American V
I just obtained a copy of American V, A hundred highways by Johnny Cash. This was Cash’s last studio Album prior to his death. I’ve got to say this is one of the most Spiritual albums I’ve ever heard. Amazing.
Rick Rubin wrote the forward to American V, it sets the tone.
“Dr Gene Scott, the outrageos televangelist who did a show explaining how he cured his own cancer by doing communion every day. His argument for how it worked was thought provoking. I told Johnny about it on the phone one afternoon, and the next time we were together in person we discussed it further. I had never taken communion before, so he had someone find his old communion kit. He hadn’t used it in many years but he did that day and Johnny gave me my first communion. We spoke about doing it every day, and that’s when the ritual began. Each day we would speak on the phone and Johnny would perform the communion rite. we would both visualize and internalize, eyes closed. It was performed as a meditation. A moment to connect deeply to spirit. Every call always ended the same way.”
“I love you John”
“I love you Rick”
I agree with you completely! Cash was a one of a kind. Check out my post “Cash Got Grace” and let me know what you think. Here is the link to the post:
http://anuncommongrace.wordpress.com/2008/03/04/cash-got-grace/
Thanks for your comment dpcpastor.
I had a look at your post on Cash and it filled in a few Gaps on his life. I suppose what you are writing about is Prevenient Grace where the holy Spirit was already there in the midst of the darkness, of Cash’s life.
Scott, I am not sure I understand your comment. Since Cash was a beleiver then yes prevenient grace would apply to some of what I said about his life but spcial grace, saving grace, sufficient grace, efficacious grace, irressitable grace. My understanding of Cash’s life is one which was redeemed. From 1967 onward he lived a rather solid Christian testimony; however, bodly authentic and never outwardly pretentious. He broke free of the works righteousness mindset that enslaves so much of the church today just as it did when Paul confronted it in Galatians and Romans.
What I mean by Previnent Grace is the whole idea that God can be at work, even when you are in the darkest places. Even to the extent that there is God’s grace prior to you becoming a Christian.
When I read your post-
“When I was really bad, I was not all bad. When I was trying to be good, I could never be all good. There would be a black stripe going through.” There is the element that God’s grace is everywhere. In an omnipotent, omnipresence sense.
sorry if I didn’t make myself very well understood before. The Wikipedia has a pretty good definition:
“Prevenient grace is divine grace which precedes human decision. It exists prior to and without reference to anything humans may have done. As humans are corrupted by the effects of sin, prevenient grace allows persons to engage their God-given free will to choose the salvation offered by God in Jesus Christ or to reject that salvific offer.”
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prevenient_grace
Thank you Scott. Yes, I know what prevenient grace is and now I understand where you are coming from since you pointed out the quote from Cash. I beleive we may have a difference of understanding concernign the process of sanctification rather than prevenient grace. I am not sure what your theological traditon is. I believe Cash applied the statement to his life both before and after he received saving grace. The righteousness which made Cash clean before God was Christ’s righteousness, not his on. Althoug he began the process of sanctification he still had sin, as we all do. Cash’s hope, as is each of ours, is that as the Holy Spirit sanctified and he grew in faith the “black stripe” which ran through him an dindeed runs through us all becomes smaller and smaller. Only when we enter Christ enternal presence is it eliminated. For Cash that time has gloriously arrived.
Scott it could also be that we both interpreted the metaphor used by Cash with the dog illustration differntly instead of having a lack of understanding in regards to prevenient grace of difference of opinion concerning sanctification. If that is the case it makes this whole discussion kind of funny and I ask for your forgiveness brother.
In Christ Alone,
Darian
Your right in what you wrote docpastor. I’m not that sure that we have that different theological understanding. We are just seeing different things in Cash’s story. Maybe….
Thanks for pushing my mind a bit. Sometimes I forget the mechanics of what I believe other than “God loves me”
Cheers Scott
I do the same. Isn’t it wonderful that God loves me is enough? I like your heart. Let’s stay in touch.
Blessings,
Darian