Stayin' Outta the Fire (Plan in Motion) (song)

 (Note: I'm pulling a few more classics out of the archive. My last post referenced the lines I used in this parody so it only seemed fitting to post this next. I've included my original introduction from 2009 below. Since I had two others that seemed in a similar category of lyric-tweaking that already seemed to be such a good fit to talk about The Lord, I have posted those other two in this post and the previous one.)

    And I've got one more '80s classic for you. And this one I've definitely been thinking of after hearing the pastor's sermon today in church. Some of the passion for this one was definitely burning hot like a certain fire that the Laodicean church was called to get going- or remain cold. But lukewarm gets you spat out of God's mouth! This one was another one that was just begging for some God-centered lyrics that would really help put His plan in motion when we follow His plan in The Bible. :-)

"Stayin' Outta the Fire (Plan in Motion)" (parody of "St. Elmo's Fire (Man in Motion)" by John Parr)
(parody copyright by Nathan Ludwick 10/01/09)
(Romans 10:9, 15:20, Psalms 95, Hebrews 12:29, 1 Thessalonians 5:19, 1 Corinthians 3:12-14, Jude 1:22-25, Jeremiah 20:9, Ezekiel 1-2, Acts 2:1-4, Exodus 40:34-38, Revelation 20:14-15, Matthew 3:11-12, Luke 12:49, Matthew 17:20, Philippians 4:13, John 15:5-7, Revelation 3:15-16, Hebrews 9:27, 2 Corinthians 5:17, 6:2, Isaiah 40:28-31, Hebrews 10:19-25, Luke 15, John 3:3 and 3:16, John 14:6, Daniel 5, Philippians 1:6)

Going's tough- You don't see the writing on the wall
Passing by- Knew He'd save you then- you blew it off
But baby, sometime if you call His name
You'll find you're not alone- everything has changed
Stay the same- you know He won't quit on His lost son
Soldier on- only you can do what must be done
You know in some way you're like Six to me
You're just a Prisoner and you're trying to break free

I can see a new hope rising- all I need is faith in Christ
I'll be where the eagle's flying higher and higher
Gonna heed Your plan in Romans- as I read, I repent and kneel
10:9's where my Savior's Christ- I'm staying outta the fire!

Turning out, don't know just now where that I should go (just now where to go)
Truth be told, go look just a few miles down the road
I will make it- through God I can
He broke the old in me- so He could make (a) new man

I can see a new hope rising all replete by faith in Christ
I'll be where the eagle's flying higher and higher
Gonna heed Your plan in Romans- in 15:20 there reveals
Take me where witness is lacking- send down Your fire!

I can move the highest mountain- faith of a mustard seed
I can feel the Spirit's fire burning in me, burning in me

Just once in this life a man has to die
When my time comes 'round, I'm covered by Christ!

I can hear the music playing as I read Psalms 95
Kneel before God the King- extol Him on high
Gonna be Your man in motion- as I read Jeremiah's zeal
20:9- my heart's on fire by Consuming Fire!

I can see a new hope rising- all complete by faith in Christ
I'll be where the eagle's flying higher and higher
Gonna be Your man in motion- like Ezekiel's pairs of wheels
Take me there in 2 verse 5 and send down Your fire!

I can move the highest mountain- faith of a mustard seed
I can feel The Spirit's fire burning in me!
Burning, burning in me, I can feel it burning
Ooh- burning inside of me...

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Read 1st. John (song)

As Christmas approaches this year, the classic Christmas song that I have thought about a lot that I think really sums up the main point of the holiday so well comes to mind- "Love Came Down at Christmas". Indeed, God loved the world so much that He gave His only Son that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life. (See John 3:16) There is no greater love than the love God has for us all. He proved that by sending Jesus to die for our sins and rise again. (Romans 5:8) And some of the most verses we have about love in The Bible come from the books of 1st. John, 2nd. John and 3rd. John. I have a trilogy of song parodies I've written about each book and I wanted to post that as a Christmas gift here this year. Funnily enough, I wrote them in reverse order- a song about 3rd. John, then one about 2nd. John and then one about 1st. John. They're all from the 1970s and so there's that theme common to them along with the theme of Love Divine. Read 1st. John and listen to this song and may the God Who holds the earth in His hands, moves and works in us like the wind blows where it wants to go and lights a fire in us as the Great Consuming Fire envelop you in His love. Merry Christmas!

Read 1st. John
(parody of "Sing a Song" by Earth, Wind and Fire; copyright by Nathan Ludwick 2/17/2017)
(1 John)

Sin concealed found you out
Read 1st. John 1:9- pray and He forgives- yeah, yeah
If you're in Christ, walk it out
(2:6) 1st. John- liars don't obey
Sometimes it's hard to care
(2:9) 1st. John- brother, hate's not The Way
Desires of world fade here
2 in 1st. John- 17- God's way

3:1 1st. John
See what love!
God gives us!
We're His sons! (and daughters too)

Love's not talk but good deeds then
3 in 1st. John- 18- our lives we lay- yeah, ah
Christ's love showing out's our reassuring
(3:20) 1st. John- condemnations fade
God is love- 4:8 reads
4:1 1st. John- Test spirits- many fakes
Liars hate bros they can see
(4:20) 1st. John- Christians, love all peeps

(5:13) 1st. John
Believe on
Son of God
Know you've got
Eternal long
Life with God
Just like John
Sing and praise God!

You need to read 1st. John today
Jesus Christ is The Way

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Review of Switchfoot's song "If The House Burns Down Tonight"

"If The House Burns Down Tonight" by Switchfoot

(analysis of Biblical allusions in the lyrics. Lyrics quoted from Switchfoot's 2016 album, "Where The Light Shines Through"- read the full lyrics on the band's site. The Bible verses in parentheses are added by me; these are some verses that came to mind upon hearing the song or are ones that I think add to what the song is saying to me.)
(First- some key theme Bible verses.)

("You shall not covet your neighbor's house; you shall not covet your neighbor's wife, or his male servant, or his female servant, or his ox, or his donkey, or anything that is your neighbor's." Exodus 20:17
"For a day in Your courts is better than a thousand elsewhere. I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God than dwell in the tents of wickedness." Psalms 84:10
"And behold, a man came up to Him, saying, 'Teacher, what good deed must I do to have eternal life? And He said to him, 'Why do you ask Me about what is good? There is only One who is good. If you would enter life, keep the commandments.' He said to Him, 'Which ones?' And Jesus said, 'You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not bear false witness, honor your father and mother, and, you shall love your neighbor as yourself.' The young man said to Him, 'All these I have kept. What do I still lack?' Jesus said to him, 'If you would be perfect, go, sell what you possess and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in Heaven; and come, follow Me.' When the young man heard this he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions. And Jesus said to His disciples, 'Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of Heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God.' When the disciples heard this, they were greatly astonished, saying, 'Who then can be saved?' But Jesus looked at them and said, 'With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.' Then Peter said in reply, 'See, we have left everything and followed You. What then will we have?' Jesus said to them, 'Truly, I say to you, in the new world, when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you who have followed me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for My Name's sake, will receive a hundredfold and will and inherit eternal life. But many who are first will be last, and the last first." Matthew 19:16-30)
"As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life." 1 Timothy 6:17-19)

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"Ashes from the flames- the Truth is what remains- the Truth is what you save from the fire and you fight for what you love- Don't matter if it hurts- you find out what it's worth and you let the rest burn......

(2 Corinthians 13:8- "For we can do nothing against the Truth, but only for the Truth.")
("I am The Way, The Truth and The Life. No man comes to The Father but by Me."- Jesus in John 14:6)

If the house burns down tonight- I've got everything I need when I got You by my side- and let the rest burn....

I've given too much of my heart away- my soul's holding on like a house divided

(Matthew 12:25, Mark 3:25 Luke 11:17- "A house divided against itself cannot stand."- Jesus)

Holding you and the wheel, it occurs to me- we're driving down the edge of eternity...

("He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also, He has put eternity into man's heart, yet so that he cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end." Ecclesiastes 3:11)

Put your hand in mine and put your heart in driving

("Ye shall seek Me and ye shall find Me when ye shall seek for Me with all your heart." Jeremiah 29:13)

- we got everything we need, yeah- we got everything we need, yeah.
Left it all behind us- what we need will find us.

("And my God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19)

And all those lies that mattered most to me
Were draining me dry, making a ghost of me

("Then I considered all that my hands had done and the toil I had expended in doing it, and behold, all was vanity and a striving after wind, and there was nothing to be gained under the sun." Ecclesiastes 2:11)

And if the house burns down tonight
I got everything I need, everything I need
There’s a fire coming that we all will go through

("According to the grace of God given to me, like a skilled master builder I laid a foundation, and someone else is building upon it. Let each one take care how he builds upon it. For no one can lay a foundation other than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. Now if anyone builds on the foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw- each one's work will become manifest, for the Day will disclose it, because it will be revealed by fire, and the fire will test what sort of work each one has done. If the work that anyone has built on the foundation survives, he will receive a reward. If anyone's work is burned up, he will suffer loss, though he himself will be saved, but only as through fire." 1 Corinthians 3:10-15)

You possess your possessions or they possess you

("And He said to them, 'Take care, and be on your guard against all covetousness, for one's life does not consist in the abundance of his possessions.' And He told them a parable, saying, 'The land of a rich man produced plentifully, and he thought to himself, 'What shall I do, for I have nowhere to store my crops?' And he said, 'I will do this: I will tear down my barns and build larger ones, and there I will store all my grain and my goods. And I will say to my soul, 'Soul, you have ample goods laid up for many years; relax, eat, drink, be merry.' But God said to him, 'Fool! This night your soul is required of you, and the things you have prepared, whose will they be?' So is the one who lays up treasure for himself and is not rich toward God.' " (Luke 12:15-21)

And if the house burns down tonight
I got everything I need when I got You by my side

("I hated all my toil in which I toil under the sun, seeing that I must leave it to the man who will come after me, and who knows whether he will be wise or a fool? Yet he will be master of all for which I toiled and used my wisdom under the sun. This also is vanity." Ecclesiastes 2:18
"There is nothing better for a person than that he should eat and drink and find enjoyment in his toil. This also, I saw, is from the hand of God, for apart from him who can eat or who can have enjoyment?" Ecclesiastes 2:24-25
"Whom have I in Heaven by You? And there is nothing on earth than I desire besides You. My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever." Psalms 73:25-26

And let the rest burn

("The kingdom of Heaven is like treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and covered up. Then in his joy he goes and sells all that he has and buys that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant in search of fine pearls, who, on finding one pearl of great value, went and sold all that he had and bought it." Matthew 13:44-46
"Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in Heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The eye is the lamp of the body. So, if your eye is healthy, your whole body will be full of light, but if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If then the light in you is darkness, how great is the darkness! No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money." Matthew 6:19-24)

Ashes from the flames- the Truth is what remains"

("And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14
"For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ." John 1:17
"And you will know The Truth and The Truth will set you free." John 8:32
"I am the Way, the Truth and the Life. No man comes to the Father but by Me."- Jesus Christ in John 14:6
"...Because of the Truth that abides in us and will be with us forever." 2 John 1:2)

Luke's book's Sequel (song)

When Jesus left us to go back to Heaven, He didn't leave us as orphans. He sent The Holy Spirit to guide and counsel us, convict us and lead us into all truth. And He gives us power to stand strong and share His Word with everyone. And we must be like Christ's first disciples and take the Gospel of Christ crucified and raised for the payment of all sins, offered free to all by faith and repentance, to the world at large. It's the power of God of salvation for the Jews first and then to the foreigner. And we can look to both Luke and Luke's book's sequel for great examples of witness in action. Start where you are and take the love of Christ far and wide.



"Luke's book's Sequel"
(parody of "Jukebox Hero" by Foreigner; copyright by Nathan Ludwick 10/02/2014)
(The book of Acts-[particularly Acts 1-2, Acts 1:8, Acts 4:20, Acts 5:27-32], Luke 4:42-44, Luke 10:1-24, Luke 24:36-53, Romans 10:8-17, Jude 1:17-25, Matthew 28:18-20)

Standing on mountain 'cause The Lord said so
Out on Mt. Olivet- Jesus is about to go
He arose in a cloud- Can you picture the scene?
Just these here disciples- they look up intently
Appeared two angels- just blew in to say
"Why're y'all starin' at the sky? He's returning same way"

So Men of Galilee go out serving The Lord
Didn't know how it'd all play out, but they knew for sure
Acts 1 records- Christ laid out the plan- "Don't leave town- 'til Spirit lands
Then comes power upon you guys so
Preach The One Way ticket- only One Way to go"
So they started walking- ain't never gonna stop
Gotta keep on preaching- So they gonna take Christ all throughout

Go to Je-rusalem, yo- Get started there, guys
Hit up Ju-dea, yeah- in Acts 1:8, go- Sa-maria
Far and going wide- End of the earth (far and going wide)
They're taking Christ worldwide!

Back to town all in one place- they're all in one accord
So they cast lots for disciple- fell on Matthias (yo)
Take a trip to 2 Acts- to that day when He came
And those tongues of fire made their whole lives change
Now they need to keep on talking- they just can't stop
Gonna speak emboldened- The Lord is gonna shake things up!

It'll be like Luke 4:43- go far and go wide
Read in Luke's book's sequel- got started where they were
Yeah, Luke's book's sequel- start of the church
With Acts 1- our charge (start witness, guys!)
The church will thrive (with) changed lives through Christ...Whoa!

Yeah, we're gonna keep on talking- just can't stop
Acts of the Apostles- and now the job is laid to us

24 Luke 48 shows- Got charged to share Christ
Read in Luke's book's sequel- go far and go wide
(Those tongues of fire) Luke wrote Theo (aah aah aah)- Gospel's going worldwide
It's all in Luke's book's sequel (aah aah aah)
You've got (a part) you know (charge! charge!)
Jude 1:23, yo! (charge! charge!)
We've got a charge to share Christ- start here, go wide!

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Bush on Fire (song)

This song relays a key event in Moses' life. In Exodus 3, he has an encounter with the living God. And God has a task for him- go down to Egypt and set His people free! Moses had some excuses but God provided for each one and He got a fire burning in Moses fueled by The Holy Spirit coming upon him and God used him to do just what He said He was going to do for Israel! Moses followed the game plan God had for his life. This was the theme for the soccer camp I helped with that my church sponsored in the summer of 2014 and that definitely inspired this parody. :-)

Bush on Fire
(parody of "Girl on Fire" by Alicia Keys; copyright Nathan Ludwick 9/29/2014)
(Exodus 3-4, Isaiah 40:28-31, Hebrews 11:23-29, Hebrews 12:28-29)

He's from Israel and he's out hiding
Slaughtered an Egyptian peep- Moses hits the highway
He's sitting by a well and gets a fight on
Filled troughs- watered the sheep- Girls' hero- gets invited to stay

Ohhhh oh oh oh oh!
"Please God," groan people out loud
And He's heard Israel now
Ohhhh oh oh oh oh
At Mt. Horeb He comes down
And Moses (is) walking 'round

This bush is on fire!
This bush is on fire!
It burns without dying!
This bush is on fire!

Looks at the bush and it's in flames
Some sight- Moses turns his eyes
Exodus 3- I'd say, "Wayz!"
You can bet that he'll never forget that day
He hears God call his name
Holiest Lord God then does say

Ohhhh oh oh oh
"Take shoes off feet- it's holy ground"
"Israel's burdened- go down!"
"Goooo go go go go!"
God has heard His door pound
But Mo's got excuses now

This mouth has a stutter
I'm 'bout to retire
They'll balk and require
Some sign I've seen Father

(Ohhh!)

Every doubt he airs, The Lord provides
'Cause He can feel the pain that Israel cries
Balking? Then just show them these 3 signs
You're gonna go and meet Aaron- he'll speak
And if they want I.D.
Then you go tell 'em "I AM has sent me, baby"

This God came as fire
There's no one who's higher
He's a consuming fire!
This God will not tire

Oh, oh, oh, oh, ohhhhh
oh, oh, oh, ohhh,
oh, oh, oh, ohhhh (x4)

He got Israel set free by His power!

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We Are One (In Christ) (song)

This is one parody song I've been dying to post for a while now. I first heard the original song a few years back and was enamored with the tune as it reminds me of a 1980s-style power anthem. :-) It's a reminder and a charge to all Christians to keep high the standards that the world is constantly lowering. It's also specifically a tribute to the many young friends I have seen over the years make a bold, strong stand for Jesus Christ that has encouraged and inspired me. Don't let anyone look down on you because of your youth. Yes, we are young- but we're more than just fun-seekers. God uses anyone He chooses- anyone, regardless of who they are, can be used by Him, especially when they give their hearts to Jesus. Keep leading as you have been and fight the good fight of faith for Christ.

We Are One (In Christ)

(parody of "We Are Young" by Fun; copyright Nathan Ludwick 3/17/2014)
(Zechariah 4:6, 1 Corinthians 11:1, 2 Corinthians 4:7, 1 Corinthians 4:14-17, Philippians 1:21, Philippians 3, John 6, Romans 8, 1 Corinthians 9:24-27, Ephesians 5:8-16, Colossians 3:23-25, Philippians 1:6, Jeremiah 29:11, Psalms 138:8, Isaiah 11:6, 2 Timothy 4:1-8, 2 Timothy 3:14-17, 2 Timothy 1:5-7, 1 Timothy 6:11-16, Judges 6-8, Mark 10:31, 1 Corinthians 1, Jeremiah 1, Mark 9:38-50, Matthew 18:1-6, Luke 12:11-12, Luke 18:15-17, Mark 10:13-16, Luke 9:46-50, Titus 2:6-8, Luke 16:13-15, Luke 8:16-18, Genesis 48:8-22, Matthew 13:24-43, Galatians 3:26-29, Matthew 19:13-15, Matthew 19:30, Matthew 20:16, Luke 12:31-32, Acts 1:8, Matthew 3:1-12, Acts 2:1-21, Joel 2:28-32, Matthew 5:13-16, John 8:12, John 14:5-14, 1 Corinthians 10:16-17, Luke 10:16-24, 1 Timothy 4:12, Acts 5:29, Acts 2:42-47, Acts 4:7-20, Acts 17:6, Luke 12:49-59, Matthew 28:18-20, 2 Kings 2:1-18)

Give me a second, I
I need to set the story straight
My generation's slackers, feel entitled- that's what they all say
The Boomers and Greatest Gen., they- they stood and fought the wars
We're seated playing video game systems asking where jobs are and
I know that may be what you thought, you know
I know sometimes it's legit
But 1 Timothy 4:12- it brings
Some holes in that ideology, you know
We're trying hard- so take it back
So in speech, in life- the bar, raise it
And you lead in love and faith- in purity, you own

That's right- we are young
And we've got Holy Ghost fire
We can burn bright, yeah- like the sun!

In Christ, we are one!
So let's set the world on fire
We'll do works greater than The Son's

Now I know that I'm not
All that You want- My past is what I- I forgot
But I'm reaching toward (the) prize (that) awaits me at the mark
But you're bringing Pharisee back
So let's read about
How in 6 John someone is sharing his lunch

That's right- he was young
But he helped The Lord Messiah
Jesus turned one meal (to) 5000!

And Christ- He was young!
He came to set the world on fire
Luke 12's where Christ wished it had begun!

Not by power or might (Na na na na na na) [continues in background x10]
Just go read Zechariah
4:6 hits home tonight
Just carried out by Spirit

The Lord is on my side!
I have my reason to run
So He'll someday come and carry me Home on high
There's angels at His side
And we'll praise as a choir
And He'll say, "Well done" and there I'll be Home ["Na na na na na na" ceases after this line]

Jeremiah- he was young!
But God put His words inside- yeah!
We can learn right there how to trust

Tonight- we are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can shine bright through God's own Son

So in speech and life, love and faith, yes
Purity- lead younger now
And carry on Home in Christ
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