OK, for you Christians out there, am I reading this song wrong?

[General of Darkness]

As people know I tend to be pretty agnostic, life experiences I suppose. But every Saturday driving back from north of Bakersfield after training Enzo I find myself listening to Christian rock, not because thats the only music you can get on the radio other than mestizo crap, it's because I like it.

"I" believe that some spirituality is a good thing, it's good for the soul, just like laughs with old friends and a good drink.

But I was kinda taken back by this song. I don't know if I like the premise that a person is going to seal their fate to God and assume that the results of their inaction is based on God's will. Hey, I'm just making conversation on a Sunday.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A8JsRxVczmQ

You must
You must think I'm strong
To give me what I'm going through

Well, forgive me
Forgive me if I'm wrong
But this looks like more than I can do
On my own

I know I'm not strong enough to be
everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up
I'm not stong enough
Hands of mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough
Strong enough
For the both of us

Well, maybe
Maybe that's the point
To reach the point of giving up

Cause when I'm finally
Finally at rock bottom
Well, that's when I start looking up
And reaching out

I know I'm not strong enough to be
Everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up
I'm not stong enough
Hands of mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough

[ From: http://www.metrolyrics.com/strong-enough-lyrics-matthew-west.html ]

Strong enough

Cause I'm broken
Down to nothing
But I'm still holding on to the one thing
You are God
and you are strong
When I am weak

I can do all things
Through Christ who gives me strength
And I don't have to be
Strong enough
Strong enough

I can do all things
Through Christ who gives me strength
And I don't have to be
Strong enough
Strong enough

Oh, yeah

I know I'm not strong enough to be
Everything that I'm supposed to be
I give up
I'm not stong enough
Hands of mercy won't you cover me
Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough
Strong enough
Strong enough

[wrs]

Yep, christianity is simply a way of denying responsibility for your own errors and not taking credit for your own success. It's a sure way to waste your life blaming someone else for your mistakes i.e. SATAN and giving GOD credit for the things that go well. The fact is that if you rely on the power within, you can move mountains but most just don't realize that the power is within them and therefore they look outside for answers.

[vacuum]

Yep, christianity is simply a way of denying responsibility for your own errors and not taking credit for your own success. It's a sure way to waste your life blaming someone else for your mistakes i.e. SATAN and giving GOD credit for the things that go well. The fact is that if you rely on the power within, you can move mountains but most just don't realize that the power is within them and therefore they look outside for answers.

Agreed, but I would say that this is the description of modern christianity, which isn't true christianity.

[7th trump]

I always figured the atheists are the ones that scream the loudest for God in the end.
http://randomgifs.com/images/kramer.gif
Athiest always scream for God...........point a gun just above their head and pinch the trigger and see what they say.

An old combat marine always said all the athiest he's had in his fox hole in the Korean war prayed like a mad man when it came down to firing back to survive.

[7th trump]

Hahahahahaha.....
Can I use that one hugginator?

[joboo]

I don't see the reasoning or logic behind atheism as there most definitely is a higher power simply in the physical sense. I trend towards agnostic, as I have not seen anything close to a realistic explanation of anything coming from religious script by a long shot thus far.

In that sense I take no satisfaction in tearing down the foundation of others beliefs unless they encroach on my own personal beliefs. Even then it is not a satisfaction by any sense of the word.

A good question for atheists is "what makes water water". We all know it's two hydrogen atoms bonded with one oxygen atom, but really, what makes water what it is?

Much of everything on a relativity time line is inconceivable to the massive limitations of the 5 human senses. Point being...beyond our perceived limitations in this level are proven infinite physical realities that we could never hope to comprehend without quantum leaps in science and technology. We know this as fact. There is no disputing it.

In that sense atheism becomes increasingly ill founded as a basis for subsequent conclusion.

In the end it's all about being a better person in many facets of life. If "religion" provides that to you, then yes it is as real as it needs to be in this level of existence. Whether it's "real" or not becomes moot.

Many issues to explore with the human psyche in this manner.

[midnight rambler]

The song in the op is mind poison imo. Nothing but negative affirmations and long on avoiding taking responsibility. Right, just let the demons run amuck. Actually that song is pretty pathetic. More fake Christianity to lead one astray and into bondage.

[midnight rambler]

Not to hijack your thread - this isn't Christian rock, but some great Christian country music -


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k9IfHDi-2EA

[JDRock]

churches (a few exeptions) represent the God of the bible as badly as the present congress represents the intentions of the founding fathers.

[Awoke]

There is an old saying when people are going through heavy tests and their hearts are filled with sorrow, loss or anything that puts a serious burden on your heart that feels like it is too much to bear:
"Let go. Let God"

I think that is what the artist is trying to convey: He/she likely wrote the song in a time of dispare, and needed to lean on God for strength to get through it.

Non-believers see it as weakness. Believers see it as an untapped reserve for strength under the harshest of tests.

[Spectrism]

The song echoes two biblical principles:
1. God only allows His children to face what they can handle;
2. God is the owner of all we have and all we are.

Since He is our provider, protector, teacher, guide, master- we are relying on His strength and His power and His wisdom for things we encounter. If we face great trials, it means He has counted us worthy and capable of those hard things.

Those who deny God, miss out on many good things. They think the christian is limited and locked into foolishness. In my foolishness I have peace that surpasses understanding. I have gladness in my heart although the world around me may be in turmoil. I have a true lover of my soul who is the wealthiest person in the universe. I am glad to be that fool.

[midnight rambler]

I don't care how you guys frame it, the message in the song in the OP is: "I'm a loser and I'll always be a loser, and because I'm a loser I needn't be concerned about taking responsibility for myself and my actions - so I won't."

God has no hands but our hands.

[basplaer]

Isn't there any good churchified, southern-fried gospel-revival-funk in the inland empire?

[Awoke]

I don't care how you guys frame it, the message in the song in the OP is: "I'm a loser and I'll always be a loser, and because I'm a loser I needn't be concerned about taking responsibility for myself and my actions - so I won't."


Not even close.



God has no hands but our hands.

Again, not even close.

[learn2swim]

In 1796, Adams denounced political opponent Thomas Paine's criticisms of Christianity in his book The Age of Reason, saying, "The Christian religion is, above all the religions that ever prevailed or existed in ancient or modern times, the religion of wisdom, virtue, equity and humanity, let the Blackguard Paine say what he will.
John Adams

[midnight rambler]

Not even close.



What? You cannot read and comprehend plain English (the lyrics of that song)?

[Awoke]

I certainly can.

[Spectrism]

Midnight- you do not understand the duality of existence in Spirit-live people. That duality sometimes lends itself to duality lyrics. Some in the world would call it self-talk, but among believers, it is prayer talk. It is the vocalization of the broken heart which acknowledges the fallen human condition, and then echoes the mind of the Spirit overcoming all obstacles.

You make clear your condition by your lack of understanding in these things. I know it is foolishness to you. But I can say very plainly that you are blinded in this matter and unable to see the truths. You must admit that you cannot see what others claim to see... now the question is this: are we lying witnesses?

[Santa]

Since the General is seeing the light, I would like to add this epic 2003 sermon by Rod Parsley
Everyone should watch it!

EE, that WAS an epic sermon.... thanks. The man really did his homework.

[midnight rambler]

But I can say very plainly that you are blinded in this matter and unable to see the truths.

Call it what you want, perceive it however you want, BUT I can clearly see in the lyrics where this joker keeps repeating over and over again:

I give up
I'm not strong enough

AND

Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough - he has doubts?? WHERE IS THIS MAN'S FAITH??

He's projecting his loser perspective onto others. How is that constructive??

[Spectrism]

Call it what you want, perceive it however you want, BUT I can clearly see in the lyrics where this joker keeps repeating over and over again:

I give up
I'm not strong enough


You do not understand the human condition. All of us are made to GIVE UP... to surrender. I can see you now... you want to argue with me over that. You are too tough to give up...sure...sure. Name one person born before 1890 that has not given up the fight for life. We all are temporary in this world. None of us is powerful enough to beat death.

In the second world war, the Germans learned toward the end that they needed to rush west and surrender to the Americans, befor ethe Russians got them. Who you surrender to is important.

We all surrender to someone. If you think you are your own master, you are most deceived. Surrendering to God is the only escape to liberty. It is like choosing the road leading to health, food, shelter and peace, instead of walking the road of sold, muddy hardship with oppression by tyrants.




AND

Lord right now I'm asking you to be
Strong enough - he has doubts?? WHERE IS THIS MAN'S FAITH??


Strong enough- for what? If you understood the spirit, you would know he is asking for God's strength to be sufficient, which is what we all must do. It is not a lack of faith to ask.



He's projecting his loser perspective onto others. How is that constructive??


Surely not onto a big burly tough guy like you. I can tell you this, there are evil ones in this world who can easily wipe out the biggest of men. They are held back until the last days. When I am holding my Father's hand, none of them can touch me. I can walk in the darkest places if that is where He leads me, and I can be assured that His grace will be sufficient. That won't stop me from asking. And if I am not sure of His leading, I hope I am packing some other heat.

[wrs]

now the question is this: are we lying witnesses?

Maybe not intentionally but you are no closer to being right than anyone else I wouldn't think. That then makes you false witnesses.

[Spectrism]

Maybe not intentionally but you are no closer to being right than anyone else I wouldn't think. That then makes you false witnesses.

And how do you know this? How do you know what I have or have not experienced? How can you judge my witness?