Orthodoxy is having correct belief.

Orthopraxy is behaving correctly.

So which is more important in the modern Christian church? Or maybe more specifically, modern Christian faith? Is it more important to attend church (nearly) every Sunday, read your Bible (almost) every day, and pray, or to maybe not do those things so often but to have a real relationship with God.

I began thinking about this last week when my history professor defined these terms for us. That week his lectures were focused around Christianity and its impact on Western civilization. He said that Christianity is unique because it is the only world religion to place such importance on Orthodoxy or having the right belief and doesn’t focus so much on actions. An example of orthopraxy is the Roman religion, which concerned itself with keeping the gods happy and didn’t care so much what one believed.

Is that what modern Christianity has become? One can call him/herself a “Christian” so long as she does x, y, and z. I don’t think it’s more important to read the Bible everyday than it is to have God “in my thoughts” all day. I’m NOT saying that reading the Bible isn’t important. I’m simply saying that I’ve always been taught that I should read my Bible and pray every morning. However, that becomes a routine and as with any routine, eventually, I do it without thinking. That is closer to behaving correctly than it is to believing correctly.

Say, I forget or do not have time to read my Bible for a couple days or longer. That’s bad some might say. During that time, however, what if every day I talk to God during my day and every time I go to make a decision I think about what is God’s will. If my focus is on God all day that way I’m closer to him than if I simply read my Bible and prayed without even thinking just that morning.

I don’t want my faith to be ruled by correct actions and routine. Actions certainly have their place, but these actions should come from having the correct beliefs. I would rather embrace love than rules and regulations.

I wrote this a year ago for my Psychology class...

The words echoed through my skull, the pounding, crashing music became my pulse. All around me thousands of like-minded people screamed the same chorus. There are few things in my life as exhilarating as a concert, but summer ’07 I went to the Creation East Christian music festival. That week topped every concert I had gone to before. There was one particular night of that week, though, that I will always remember. It was one of the handful of peak experiences in my life and has one of the sharpest impressions. The praise, the energy, the excitement, finished with one of the most touching songs I have ever heard burned itself into my memory.

It was night, but above us the stars glowed. The night air had a chill, but I hardly noticed. I was standing on the side of a grassy hill overlooking a giant concert stage. On that stage, Tobymac, the Christian rapper/rocker with his Diverse City crew, danced and sang with all their hearts. Every person gathered there, from the youngest child to the oldest adult, was on his or her feet. Most had their hands in the air, the rest were dancing. The beat was infectious and many soon found themselves dancing along with Toby. I am a terrible dancer and would normally never even think of doing such a thing in front of people, but I was caught in the moment. I was ecstatic, exhilarated, and I didn’t care who knew. Arms in the air, I shouted the words of the song, “I want the world to know I burn for You!” This wasn’t an empty joy I felt. I mainly went to Creation with the intentions of seeing some of my favorite bands. I hadn’t really expected to feel anything quite so real as this. Dancing on the grass hill, singing, laughing, and praising God, I knew this was just a taste of what eternity will be like.

Just when it seemed the excitement of the crowd couldn’t go any higher, as the first chords of one of TobyMac’s older and most famous songs resonated through the night air, a roar erupted. Surely the entire crowd knew this song, and they all seemed to want Toby, or maybe even the world, to know it. If I could have chosen one song to be a theme for what I felt that night this would have been it. I couldn’t stand still. I jumped up and down to the base drum, shouting every word: “What will people think when they hear that I’m a Jesus Freak?”

TobyMac left the stage with lengthy cheers from the crowd. A band called Casting Crowns followed him shortly. These guys were not nearly as energetic as Tobymac. It wasn’t the kind of music you could dance to, but it was worship music and that was what I was in the mood for. I felt as if the doors to Heaven had been cracked open, but now I wanted to praise a different way. Casting Crowns started into their set. I knew all of their songs so far. They were good songs, but nothing blew me away because I heard them all so many times. It was just the same old message, but then the lead singer started talking about a new song. I listened closely as the band played through the first verse. When the chorus came, the words gripped my heart like a vise. Mark Hall, the lead singer for Casting Crowns, sang, “…’Cause You know just how far the East is from the West, from one scarred hand to the other.” I had to sit down; the words of the song were flooding my heart. It was as if God had pushed away the air and spoke to me. This was real. More real than anything I had done or felt before.

When I finally stood, I felt refreshed, invigorated, and ready to face the trials life would soon throw at me. This was certainly a peak experience in my life because few times has something felt so real. I’m not sure how to describe what I mean, or even what I felt. I think you had to have been there.

RED: Innocence and Instinct
Rating: * * * * ½

A band’s sophomore album is a good test to see if a band will endure. RED exploded onto the Christian Rock scene in 2006 with "End of Silence". Of all of the new bands to release albums that year, Red is one that stood out. Few bands in the world of music have a sound like Red’s. They combine orchestral music with hard rock. "Innocence and Instinct" had been greatly anticipated and Red did not let their fans down.

The opening track “Fight Inside” sounds a lot like some of the songs on Red’s first album but its still a well written, well-preformed song. The next song “Death of Me” is a hard rocker but is only a taste of what is still coming on the album. The next four tracks, “Mystery Of You,” “Start Again,” “Never Be The Same, and “Confession,” though lumped together here, are each memorable songs with exquisite rock hooks, beautiful piano and strings, and haunting lyrics. The song “Shadows” is one of the most memorable tracks on the album and “Ordinary World” (a cover of Duran Duran) is also a great surprise. The last two songs, “Out From Under” and “Take It All Away,” wrap the album up very nicely. “Take It All Away” is different from the rest of the tracks. It is slower paced with quieter, but no less haunting, lyrics.

Red passed the sophomore album test with flying colors. "Innocence and Instinct" is an improvement on their first album, "End Of Silence". Red kept the elements that captured their fans attention and even improved on them. I look forward to this band being around for a long time.

My name. My title. My label.

Kalie.

Not Kayla. Not Katie. Not Kelly. The "a" is not long. I know it looks long but it isn't. My name is pronounced "Kaylee."

So, why is this hard to remember? Growing up, my sister and I always had people mixing our names up. No, I am not Kari. Kalie. I can understand the mix up though. Our names are close. After awhile it did begin to grate on my nerves. The fact that our names were confused occasionally didn't bother me by itself. I took it too literally, and felt like I was being lumped with my sister. Instead of two distinct girls, people perceived us a a single entity.
Yes, I do think about things too much sometimes.

But how hard is "Kalie" to remember? A name is very important part of a person, don't you think? The men I work with in the carpenter's shop still don't remember my name even after the six months I have worked here. My boss calls me "kelly." Another carpenter calls me "Kayla." Wrong.

As important as a name is, actions say more about a person. A boy with a cool name could be a jerk. A girl with a pretty name could be a snake. I'd rather the people around me( at work, at school, wherever...) remember my actions then remember my name. I would rather the carpenters remember that I smiled all the time, that i came to work every day that I was supposed to, and that I was a hard worker, even if they don't remember whether or not my name was "Kelly," "Kayla," or whatever. That's the kind of impression I want to leave with people. Whether or not it has a name...

So, I'll keep reminding people of my name. Maybe someday they'll get it right.
Or just call me Kay... maybe that's easier to remember.

I started thinking about this the other day. Very few things impact me like music. Ok, nothing impacts me quite like music does. My “life song” changes on an average of every other week, and I’m worried I’m going to run out of room on my 30 gig iPod. Ok, ok, maybe that is a bit of an exaggeration, but it’s not far from the truth! Anyway, I was listening to one of my longer playlists the other day, and suddenly I was struck by the fact that so many of those songs define a specific point in my life. Some of them have been my “life songs” that speak of something I was going through, or something I felt at some point in my life. Some define moments that shaped who I am today. Looking back on this music, I can see the low points in my life, the great times, and how through each one, God has continued to mold me. I’ve always wished my life had a soundtrack, but I didn’t realize that it does! Some of this music I don’t listen to anymore, but it’s fascinating to look back and see what has impacted my life. This is the soundtrack of my life. These are arranged in chronological order as much as possible. However, for some of the songs I can’t put a specific time of them because they continue to impact me today.

o It’s a Good Day – FFH

o On My Cross – FFH … I remember almost crying when I heard this song.

o My Savior My God – Aaron Shust … This song defines a moment in my life. Aaron Shust was the worship leader at the first district youth retreat I attended. It was at this retreat that my relationship with God became just that. In Rockbridge, Virginia I found something more than the dry faith I had before. I still had a lot of growing to do, but this retreat marks the beginning of something beautiful that God was doing in my life. When I hear this song, all I have to do is close my eyes, and I go back to that time of wonder.

o Imperfection – Skillet … The year 2006 was probably the hardest year of my life so far. I struggled with things like friendships, self-image, and, yes, guys. In hindsight, I think my poor self-image and confidence was at least partially the cause of all of that. The line in this song that spoke to me the most was “Can I be somebody else, For all the times I hate myself.” I did hate who I was. I hated that I was quiet. I hated that it took me so long to make friends. I hated the way I looked, and when the guy I liked broke my heart, I hated myself even more. It had to have been me. There had to be something wrong with me for him to do that.

o I’m Not Alright – Sanctus Real

o All Alone - Kutless

o Sea of Faces - Kutless

o Facedown – Graham Davis

o Fade Me Away – Graham Davis … Graham was the worship leader at the second district retreat I went to. This was the retreat I was dealing with my (for lack of a better term) guy issues. It didn’t end at this retreat. I wish it had. It would have saved me a lot of grief but I know God works everything out for his glory. I was refreshed at this retreat, and felt something that I haven’t felt again. God was still working to prepare my heart for what was still to come in my life.

o The Older I Get – Skillet … I still remember the night my heart broke. It hurt like nothing I had felt before, and I pray to never feel again. I was bitter for a long time, and the line that defined that time was “I can’t believe it still hurts like this.” I wanted to let go, or I think I did. I didn’t want to allow the memory of him to keep hurting me, but I couldn’t forgive him either.

o Everything You Wanted – Hawk Nelson … This song defines the turmoil my mind was in after my heartbreak. “I tired to be perfect, tried to be honest, tried to be everything you ever wanted.” I had tried to be better, I just didn’t realize I needed to be myself.

o Promise of a Lifetime – Kutless … I’m not self centered enough to think that this song was just for me, but, man, did I need to hear this. When if felt like everyone else was leaving me, I listened to this song to remind me that He will never “walk away and leave behind, the promise of a lifetime.” There is no one on this earth who can fill all my needs. People will always let me down, but God will never walk away.

o Run - Kutless

o Foreverandever Etc… - David Crowder Band … From the district retreat on, 2007 promised to be an amazing year. I truly believed that God was going to change me forever that summer. This song defines summer ’07 for me. 2006 was a difficult year and I was ready to lay everything at God’s feet, and find everything that I’d ever need. At the district retreat, God had told me I needed to forgive the guy who broke my heart. I knew I needed to do that, but it would be several more months before I actually did it.

o We Are One Tonight – Switchfoot … Creation ’07 was more than an unforgettable week watching my favorite bands perform. I know I tasted eternity that week. I glimpsed Heaven, and found that everything in this world pales and fades in it’s light.

o Jesus Freak – DC Talk … “What will people think when they hear that I’m a Jesus Freak? What will people do when they find that it’s true?” There is no way I can fully describe the night I stood on the hillside at Creation with over 100,000 other people screaming those words. This song continues to define me today. I am not ashamed of the Gospel of Christ, and it is my prayer that those around me will see that I’m a Jesus Freak.

o East To West – Casting Crowns … Combined with TobyMac and his performance of Jesus Freak, Casting Crowns and this song made this the most amazing night of Creation. “Jesus can you show me just how far the east is from the west? ‘Cause I can’t bear to see the man I’ve been, come rising up in me again.” I wanted to grow and move on. I couldn’t continue to be the bitter person I was.

o Wake Up –The Swift … Life ‘07

o Salvation is Here – The Swift … Life was a once in a lifetime experience that changed me forever. The focus of Life was giving up your rights, and surrendering your life. God doesn’t need us to do great things, but He wants to use us, and he will, if we surrender to him. As amazing as the conference was, God still wasn’t done with me. (Is He ever?)

o Breathe Into Me - RED

o Image of Invisible – Thrice

o Fireproof – Pillar

o Treason – Kutless … “Tell me a reason why this isn’t treason. I swear I’m back but then it turns out it’s only a season.” Every time I go to a retreat or conference, God touches my heart and I come away determined to change, but inevitably I always slip back into not doing my devotions and thinking self-destructive thoughts. After summer ’07 I was determined not to commit that treason.

o Dive – Disciple … “Strength is renewed as I wait on you God.” Whenever I feel weak, I listen to this song, or read the verse it comes from (Isaiah 40:31) and I’m reminded where my strength comes from.

o Game On – Disciple … “Are you ready for me? ‘Cause I’m ready for you!”

o We Won’t be Quiet – David Crowder … When I was thinking of a song that defines my last district youth retreat I surprised to realize that the song that defines that time for me wasn’t a song that we sung there. Instead it was one of the songs I used when I created the video to show the church of that retreat. I think this song defines that retreat for me because the speaker challenged us to make a difference in our generation. That really spoke to me. The last day of that retreat I realized how everything in my life was working together. The retreats, Life, Creation, they’re all pointing me toward one thing. I have yet to discover what this is, but I’m leaving it in God’s hands.

o The More – Downhere … “Lord keep me mystified!”

o Strong Tower – Kutless

o I Am Free – Newsboys

o Things Left Unsaid – Disciple … July 14th 2008 my grandmother passed away. Only four weeks before I was leaving for college where I would have been living near her. That was the first time someone so close had left me. I didn’t understand why God would take her from us now, and it was so hard to watch my dad, the strongest man in my life, cry. I wish to never have to go through that again but life doesn’t work that way. But even in all this God is good. One of my favorite bands happened to be playing in my uncle’s church. I know God worked that out. I had seen that band three times before but I had never heard them sing the song “Things Left Unsaid.” When they started playing that song that night, I almost broke down in tears. I believe that concert, and that song was for my siblings and I. It was God’s way of telling us everything was going to be all right.

o Everything – Lifehouse … Every time I play this song, it speaks to me. “You’re all I want, You’re all I need, You’re Everything.” It helps me keep my focus on what is important. Nothing else matters without God.

There are so many other songs I could put on this list. These are only the major ones. Music says what words cannot.
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