Published by Dylan Harper on January 04, 2020

Yes, you read correctly.

It’s the year 2020 and even a popular music platform is discriminating and committing prejudice against Christians.

Should we be surprised? Not really.

But the real problem is though that no one is even talking about it.

So, I will.

Don’t believe me? Well, take a gander for yourself.

Click HERE or open up your app and search ‘christian’.

You might find something that looks a little like this:

Searching other terms like worship, praise, or religious, all provide similar results. And although playlists exist in these genres, it wasn’t too long ago where ‘christian’ was its very own stand-alone genre alongside a long list of others. And for the sake of defining genres, take a peek at what Spotify considers genres:

Just consider for a second the genres you’ve just read. Some are obvious and expected, like Pop, Country, Punk, Hip Hop, Metal, but then others are kind of random, like Desi, Chill, Tastemakers, Latin, Arab, Afro! I mean, no offense, but what in the world kind of genre is ‘Afro’ anyways???

Even Ellen had her own genre on Spotify in December of 2019.

What a crazy world we are living in!

I discovered this injustice when Spotify released their ‘Wrapped 2019’ statistics.

Here’s what I received:

Notice something a little off here? All five of my ‘Top Artists’ are Christian, and labeled as so, with the exception of NF, maybe. But then the bar graph suggests otherwise. If all five of my top artists are Christian, then why in the world is the secular ‘pop-rap’ genre the highest of them all? It didn’t sit well with me, and still doesn’t.

These are just statistics pumped out through some algorithmic computer program though. No harm done. I will play the grace card and let this one slide. 

But the more serious problem arose in early December when I went to pull up all the Christian playlists by searching the ‘Christian’ genre like I’ve always done, clicking on that recognizable dove that you see right here:

Lo and behold, I couldn’t find the dove. Did they change the image maybe? Nope. There was no longer a dove. There was no longer a Christian genre period.

The closest thing to a Christian genre was ‘Gospel’ which pulls up a measly four playlists:

I wasn’t too thrilled by this discovery. I became rather annoyed and angry.

So, I let them know.

And here’s the response my wife received when simply asking why they removed the ‘Christian’ icon and genre:

Is Spotify discriminating?

Is this some type of ‘attack’ against Christians?

Is there an injustice taking place?

You be the judge.

The apostle Paul tells us,

In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evildoers and impostors will go from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

2 Timothy 3:12-13

Obviously, what Spotify has done is far from persecution, but what their actions suggest is that they discriminate against Christianity. Part of living a Godly life for me and my family is by listening to God-honoring music as much as possible, helping create an atmosphere of praise everywhere we go.

But now, Spotify refuses to even acknowledge it as a genre in their long list of ridiculous genres. And don’t even get me started on how big the Christian Music Industry is and how much money people like Spotify are making off the backs of hard-working Christ followers spreading the Gospel message through their musical talents.

How dare they!?

So, maybe this is a little more appropriate then:

If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. If you belonged to the world, it would love you as its own. As it is, you do not belong to the world, but I have chosen you out of the world. That is why the world hates you.

John 15:18-19

I can’t tell you what to think.

I can share my opinions and my experiences, which is exactly what I’ve done here.

You must take that, compare it to what you know and what God’s Word says, and come to your own decisions.

For me and my family, we’ve decided that this is just how things are meant to be right now.

The year is 2020 and Christianity is offensive and exclusive.

When a company as big as Spotify can pull a stunt like this and nobody, not one single person, is even talking about it, it’s possible the end days are truly here.

But take heed faithful people because God promises us,

Blessed are you when people hate you, when they exclude you and insult you and reject your name as evil, because of the Son of Man.

Luke 6:22

So, consider yourself blessed to be a true follower of Jesus.

If the actions of Spotify offend you as a believer, even if they just annoy or irritate you, whatever you feel, consider it a blessing to know that you’re not of the world, but rather you’re set apart because of the name you profess over all other names.

Jesus is king!

Not Spotify.

May we lean into this reality of the world we exist in today; a world where one day we really will be persecuted simply because we choose to profess Jesus as Lord and Savior.

But for now, contemplate this first-world problem. And don’t be afraid if you’re irritated or offended by it, for Jesus’ sake. Surely He is worthy of a Spotify genre.

Until the last day comes though, whether Spotify creates the Christian genre again or removes Christian music completely from their platform, regardless, be encouraged and be blessed knowing who it is you’re living for.

Spotify may discriminate, but Jesus is still Lord.

So, praise God for when His truths become our reality.

Published by Dylan Harper on January 04, 2020

published by Dylan Harper, November 22, 2019

There used be a time when I wished the days were longer and nights were shorter.

Do you remember those days?

Today, I still wish the days were longer, but I also wish the nights were longer too!

“Why God?! Why can’t I have both?!?”

Rarely does a day go by anymore where I don’t crawl into bed at night exhausted, wishing that I still had energy left in the tank to maybe do this or that.

It feels as though each day and each night are getting shorter and shorter. I’m constantly wishing I had one or two more hours to finish this or accomplish that. Surely, I can’t be the only one who feels like time itself is collapsing all around us?

When I was a kid, 24 hours often felt like an eternity.

Now I’m thirty-five, and 24 hours feels like a blink of an eye.

I’ve heard it said that God is not bound by time and that’s often why ‘God’s timing’ is always the best, but also the hardest to abide by, because it’s His time and not our own.

But if you’re like me and often feel tired, you too might wonder, “am I doing something wrong? Am I not living according to God’s will for my life? If I was, wouldn’t I be at peace and have my tank full all the time?”

Well isn’t it Isaiah who tell us that,

He (God) gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

Isaiah 40:29

Sounds like a sweet deal to me.

I’m weary. I’m weak. Lord give me strength!

The prophet continues,

Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall;

Isaiah 40:30

Well, doesn’t really add up to my experience as a youth, although I can recall having the freedom to sleep until noon if I needed to. That probably helped, but perhaps the prophet is right.

But then Isaiah says this,

but those who hope in the LORD will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.

Isaiah 40:31

I’ve got hope, or at least I think I do?!

Maybe my hope has been in the wrong place.

I ‘hope’ that I can stretch my time each day. I ‘hope’ that I can get 10 hours of work done in an 8-hour work day. I ‘hope’ that I can get 8 hours of sleep between midnight and 6 in the morning.

I think my ‘hope’ is perhaps falling in the wrong place.

The prophet Isaiah makes it clear though: ‘hope in the LORD’.

He doesn’t say hope for this or hope for that.

He says to have hope in only one thing. God!

As I finish writing this, and as you finish reading this, I promised myself I would keep it short and sweet, because time is of the essence…and so, may we, together, begin by trying to resist this tiredness with our hope in God.

Hope that we are living according to His will. Hope that He is leading us, guiding us, strengthening us, and empowering us with exactly what we need when we need it. Hope that He is glorified in all that we do that.

With hope like that, I suppose if we are tired, well maybe we just need to prioritize our lives better and get to bed earlier. Personally, I’m not sure I need a prophet to tell me that!  Hoping for a more efficient workday or better night’s rest isn’t what God necessarily wants. He didn’t design us to hope like that.

God designed us for His glory. God wants our attention, our focus, our worship, and our hope – hope that He is what we live for and why we live for it, and through that, hope will be alive!

With a hope like this, and with priorities like that, maybe just maybe, we won’t crawl into bed each night tired, but instead, crawl into bed each night fulfilled by our day, and hopeful for what God has in store tomorrow.

Stay hopeful my friend, and receive the rest you need.

CONTRIBUTOR ~ Dylan Harper

by Dylan Harper, July 18, 2019

As a follower of Jesus, have you ever felt guilty about having doubts in your faith?

As if your doubt is somehow rejecting God and causing you to lose your faith to some degree?

Well let me begin by reassuring you that:

1. You’re not alone.

&

2. It’s okay.

Doubt is not a direct reflection or measuring stick of your faith by any means.

If you have doubts about anything relating to God’s Word, the Church, or Christianity in general, then good for you! This means you care, you’re engaged, and you’re probably thinking critically about what you see, hear, read, and ultimately what you believe.

Personally, I would find it more concerning if you aren’t doubting anything at all, and instead, are living your life believing everything you see, hear, and read.

Those that choose to believe everything they see, hear, and read often end up living life somewhat blindly, negating so much beauty that is found in original, creative, critical thinking. Those people also tend to miss out on so much of the awe and wonder that is found in all of creation which God has splendidly and generously provided to us through His word and this world.

It’s no secret that in the Bible, many people doubted the whole Jesus Messiah, Christianity thing. I find it the most intriguing that those who were closest to Jesus in the flesh were some of the best doubters.

In the Gospel of Matthew, right before Jesus is quoted charging His disciples with The Great Commission, we read that,

The eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.

[Matthew 28:16-17 ~ NASB]

What were they doubtful of?

Your guess is as good as mine. But the fact remains: some were doubtful.

Maybe this offers you a little comfort in your doubts. Maybe it doesn’t. Either way, I am someone who is extremely curious about the doubts they had, but may never learn what they were in this lifetime, and therefore, am not so sure it even matters at this point.

The point is, the disciples were not only chosen people like you and I, they were also normal people, just like you and I.

So, of course they had doubts!

God doesn’t twist our arms and force us to believe Him and everything He says and does. He has given us these beautiful minds to critically think about what we see, what we hear, and what we read. And at the end of each day we have to decide on where we land our faith in Jesus and the abundant eternal life He offers us.

The other thing these two verses in Matthew can show us, and what I believe is perhaps more worthy of paying attention to, is that even in their doubt, the disciples worshiped.

The eleven disciples proceeded to Galilee, to the mountain which Jesus had designated. When they saw Him, they worshiped Him; but some were doubtful.

[Matthew 28:16-17 ~ NASB]

I admit that when I’m deep in the dark well of my doubts, I tend to be distracted in worship. I mean how can I worship someone or something when I am not 100% confident about what and why exactly I am worshiping in the first place?

In verse seventeen it says that, ‘they saw Him,’ and perhaps that is why, ‘they worshiped Him,’ which leads me to a potential understanding of how important it is to find God in all things and to worship Him always.

What I’m leaning towards here is an understanding of worship that I believe is actually a major key to overcoming doubts.

When we worship, or better yet, live in a constant posture of worship, we tend to see and hear and read things a little bit differently then when we are living somewhat of a lethargically passive or mechanical faith life, choosing to worship on Sundays only within the confines of a church service.

Finding God in all things and choosing to worship always actually helps silence our doubts and will more often than not even lead us to the answers that logically wipe the doubt slate clean altogether.

Worship is a beautiful thing in all of it ways!

Now I could offer you a few more verses as evidence to the doubt that we find in believers throughout God’s Word, but I’m not so sure that’s what you need to hear.

Instead I want to challenge you in your doubts. That’s what you need, a good challenge!

As I mentioned earlier, I believe doubts are good because they are often the fuel that helps feed the fire for people digging deeper into the critical thinking stages of belief using the beautiful minds that we’ve been given, and through our consistent worship of God in all things, we can and we will overcome our doubts.

And that my friends, is where I want to ultimately lead you today.

James will perhaps help fuel your fire a little stronger with his challenging, and borderline savage writing, when he pens his letter specifically to instruct and encourage Christians. He says this,

But he must ask in faith without any doubting, for the one who doubts is like the surf of the sea, driven and tossed by the wind.

[James 1:6 ~ NASB]

Living in the tension of doubt can be a positive experience, just so long as you don’t stop short and give up. I urge you to continue navigating the ‘windy surf of the sea’ which are your doubts.

Use your doubt as fuel to dig deeper into God’s Word, and pray that the Holy Spirit will lead you into all truth, ultimately calming the stormy winds of your doubts.

God has given us each a beautiful unique mind to critically think about our faith.

Disciples of Jesus’ time doubted.

Disciples of Jesus today doubt.

And disciples of Jesus tomorrow will also doubt.

You’re not alone.

It’s okay.

Doubt away, but never stop worshiping the Creator who is found in all of creation, and in whom has given you everything you need to dig deeper into your faith and to solidify that yes, you are a follower of Jesus, and no, you’re not losing your faith at all!

CONTRIBUTOR ~ Dylan Harper

Contributed by ~ Jonathan Tait ~ May 09, 2019

In 1999 Kathleen Norris wrote a book called Amazing Grace: a Vocabulary of Faith. In it she writes entries for various words of faith. Her book has been an inspiration to me. It has helped me to remember the importance of words, their meaning, and their use.

I’m astounded by the reactions I often get from other Christians when I employ words of faith. I’m saddened by how rarely we (and I) as followers of Jesus Christ use faith language intentionally.

Before I go any further I’ve already heard all (O.K. not all but many) of the arguments for using words that are easy to understand so as not to exclude anyone. But at what cost to faith vocabulary. Don’t get me wrong I’m not advocating using terms like eschatology or ecclesiology at every turn. But what about obedience, dependency, discipleship, grace, mercy, salvation, reconciliation, atonement, and so so many others.

“Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly.” 

2 Timothy 2:16

Have we lost our vocabulary of faith?

Are we fearful of using words that … well … maybe only other Christians use?

I have to admit my vocabulary of faith was beginning to slip away on me and I consciously decided to reclaim it.

“But I tell you that everyone will have to give account on the day of judgment for every empty word they have spoken. For by your words you will be acquitted, and by your words you will be condemned.”

Matthew 12: 36-37

Reclaiming my faith vocabulary has most certainly helped me grow deeper in my faith and dependency on God as well as reorganizing my priorities. It has also led me to be more far more obedient. Words matter. The Word matters, and using faith language has enabled me to re-evaluate the meaning of so many words I either took for granted or didn’t even understand in the first place.

“Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. For you died, and your life is now hidden with Christ in God. When Christ, who is your life, appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.”

Colossians 3:1-4

Employing more words of faith intentionally has guided me to set my mind on things above. It has also pointed me away from lazy and gratuitous language and thought.

Who knew?

I certainly didn’t know just how much the words I use affect the way I think … and act.

I have heard poetry described as “using the right word at the right time.”

In this sense, I hope to be the best and most faithful poet that I can be.

As a preacher and proclaimer (and there is a difference between the two – but that’s for another day) words are crucial.

I used to wince sometimes when I heard people speak “Christianese” now it garners my attention like never before.

Can words be stumbling blocks … for sure!

Can words close doors … for sure!

But they can also open doors, build bridges, plant seeds, and so much more.

As for me, I’m just trying to be more and more obedient to God.

I’m just trying to be more and more dependant on Him and lean further and further into His wisdom, goodness, beauty, and truth.

I’m just trying to reclaim a vocabulary of faith based on His good and beautiful Word.

As always to God be the glory.

Now … where is that scripture passage that has to do with patience and submission that I was thinking about last night?

CONTRIBUTOR ~ Jonathan Tait

Contributed by ~ Dylan Harper ~ April 18, 2019

How much time do you spend in prayer, asking God for stuff?

After all, Jesus makes it pretty clear:

If you ask Me anything in My name, I will do it.

[John 14:14 ~ NASB]

It’s quite possible most of what you ask for aren’t even things meant for you or your benefit, and that’s fantastic – please don’t stop praying like that – but still, you’re asking of God all the same.

Surely, you’ve even heard a sermon preached using (or potentially abusing) the Scripture…

Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it will be opened.

[Matthew 7:7-8 ~ NASB]

…And perhaps the preacher was rather loose in suggesting what you ask God for, tying in Psalm 37:4 and the desires of your heart and ensuring you understand that all you need to have is faith the size of a mere mustard seed in accordance with Jesus’ words in Matthew 17:20…right?!

Well I’ll be honest, and I’ll be the first to admit that over the years I’ve heard many sermons like this. They’re encouraging, exhilarating, inspiring, and often move me to action, to building greater faith, to live with more confidence, expecting more from God through my prayers…in moderation aligned with my own convictions of course.

And that is all good stuff. I’ve believed that with all my heart for many years.

Ask and I shall receive! Hallelujah!!! Praise the Lord! God is gooooooood!

But lately I’ve been feeling like something just doesn’t quite add up. I sense something is missing in that theology. I sometimes even feel guilty as if I’m just constantly asking God for things, all the time.

Some label it the prosperity Gospel, the ‘name it and claim it’ Gospel, and some just simply suggest it’s God’s Word and that’s how they choose to interpret it.

Fair enough. Who am I to judge?

But, ask… and you shall receive…

God is gracious and loves to give His children good gifts and the desires of our hearts, truly, but is He really the recklessly loving type of God that’s going to give His people whatever they want? Sometimes I think it’s possible He does, and believe it or not, He has.

I decided to ask God about this specific thing and here’s what He led me to.

There’s an account given in 1 Samuel 8 when Israel (God’s people) are demanding that Samuel appoint them a new king so that they can be just like every other nation that has a human king leading them. God uses Samuel to try and explain to them what will happen if they choose a human king over God as their King, but they wouldn’t listen. By doing so they reject God, and this is His Word in response:

When Samuel heard all that the people said, he repeated it before the Lord. The Lord answered, “Listen to them and give them a king.

[1 Samuel 8:21-22 ~ NIV]

So, there it is! Even when God’s people want what they shouldn’t have, they believe for it, ask for it, and somehow God gives it to them. He truly is gracious that way. However, it comes with a cost, and God warned His people but they didn’t listen. They became slaves and servants to their man-appointed king and it wasn’t a pleasant time for God’s chosen people.

What can we learn from this?

Well, if God knows the desires of our hearts, and He truly does have the ability to give us all that we ask for, is it possible we should be a little more careful about what it is we are asking for? What it is we are seeking? What door we are knocking on?

Jesus does state quite clearly that if we ask anything in His name, He will do it. Is it possible we need to pay a little more attention to the words ‘in His name’?

What does it mean to ask in His name? Well I believe it means to ask according to His will, and Jesus’s will goes a little something like this:

For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. This is the will of Him who sent Me, that of all that He has given Me I lose nothing, but raise it up on the last day. For this is the will of My Father, that everyone who beholds the Son and believes in Him will have eternal life, and I Myself will raise him up on the last day.

[John 6:38-40 ~ NASB]

Jesus came to do His Father’s will, and we exist today to also do our Father’s will. Last time I checked, our Father’s will wasn’t just the simple desires of our hearts and ‘anything’ that we ask for, despite the way we interpret certain Scriptures. I believe it’s important that we consider the things we are praying for and asking for, doing our best to ensure that they are aligned with our Father’s will, to glorify Him in all we do and all we desire.

I like to think that when we ‘ask for’ things that are aligned with God’s will, we are hardly asking for anything at all, but rather we are speaking into existence the things He’s already planned and prepared for us. We are coming into agreement with His will.

I’ve got this wrong so many times in my life and I hope that perhaps after reading this, maybe you can admit to the same sentiment, and together we can begin praying a little more aligned to our Father’s will, in Jesus’ name, glorifying Him not only in our lives but in our prayers.

Next time you pray, consider what you’re praying and ask yourself if what you’re asking for is also what God is asking for? It may very well change your prayer life and the world around you!

Bless you in your prayerful adventures, friend.

CONTRIBUTOR ~ Dylan Harper

Contributed by ~ Dylan Harper ~ April 2, 2019

Darkness.

Is it really all that bad?

Hear me out…

John the beloved liked to use the light vs. dark metaphor [a lot] when sharing his accounts of the gospel message shared through Jesus. It would seem as though his audience understood the difference between these two contrasting images on a physical level, which is why he must have used it on a spiritual level to emphasize the good vs. evil analogy, explaining that:

1. Light was the life of men [John 1:4, 1:9, 8:12, 9:5, 12:36, etc…]
2. Darkness was the absence of light [John 1:5, 3:19, 8:12, 11:10, 12:35, etc…]

According to John,

‘In him (Jesus) was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.’ [John 1:4 ~ NIV]

One of the simplest ways to describe darkness is by suggesting it is the absence of light, which according to John meant the absence of life. The ‘life’ John and Jesus spoke of referred to eternal life, that which is offered through the bridge that Jesus created in his sacrificial death and resurrection.

Therefore, if light = life, then clearly darkness = death, right?!

Sure.

But let’s look a little deeper…

Personally, the misunderstanding I’ve typically made with darkness in terms of John’s spiritual metaphor, and partly why I think it’s got itself such a bad reputation, is in my connecting it to sin. Since becoming a Christian I’ve always thought and said that living in darkness is to live in sin. I’m sure you’ve thought and heard the same thing. But on further reflection, I’m not so confident that darkness directly correlates with committing sins, but rather has more to do with simply rejecting God’s message of eternal life in heaven, thus accepting an eternal life of death in hell.

Strong language, I know.

But stay with me…

The interesting thing is that in the physical, darkness is needed in order to make light, and light is needed in order to live. So, that then leads me to believe that darkness is necessary, and perhaps darkness isn’t really all that bad after all. I mean if darkness is needed in order to make light, in the physical realm, does it make sense then to suggest that darkness (death) is needed in order to accept light (life)? Technically speaking, we are all born into a dying world of darkness because of original sin and then brought into life through the light of God’s grace – a.k.a. Jesus Christ.

Are you picking up what I’m putting down?

Consider this for a moment…

Before the beginning of anything, right there alongside God, that’s all there was. Darkness. Physically, it didn’t seem to be bad at that point, but then God spoke, and there it was – light. Now don’t hear me wrong, I’m not suggesting anything that goes against God’s Word in any way, in fact I respect, believe, and even preach the ‘from darkness into light’ metaphor that Jesus spoke of all so often. And if you’re unsure of my integrity or stance, or think perhaps I’m venturing into heresy, feel free to check out a recent sermon I preached on this topic [Paul and a Pin] and hear my version of dark vs. light as powerful imagery in both the physical and spiritual realm in terms of good vs. evil. 

So, where am I going with this here exactly?

Please, keep reading, I’m getting there…

You see, personally, I like darkness… in the physical. Let me be crystal clear that what I don’t like is the absence of eternal life that darkness implies spiritually [a.k.a. eternal death], but in the physical realm I find darkness peaceful, creative, compelling even. When I look at things in darkness, I see nothing, therefore I’m left with only my imagination, my thoughts, my conscious, and what I find is stillness and beauty in its presence. It allows my mind to wander, to dream, and to consider the bigger things in life, things that are mostly unseen.

Are you still unsure?

Consider the fact of why we have darkness at nighttime? Nothing in the created universe was random or by accident. God created the solar system and the alignment of the planets in a certain way that gives us night – gives us natural darkness in a physical way. I’m going to take a ‘shot in the dark’ and suggest that the portion of our 24-hour daily life cycle that is darkness was created for a reason, by God. It has purpose, and if God has given something purpose, then it deserves a little credit.

So, why is darkness believed to be such a bad, scary, evil thing?

Surely darkness isn’t just a scary, fearful place where evil resides and bad things happen, such as is evidently portrayed in every horror movie [or Disney movie for that matter]. Without darkness, how could we ever stare up into the infinite sky in awe and wonder, gazing upon the sea of stars and galaxies that God so wondrously created? If it wasn’t for darkness, how would we ever even know how to appreciate the light?

Is it really that bad?

How then did darkness, way back in the 1^st century, already have such a bad reputation that it was commonly understood and used as a metaphor to compare two contrasting things such as good vs. evil and life vs. death?

Honestly, I really don’t have the answer.

Do you?

You know, maybe we shouldn’t hate on it as much as we do. Spiritually, as a metaphor sure, hate away, but in the physical, maybe we should consider a different approach. Maybe we should try embracing the beauty that can be found in the darkness, for God has truly created all things for a purpose, even things that the enemy has tried to steal and take for his own.

But let me attempt to be as clear as I can one last time: On a spiritual level, do not – I mean DO NOT – love the darkness and DO NOT choose to live in darkness, but rather accept the fact it exists, embrace it for what its purpose is, choosing instead to live a BRIGHT LIFE in its midst. Doing so may even help draw those loving and living in darkness, out in to the shining light of Christ, helping call them out of darkness [death] and into light [life], the light of mankind, the eternal life that is ONLY found in Jesus Christ.

So, next time you read the gospel, and Jesus says to you…

“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.” [John 8:12 ~ NIV]

…remember that you are the light (life) of the world and you have the power to draw people out of darkness (death) into eternal life. And next time you find yourself in the physical presence of darkness, take a moment and reflect on your surroundings, let your mind wander and consider some of the greater things in life that aren’t seen in the light of day, because darkness really isn’t all that bad. It’s necessary for the existence of light, physically, and it’s necessary for the existence of eternal life, spiritually.

Darkness.

It really isn’t all that bad…

CONTRIBUTOR ~ Dylan Harper

Contributed by ~ Jonathan Tait ~March 18, 2019

Things Jesus never said …“Follow your heart.”

A friend of mine recently said to me, “I think the worst advice I ever received in life was ‘follow your heart’.” Well I have to say that got my attention. And then as I thought about it, I too thought “follow your heart” is terrible advice.

Jeremiah 17:9 reads; “The heart is deceitful above all things…”

And then Jesus in Matthew 15:19 says; “For out of the heart come evil thoughts…”

And the 23^rd Psalm opens, “The Lord is my shepherd,” not “My heart is my shepherd.”

As a Christian I know that I am called to follow Jesus and not my heart. And yet I have often been told “follow your heart” by some Christians.

“Follow your heart” – among other things – is foolish advice.

I have often failed miserably at following Jesus but that is what I try to do day in and day out. Determining right from wrong based on feelings, (and the heart is all about feelings), is a very dangerous and very unbiblical way of living.

When I have followed my heart, things have turned out, well … less than faithful.

In my desire to live into and participate in Shalom, (which I understand as “everything as God intends it to be”), following Jesus has become the only faithful way. It is also the most challenging and rewarding way.

Fortunately, Jesus found me and hasn’t ever let me go.

Sometimes though I’m arrogant enough to think I had something to do with it and border on congratulating myself. One day I just might get this death to self and alive in Christ thing right.

For now, I simply continue to stumble along often in contradictory ways if I’m honest. The Good News is God loves me. The very best news is God not only loves me but He knows everything about me and still loves me.

So, how do I follow Jesus and not my heart all the while surrounded by a “follow your heart” culture?

The answer of course is I don’t, and I can’t, and I never will.

My life seems more and more to be an exercise in giving way to the will of God and being indifferent to the outcome. A kind of long lesson in obedience, submission, and trust.

My life is often a battle between being teachable instead of thinking too much of myself and getting caught in familiar patterns and ways of being and thinking.

I used to think that I was a “pretty good guy”. But the truth is I’m not. Without Christ I’m not only not good, but I’m terrible. Left to my own abilities and devices I’m horrible.

I need Jesus, and I need Him desperately.

I can’t “pull up my boot straps” and be better. I believe sin has less to do with my behavior and is more about my DNA. Like the grain in wood so sin is in me; we’re inseparable.

Now there’s a good positive thought to go with your morning latte…sigh. But it’s true. And I prefer truth to comfort.

Without Jesus I’m lost.

With Jesus I’m better, better than myself yesterday, last year, 5 years ago and so on. There are still many areas of my life that are in need of conversion. But thankfully He isn’t finished with me yet. Man, oh man, the patience to stick it out with a dude like me –  now that’s something. God is incredible.

It is said that a beggar in New York City can hear the sound of a coin hitting the sidewalk above all the clamor and noise of cars, people, machines, and the rest of the urban soundtrack.

We hear what we listen for.

I’m only trying my best to listen for Jesus, my heart does an “admirable” job at muffling out His voice far too often but I am becoming a better listener. And thankfully, I have been blessed with the company of other great listener’s too.

Things Jesus never said … “Follow your heart.”

Something Jesus did say … “Come follow me.” [Matthew 4:19]

To God be the glory.

CONTRIBUTOR ~ Jonathan Tait

Welcome to HARP & STONES!

My name is Dylan, and you’ve just entered into a new thing that I’ve been working on in my heart for some time now. It’s nice to finally put in on paper and start letting it all out! I hope you’re encouraged by it.

First off, in a world of information overload and over-saturation, thanks for taking the time to check this new thing out. My goal is NOT to drown you and your social media feeds with more ‘stuff’, insisting you ‘follow me’ and share my blog!… but rather I want this platform to be a place where what is offered is some short, practical, unique, valuable, bi-weekly insights into living life where the Word meets the world, for those interested in finding that balance.

Secondly, the best part about this page is that you won’t only be getting a snapshot into my mind & heart, but the minds & hearts of several people that I not only call friends, but that I look up to immensely as people who have powerful voices, with so much to offer the world through the Word, but don’t always have the appropriate platform to share it from outside of their pulpits and ordained places of influence. There’s a really good chance you’ll even recognize many of the contributors!

So welcome to Harp & Stones:

A platform for those with strong gifted voices to offer insights into the Word to those looking to find a healthy balance living in this world.

Now, if you’re wondering why HARP & STONES, well let me take a moment to elaborate.

Music plays a major role in my life – always has, always will – and in my opinion it has the ability to either corrupt the soul or completely soothe it, depending on many variables. In the story of David on his journey to becoming King, there’s a season where he is charged with the responsibility of playing the harp for King Saul in order to literally cast out demons and soothe Saul’s soul.

So it came about whenever the evil spirit from God came to Saul, David would take the harp and play it with his hand; and Saul would be refreshed and be well, and the evil spirit would depart from him.

1 Samuel 16:23 [NASB]

This is a powerful account of the influence that music has on us, and perhaps you’re a little like me and have never even heard the sound of a harp played in real life before, but the principle remains the same, and certain styles of music we choose to listen to today have this same ability to soothe our souls. Also, my last name just happens to be HARPer, ironically, or not, take it how you will!

A little further along in the story of David’s journey to becoming King, David suddenly finds himself on the battlefield facing the infamous Philistine giant, Goliath. He chooses to use the weapon he knows best – stones and a slingshot!

He took his stick in his hand and chose for himself five smooth stones from the brook, and put them in the shepherd’s bag which he had, even in his pouch, and his sling was in his hand; and he approached the Philistine.

1 Samuel 17:40 [NASB]

Most of us know what happens next – David takes one stone, slung it at Goliath, hitting him directly on his forehead, knocking him face first onto the ground. Stones were David’s choice weapon at that time and was the thing that he knew well from all his days as a mere shepherd boy. Stones protected him from the enemy.

Today we aren’t using stones to defend ourselves from the enemy, nor are we typically using harps to soothe our souls in order to find peace, but what we have been given is culturally relevant tools and instruments to use to produce the same results that David did with his Harp & Stones.

So may the words read from this platform help you utilize the tools, instruments, gifts, and strengths you’ve been given to produce the same results that David once did – results of peace and protection from the enemies of this world. As this journey begins, I pray you’ll receive peace from these posts, and learn how to equip yourself with the Word for battle in this world.

Yours truly, with love…

Dylan Harper