"The Lust, The Flesh, The Eyes & The Pride Of Life"

Today's entry in my "Still Relevant After All These Years" tour of 1980s CCM (that's Contemporary Christian Music for those not steeped in the evangelical subculture) is less political and more personal.

I actually traded a Sandi Patti Live album for The 77s first album (Ping Pong Over the Abyss)... but "The Lust, The Flesh, The Eyes & The Pride Of Life" is from their third album. (And the version I know & love is the demo version from Sticks & Stones.)

Anyway, this song kicks my butt every time I listen to it.

Well, I feel

Like I have to feel

Something good all of the time

With most of life I cannot deal

But a good feeling I can feel

Even though it may not be real

And if a person, place or thing can deliver

I will quiver with delight

But will it last me for all my life

Or just one more lonely night

The lust, the flesh

The eyes

And the pride of life

Drain the life

Right out of me

Well, I see something and I want it

Bam! Right now!

No questions asked

Don't worry how much it costs me now or later

I want it and I want it fast

I'll go to any length

Sacrifice all that I already have

And all that I might get

Just to get

Something more that I don't need

And Lord, please don't ask me what for

The lust, the flesh

The eyes

And the pride of life

Drain the life

Right out of me

And I love when folks

Look right at me

And what I'm doing

Or have done

And lay it on about

How groovy I am

And that I'm looking grand

And every single word

Makes me think I'll live forever

Never knowing that they probably

Won't remember what they said tomorrow

Tomorrow I could be dead

The lust, the flesh

The eyes

And the pride of life

Drain the life

Right out of me

"Save Me"

When I first purchased Rich's self-titled debut album, I was disappointed. His voice was odd, the lyrics kind of tumbled out and were sandwiched into musical phrases that felt too short... but, because it was the days of cassette tapes & I had a player in my car, I kept playing it each morning on the way to work. 

And then on the way back home.

And the music and lyrics grew on me...  and ended up being a soundtrack for a good chunk of my spiritual life.

"Save Me" is yet another 30+ year old CCM song that remains incredibly relevant today.

Save me save me

Save me from my contempt for the things that make me strong

Save me from any value I could put a price tag on

Save me from Soviet propagandists

Lord save me from Washington

Please save me Lord save me

Save me save me

Save me from the slick pop sounds

Laid down in virgin vinyl grooves

Save me from any woman who would be turned

On to the aftershave I use

Save me from trendy religion that makes

Cheap cliches out of timeless truths

Lord save me please save me

Save me

"It's A Personal Thing"

This Steve Taylor classic was originally released in 1985. For a 33 year old song, it doesn't seem like it's aged a day.

Steve commented in his fan club newsletter back in the mid-80s: "["It's A Personal Thing"] takes as its inspiration the large number of public figures who separate their personal beliefs from their politics, and are thus able to display a virtuosity at talking out of both sides of the mouth that can usually be accomplished only by glueing the middle part of one's lips together."

The more things change, the more they stay the same.

The Press Conference

It's a personal thing, and I find it odd

You would question my believing in a personal God

I'm devout, I'm sincere, ask my mother if you doubt it

I'm religious, but I'd rather not get radical about it

The old-time believers had timidity and grace

But this new generation doesn't know its place

You're entitled to believe, but the latest Gallup Poll

Says you mustn't interfere--that's the government's role

'Cause when you throw your hat in the bullring

Before you know know know it's a personal thing

And when he comes to the day of reckoning

He's gonna tell 'em, "uh, uh, uh, it's a personal thing"

The Nomination Speech

It's a personal thing, and I boldly state

That my views on morality will have to wait

'Til my personal life's out of the public eye

And the limitations statue can protect my alibi

I'm devout, I'm sincere, and I'm proud to say

That it's had exactly no effect on who I am today

I believe for the benefit of all mankind

In the total separation of church and mind

'Cause when you throw your hat in the bullring

Before you know know know it's a personal thing

And when he comes to the day of reckoning

He's gonna tell 'em, "uh, uh, uh, it's a personal thing"

The Victory Night

It's a personal thing, and I plainly speak

(From the same code of ethics that I held last week)

As I promised if elected this election day

With the help of God almighty, I'll do it my way

'Cause when you throw your hat in the bullring

Before you know know know it's a personal thing

And when he comes to the day of reckoning

He's gonna say, "back off, buddy, it's a personal thing"

Peace/Pain

Some thoughts flowing from last Sunday's message at Restoration Church...

Pain, suffering & heartache will be part of the rhythms of life for every follower of Christ. Jesus prepares us for this in John 16:1...

“I have told you these things so that you will not stumble or be caught off guard and fall away.” (John 16:1 AMP)

I should not be surprised when life is difficult - when my expectations of God as a cosmic concierge are thwarted.

True religion is not about a smooth stroll through life. Jesus is not a steamroller crushing the sharp-edged obstacles in our way.

“Life is pain, Highness! Anyone who says otherwise is selling something.” (The Princess Bride)

The answer to a broken world is not a heavenly fixer... it is an Advocate who brings peace that transcends circumstances. 

“Peace I leave with you; My [perfect] peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Do not let your heart be troubled, nor let it be afraid. [Let My perfect peace calm you in every circumstance and give you courage and strength for every challenge.]” (John 14:27 AMP)

And that peace doesn’t come like a weighted blanket or a cup of cocoa (with little marshmallows). It floods in as the Holy Spirit enters into our lives.

“When he comes, he will convince the world of the meaning of sin, of true goodness and of judgment. He will expose their sin because they do not believe in me; he will reveal true goodness...” (John 16:5 PHILLIPS)

My prayer:

Jesus, dwell in me... rather than letting me choose to dwell in a Christian bubble. Remind me over & over about my need for you... as if I were a distracted child - because, if I'm honest, I am a distracted child. Calm my heart with Your presence; help me to stop relying on perfect circumstances to experience peace. Call to mind the truth that permeates Scripture - that the love of God does not equal a life of ease. Give me a heart that beats with the truth... a heart that longs for more of You rather than just "more".

“I have told you all this so that you may find your peace in me. You will find trouble in the world—but, never lose heart, I have conquered the world!”John 16:33 PHILLIPS