Comments on: Misguided Mission or, Wrestling the Alligator

By: John

John — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:50:13 +0000

Ralston,
Like only an artist can do, the lyrics drive deep into us. The refrain says it: “Put the message in the box, Put the box into the car
Drive the car around the world, Until you get heard.”

So how the heck are you?

By: rb

rb — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 11:23:42 +0000

And if you listen now, You might hear
A new sound coming in, As an old one disappears
See the world in just one grain of sand
You better take a closer look, Don’t let it slip right thru your hand
Won’t you please hear the call, the world says
CHORUS
Put the message in the box, Put the box into the car
Drive the car around the world, Until you get heard

Now is the moment, Please understand
The road is wide open to the heart of every man
A few simple words so a mule could understand
He don’t want tomorrow, If it’s just crumbling into sand
Won’t please hear the call, She says
Put the message in the box, Put the box into the car
Drive the car around the world, Until you get heard
Until you get heard
The World says, Give a little bit, Give a little bit of your love to me
Cos I’m waiting right here with my open arms
Give a little bit, Give a little bit of your soul to me
Cos I’m waiting to behold your many charms
Is that love in the air?
She says
Put the message in the box, Put the box into the car
Drive the car around the world, Until you get heard
World Party Lyrics

By: John

John — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 18:37:24 +0000

Fred,
A great image that I think is sadly very true.

By: John

John — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 18:36:14 +0000

Preacherman,
Thanks for your kind words.

By: Fred

Fred — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 18:25:22 +0000

I think sometimes we take the image of Scripture as sharper than a double-edged sword and start running around cutting up everything in sight.

By: preacherman

preacherman — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 17:42:58 +0000

John,
Great post brother.
I love it.
You put it so well.
You get right to the point.
The main thing!
The thing that matters most to God….The heart.
I hope you have a blessed day brother.

By: John

John — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:58:08 +0000

Hey, Lukas!
Wow. It’s great to hear from you. Are you going out to the National Pastors Conference? Do you do that in your line of work? Thanks for affirming the analogy. Stop by again.

By: John

John — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:56:09 +0000

Elisha,
I am so taken by your comments. You had me at “Hi, Dad.”
I appreciate your endorsement of the imagery because I wondered it the picture would work. I see so many frantic Christians “wrestling the alligator” when all they need to do is relax and let God’s Word embrace *their* heart. And you’ve touched on a key distinction in these times…the difference between living a Christ-like life and being a “Christian.” I love you! Dad

By: Lukas McKnight

Lukas McKnight — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 13:57:25 +0000

That’s a very good analogy, John, and it works well.

By: Elisha

Elisha — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 04:07:10 +0000

Hi, Dad! I have to comment today. I *love* this post. I think I want to print it and hand it out to everyone I meet. Oh wait…that’d just be more of the ill-fitting sheet. As I have been since I started listening in “big church,” I am thankful for your imagery and your thoughts. Your words gently tug at my heart as I strive to live the Christ-like life, not just be a Christian.