Firework at Church?

I've blogged about Katy Perry's Firework before. The song is catchy, in fact I have it on my iPod (one of only 2 Katy Perry songs). But if you ever read this post then you know Firework isn't exactly drenched in Biblical truths. So I was a bit surprised to see Perry Nobles church sang it, along with a few other secular songs. You can read and watch here.

This has always bothered me, but I know it isn't a new thing. And I guess it really should have not surprised me, either.

I remember a few years back, the seeker church we were attending was going to have a whole series on secular songs. I don't remember which 5 or 6 songs the pastor chose, I do remember one was by Train. I quietly complained to a girlfriend and my husband that I didn't think it was appropriate to sing a secular song in church. That Sunday that the was supposed to be the first sermon on whatever song, I get to church to find "Cancelled by the Holy Spirit." Apparently the pastor had a change of heart and instead we did 5 weeks learning about modern worship songs. Sometimes I can't believe I tolerated such nonsense as long as I did. I'm still not sure the whole thing wasn't one big publicity thing.

Anyway, I remember a couple of times when our church merged with another church in town and we were suddenly in a big building w/ fancy lights, etc..the band sang that song, "I'm Gonna Be (Five Hundred Miles)" by the Proclaimers. Yes, yes, I know Steven Curtis Chapman sang it too on his love album, but really, in church?

I don't know about you, but when I go to church --- I want to worship God! A holy God not confined to the human flawed understanding of love or relationships. Sometimes nothing is better than hymn soaked in truth. Sometimes I love the newer music (thinking Casting Crowns version of Glorious Day)....or Jeremy Camp's The Way. This is what I want to hear at church, not Katy Perry, not Train, not the Proclaimers, not U2, not any secular music.

I guess I am way more old fashioned that I would have admitted a few years ago. But I think our music in church should bring God glory, not talk about how great we are, not how we should show people our own worth and goodness.

You can probably guess I am no longer at a seeker church? What about you, any comments on the use of non Christian music in church?

Meanwhile, here is one of my all time favorite songs to sing. I wish I could've found Travis Cottrell singing it but didn't. But this is a good version :)

Powerful

"He alone who owns the youth gains the future." - Adolf Hitler

Very very powerful video from Ray Comfort. It is a must must watch.

The Age of the Earth and Sunday School

Well, it finally happened. After homeschooling, teaching a Discover 4 Yourselves Precept class for kids on creation, using Answers in Genesis and Apologia science books.....Delena's Sunday School teacher yesterday taught that the earth is millions and billions of years old.

But, leave it to my child to defend young earth! Apparently she debated the teacher --- and debated him quite well, I might add. She brilliantly brought up some of the things we learned in science about the sun's rays and the moons craters. She forgot one very important thing, though.........the flood.

Delena came home and spent all afternoon on Answers In Genesis website, trying to better prepare herself to defend her position next time. She got out her two books we did on creation by Kay Arthur and reviewed what she had learned. She also took lots of notes from videos she watched on the AIG website. She is getting better prepared!

This just confirmed how important it is to teach worldview - whether you homeschool or not! If you don't...someone else will. And you can guarantee that somewhere along the line, your child will be taught something inconsistent with your beliefs. I am really passionate about the young earth....a literal 24 hour day creation. If you want to know why, read Ken Ham's book "Already Gone." It is common knowledge that kids are leaving our churches and Ken Ham does an excellent job in tying it to the basic understanding of Genesis. This isn't something to take lightly.

I am a staunch Calvinist. 5 points and all. However, my pastor isn't. We are members of a church that isn't reformed. I deal with it because there are people within the church that are and there isn't really a good Calvinist church around my area. But being taught old earth....that is something I cannot tolerate. I am praying about how best to handle this.

By the way, does anyone know what the Southern Baptist Convention's official stand on this is?

And lastly, if your interested, I have a devotion up at Laced With Grace today. You can read it here.