The CCM Experiment: April 4

Feeling: Relaxed, happy, excited, exhausted.

Doing: Blogging, household chores, then took an afternoon adventure with a friend in which we took a wrong turn and made the trip an hour longer, explored an abandoned barn, hiked a good number of miles around a lake, and ate frozen yogurt.

Listened to: The Almost (pop punk)

Lyric that stood out the most to me:

"Truth works just like it needs to...

I can't take this down
I don't need it
No, I don't want it
God, I don't want it
I want to feel proud
I won't let them see
Won't let them see me
Won't let them see me now
It should be easier"

- Want To, by The Almost.

This song is reminiscent of discovering the truth of your sins in the scriptures. It isn't fun and it isn't pretty, and we want to fight it. It feels good to be proud of who we are, to assume we are good people. When we stumble upon Bible passages that show us we are otherwise, it will cause us to feel ashamed of the things we've done before God, and it can hurt. It is supposed to hurt ("truth works just like it needs to"). 

We want to feel proud, and therefore we can't let our sins and our struggles be known by our fellow believers. They all seem so good, living such upright lives. But the fact is, no matter how good any of us try to appear, deep down we all have our struggles with particular sins. If someone comes to us and says what sin is plaguing them, is it right of us to look down on them for it and assume a moral high ground? No. Because while their sins may be different from ours, God views all sin as sin. The one who hates his brother and the one who murders him are equal in God's eyes.

Let's find ways to support, pray for, and encourage each other to pursue godliness, rather than making our fellow believers feel like they have to hide their struggles from us.

What is the CCM Experiment?

The CCM Experiment: April 3

Feeling: A bit stressed and mildly annoyed in the morning/afternoon, worn out and unmotivated in the evening.

Doing: Housekeeping work at the nursing home (really really crazy busy day, complete with one resident who would shout either "hey!" or "help!" every two minutes... no exaggeration) and shelving library books.

Listened to: Capital Kings (pop/electronica) and The Aux Cable podcast.

Lyric that stood out the most to me:

To be honest, I was too busy and focused on work to hear much of the song lyrics during the short period that I played music for. I mainly just wanted something to hear other than that one resident who kept shouting. I did, however, pay attention to The Aux Cable podcast while I worked in the library, so I'll share the most outstanding tidbit of that instead:

"For it to be a good one, the relationship needs to be selfless.The reason you're in that relationship needs to be that you want to serve the other person; support them, encourage them, be there for them...If one of the people is in it for the wrong reason, it usually won't last." - Ryan Matlock, The Aux Cable, episode 25. 

What is the CCM Experiment?

The CCM Experiment: April 2

Feeling: Laid back, a little tired.

Doing: Housekeeping work at the nursing home, taking care of the neighbor cats, evening church.

Listened to: The Piano Guys, Mandisa (pop), Britt Nicole (pop)

Lyric that stood out the most to me:

“I closed the door, yeah I did it 'cause I didn't wanna hurt no more. They say that the armor makes you strong; I might be safe but I'm all alone” - Heart of Stone, by Britt Nicole

Sometimes when we get hurt or lose someone important to us, it can be tempting to try to disconnect and not get close to anyone, even God. This lyric shows what that can look like when taken to the extreme.

...Soon as I typed the above statement, I just sat here staring at it, suddenly realizing doing that is actually a form of idolatry. We are putting ourselves, our attitudes, and our personal comfort above God and His commands when we do this. If we go so far as to bar ourselves from Him and those around us, not only are we unable to fulfill the command to “love your neighbor as yourself”, but it also disables us from being able to “love the Lord your God with all your heart”.

What is the CCM Experiment?

The CCM Experiment: April 1

Feeling: Energized and creative towards start of the day, very laid back towards the end.

Doing: Housekeeping work at the nursing home, then house-sitting for the neighbors and taking care of their cats.

Listened to: A wide array of Christian music artists/genres, covering contemporary worship, rock, hip hop, pop-punk, and EDM. Also, instrumental trance/EDM (particularly Mitis).

Lyric that stood out the most to me:

“digging for the sacred in a man-made hole” - Live In Stereo, by the Newsboys.

I've heard Live in Stereo for years and it has always been a favorite due to it's upbeat tune and adventuresome themes. This line hit me in a new way today, however, as I realized it is a great metaphor for trying to find righteousness within yourself and the things you do, rather than truly seeking and relying upon God. It's something I've struggled with off and on, particularly as of late.

Where are you digging for sacred things?

CCM Artist Heard For The First Time Today:


Day of Fire (Rock)

What is the CCM Experiment?

ANNOUNCEMENT: Daily Posts in April!

Hi there!

Just a quick note to let you know that things are going to look a little different on Captured Yet Fleeting this month. In addition to the usual Friday devotional post, there will be also be a brief daily post. 

Why?

Because I am conducting an experiment on myself. 

I always hear the little promotions for the Christian radio station where people call in and say how it has impacted them in their lives. I want to see what sort of influence changing my music selection for a month can have on me. So, my goal for the month of April is to listen primarily to contemporary Christian-based and instrumental songs. Each day, I am going to chronicle what I am doing, what I am listening to, how I am feeling, and something about the music that stood out to me each day. I hope that my findings in this experiment will be beneficial to us both in some way. Want to join the experiment? Let me know. I'd love to follow your story!

10 Questions to Ask As You Study The Bible

This post is going to be a little different from the usual here. I realize I speak often about the importance of being in God's Word, but what if one is at loss for effective ways to study it? Recently I read through this quick, 26 page long book, "How Should Teens Read The Bible?" by Joel R. Beeke, and I am going to share an excerpt that I think is helpful no matter what age you are.

Things to ask yourself as you read the scriptures:  

1. What does this chapter teach me about God?
Look for teaching about His attributes, attitudes, and actions.

2. Specifically, what does this chapter reveal about Christ? 
Look for Christ in all the scriptures, including the Old Testament. He is the key to, and the message of the entire Bible.

3. What doctrines are taught in this chapter?
Make a list of them with relevant quotations from the chapter and any cross references you may know.

4. Who are the leading characters?

5. What are the main events?

6. What sins and follies are stated or implied?
Examine your heart in the light of this list. Which things in the list, or suggested by it, do you need to confess and forsake?

7. What are the virtues evidenced in this chapter that I should seek after and cultivate?

8. What new things have I seen and what old truth has the Lord brought with fresh blessing to my heart?

9. What are the key words and phrases that call for further study?

10. Which one thing may I remember this chapter by?

Branded for Christ

"I therefore, a prisoner for the Lord, urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling to which you have been called..."  "Be imitators of God, as beloved children." - Ephesians 4:1 and 5:1

Like the soda bottles above are branded with the name of their maker, so we who are in Christ are "branded" as children of God. Each type of soda also has it's own particular traits, causing it to stand out from the others. Even amongst a shelf full of knock-off flavors, everybody still notices the brand-name sodas, bold as ever. Could the same be said of us?

In a place filled with pleasant, decent, yet unbelieving people, do we still stand out as those who are adopted by God? Do we think about our heavenly Father enough to converse about him with our fellow believers and those who may happen to ask about our faith? Are we actively looking for the great things that He is doing in our lives and the lives of those around us? Do we know God well enough to be imitators of Him, or are we merely satisfied to follow our society's rules for being the same type of "good person" that everyone else is?

 We're bound to embrace our "brand". Consider which one you hold the hardest to.