The Soul Soldier

Rose colored specticles

2008-10-05T10:13:00.000-07:00

Looking down on the world through rose colored specticles.

Seeing to many Hydes and not enough Jeckyls.

We spend to much time judging our neighbors.

And not enough time on the good Lord's labors.

We see a pregnant teen which we lable a whore.

We try to puff ourselves up, then we settle the score.

We like to think we're better but what we fail to see,

Is that poor little child whose in need.

We act so selfishly.

Spiritual hypocrits,

Throwing baby fits.

I know I'm stepping on some toes.

It aint good politics.

But I'm tired,

Of trying to please the church

While that poor little child sits in the dirt.

We forget where we've been.

That we were once in sin.

And that every day, we seem to fall back in.

God didn't call us, to be judge and jurry.

He said "love me, love man, and hurry."

Because the time is near.

We're looking down on gays, for the way they live.

But if I remember right, my God said forgive.

He said "love, I'll take care of the rest."

And I really think that God knows.

Don't you agree with me?

Now I didn't say we should be accepting,

Or that there aint moral values that need protecting.

But this war, aint against man but Satan.

It's time the church stopped all the hating.

And learned to love again.

The greatest threat to the Church

2008-03-21T23:29:00.001-07:00

I was inspired to write this by something I read in a novel by a friend of mine, Jacob D. Ambos. So credit where credit is do. Some of this was written by me, some wasn't. However I believe all of it was inspired by God. My prayer is that God will speak to you through this as He has me. God Bless. -- Aaron

Today I feel compelled to talk about the greatest threat to the church today. No, not just today’s church. This my friends is the greatest threat the church has ever faced, and it’s from the source you would least expect. This threat not only threatens to stand in the way of God’s plan for this nation and his world but also to undo some of the great accomplishments that have already been done.

This threat my friends does not come from Islamic terrorists. It is not Atheism, or people who hate Christians. For Christ said in his word that we would be hated for his namesake, so that should be nothing new. The threat isn’t homosexuality, or immorality. It isn’t sexual permissiveness in the media, it isn’t drugs or alcohol. It’s not Republicans or Democrats. It’s not abortion or gay marriage. It isn’t illegal immigration or global warming. It’s not UFOs, it’s not even the very demons of hell or their master Satan.

The greatest threat to the Christian church; is me, and you. The greatest threat to Christianity; is Christians. I was looking at bumper stickers today and I came across one which read. “God, please protect me from your followers.” You know you might chuckle at this but there is a sad truth to this statement. As Christians we have to ask ourselves, not how the world has us wrong. Not about their misconceptions about the churches many failures throughout history. What we need to ask ourselves is what are we showing to the world? Modern Christians did not perpetrate the Crusades, or the inquisition or the holy slaughter of Jews during the Middle Ages. But we’ve murdered abortion doctors in His name. Scientists, politicians and entertainers have received death threats from the very people who take their name from the Prince of Peace. Some even protest funerals in the name of God. Maybe I’m wrong but last I checked God loved all his children, not just the ones who sit in a pew on Sunday mornings. I don’t think the world has us wrong at all. I think they see us more clearly than we see ourselves.

It’s been said that sometimes the only difference between Christians and non-Christians is that the Christians are going to heaven. But when that is the only difference, then there is no difference. If the only way your friends and neighbors know that you’re a Christian is that they spot your car in a church parking lot on Sunday morning, then you’re no longer a help to the kingdom of Heaven you’re a hindrance.

My wife told me a story once of a time before we were married when while driving somewhere she spotted a group of people standing on a meridian waving signs that, please forgive my language, said “God hates fags.” Disgusted by what she realized was a very poor representation of Christianity, she approached the group and asked them how successful they had been in saving people with this message. Confused the group tried to explain that saving people was not the purpose of their demonstration. But my friends what purpose is there as Christians other than reaching out to a lost and dying world? The great commission says “Go and make disciples of all nations…” Jesus said the two greatest commandments were to “love the Lord your God with all your heart, mind and soul.” And to “Love your neighbor as yourself” What of these three things was demonstrated by the group? Have you ever watched footage of one of those gay pride parades? There are usually two groups represented at such an event. The first and most obvious would be the homosexual community. The second is the Christian community.
One of these groups generally waves signs, their voices filled with hatred as they hurl insults at the other. The other generally remains silent, and when they do respond its usually with little more than a smile, the blowing of a kiss or a wave. One side meets hatred with love, sadly that side is generally not the Christians. I’ll leave you to decide which side better displays the character of Christ.

Some might say that they were simply exercising their right to free speech; that may be true. But just because we have a right to speak doesn’t always mean we should. Besides the government, thank God, is not the ultimate arbiter of right and wrong. Just because you aren’t violating the U.S. Constitution doesn’t mean it was right. The government is not your god. This government is just another Caesar. Render unto Caesar the things that are Caesars, the Bible says, but render unto God the things that are God’s. We belong to God, He bought us with a price, and that covenant is greater than any constitution ever written.

There is another bumper sticker I’m sure you all are familiar with says “WWJD” What Would Jesus Do? This used to be a good thought, a good idea even. Now it’s a joke. We have made it so. When Jesus was nailed to a cross, left to hang on it, dying in agony, did He call his congressman? Did He rant to a television talk show host? Did He stage protests and heap hatred on the Roman soldiers that mocked Him? Did He even call on the armies of heaven to rescue Him from this great injustice? It was well within His rights to do so, but he didn’t. He prayed for them. He said “Father, forgive them.” He met violence with mercy, He met hatred with love. And when all was said and done, in less than a thousand years, the Roman Empire fell, and Christ’s words were spread across every nation and continent.

The fact is, if Jesus were here today, he wouldn’t be condemning the homosexuals, the prostitutes, or even those with aids. When we look at his life, we see that He didn’t condemn those whom we would call sinners. He was their friend. Christ’s condemnation was reserved for the religious people. The ones who thanked God, that they weren’t like those sinners. The ones who didn’t believe they even needed a Savior. In other words, us.

There is a third bumper sticker I want to talk about. This bumper sticker has on it a quote from Gandhi which says “I like your Christ. I do not like your Christians. They are so unlike your Christ.” The word Christian was a derogatory word, invented in Antioch by enemies of the Church. It meant “little Christs”. Now it means something derogatory again. For today it means “Hypocrite.” We are helping to tear apart the nets made by God to save the lost and dying of this world. With our legalism, with our moralizing, with our condemnation of people who need Jesus, who need Him more desperately than any of us can imagine. They are starving, and we stuff our faces and curse them for not having bread.

It’s true. We are hated. And yes, much of this hatred is unjust, and unearned. The forces arrayed against believers are formidable and many. But when we meet violence with violence, and hatred with hatred, we only increase the ranks of those who stand against us. We start giving them real reasons for their hatred. The most powerful force in the entire universe is love. It was God’s love that saved us and offered salvation to the world. It is our love that can spread the news of that salvation to every corner of every heart. The hardest, most hateful human heart can not stand in the presence of love. I know it doesn’t always make sense. We feel we need to defend ourselves, to stand up for our beliefs and our rights. Which is true to a degree, there is nothing wrong with standing up for your self, but make sure to count the cost. God can accomplish much more through our love than through our hatred. So make sure it’s a fight worth fighting before you pick up your sword. Jesus was not a pushover, on numerous occasions He got right into the faces of the Pharisees. But Jesus was also silent in the face of his accusers. Why? Because He understood that sometimes the best speech is the one left unspoken. It was Jesus’ actions which saved humanity not His words. Sometimes it would really benefit us if we really considered. What would Jesus do?

Legacy

2008-03-13T22:57:00.000-07:00

I want to have a legacy that I can hand down to my son.
I want to stand tall even at the point of a gun.
I want him to be proud of the life that I’ve lived.
I don’t want him to be standing there waiting for my life to begin.
I want to be a real man in a world full of posers.
I want to be legit in a world full of hosers.
I want to stand tall and never back down.
I want to step up and start taking ground.

I’m sick and tired of being a snot nosed kid.
Now I’m wired, I’m gonna blow my lid.
I’ve got my vest on. My finger poised on the trigger.
You better stand back son, this is bound to get bigger.
I’m gonna blow a hole in my so called life.
I’m going to cut thru religion with the point of my knife.
I’m going to shake the foundations of the status quo.
Instead of making them members, I’m going to save their souls.

This aint for arrogance, or pompous piety.
This is a rescue attempt on a doomed society.
This is a war cry, from one of God’s own soldiers.
Who’s realized it’s time to get bolder.
It’s time to stand up, and make some noise.
It’s time to be men, instead of scared little boys.
It’s time to press on, and stop digging in.
It’s time to get off our butts and start living again.

The underground

2008-01-02T17:12:00.001-08:00

What is the underground?
It's a concept,an idea,
A movement of men.
A design of angels.
It is a light in dark places,
A festering boil Satan can't get rid of.
It's a gathering of power.

Long have we suffered under the oppression,
Once a nation under God,
Now occupied by sin.
Confusion of the masses,
Silently the chain passes,
Binding us all in our own arrogance.
We pretend we are free, while we toil in the darkness.

Where is the underground?
It's here and it's there.
It crosses state lines,
It merges party politics,
And erases denominational barriers.
It's in the heart of the people,
And it's closer than you might think.

Can you hear the drums of war?
Can you see the armies,
As they rise up from the ashes?
Can you feel the ground shake,
As the earth quivers in expectation.
Can you believe it?

This is the underground,
A collection of thoughts.
A vision for the future.
A code of conduct.
A scribbled promise,
A desperate hope.

The underground is
Undeniable,
Uncontainable,
Inextinguishable,
It's a wildfire loosed upon the soul
It's life changing.

The underground is this,
A message passed from cell to cell.
An e-mail sent from work.
A grass roots war cry.
It's an untraceable phone call,
A whispered secret.

What is the underground?
It's unashamed,
Unapologetic,
A life lived to the last drop.
It's one-hundred and ten percent.
It's a life tithed to Christ.

This is the underground,
This is the dream which keeps me up at night.
This is the heartache I can't escape,
This is the future I've yet to see,
This is as much about you,
As it is about me.

So lift up your heads,
Turn your ears to the wind.
Hear the rustle of leaves,
As it becomes a defining roar.
This is the sound of the underground,
The roll call of the Almighty.
The anthem of angels.

This is the underground...
Are you ready?

The Dusty Path

2007-02-24T11:57:00.000-08:00

The dusty path which lies before,
The narrow hall, the bolted door.
The whispered winds which call my name.
My life shall never be the same.

The future lies, within a box.
Tightly shut with many locks.
The hopes and dreams I feel inside,
The fear which creeps within my mind.

I know the wonder of a fathers love,
Seen the peaceful flight of a morning dove.
Heard the hammers nail the coffin tight.
Felt the joy that comes with mornings light.

I’ve felt all these things and so much more,
Though my future lies beyond the door.
I know the one who holds the key.
For he makes his home inside of me.

I’ve known the ache of a soldiers fight.
Known the grip of fear which comes at night.
Felt the searing pain as the arrows strikes,
Seen the floodwaters roar across the dikes.

And though I stand on dusty paths,
Though about me now the devils laugh.
I proudly stand with head held high.
For you my Lord, I give my life.

I am your Soldier

2007-02-10T09:18:00.000-08:00

Fire cursing thru my vanes,
Purpose pounding in my brain.
Desperation, devotion, desire.
Overcome with Holy fire.

Lord, take me, make me, mold me.
Consume me with you love.
Fill me up in every part,
Like I am but a glove.

Raise me up on eagles wings,
So I may soar with you.
Strengthen me for what's ahead,
So always I'll be true.

I belt your truth about my waist,
Wear righteousness upon my breast.
I place salvation on my brow,
Shod my feet up like the rest.

My faith in you, is as a shield,
As I draw this Holy sword.
Your Spirit flows within the blade,
For I am your soldier Lord.

Embrace the Dawn

2007-01-14T13:13:00.000-08:00

Embrace the dawn, was heard the cry.
As soldiers gathered near.
They shook the dust from off their swords,
And raised a mighty cheer.

Embrace the dawn, Was heard again.
Embrace it like a man!
For with the coming of the Sun.
We’ll once more take this land.

Embrace the dawn, ye mighty men!
And ye mighty women too!
For our Lord draws neigh upon his horse,
And in his voice is truth.

Embrace the dawn, ye child of God.
And lift his banner high!
Take your aim, draw back your bow,
And let the arrows fly.

Embrace the dawn, with trumpet blows.
And lift thee up thy sword.
For though we all are soldiers here,
The battle is the Lord’s.

Where is my sword?

2006-12-16T21:02:00.000-08:00

The tears of angels, falling down.
The blood of men upon the ground.
A broken spear, a battered shield.
The arms that none again shall wield.
Bloody bodies on the ground,
The birds above the only sound.
The prayers of men no longer heard.
Their rest forever now ensured.

Where are the soldiers?
Where are the drums of war?
Why do the stocks lay drying on the threshing floor?
Where are the souls who once stood tall?
Is there any one left who will risk it all?
Have the mighty men of old, been replaced by prodigal sons?
Have spineless cowards, replaced men with guns?
Instead of defending our homes, we give them away.
Instead of fighting our enemy we ask him to stay.

And what am I?
Where is my sword? Where is my shield?
I’ve almost forgotten what it feels like to wield them in battle.
To care so much you’d risk it all; when did I fall?
When did I trade sweat, for sweet perfume?
When did I trade my tent for a furnished room?
When did I start taking baths instead of taking orders?
When did I start breaking bread instead of breaking borders?

When did I trade my armor, for a suit and a hat?
When did I start kissing babies instead of kicking ass?
When did I stop talking like that?
Trading the pointed words of a hardened soldier,
For the sweet scented lips of a politician.
When did I start caring more about ribbons, and titles and the honor of men?
Then for the job at hand, the chain of command?
Why did I sit, when I was told to stand?

Where are the soldiers?
Where are my brothers to whom I swore an oath?
They fight alone while I sit and loaf.
Where are the soldiers, and where am I?
How can I live? And watch them die?
Where is my God, and where is my king?
Where is the hope to which I cling.
Where is my sword, and where is my shield?
Do I still have the strength them both to yield?

The Chosen

2006-12-12T20:27:00.000-08:00

The sky darkens,
The pace quickens
Time draws ever near
A million tiny souls crying out in fear.

Blood upon the doorposts
Yeast within a jar
The shadow in the doorway
Was ordered from afar

The desert lies before us
The brickpits lay behind
Before us lies our freedom
By heaven's own design

To bad we'll keep on wandering
For we can't seem to obey
Yet still we are God's chosen
And we'll get it right someday.

A sword for Gideon

2006-12-11T17:26:00.000-08:00

Beating grain on the threshing floor.
Eyes watching the open door.
Fear beats in my breast
Afraid to live like this,
Afraid to die like the rest.
Afraid of the armies which ravage the land.
Afraid of family and friends,
Afraid the voice I heard last night, maybe it wasn’t right.
Do I have the guts to break the idols of those in power?
Or will I cower,
In darkened corners of darkened caves.
A life that’s dead for all my days.
Will I stand, with sword in hand?
A soldier for God,
Against the vast armies of man?
Will I die?
Or become a slave under the devil’s hand?
Or will I stand?
Yet is this living?
Maybe I’m already dead,
And my body just hasn’t heard yet from my head.
I beat grain in darkened caves,
Watching my time pass away.
While others posses my land,
Wringing it dry with grasping hands.
Picking fruit from my own trees,
Eating honey made by my own bees.
Yet I’m still here shivering in the shadows of my uncertainty.
Wondering what is meant to be,
He said to have faith, to take a stand.
He’s words brought life to my inner-man.
Do I dare to try? Or let it die like all the others?
Do I follow a sign or follow my brothers?
Do I stand? In a land long lost to foreign devils?
Or accept that this is how things are meant to be?
Do I stand and draw my sword, or keep on living on bended knee?
I’ve called out so many times, to empty skies.
Hoping God above would here my plea.
Then when I saw a sign, I said “how can it be me?”
Maybe all the prayer and prostration, has made us a weak nation.
Because we spent so long waiting for an answer we forgot to how to act.
So busy asking “when” we missed the call to attack.
Are the flags waving? The musicians playing?
Is this the time? The task mine?
Is this the command?
“Stand up!”
“Get off your butt,”
“take back the land.”