John Prophet
07-31-2001, 12:47 AM
"Whiskey bottles...and brand new cars...oak tree you're in my way" "there's too much coke..and too much smoke...looks what's going on inside you" "ooh that smell, cant you smell that smell...ooh that smell..the smell of death's around you"
I heard that song a while back and had forgotten how powerful it was. Ronnie VanZant was a soulful singer and emotional songwriter and in this song he seemed to be taking a look at the outcome of his lifestyle. I too used to live that wild-life. Partying etc. Its always fun for a while but it gets old and then you look back and you feel your life has been wasted. Its sad when 40 and 50 yr olds are still caught up in self destruction, because they usually die young. Dunno what happened to Leon Wilkenson, but I remember enuff 40 year old adolescents from my bar days. They sat at the bar lonely. Usually the booze/drugs/sex is an attempt to fill a void or a basic need that isnt being filled. Since becoming a christian, I realize how much God protected me during those wayward years of mine. Its a long process to realize that God loves you like you are. He will help you become the real you..the person you always wanted to be. Booze etc, only seems to help once in a while. many nights it backfires and you find yourself becoming a person you dont want to become. I thank God that He was faithful to be merciful to me and even now He is patient to teach me why I act the way I do sometimes. many actions/problems in our lives are just the outward indications of inward problems. Even for Christians..the human side of us will always try to "earn" our salvation. We say we realize we are "saved by grace" but in out hearts, we are trying to come to God on our own merits.
Many great musicians like Jimi Hendrix poured out their hearts in their music. They sang of their struggles and their sorrows. They were honest and hoped that they could find a resting place for their troubled souls by expressing their feelings. Sadly, the lifestyle most of them embraced only led to worsening troubles. In our hearts, we know there is a God in heaven. Many of our actions/habits/attitudes/vices are simply a way for us to ignore the voice of God that tries to call us to himself.
God is real..His attributes can be readily observed by the things He has created. Be honest with yourself. If you are quiet and honest with yourself, you will hear Him calling you. Call to Him and tell Him you want to live for Him. ask His forgiveness and He will accept you. Pray to Him and talk to Him just like you would a wife or neighbor. If you continually choose to live in darkness, its only a matter of time before you are consumed by it.
The musicians who seemed to have the deepest insight into the dark side of spiritual matters...always seemed to be the ones who lives were destroyed the quickest. jimi Hendrix, janis, Jim morrison, Kirk Cobain. Its not enough to realize you are in a bad way, you gotta do something about it. God gives revelation so that you turn TO Him, not away from Him. If you find your life in a bad shape, dont turn to your own understanding. Remember that your own understanding led you INTO the mess. turn to God..He is the ONLY way back to lasting peace.
[This message has been edited by John Prophet (edited 07-31-2001).]
I heard that song a while back and had forgotten how powerful it was. Ronnie VanZant was a soulful singer and emotional songwriter and in this song he seemed to be taking a look at the outcome of his lifestyle. I too used to live that wild-life. Partying etc. Its always fun for a while but it gets old and then you look back and you feel your life has been wasted. Its sad when 40 and 50 yr olds are still caught up in self destruction, because they usually die young. Dunno what happened to Leon Wilkenson, but I remember enuff 40 year old adolescents from my bar days. They sat at the bar lonely. Usually the booze/drugs/sex is an attempt to fill a void or a basic need that isnt being filled. Since becoming a christian, I realize how much God protected me during those wayward years of mine. Its a long process to realize that God loves you like you are. He will help you become the real you..the person you always wanted to be. Booze etc, only seems to help once in a while. many nights it backfires and you find yourself becoming a person you dont want to become. I thank God that He was faithful to be merciful to me and even now He is patient to teach me why I act the way I do sometimes. many actions/problems in our lives are just the outward indications of inward problems. Even for Christians..the human side of us will always try to "earn" our salvation. We say we realize we are "saved by grace" but in out hearts, we are trying to come to God on our own merits.
Many great musicians like Jimi Hendrix poured out their hearts in their music. They sang of their struggles and their sorrows. They were honest and hoped that they could find a resting place for their troubled souls by expressing their feelings. Sadly, the lifestyle most of them embraced only led to worsening troubles. In our hearts, we know there is a God in heaven. Many of our actions/habits/attitudes/vices are simply a way for us to ignore the voice of God that tries to call us to himself.
God is real..His attributes can be readily observed by the things He has created. Be honest with yourself. If you are quiet and honest with yourself, you will hear Him calling you. Call to Him and tell Him you want to live for Him. ask His forgiveness and He will accept you. Pray to Him and talk to Him just like you would a wife or neighbor. If you continually choose to live in darkness, its only a matter of time before you are consumed by it.
The musicians who seemed to have the deepest insight into the dark side of spiritual matters...always seemed to be the ones who lives were destroyed the quickest. jimi Hendrix, janis, Jim morrison, Kirk Cobain. Its not enough to realize you are in a bad way, you gotta do something about it. God gives revelation so that you turn TO Him, not away from Him. If you find your life in a bad shape, dont turn to your own understanding. Remember that your own understanding led you INTO the mess. turn to God..He is the ONLY way back to lasting peace.
[This message has been edited by John Prophet (edited 07-31-2001).]