Rock 'n' Roll

Where did the term "Rock 'n' Roll" come from? While many of us, if not all of us, have heard and used this phrase numerous times, do we really know what it means? I kind of doubt it. According to many sources the term was first coined by a disc jockey and concert producer named Alan Freed in 1951. He came up with the term after listening to a group called "The Dominoes" who used it in their hit song, "Sixty Minute Man". The suggestive lyrics of the song made an impression on Freed who began to refer to the music as "Rock 'n' Roll" on the air. So good to know that music that is so far from Christ has a name that gets it origins from one of the very things that the music is known for, "SEX, drugs, and Rock 'n' Roll." Now, if you didn't know this, don't beat yourself up over it. A lot of people don't know this. Its not something that is really talked about alot. Either because its just not important to people or because people don't want to know the truth. Sometimes the truth makes you aware of things that you would just as soon not know. We don't want to be convicted of anything in our lives. "What I don't know wont hurt me", we might say. The thing that really irritates me about this whole "Rock 'n' Roll" thing is that, not only is the music filled with lyrics and suggestions and undertones of evil, but now Christians have gotten into the mix. Instead of running in the opposite direction of evil (1 Thessalonians 5:22 "Abstain from all appearance of evil), the Christian community has embraced it. We now have "Christian Rock 'n' Roll". I know, this is where I alienate some of you and you stop reading. I'm sorry, but this needs to be said. Why in the world would we want to call ourselves, or take up the name of something so diametrically opposed to Christ? If the very term itself originated from sexual lyrics in a secular song, why would we take up the same mantra and use it in our songs? When Christ was on earth, can you in your wildest imagination think of Himself referring to His ministry as "Christian Witchcraft"? Do you think He would have attached something ungodly or unholy to that which was Holy? Would He have tried to win the masses by snuggling up to what had the people so bound in the first place? I think you know the answer to that. I wont even continue with that thought. Its too obvious. If in fact we believe that Christ would not do that, why then are we so quick to do it ourselves? Hey, I'm not going to tell you what you can and cannot listen to. The Holy Spirit and Christ has done, and continues to do, that work in my life. You should have the same privilege. You and Christ need to hammer this out in your spiritual walk. Some of the music I listen to probably has this label attached to it. I will not use the term. I prefer to call it contemporary or progressive. Even this term has its pitfalls so I must be careful. We must all be very careful. James 3:11 says, "Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?" Can something be Holy and unholy at the same time. ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! In case you didn't hear that, let me repeat it...ABSOLUTELY NOT!!! There is no way that the Lord Jesus Christ can be found in something so unholy as Rock music. Why would we call ourselves Christian Rock musicians? There is no way Christ can be found in something so unholy as Country music. With all of the alcohol, infidelity and rebelliousness that is found in Country music lyrics, how in the world can Christ be in that? Why then would we listen to it? What about the television? What about our places of entertainment? It all goes hand in hand. We need to be very careful in all that we put in our minds. Philppians 4:8 says, "Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things." That doesn't sound like Rock music or Country music to me. It doesn't sound like most of the "Christian Rock" that I have ever heard. I'm not going to judge them or you. That is not my right nor my privilege nor do I want it to be. I am simply trying to get us to think about things. We are in a day and age when evil is called good and good is called evil. We must be diligent to know the difference (Romans 12). Nope, I'm not your judge. You're not mine. We must though, help each other out. If we know something we must share the truth and try to make sure everyone has knowledge of what the devil is trying to do to us. He would love for us to fill our minds with everything unholy. It makes his job much, much easier. If we are not armed with the knowledge of the Word of God then Satan has very little work to do to get us where he wants us. Certainly you can understand that, cant you? Sure you can. Pray for me. I will pray for you. I will pray that Gods Spirit will convict us and show us every truth that we need to walk in. It is the only way we will make it to Heaven. And remember, not everyone who says they are Christians are really Christians (Matthew 7:21). I love you. I'm working on it too. The Lord has already started convicting me so don't think I'm throwing off on you. I think that we are in a world that needs to see THE TRUE CHRIST, not an artificial form. Lets ask God to make us what He NEEDS us to be to a lost and dying world. In love...

LW