way :- ) The Holy Spirit will take care of the rest.

Perty cool...
Hey may, if you're reading this nad you wan to chat with me about it.. go to www.guitarjams.net and click on the CONTACT link... love to chat!

Metal--Ground taking--Blessings!
pb
www.guitarjams.net

Secular Metal or Rock Music--Is it wrong to listen to it?

et this question so often at http://www.guitarjams.net/ that when I got it this time I thought, "Man, I'm just going to create a blog about this... Here it is...

Annonymous Brother writes, "my name is Joe Metal Fan I've been raised a christian, i know jesus is lord, i have also been an evangelist to young people. i love your music it is anoited! yet i need to ask for your thoughts on this. i listin to kiss at times and i know you used to like them, is it ok or is it a sin to do so. brother im very concerned for the state of my walk with GOD.please get back with me. GOD BLESS.

My response...Hey Bro... if you've read my testimony you know I was REALLY into KISS--and all those bands of the late 70s and 1980s. I worshipped those guys--When I surrendered my heart to Jesus in 1987. I felt the need to get rid of all of my secular music and go on an ALL CHRISTIAN MUSIC ONLY DIET. I really needed that for a season... I had made gods of those bands and I had to "cleanse myself of that"... I don't know if that is the case for you... but if you need to do that-- DO IT ... it will help your walk bro... I needed to do just to "cleanse" and get my priorities straight. I think i listened to only Christian Music for about 3-4 years... but as I grew in my faith my love for music found it's proper balance... what I'm saying is this---before I surrendered to Jesus--MUSIC was my life--but after I walked with Jesus for a while I came to the place that -- while I really enjoyed and even loved music---it wasn't "my life" it was just a nice part of it... Jesus was Lord and King. He helped me to develop a healthy attitude toward music. Today---I play music for HIS GLORY--period... I can't imagine recording/releasing a song that didn't honor Jesus. I have some secular cds/mp3s in my collection--some Styx, REO, Journey... even some early Ozzy with Randy Rhoads... Iron Maiden (I think it's so cool that Nicko McBrain is a Christian!) ... I've downloaded select songs from KISS and some other secular bands... but HERE'S MY DEAL--AND THIS IS WHAT I WOULD ADVISE YOU TO DO AS WELL...

#1 Get full of THE WORD --
Develop a healthy appitite for God's Word... really dig into it and grow in your knowledge of God's will and His heart... THIS will help you to have wisdom and discernment as you make--not only this decision--but every decison in life.

#2 I do my best to be sensitive to the Holy Spirit...
If a song convicts me --- I don't listen to it... period... I totally understand that artists like KISS are NOT believers--and so the songs they sing are going to reflect a fleshly perspective... but not ALL KISS songs are evil... some -- I think -- are (at least they baother my spirit) but not all of them... I try to enjoy the ones that don't bother my spirit. I would encourage you --- if you own cds--- sell 'em and then just download the tunes that you and Holy Sprit are cool with.

Okay--there ya go... that's what I do... hope that helps.

Metal Blessings,
pb
pastorbrad@aol.com
http://www.guitarjams.net/

Hey... I'm fired up about this blogging thing

Alright! I'm finally... sort of... coming into this twenty-first century!

I'll be posting lots of thoughts, articles, etc. about Christianity... how our relationship with Jesus makes our life so much better... and of course---I'll also be sharing lots of things about my other passion--CHRISTIAN METAL MUSIC and GUITAR! I LOVE to jam for Jesus! That's what my site-- guitarjams dot net is all about!

Okay--look forward to hearing from you ANYTIME.
Metal Blessings,
Pastor Brad
pastorbrad@aol.com
http://www.guitarjams.net/