About the Whosoevers

If anyone is remotely curious as to who the Whosoevers are, I am going to include this video.

P.O.D., My Response

LadyRocker (Lia), Sonny and Jane (TigerRefuge).

When my fiancé and I decided to go to Cornerstone, this year, we wanted to make sure we bought plenty of CD's for our collection and we wanted make sure we had current material for our album features we do on Christian Rock and Fellowship.  We had no knowledge of the current controversy surrounding the band, Payable On Death, otherwise known to most folks as P.O.D.  It was told to us that there were two versions of the album, one for the Christian market and another one for the secular market.  I decided I'd get a good listen to the album before I made any judgments. On the left is my picture with Sonny Sandoval, along with my friend, Jane.  This was taken at Cornerstone in 2010.  We had the opportunity to talk to him, personally about his new ministry team called "The Whosovevers."  This description is taken from John 3:16, and yes, it was in the King James Version.  I believe his heart is right, but I had to take a pause as to why he, and the others in P.O.D. decided to make this decision.

The album, Murdered Love was played in the Christian Rock and Fellowship room in Paltalk, minus the final track, "I Am."  In it, Sonny describes the types of people that they come across every day, the ones who are being ministered by the whole Whosoever team.  Having seen the presentation once at Cornerstone, 2011, I believe I really understand what they're trying to do and who they're trying to reach.  However, there's a bit of a discrepancy when they use the f-bomb in the last line of the chorus when they say, "I know this is the only Son of God, but tell me who the f*** is He?"  The song is from the point-of-view of someone who knows about God, but can't quite fathom Him in the midst of the struggle.  That, I understand, but as a seasoned believer in Christ, one who has been in the Word for approximately 30 years, it is a bit disturbing.  I could even understand from a new-believer perspective, but not from a seasoned one.  Here is why:

Ephesians 4:29

King James Version (KJV)

²⁹ Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.

I understand the nature of what we see in 2 Corinthians 9:22 about "being all things to all people that we may save some.  Don't have a problem with that, but here's something that we need to think about when we use words that are not designed for edifying.

Here's my advice to Sonny and the others.  You've got a great ministry, and it is well-spoken of, and is doing great things.  I cannot fault you for that.  On the other hand, be cauttious about what you are doing.  Don't try to be so much like the world you're reaching by stooping to their level.  It would be good to recognize what Paul had to say in 1 Corinthians 6:9:12:

1 Corinthians 6:9-12

King James Version (KJV)

⁹ Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
¹⁰ Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
¹¹ And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God.
¹² All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.

I won't sit to be judge and jury, but I do have a simple warning, and one out of love.  Paul is talking about some of the same people that P.O.D. were describing in the song, but take note that the verses afterwards say, "and such were some of you."  A seasoned believer would understand that this would likely be a past behavior, and something that they don't want to go back to.  We don't want to brag about our salvation in Christ, but rather, we need to be able to show them the better, more perfect way.  In doing so, I think we will make a much better witness than attempting to try to copy the world's ways.

As such, you will probably not hear "I Am" in Christian Rock and Fellowship or in Rock of Intercession.  This is a decision I have made, and I will stand by it, simply because I don't want to cause offence to new believers.  As for Sonny, I hope you do well with what you're doing and also with the Whosoevers.  I just won't stand behind this final song for the reasons I mentioned above.

Cornerstone, 2012 In Remembrance

When I heard it was the final Cornerstone, I figured I'd better take my chances and make it over there.  Well, sure enough, I did, and was all the better or it.  My fiancé and I met up for the second time, and we would experience this great adventure together, through the dust, heat, and yes, even the porta-potty stench.  

Hardcore was still a main staple, though I confess there wasn't nearly as much that I observed this year. Eldon and I actually saw some acts that were not harcore, some of them were not usually part of our staple music selctions.  Out of all the bands we saw, we thought the 77s did an awesome show.  The Violet Burning did a great job on their set.  The Crossing was a nice diversion from all the rock we were listening to.  Neal Morse wowed the crowd with his very progressive style of music, plus his testimony.  And the Choir made for a fitting end to the fest.  Even the newer bands we saw showed great potential.  Light Up the Darkness, a family band, was well on their way to impress some folks at another major=label festival.  Every Knee Shall Bow was quite young, but their testimony was very bold.  Leper would be one of the darker acts we would see, this year.  Last hut not least, Becming the Archetype will have to forgive me for falling asleep at their show.  Thought not my style of music, BTA is reaching plenty of peopl e in the metal scene with their modern brand of music.  

More than the music, though. the fellowship was probably the drawing force for this final Cornerstone.  Everyone that I spoke to talked about how great people were and how the festival made and shaped them.  For 29 years, Cornerstone proved to not just be a musical fest, but it also brought many people together.  As for me, I've attended 7 Cornerstone events.  Every year brought something different, even through my well-published flight nightmares from different airports.  Each year, God would impress on me something different and new.  It would take too long to detail everything between those years, but I've grown closer to a lot of people as a result of Cornerstone, and as Christian Rock and Fellowship has progressed, I have come to know more musicians through Cornerstone.

A few special people come to mind, even as I am typing this.  They have made this year, an experience to remember in more ways than one, and all good. 

Harry Gore: Thank you so much for giving my Independence Day a performance to remembewr.  Yeah, I know we messed up the words to certain songs, but we pulled through very nicely.  Hope to perform with you more often!

Ben and Amy Aldrich: Thank you so much for making me and Eldon feel welcome in the Asylum.  You guys were very generous, and I was glad to finally meet you.

Mike Roe: I'm not that dumb of a camera person.  I'm just a bit slow on the draw.  Yo'll have to forgive me.

Ben (AshGhul): Another Asylum persson who welcomed us.  Those of us Sanctuary vagabonds found the Asylum a place to call "home base."  

Romona, thanks for your talk about the Holy Spirit.  His power is more excellent than we realize.  As the third person of the Trinity, we often forget that our Lord gave us a Comforter to protect us and cover us with His power.

Last, but not least, Eldon, my honey: Thank you for sticking with me through the fest.  I think he enjoyed it more this year than last.  I think the fellowship made the difference.  

I am hearing rumors of an "Occupy Cornerstone" movement.  I hope this is truly a God-thing.  All those who want to bring back the nostalgia should remember one thing, if anything: even if something never materializes, we must realise that Cornerstone gave us some tools to take back with us that we can use in or own ministries.  That snse of community should be the building block for all of us.  Read the book of Nehemiah and see how that sense of community help build a wall to protect Jerusalem.  Enemies would come with mocking, ridicule and weapons to try to dismantle the project, but Nehemiah and the people stood firm in their resolve to finish the wall.  Let's work on the building project God has for all of us.  He has given us the tools from our time at Cornerstone.  Now, let's work together!

Cornerstone, 2012: Lia M. and Harry Gore

Since this going to be the final Cornerstone, I wanted to go out in style.  Harry and I met the day that officially, the fest would open up.  It was a hot day, so we wanted to meet when it finally cooled down.  Well, it was worth it.  Now, I confess I didn't know all the words to every song we sung, and I admit, I also got some words wrong in certain songs.  As unrehearsed as this performance in the Food Court was, we had a great time.

Who Prays for Them?

This post was actually written in October, 2010, but I'm editing it now for the sake of those who are as ministry-oriented as I have been over the years.  In light of the recent deaths of Whitney Houston, Michael Jackson and Amy Winehouse, among other famous celebrity icons, I believe this is an important note to share.  I have even decided to edit it a little more to keep it relevant.

Who prays for them?  That question has often entered my mind every time I think about the different musicians I've read about, living or dead.  I think it really hit me when I heard that Brad Delp from Boston committed suicide a few years back.  It also hit me in a hard way when I heard of people like Ronnie James Dio, Peter Steele from Type O' Negative, Kevin DuBrow from Quiet Riot and Layne Staley from Alice in Chains just to name a few.  Even in the pop world, people like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston and Amy Winehouse find they will also face their eternity like many of the rock icons do.  There are others who have died needlessly over the years, but there's a thing that still remains long after these artists are long forgotten: "Who prays for them?"

Most people who know me know that I reminisce about the 80's a LOT!  It's in my nature, and it's a time for quirky music, the cheesy, the sleazy and the in-between.  It was also an era in time that the Church has not dealt well with the influences of certain artists.  Strange acronyms kept popping up likeKnights In Satan's Service for KISS, or Anti-Christ, Devil's Children for AC/DC.  Burning the records and backmasking also did some damage as well.  The church, in its ignorance was doing its best to purge the Body from the evil influences of rock music, and the opposite effect would happen.  Kids would buy more records, and artists would feed off the ignorance of many Christians by feeding off the silly acronyms.  What the heck?  It just made them much bigger, and it sold more records!

Imagine what less damage would've been done had we prayed for the artists in question than all this ridiculous hubbub.  John Lennon wanted to imagine there was "no heaven, no hell...people living for today, etc."  Did anyone ever think to pray for him before that fateful day in December, 1980?  Did anyone care to pray for Bon Scott of AC/CD before he met his Maker?  Who prayed for Ozzy when he was steeped in drug addiction?  Even in the more "tame" versions of music, who prayed for Whitney Houston, who although raised in church, eventually succumbed to drug addiction?  All our efforts in the church have developed into no more than showy, outside indignation, all the while, too many souls are hellbound because we don't bother to touch these lost souls who are obviously infuencing people.  Their music spoke to many people who needed someone they could relate to.  It's not that hard to figure out when you're dealing with many things.  Musicians, who have shared struggles as their fans, speak more clearly than some parents or even the clergy.  The question still remains; who prays for them?

Fortunately, there is a remnant of believers who are called to do just that.  For me, it started 20+ years ago when I prayed for a specific artist, but it really developed when I heard the awful news of Brad Delp's passing.  Here, the lead singer of Boston had everything he could possibly want, and on the outside, it seemed he was doing well.  No one knew the inside struggle before he took his own life.  Other subsequent deaths have occurred since then, but the burden had not left.  God would open a door for me to ask that question once more; "Who prays for them?"  I also believe he has opened others' hearts for the same purpose.  Miracles have happened in the music world since then: Lou Gramm, formerly of Foreigner; Brian "Head" Welch, formerly of Korn; Alice Cooper, Kerry Livgren, John Schlitt, John Elefante and many more have made that commitment to the Lord.  Someone prayed for them.  I'm glad that someone was around.

I may never know about Ronnie James Dio, Brad Delp, Kevin DuBrow, Whitney Houston, Amy Winehouse or any of the others who have gone on, but I will never say that I didn't take the time to pray.  It may be important to pray for those around us, but don't those who influence us need it just as much?

James 5:16 (King James Version)

 16Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

In this case, I suppose it would be a "righteous woman."  I hope I DO stand upright before God when I pray.  And for these men and women who have influenced us this much, we must always remember to pray for them, and not do like what we've done before.  It didn't work then.  It won't work now, but once we see these musicians as the people that God wants them to be, oh, what a great thing to behold! 

Late-Night Journaling: For Now, It's About Me!

Yeah, I know.  I am just barely starting out, but I want to have everyone get to know me just a bit better.  First of all, let me start off by telling everyone who I am.  First of all, I'm a child of God, and as such, everything I do, I try to do according to God's Word, the Bible.  Some will probably let me know when I am out of line.

I am a naturalized citizen to the United States, which could probably account for my often, patriotic posting on Facebook in dealing with the country as a whole.  I have been in this country since I was fifteen and a half months old.  Now that this is all settled, I will do my best to describe what I do.

I am a musician.  I am a vocalist and keyboardist for both electric and acoustic piano.  My musical dream is to create a Christian band similar to Nightwish.  Very few musicians in the US want to take that route.  However, I'm willing to take that rist.  I could never be pigeonholed in a style, as when I was a teenger, it was all about classic rock.  When I was an adult, however, my style soon changed to metal, and I am loving it!  I'm familiar with a lot of bands in the 80's, but I love Scandinavian power metal.

I have two pages on Facebook.  One is dedicated to promoting musicians and the other one is dedicated to promoting prayer for musicians, both secular and Christian.  You may be able to find Christian Rock and Fellowship and Rock of Intercession if you type in the names, but I thought perhaps I should simply post the links in the text for all Facebook users.

So, now, that I've got everyone's attention, I'll be posting here a few blogs from time to time.  Some are old, but still relevant.  Some are new, but they will make sense in due time.

See you on the flip!