I got an email last night from a kid who is attending Rocky River with his mom (maybe his dad too). Anyway, he wants to know if he will go to hell for listening to rock music. That's what the Christians at his school are telling him because that is what their parents and church have told them. So this guy is worried that he's going to hell because he likes his rock with some metal. MAN, I was born to be this kid's pastor! (I ain't even kidding!)

I grew up in a Christian school that was "Church of God" (that's the denomination). They tormented me over my music. They treated me like a devil worshipper because I listened to Led Zeppelin, Black Sabbath, Motley Crue, Rush, and of course, KISS, etc. And the way they handled me caused me to be rebellious toward them. If I could have gotten away with it I would have worn dragon boots to school and spit fire at the principal. :)

Anyway, let me share some of my thoughts here.

People don't go to hell because of what they listen to. A person goes to hell if he or she doesn't accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Now, I do think there are things that build us up or break us down in our relationship with Jesus. Like, I don't think its healthy for a Christian to listen to Slip Knot, Black Sabbath and Ozzy and the like. And don't tell me that I just don't understand what those guys are about - I used to say that too. I do know... Especially Sabbath and the Oz man. I know... I was banging my head to Paranoid, War Pigs, and Sweet Leaf before most of the people reading this blog were born. I do know...

My mom was the one who centered me when it came to music. There may have been times when she wanted to freak out over some of the stuff I was listening to but she never did. There were two songs she took away from me growing up - "Cocaine" by Clapton and "Don't Try Suicide" by Queen. I remember one time we were in a beachwear store at Myrtle Beach buying t-shirts (remember the iron-ons?). I wanted the new AC-DC shirt - the one with Angus Young wearing devil horns. She let me get it but first she made the t-shirt guy cut of the album title at the bottom which was "Highway to Hell." Here's the thing. My mom new that I had a good heart and that if she didn't take the music thing too seriously that I wouldn't either.

We have a family in our community - who used to be a part of our church - and the dad is taring his family apart over music. That's what it really boils down to. And rather than being patient with his kids - and Rocky River Community Church - he's making the mistakes I saw "Church of God" (legalistic, well-meaning, but misinformed) parents make all my life. He's creating and nurturing rebellion in them. He thinks he's helping them but he's causing a rift that might last for years and years beyond their teen years.

So what do I listen to today? I don't really like to promote music but lets just say that I still like music with a metal edge. I don't really listen to KISS anymore because of the sexual content. That's just not good for my mind - although "Rock N Roll All Night" will always be the national anthem of rock music. I don't listen to music that promotes satanic values (of course) - that's why I don't go for anything like Black Sabbath anymore. Those are two parameters I put around music. I also tend to listen to music that mirrors culture and is asking spiritual questions. One of those bands from my generation was Guns N Roses.

Anyway, that's just a little about what I think about music. I'm really not interested in having a debate about music. I did that for the first 18 years of my life. I know what I think and respect what you think about it. Let's just leave it at that.

BUT, if you are 12 years old and need someone to help you think through music I'm glad to do that. My final word is just not to let anything - music included - stand between you and a relationship with Jesus Christ. Put your faith in Him and walk with Him and He will help you get rid of the junk in your life.

One more thing. My mom made the biggest difference in my life in a lot of ways but especially in music as I've already mentioned. But there was someone else who did too. I used to go to church on Wednesday nights to First Pentecostal Church in Charlotte. I went with some kids I grew up with. I went because of a cute little blonde named Cam. I already knew what the people there thought of the music I listened to. So I would wear the worst pair of jeans, my chain belt (I was a poser hood), chain wallet and some kind of rock tour shirt. The youth pastor was the pastor's wife. Here name was Tana. I was for sure I could shock here right out of her beehive hair-do. But when she saw me, instead of pushing me away and turning up her nose, from day one she put her arms around me and loved me and accepted me unconditionally. She didn't pre-judge me. She just loved me. All of a sudden it wasn't any fun to be rebellious. Do you see how that works?

Sorry for the long post. I'm out...

J