Grateful Dead

I never knew Huston Smith, who unlike the others was a Perfectly Respectable Scholar (hell, he wrote the text of my comparative religions class in college) was mixed up in that crowd. Learn something new every day!

in the wrong topic and moved here. Here is a document called The Gospel According to the Grateful Dead (by David Smith of wisedyes.com - check out his awesome tie dyes). It creatively seeks to explain the Gospel message of Jesus using Grateful Dead song lyrics and Scripture! I'm not sure that Hunter, Garcia, Weir, Barlow, and the Grateful Dead intentionally wrote lyrics with the Bible in mind. However, there's no denying that God is sovereign and in complete control and that there are Biblical principles and themes in some of their lyrics. I have spent my life, seeking all that’s left unsung, Bent my ear to hear the tune, And closed my eyes to see ~Attics of My Life We’re all looking for answers. We all want to know the truth. Sometimes it seems within our grasp, and then it slips away. Sometimes the light’s all shining on me, Other times I can barely see, Lately it occurs to me, What a long strange trip it’s been ~Truckin’ But the truth does exist. Love is real. It is the most powerful force in the universe. And while we are seeking Love, Love is seeking us. Love desires to reveal itself to us. Let us be open to that love. Once in awhile you get shown the Light, In the strangest of places if you look at it right ~Scarlet Begonias God is love. God is truth. God knows you intimately and wants you to know Him. He wants to commune with you now, right where you are. Through dreams, visions, prophecy, and other forms of inspiration God has spoken to countless people over the centuries. The concept of a supreme God has existed for centuries in hundreds of cultures throughout the world. In fact, He may have already been speaking to you. Through the words and music of Robert Hunter/Jerry Garcia and John Barlow/Bob Weir the God of all creation has planted his Word. Listen carefully to what has been said. If my words did glow, with the gold of sunshine, And my tunes were played on the harp unstrung, Would you hear my voice come through the music, would you hold it near, as if it were you own? ~Ripple Can’t you hear God’s voice pleading with you to be heard? Listen. These are living words! Open you heart. What’s to be found, racing around, You carry your pain wherever you go. The Black-throated wind, whispering sin, And it speaks of a life that passes like dew ~Black-Throated Wind Some days the gales are howling, Some days the sea is still as glass, You’re a lost sailor, You’ve been too long at sea ~Lost Sailor Without God we’re all lost. We’re like sheep without a shepherd. Was it you I heard singin’ while I was chasing dreams? Driven by the wind, like the dust that blows around, Well, I never know, just don’t know ~Saint of Circumstance Reach out your hand if your cup be empty ~Ripple God is calling you. He loves you more than you can imagine. All the searching can be over. God wants to forgive you and cleanse you and make you whole. You must come to Him and admit your need. Confess your errors to God and trust Him to answer you. I told Althea I was feeling lost, Lacking in some direction ~Althea You’re playing cold music on the barroom floor, drowned in your laughter and dead to the core, If Mercy’s in business, I wish it for you ~Fire on the Mountain But I’ll get back on my feet someday, the good Lord willing, if He says I may, I know that the life I’m living’s no good, I’ll get a new start, live the life I should ~Wharf Rat Maybe you’ll find direction around some corner where it’s been waiting to meet you Believe it if you need it or leave it if you dare ~Box of Rain Only God can fill this void. Without Him we can never be completely whole. Be honest with yourself. Isn’t something missing? Wouldn’t you like to know why you’re here? Wouldn’t you like for your life to have meaning and purpose? God understands. He stands at the door of your heart knocking. Let him in. Receive the Truth. If your cup is full, may it be again ~Ripple Perhaps you’ve been more fortunate. Maybe you’ve already discovered the power of love. What have your placed your faith in? Some folks trust to reason, others trust to might, I don’t trust to nothing , but I know it come out right ~Playin’ in the Band Small wheel turning by the fire and rod, Big wheel turning by the grace of God ~The Wheel Don't you realize how kind, tolerant, and patient God is with you? Or don't you care? Can't you see how kind he has been in giving you time to turn from your sin? (Romans 2:4) This power that guides all life is more than impersonal energy. This “force” that keeps your life flowing is intimate and personal. It loves you and desires to be loved. Recall all the times you have sensed God’s hand. See here how everything leads up to this day, And its just like any other day that’s every been. ~Black Peter In earlier days He permitted all the nations to go their own ways, but He never left himself without a witness. There were always his reminders, such as sending you rain and good crops and giving you food and joyful hearts. (Acts 14:16-17) Let it be known there is a fountain That was not made by the hands of man There is a road, no simple highway Between the dawn and the dark of night ~Ripple God loves us so much that He became flesh and came down from heaven to live among us. You know the story. Jesus taught us, healed us, and loved us like no other man in all of history. Jesus said He is the fountain. He said He is the road to life. He said “The Father and I are one.” There is no other! “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. For the Scriptures declare that rivers of living water will flow from the heart of those who believe in me.” -Jesus (John 7:38) "Enter by the narrow gate; for wide is the gate and broad is the way that leads to destruction, and there are many who go in by it. Because narrow is the gate and difficult is the way which leads to life, and there are few who find it.” -Jesus (Matthew 7:13-14) Jesus often referred to God as Father. God is Spirit, and without a physical body. The significance is that God is personal and can be known. He is more than a force or energy. Electricity is a powerful force. Heat is a source of energy. God is merciful, kind, and loving. He hears our prayers and responds. He rejoices when we do well and grieves when we sin. Don’t confuse the Creator with the creation. The incredible beauty and balance of the planet are evidence of a thoughtful and loving Father. What shall we say, shall we call it by a name And listen to the thunder shout I am, I am, I am, I am ~Let it Grow And God said to Moses, "I AM WHO I AM." And He said, "Thus you shall say to the children of Israel, 'I AM has sent me to you.” (Exodus 3:14) Jesus said… "…I am the bread of life. He who comes to Me shall never hunger, and he who believes in Me shall never thirst.” (John 6:35) "…I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not walk in darkness, but have the light of life." (John 8:12) "…I am the good shepherd. The good shepherd gives His life for the sheep.” (John 10:11) "…I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in Me, though he may die, he shall live.” (John 11:25) "…I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” (John 14:6) "I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End, the First and the Last." (Revelation 22:13) "…Most assuredly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I AM." (John 8:58) In order that we might know God more perfectly, He sent Jesus into this world. As the first born of all creation, He was given all authority over heaven and earth. We therefore must know Jesus if we are to know God fully and completely. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. (John 1:3) For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. (Colossians 1:16) And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth.” (Matthew 28:18) And they were astonished at His teaching, for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes. (Mark 1:22) A decision to follow Christ is one you must make alone. Don’t be swayed by the behavior of some other human being. Your wife, your husband, and your friends all must make their own decision. This one is between you and God. And if you go, no one may follow That path is for your steps alone. ~Ripple Now the shore-lights beckon Yeah there's a price for being free. ~Lost Sailor The price for your freedom has already been paid for. It is our pride, our rebellion, our sin that separates us from intimately knowing God. Jesus willingly suffered the agony of the cross to pay for our guilt. If a man among you, got no sin upon his hand Let him cast a stone at me for playing in the band. ~Playing in the Band What is a man Deep down inside But a raging beast With nothing to hide ~Passenger Even the purest of romantics compromise What fixation feeds this fever Am I living truth or rank deceiver ~Victim or the Crime For you know that God paid a ransom to save you from the empty life you inherited from your ancestors. And the ransom he paid was not mere gold or silver. He paid for you with the precious lifeblood of Christ, the sinless, spotless Lamb of God. (1 Peter 1:18-19 NLT) Old men sing about their dreams Women laugh and children scream And the band keeps playing on Sun went down in honey And the moon came up in wine You know stars were spinning dizzy Lord the band kept us so busy We forgot about the time ~The Music Never Stopped “In the last days, God said, I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. In those days I will pour out my Spirit upon all my servants, men and women alike, and they will prophesy. And I will cause wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below- blood and fire and clouds of smoke. The sun will be turned into darkness, and the moon will turn bloodred, before that great and glorious day of the Lord arrives. And anyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. “ (Acts 2:17-21 NLT) Shall we go, you and I, while we can? ~Dark Star I got a feelin' there's no time to lose No time to lose ~Saint of Circumstance Please don’t put off this decision to follow and serve Jesus. God loves you and wants you right now – just the way you are! There really is a devil who wants nothing better than for you to postpone this decision. He is a liar and a thief and a murderer. Is there anything a man don't stand to lose When the devil wants to take it all away ~Mexicali Blues And if he catches up with me I'll spend my life in jail ~Friend of the Devil A secret incantation, candle burning blue We'll consult the spirits, maybe they'll know what to do ~I Need A Miracle …For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. (2 Corinthians 11:14) Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world. (1 John 4:1) “For false messiahs and false prophets will rise up and perform great miraculous signs and wonders so as to deceive, if possible, even God's chosen ones.” -Jesus (Matthew 24:24 NLT) All these trials soon be past Look for something built to last Built to last till time itself falls tumbling from the wall Built to last till sunshine fails and darkness moves on all ~Built to Last “Heaven and earth will disappear, but my words will remain forever.” -Jesus (Matthew 24:35 NLT) “If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give it up for me, you will find it.” -Jesus (Matthew 10:39 NLT) "Anyone who listens to my teaching and obeys me is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock. Though the rain comes in torrents and the floodwaters rise and the winds beat against that house, it won't collapse, because it is built on rock. But anyone who hears my teaching and ignores it is foolish, like a person who builds a house on sand. When the rains and floods come and the winds beat against that house, it will fall with a mighty crash." After Jesus finished speaking, the crowds were amazed at his teaching, for he taught as one who had real authority-quite unlike the teachers of religious law. (Matthew 7:24-29) I want to say to my sisters and my brothers Keep the faith When the storm flies and the wind blows Go on at a steady pace When the battle is fought and the victory's won We can all shout together, we have overcome We'll talk to the Father and the Son When we make it to the promised land ~My Sisters and Brothers Those who live in the shelter of the Most High will find rest in the shadow of the Almighty. This I declare of the Lord: He alone is my refuge, my place of safety; he is my God, and I am trusting him. For he will rescue you from every trap and protect you from the fatal plague. He will shield you with his wings. He will shelter you with his feathers. His faithful promises are your armor and protection. Do not be afraid of the terrors of the night, nor fear the dangers of the day, nor dread the plague that stalks in darkness, nor the disaster that strikes at midday. Though a thousand fall at your side, though ten thousand are dying around you, these evils will not touch you. But you will see it with your eyes; you will see how the wicked are punished. If you make the Lord your refuge, if you make the Most High your shelter, no evil will conquer you; no plague will come near your dwelling. For he orders his angels to protect you wherever you go. They will hold you with their hands to keep you from striking your foot on a stone. You will trample down lions and poisonous snakes; you will crush fierce lions and serpents under your feet! The Lord says, "I will rescue those who love me. I will protect those who trust in my name. When they call on me, I will answer; I will be with them in trouble. I will rescue them and honor them. I will satisfy them with a long life and give them my salvation." (Psalm 91 NLT) Lay down my dear brothers, lay down and take your rest Oh won't you lay your head upon your saviour's breast I love you, oh but Jesus loves you the best ~And We Bid You Goodnight “Most assuredly, I say to you, the hour is coming, and now is, when the dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear will live.” -Jesus (John 5:25) If I knew the way, I would take you home ~Jerry Garcia (Ripple) So many roads I tell you So many roads I know So many roads, so many roads Mountain high, river wide So many roads to ride So many roads, so many roads So many roads I tell you New York to San Francisco So many roads I know All I want is one to take me home From the high road to the low So many roads I know So many roads so many roads ~So Many Roads It may seem to you that there are So Many Roads to ease your soul but there's truly only one way that will take you home. "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” -Jesus (John 14:6) How to Know God and Receive Christ into Your Life 1. Realize that you are a sinner. No matter how good a life we try to live, we still fall miserably short of being a good person. That is because we are all sinners. We all fall short of God’s desire for us to be holy. The Bible says, “No one is good—not even one” (Romans 3:10 NLT). This is because we cannot become who we are supposed to be without Jesus Christ. 2. Recognize that Jesus Christ died on the cross for you. The Bible tells us, “But God showed His great love for us by sending Christ to die for us while were still sinners” (Romans 5:8 NLT). This is the Good News, that God loves us so much that He sent His only Son to die in our place when we least deserved it. 3. Repent of your sin. The Bible tells us to “repent and be converted” (Acts 3:19). The word repent means to change our direction in life. Instead of running from God, we can run toward Him. 4. Receive Jesus Christ into your life. Becoming a Christian is not merely believing some creed or going to church on Sunday. It is having Christ Himself take residence in your life and heart. Jesus said, “Behold, I stand at the door (of your life) and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in . . .” (Revelation 3:20). If you would like to have a relationship with Christ, simply pray this prayer and mean it in your heart: Dear Lord Jesus, I know I am a sinner. I believe you died for my sins. Right now, I turn from my sins and open the door of my heart and life. I confess you as my personal Lord and Savior. Thank you for saving me. Amen. If you just prayed that prayer and meant it, Jesus Christ has now taken residence in your heart! Your decision to follow Christ means God has forgiven you and that you will spend eternity in heaven. The Bible tells us, “If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and cleanse us from all unrighteousness” (1 John 1:9). To put your faith in action, be sure to spend time with God by reading your Bible, praying, going to church, and telling others about Christ. Please contact us and let us know about your decision to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. I asked Jesus into my heart, NOW WHAT DO I DO? ben@greateststoryevertold.org The Gospel According to The Grateful Dead Greatest Story Ever Told

Melvin's pretty churchy!