Room. Kurt Carr and the Kurt Carr Singers perform at the White House.jpg Courtesy of Wikimedia Commons
Bullying and how a worship song brought two unlikely people together
Growing up in the farm-filled Midwest, Missouri is generally considered a conservative and quiet place to live. As a budding teenager trying to figure out their identity, in that respect, it is hard to keep that balance of a conservative nature. Especially by expressing your identity in a way that is considered as blatant as a bright peacock standing in a room full of white doves, you might as well have bright paint splashed on your face.
Once I started High school, I dropped my girly, pink and pastel look that I had in middle school for a completely gothic style with black being my main choice of color. This was not of the norm, as many gave me and my friends looks. But, I was happy with the way I looked and I didn’t mind the judgement, usually. There was one particular girl that I had shared my weight training class with, who particularly judged me for my look. She believed it was demonic and evil and that I was this way for how I dressed.
She did not know anything about me, other than how I dressed. Especially the fact that my family was Jewish. I was raised in the Jewish faith and I celebrated Jewish holidays with my family at a very strict synagogue in University City, MO.
Strangely, even with this bullying and taunting I received, we somehow eventually started talking and we found out that we had things in common and that music was something we could relate to. Gospel and worship music was how we related to each other, strangely enough. In the locker room, she had her headphones and asked me to listen to this song that was gospel music.
I took her ear phones and placed it in my ears. I remember her looking at me, waiting for my reaction, though she tried not to make it obvious. It was an experience I can’t begin to explain. It was a warm sort of chill, it was as though everything had started to glow, to gleam, and inside I felt this intense feeling of love and joy. The vocals that belted out, “The Blood Still has Miraculous Power!” were otherworldly, passionate and full of love.
I was blown away and in awe. I remember being so excited with her as we expressed our feelings over this incredibly emotional connection with faith and God.
I believe the artful and truly divine nature of this worship and gospel message truly delved deep, crossing all social boundaries and truly helped two young people understand each other without judgement. Here is a link to the artist, Kurt Carr and the song itself: The Blood Still Has Miraculous Power.
Baptism and how it relates to the gospel and biblical message
Through many teachings in the Christian and Catholic religions, it is taught in the Bible that baptism is the purest way to cleanse yourself of all sins. This also is in accordance with God’s instructions and Jesus’ teachings, as well as being the first sacrament that is done through the Catholic Church.
The gospel of the song gives us the message of Jesus and his sacrifice:
From an online article that is titled, CONNECTING THE BLOOD OF CHRIST AND WATER BAPTISM, we have this scripture: Paul said to the saints at Rome, “For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life” (Rm.5:10). “Or do you not know that as many of us as were baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into His death?” (Rm.6:3)
A message of salvation
I find myself wondering in these disheartening times, of the wars and the hatred and fear that has pervaded our world, why is there so much suffering?
I had found the verse Matthew 19:25-26 to be illuminating:
Ad-Free & Subscriber Log-In