Fire Journal - Sharing the Fire of God

Hebrews 12:29 has been bouncing around in my head for quite some time. Partially because it is the basis for a College-age ministry I am helping to start, and partially because its part of such an awesome concept.

[25] See that you do not refuse Him who speaks. For if they did not escape who refused Him who spoke on earth, much more shall we not escape if we turn away from Him who speaks from heaven, [26] whose voice then shook the earth; but now He has promised, saying, “Yet once more I shake not only the earth, but also heaven.”

[27] Now this, “Yet once more,” indicates the removal of those things that are being shaken, as of things that are made, that the things which cannot be shaken may remain.

[28]Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom which cannot be shaken, let us have grace, by which we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear. [29] For our God is a consuming fire.

If you read further up, you see that the author of Hebrews is using the story of Moses to illustrate how God seperates the things of Him from the things of this world. On Mount Sinai, God spared only those who remained faithful to HIm. Similarly, God “shakes up” the foundations of our lives, removing the pieces which are not firmly anchored in Him. Kind of like a virus cleaner. File infected? Whoops! Had to delete the whole thing. Heheh. So I’m guessing a modern, techy translation would be “For our God is an up-to-date virus scanner.” Doesn’t quite have the same gusto…

Anyways. I’ll leave you with a question to bounce around in your head: What parts of your lives is God shaking up, but you’re still trying to hold on to?

Hey, Andrew here. As part of the revamp of Fire Journal, we’re experimenting with a broader scope of articles concerning the Fire in our lives. Tonight we’re exploring a new record released this month: “Comatose” by Skillet.

Passion describes the record in one word. The tracks scream the overall theme of either desperately needing God and burning for Him. There is no middle ground. Check out these (partial) lyrics from Rebirthing:

I lie here paralytic
Inside this soul
Screaming to you till
My throat is numb

I wanna break, out I need a way out
I don’t believe that it’s gotta be this way
The worst, is the waiting
In this room I’m suffocating

Feel your presence
Filling up my lungs with oxygen
I take you in
I’ve died

The lyrics are strongly supported by an ensemble of strings, drums, guitars, & keys. Several of Skillets old tracks, such as Alien Youth and Open Wounds have graced my favorites list, but the the music of those songs, while good, pales in comparison with the string-driven tracks Rebirthing and Comatose. Listen on their myspace page.

Leave a comment! Tell us what you think of Skillet’s new album and this idea of exploring music on Fire Journal. God bless!