What Is A Christian?

Fellow Readers! I am a Christian! A lot of people are confused what it really means to be a christian. So here's a little elaboration on what it means to bear that title (to whom it may concern, you know who you are, this is not a list of steps to salvation, but what I feel the ideal christian should be, or strive to be):

A christian must love GOD more than themselves.

It's not easy putting something or someone else in front of your own life. Humans, by nature, like to feel like we are in full control of what happens to us. Unfortunately, though, GOD decided it would be best if we had a much smaller brain than we could, and gave us the inability to imitate GOD. By doing that, he left ingrained in us the ability to love him more than we can possibly fathom. The Trinity itself is not easy to comprehend, and I don't think we ever can, but if we keep our eyes set on our father and our creator, we don't have to worry about it; he'll put us through and show us exactly what we need at that time.

A christian must realize that the world is not the truth.

Despite what the world says, no it is not okay to be a practicing homosexual (I Corinthians 6:9-10). With that said, I must also say, I love gay people, just like I would any other person in the world. However, the fact that they are covered in that sin, I cannot bring myself to supporting gay marriage or gay rights, because I feel that by supporting gay marriage, they get the idea that I'm tolerant of their sin, which I'm not. Remember readers, hate the sin, not the person.

A similar ideology appeals to drinking. Yes, if you are of age and responsible, it is okay to drink IN MODERATION. However, it is NOT okay to get drunk (Ephesians 5:18). The world disagrees, and classifies teenagers and college students as a bunch of party-hard, good-for-nothing, irresponsible animals! However, if we abstain from drinking, that stereotype can go away quickly. However, modern teenagers and christians alike find it difficult to put down the beer and walk away. Readers, brace yourselves, I'm about to blow your mind. Yes, you CAN have fun without drinking alcohol!

The most successful witness is provided by sight, not sound.

A non-christian is very easy to convert, with the right tools. It's not going to be nearly as easy telling someone that you love them, as it will be showing them that love. How convinced is someone going to be that you are loyal to GOD if every other word you say is a swear word? (Ephesians 4:29) Smiling, helping someone in need, and truly caring are all ways of helping get the point across that you really do love GOD and your life. I hate to break it to some of you, but it's really difficult to convert someone with showing off how much Biblical knowledge you have.

Go to church. It may be more than you expected.

The main focus of ministers and deacons these days is all about fun and numbers in a church. Honestly, numbers mean nothing. The Bible stresses the fact to go to church(Hebrews 10:25); it doesn't matter if more are here or if more are there; just have church! The fact is, we are all one body. Christians should not fight one another, as I have struggled with in the past, but instead help each other through truthful advice and personal reconstruction. Accountability is not supposed to be fun or easy. Personally, I want the person who is accountable for me to kick my butt metaphorically. I don't want a slap on the wrist, a band-aid, and a "Have A Nice Day" ending! Christians need to be more assertive in our helping of other christians. It's okay to take a little mental change; it helps to make a person stronger in their faith.

I enjoy the shotgun approach to ministry once in a while. A little food for thought is always good! And remember, this is an opinionated blog! I encourage others' inputs on what I've said. Also, thanks again for the support! No one is making you read these, but just by visiting my blog, whether positive or negative, you are supporting me, so THANK YOU EVERYONE!

"The World Is Λ Thorn" Album Review

Track Listing:

01. Descending Upon Us
02. LifeWar
03. Collapsing (ft. Björn "Speed" Strid of Soilwork)
04. This Is The Line
05. Driving Nails
06. The World Is a Thorn
07. Tie This Around Your Neck
08. Just Breathe (ft. Christian Älvestam of Miseration)
09. Shallow Water
10. Feel As Though You Could (ft. Dave Peters of Throwdown)
11. Blood In The Tears
12. Desire the Pain (DELUXE EDITION)
13. Driving Nails (String Mix) (DELUXE EDITION)

Why must great bands make us wait a long time for albums? It seems like I'm running into that problem a lot...Anyways, Demon Hunter has returned! Two new members and two LONG years later, they've finally thrust themselves back into the Christian music spot light, bringing their signature metalcore style and dark lyrics. However, is this a new sign of things to come for the future of the band, or is it a cookie cutter impression of their albums before?

Something DH has always been so good at is taking the Biblical word and throwing it in your face like a train hitting a deer; not an easy task for any Christian band these days. For those who have no idea who these guys are lyrically, think of them like this: these guys bring out those insecurities in your faith that you didn't realize you had. Needless to say, by listening to this album, you just may feel dirty about yourself, as they have that signature metal feel of "you're not doing it right; this is how it should be done sucka!"

This is evident in one of the most intense songs on the album, "Tie This Around Your Neck", as the lyrics read 'This is the age of the dead; the generation of pagan and self-led. You can feel the bones shatter beneath our feet.' Not an easy thing for anyone to hear, but it's true. But if you've read my blogs for more than 10 minutes, you know that I preach heavily on this kind of stuff.

But I digress...

So how are the songs? Fast. Heavy. Intense. Brutal. Chaotic. This is probably one of their most technical albums as they very smoothly transition from the growling they are famous for, to a clean sonnet of guitar and lyrics, back to the fire and intensity they have brought us for over 10 years. Nowhere is this more evident than in the song "Shallow Water", which can only be described as a heavy ballad. It sounds as if they are fed up with our sinful society, claiming 'pray for the rain; let it redeem their lives'.

"Collapsing" is probably the track most people have heard from this album. It is, more or less, a summary of every single song Demon Hunter has ever produced; very clean in some places, intense in others, causing a sense of euphoric head-banging in every one who listens. "Feel As Though You Could" may bring some to a feeling of absolute exhaustion; lots of time signature changes and heavy guitars, not including a chorus that feels as it is a break away from an intensive, stressful society some may live.

There is a reason I'm not going as in depth with some of the musical aspects of the album. Frankly, I'm not trying to do it on purpose, but there is really no other way to put it: it sounds like every other Demon Hunter album. This is definitely not a bad thing. They still bring those amazing ballads they do so well, such as "Blood In The Tears" and "Driving Nails". By the way, if you are reading this, I highly suggest you at least listen to those two songs, because it may bring out a feeling in you that you've never thought would come from a metal album, sorrow.

Now for my favorite time, short and sweet descriptions of songs! *Insert catchy theme music*! "Descending Upon Us" is an amazing way to start off the album, truly epic and brutal. "LifeWar" is so good, yet so short; which is a huge mistake on their part, as it brings gargantuan potential! "This Is The Line" is a great song...that's all I really have to say about that...nice drumming in the bridge though! "Just Breathe" and "Feel As Though You Could" provide great fillers for the heat this album brings, as they are fast, heavy, and make you wish they would never end.

Overall, DH brings another great metal addiction that won't be cured for a while. Despite the fact that it is very similar to their other albums, it isn't bad. At all. I don't think it'll bring in too many new metal fans though.

Pros:

• A headbangers paradise
• Brings out a dark side of christianity most people don't see
• Good for a quick rockin' out session
• The vocals and drumming are supremely good
• Grade-A ballads

Cons:

• A lot of the same guitar riffs
• Not much differentiality between some tracks
• One or two more truly brutal tracks couldn't hurt
• Mainly for metal heads. Sorry, Grandma...

Overall: 4/5

Recommended Downloads:

1. Descending Upon Us
2. Collapsing
3. Driving Nails
4. Tie This Around Your Neck
5. Blood In The Tears