Dad was Right? (U just gotta get outta your own way son)

Some people have remarked that I have an "eclectic" taste in music and they may be right.  I grew up with a father who listened to country music, a mother who listened to the standards and 50's & 60's, and a sister who listened to heavy metal music.  I married a wife who listens exclusively to Christian worship music and radio stations.  That is simply to give you some perspective for today's (and future posts) comments about the lyrics from a song by a Christian rap artist named LeCrae in his song "background" from his recent album titled "Rehab."

I mentioned in my opening post that I would be focusing on spiritual formation and this can take many avenues and formats.  Music is one avenue that we can worship The Lord and develop our spiritual formation and relationship with Him over time.

One of the things my "earthly" father used to say to me all the time before his passing, was that I cold accomplish great things in my lifetime, if I would just "get out of my own way."  To be honest, I never really paid that statement much thought until recently.  I would never assume that you know my story and there will be time I suppose to share personal testimony on this blog.  For now, I will say that my own journey has led me to give up a job in the corporate profession and go to seminary full-time to gain a Masters degree in Christian Studies and another Masters degree in Counseling Ministries.  That path has lasted for three years now as I continue to find the right fit at a church and in a ministry that honors and glorifies God.

This brings me to the lyrics of LeCrae's song.  
"I could play the background.  I could play the background.
Cause I know sometimes I get in the way 
So won't you take the lead, lead, lead?"

That is what is called the "hook" in the song.  As pastors, we are trained to have a "hook" in every sermon.  If I am honest, this particular "hook" stopped me in my tracks and made me reflect upon my dads words.  It immediately made sense to me.  I even have a shirt that I wear from our youth ministry program that says "it's not about me."  I thought to myself - How dense can you be?  Just get out of your own way and allow the Spirit to take charge of the gifts that are flowing inside you.  After all, you may be injured right now, but you have time to reflect on God's Word and love technology.  Why not combine both and share what you feel He is proving to you online so others may benefit from that knowledge.

Verse 1 from the song also goes on:

It's evident you run the show, so let me back down

You take the leading role, and I'll play the background

I know I miss my cues, know I forget my lines

"I'm sticking to your script, and I'm reading all your signs (Aye)

I don't need my name in lights, (Aye) I don't need a starring role

Why gain the whole wide world, If I'm just going lose my soul?

And my ways ain't purified, don't live according to Your Word

I can't endure this life without Your wisdom being heard

So word to every dancer for a pop star

'Cause we all play the background, but mine's a rockstar

Yeah, so if you need me I'll be stage right

Praying the whole world would start embracing stage fright

So let me fall back, stop giving my suggestions

'Cause when I follow my obsessions, I end up confessin'

That I'm not that impressive, matter of fact

I'm who I are, a trail of stardust leading to the superstar

What is booming loudly from LeCrae's song (besides the Bass) is the amazing fact that as soon as we realize we need Christ in our lives, He is the architect, Not us.  If we allow Him to take center stage in our lives, we glorify Him and not our own self-interests. 
 Dallas Willard puts it this way "

Spiritual formation in Christ is the process by which one moves and is moved from self-worship to Christ-centered self-denial as a general condition of life in God’s present and eternal kingdom.

I guess my father was right, if we all just get out of our own way and allows or a relationship to begin and to strengthen with our Heavenly Father, we will be Blessed.  If we continue to make excuses, or choose the television show, or book, or magazine, or time spent playing a video game, He will take that, but it will affect our relationship with Him and ultimately we will have to realize that it is us that are "getting in the way" of the formation of our spiritual formation and not our Savior.

I welcome your thoughts on this entry and look forward to hearing from anyone about their own personal spiritual journey.

Recharging my Spirit daily,

Pastor Bill Blanck

Welcome to the journey :)

Welcome to the journey.  I hope you have your favorite beverage by your side.  I typically brew some coffee in the mornings, see my kids off to bus stop, and then spend time with a great cup of java and with Jesus.  This blog is designed to spend each day in God's Word in daily devotional time, taking a moment to reflect upon Scripture and how it can be transformative and spiritually forming over time, if we immerse ourselves in "regular" relational time with our Lord and Savior.

What does "regular" and spiritually formational time with the Lord look like?  This is an extremely important question and deeply personal and passionate topic to each and every person, so I shall approach the topic with deep respect and humility.  Statistically speaking, it can take over a month to form a new habit.  I bring this up, because if you are not in the habit currently of reading the Bible, you would need to consider "the little picture" or as other have put it "baby steps" to get to that 30 day mark.  Once you break through that one month threshold, you will find that your morning cup of coffee (or whatever your beverage of choice is) has become second-hand and you can't even imagine a day starting without your devotional time spent reading, studying, learning, talking with (possibly crying, shouting at, or even singing to) and praying with Your Heavenly Father.

To truly grow in Christ, we need to hear His call.  Christ calls us to deny ourselves and to take up the cross (Mtw. 16:23-25), which is extreme discipleship.  It is a call to cancel out our own will so we are able to submit to His.  By confessing Christ as our Savior, it means He is our Lord and we thus surrender to His direction, leadings and purpose for us. 


²³ Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever wants to save their life^[a] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

I will also be spending time on this blog attaching links to family resource websites, youth ministry resource websites, articles, and I welcome discussion to any topics that I bring forth on the page and any suggestions that may enhance or edify the blog regarding page links to websites, speakers, resources, organizations, ministries, etc.

I find myself presently as a pastor without a church and so I figured, why not try to contribute in some small way to His kingdom.  

Glorify The Lord with me, let us exalt his name together. (Psalm 34:3 NIV)


Recharging my Spirit daily,

Pastor Bill Blanck