The Living God – I Am

Posted on April 12, 2026 by rgpriest

The God Who Is

Hello friends,

What is the point of a faith in God?

Is it something from past days, something we have educated, advanced or invented our way out of?

Is it something reserved for the future, like an insurance policy, just in case I need it as I face the end of my life?

Or is it a very present reality?

After a busy couple of weeks with work and a full Easter season at church, I’m finally able to post again. Even though I didn’t get to share this during Easter week, the message remains just as relevant now.

What I want to reflect on is this: we have a living God, and He is the God of the living.

Let’s begin in Exodus 3. Moses has fled Egypt and is tending his flock when he sees something utterly unexpected. Exodus 3 tells us:

“The angel of the Lord appeared to him in a flame of fire out of the midst of a bush. He looked, and behold, the bush was burning, yet it was not consumed.”
“I will turn aside to see this great sight,” Moses says, “why the bush is not burned.”

A quick note: Scripture sometimes speaks of “an angel of the Lord” and other times “the angel of the Lord.”

  • An angel typically refers to a created angelic messenger.
  • The angel of the Lord is different—a theophany, an appearance of God Himself, even a pre‑incarnate appearance of Christ.

When Moses approaches, God tells him to remove his sandals, and then declares:

“I am the God of your father, the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”

Moses hides his face because he knows—this is no mere messenger. This is God Himself.

Later, when God commissions Moses to confront Pharaoh, Moses asks what he should say when Israel asks for God’s name. God replies:

“I AM WHO I AM… Say this to the people of Israel: ‘I AM has sent me to you.’”
“This is my name forever, and thus I am to be remembered throughout all generations.”

God names Himself I AM.

Notice what He does not say. He does not say, “I was.”
So often we treat faith as something belonging to the past—something for previous generations, something tied to “the good old days.” Even churches can feel like monuments to what God used to do.

Do we act as if God is doing something here and now?

Others treat faith as something for the future—something they’ll need “someday,” perhaps near death.

I believe God is very deliberate in this phrase I Am
Yes, He is the God of the past. This is the same God who called Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The same God who made promises in the past and is reminding us that He is still working to keep those promises in every generation.

God says I AM.

He is the God of the past—Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
He is the God of the future—our hope beyond death.
But He is also the God of the present, the God who is at work right now, keeping His promises in every generation.

Israel often asked, “Where is the God who brought us out of Egypt?” And God’s answer was essentially: I am doing something now. You may not see it yet. You may not understand it. You may not even like it. But I AM.

Faith is not merely a memory or a future insurance policy. Faith is a present reality grounded in a present God.

The God of the Living

In Matthew 22, the religious leaders question Jesus about the resurrection. They pose a hypothetical about a woman who was widowed and remarried multiple times—whose wife will she be in the resurrection?

Jesus tells them they misunderstand the nature of the resurrection life. Then He quotes Exodus 3:

“I am the God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob.”
“He is not the God of the dead, but of the living.”

In other words, our relationship with God does not end at death.
Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob are alive to God.
And so will all who belong to Him.

That is the relationship that matters, the one with the covenant God.

There is far more here than a short article can unpack, but this much is clear:
God is real, God is present, and God is near.

When God Feels Absent

There are times when we wonder, Is God here? Where is He? What is He doing?
Scripture never mocks that question. God is not angered by honest wrestling. The Psalms, the prophets, and the history of Israel are full of people crying out:

“God, where are You? We’ve heard the stories of old—but what about now?”

And yet, as they seek Him, they come to see:
God was there.
God is there.
Even when they didn’t see it.
Even when they didn’t understand.
Even when they were angry.

Jesus while on the cross quoted Psalm 22
My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?

2 O my God, I cry by day, but you do not answer, and by night, but I find no rest.

3 Yet you are holy, enthroned on the praises of Israel.

4 In you our fathers trusted; they trusted, and you delivered them.

5 To you they cried and were rescued; in you they trusted and were not put to shame. [1]

The whole Psalm is him describing the pain, even feeling forsaken by God. But finding hope in the fact that God is the I Am. The God who is there even in the pain.

Do Not Wait

I want to encourage you: do not wait for some crisis or life‑and‑death moment to seek God. We do not know when those moments will come. God’s name is I AM, not “I was” or “I might be.”

Many saints never saw the full fulfillment of God’s promises in their lifetime. But the name I AM assures us that God will keep every promise—in His time, in His way. That’s not a cliché. It’s a reminder that God works on a timeline we cannot see, and He is present in every moment with covenant faithfulness.

One writer put it beautifully:

Confidence in God’s character—His unwavering covenant love—becomes our only hope for spiritual resurrection now and physical resurrection in the future.

The God of Resurrection Hope

Both God calls Himself, and Jesus call Him “the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.” That reminds us that we are eternal beings, and that for those in covenant with Him, our relationship with God is eternal as well.

Jesus resurrection proclaims this loudly.
In raising Jesus from the dead, God revealed Himself as the God of life and salvation. Because He is our God, our lives have meaning and direction toward a glorious end. To walk with Him now and life with Him in eternity

The phrase “God of the living” anchors our hope not in wishful thinking but in the unchanging character of the God who never abandons His people and never breaks His word.

He is a very present God—right here, right now, never ending, never changing.

This truth is so central that Jesus uses the phrase “I AM” seven times in the Gospel of John. I hope to write more reflections on those soon.

And there is one final promise—an eighth, if you will:

I AM is coming back.

All Bible References are from the English Standard Version (2025). Crossway Bibles.

Posted in Article | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

The Visitation

Posted on March 29, 2026 by rgpriest

The Visitation — Luke 19

A large portion of the Christian church throughout the world is entering Passion Week—Holy Week. The word passion speaks of suffering. Today, we recognize Palm Sunday, which commemorates the triumphal entry of Jesus Christ into Jerusalem. He comes riding on a donkey, while crowds celebrate, laying palm branches before Him in welcome.

The crowds are not unfamiliar with Jesus. In the account given in Gospel of John, He has just been in Bethany, where He raised Lazarus from the dead. The news has spread. The people are aware that something significant is unfolding—and so is Jesus.

He had already instructed His disciples to find a donkey and prepare for His entry. Nothing here is accidental. He has chosen the day, the route, and even the manner of His arrival. He knows what awaits Him at every step.

The donkey is not incidental; it is deeply significant. It fulfills the prophecy found in Book of Zechariah 9:9:

“Rejoice greatly, O daughter of Zion!
Shout aloud, O daughter of Jerusalem!
Behold, your king is coming to you;
righteous and having salvation is he,
humble and mounted on a donkey,
on a colt, the foal of a donkey.”

This was a royal image. In earlier times, even kings such as King David rode on mules. In that culture, the donkey was a symbol of dignity and kingship. Only later did the horse become the more common symbol of royal power.

Yet the emphasis of the prophecy is not merely on His mode of transportation, but on His character. He is humble. He is righteous. He is the King who always does what is right—the One without sin.

This humility is not what the people expected. It is not what they desired in a king or a deliverer. The term carries the sense of gentleness and peace. He did not come to overthrow the Roman Empire by force, but to reconcile sinners to God.

As John the Baptist declared, He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. He Himself said that He came not to be served, but to serve, and to give His life as a ransom for many.

All of this unfolds according to divine purpose, in fulfillment of prophecy.
His position is that of a King.
His character is that of a humble peacemaker.

And we must remember: peace is not the overlooking of sin, of redefining what is wrong and right. Of doing whatever you want without consequence.  It is the reconciliation of those who are estranged—in this case, between God and man.

He came as a King to serve His people and to accomplish what only He could accomplish.

As He entered the city, some responded rightly. They worshiped Him. They acknowledged His works. They recognized who He was—that He was sent from God and that He came to save. This is the meaning of “Hosanna.”

Yet alongside worship, there is opposition. Some demand that the crowds be silenced.

Jesus disrupts the status quo. He draws attention away from the religious rulers. He teaches with authority. He exposes sin. He gathers a following. In doing so, He threatens their position.

In a sense, this is their own “no king” rally. The King arrives, and rather than receive Him, they reject Him. Not only do they seek to silence Him—they will soon seek to kill Him.

And for what reason?
He healed the sick.
He raised the dead.
He spoke truth with authority.
He confronted sin.

Yet they do not want Him—not as He truly is. They want a savior on their own terms: one who affirms them without question, who leaves their sin unchallenged, who conforms to their expectations.

This passage reveals a sobering truth: people do not naturally recognize what is good, true, or right. What is good, even best for them.

We prefer our own way. We resist correction. We do not want to be confronted.

At the end of the passage in Gospel of Luke, Jesus weeps over Jerusalem, saying that they did not recognize “the day of your visitation.”

He is saying, in effect: You do not understand what is being offered to you. You are content with your own way, while I have come to bring you something far greater.

Earlier, in Gospel of Luke 4, Jesus began His ministry by declaring the fulfillment of Book of Isaiah 61:

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me,
because he has anointed me
to proclaim good news to the poor…
liberty to the captives…
recovery of sight to the blind…
to set at liberty those who are oppressed,
to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.”

He declared, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled.”

Now, at Palm Sunday, we see another prophesy, another visitation—another declaration of salvation, another proclamation of the Lord’s favor.

And yet, the response is rejection by some.

Jesus both begins and concludes His earthly ministry by pointing to the promises of the Old Testament—promises of salvation, restoration, and hope. And yet, He is rejected.

There remains another promised appearing—one not yet fulfilled.

Next time, He will not come on a donkey, but on a horse. He will come not in humility, but in final judgment, to establish His sovereign rule over all creation—the very world He made and came to redeem.

People do not always recognize what is best for them. We cling to our own position, even when we are wrong. As has been said, one may shout loudly and still be wrong at the top of your voice.

But for now, the offer remains.

There is still a call to return.
There is still an invitation to receive the favor of the Lord.
This is still a day of salvation.

As Epistle to the Hebrews warns, we must not neglect so great a salvation.

Jesus wept over the lostness, blindness, and confusion of His people. Yet He extended—and still extends—the call to come to Him.

And so the question remains:

Will I stand among those who seek to silence Him?
Will I join the crowd that cries, “Crucify Him”?
Or will I cry out, “Hosanna—blessed is He who comes in the name of the Lord”?

Posted in Article | Tagged , , , , | Leave a comment

No Neutral Ground

Posted on March 22, 2026 by rgpriest

Our church has been walking through the final days of Jesus’ earthly life—those moments leading up to the crucifixion.

Recently, we looked at His betrayal. This week, we stepped into His first “trial,” His appearance before Caiaphas.

It’s a striking scene. The religious leaders are scrambling, trying to piece together accusations, looking for eyewitness testimony—anything that will stick. Eventually, they settle on this claim: that Jesus said He would destroy the temple and raise it again in three days.

But the moment really turns when the charge becomes blasphemy.

Caiaphas looks at Jesus and essentially says,
“Tell us plainly—are You the Messiah, the Son of God?”

In other words: Swear to God… are You God?
There’s almost a weighty irony in that moment—asking God to swear by God.

And it raises a question for us:

If you were there… what would you say?
If you were in that courtyard, called as a witness—how would you testify about Jesus?

brown mallet on gray wooden surface

Because here’s the reality: today, just like then, there are countless opinions about who Jesus is. But when it comes to Him, there really isn’t a safe, neutral middle ground.

A lot of people try to settle there.
“He was a good man.”
“A moral teacher.”
“A positive influence.”

But that option doesn’t hold up under His own words.

As C.S. Lewis put it in Mere Christianity, we’re left with what’s often called a trilemma:

  • Liar — He knew He wasn’t God, but claimed to be
  • Lunatic — He believed He was God, but was delusional
  • Lord — He is exactly who He said He is

If He’s a liar, He’s not a good teacher.
If He’s a lunatic, He’s not someone to follow.
But if He is Lord… then there’s really only one right response.

Some will say, “Jesus never actually claimed to be God.”

But when you look at Scripture, that’s hard to maintain.

John 1:1 is technically not Jesus speaking of Himself says In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.

John 4:25-26 says The woman said to him, “I know that Messiah is coming (he who is called Christ). When he comes, he will tell us all things.” 26 Jesus said to her, “I who speak to you am he.”

John 8:58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham was, I am.” 59 So they picked up stones to throw at him, but Jesus hid himself and went out of the temple. [3]

The Jews know what Jesus was claiming, deity.

The passage I mentioned earlier And the high priest said to him, “I adjure you by the living God, tell us if you are the Christ, the Son of God.” 64 Jesus said to him, “You have said so. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man seated at the right hand of Power and coming on the clouds of heaven[4]

At least 7 times Jesus described Himself as I am…

The people around Him understood exactly what He was claiming. That’s why they called it blasphemy. That’s why they wanted Him dead.

Many people had claimed to be messiahs before.
But not like this.
Not with these claims.
Not with this authority.

So again, we’re brought back to the courtroom.

This is a trial. Witnesses are speaking.

If you were called to be a witness what would you say?

If you were on the jury… what would your verdict be?

Because this isn’t just a historical question—it’s deeply personal. It is the difference between life and death

Who do you say Jesus is?

And we’re not left guessing. We have the testimony of Scripture. We have His own words.

I would just gently caution you: don’t base your answer only on what others say about Jesus—whether positive or negative. Go to the source. Look at His life. Listen to His words.

After all, none of us would want people forming conclusions about us without ever hearing from us directly.

So why would we do that with Him?

Do we really want to stand before Jesus one day and say,
“I know what You said about Yourself… but I assumed You didn’t really mean it”?

Some argue the writers exaggerated His claims.
But then you have to ask—does that line up with what we actually see?

One time Jesus described Himself as “gentle and lowly in heart.” Come to me and I will give you rest.
Not weak—but humble.

And yet, look at what He endured.
Look at His strength under accusation, betrayal, and suffering.

So what’s really happening here?

Did His accusers get it right?
Was this a just execution?

Or… was something far deeper unfolding?

That the Lamb of God was taking away the sin of the world.
That He was stepping into death then resurrection… to bring us life.

There is a question we all have to answer, either as a witness or jury member is, There isn’t an in-between option. It is a yes or no question.

Either Jesus is who He said He is—and we submit to Him…
or He isn’t—and He should be ignored, even rejected.

But neutrality isn’t on the table.

It’s a courtroom.
There are only two verdicts: guilty or innocent.
No plea deals. No middle ground.

And this tension isn’t new.

In the ancient world, people were often fine with you believing in Jesus—
as long as you didn’t claim He was the only Lord.

You could add Him to your list of beliefs.
Just don’t make Him exclusive.

But Jesus didn’t leave that option open.

The message wasn’t “Jesus is a lord.”
It was—and is—Jesus is Lord.

Not Caesar.
Not Herod.
Not Abraham, Moses, David
Not Allah, Mohammed or Buddha

And throughout Scripture, God declares,
“I am the Lord, and there is no other. I will share My glory with no one.”

So we’re left with a decision.

Will we acknowledge His claim… or reject it?

But again—there is no middle ground.

And here’s the beauty of the gospel in all of this:

Has there ever been a god who willingly stepped down from glory…
to pursue people who wanted nothing to do with Him?

Who endured betrayal, rejection, and suffering…
not to condemn—but to save the betrayer, the one who spat on Him or mocked Him?

That’s what Jesus did.

The Son of God came to seek and save the lost.
To give His life as a ransom.

We may want a version of Jesus who is simply agreeable—
who affirms everything, overlooks everything, and lets everything slide. We wrongly call that loving.

But that’s not the Jesus we meet in Scripture.

Yes, He is love.
But love doesn’t ignore truth.

Real love tells us when we’re wrong.
Real love calls us to change—to repent.
Real love leads us to something better.

To green pastures.
To still waters.
To life with Him.

So once again, the question stands:

If you were in that courtroom… what would you say?

As a witness.

As the jury.

Because you are both. To testify of what you think or believe about Jesus, and what you think should be done with Jesus

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Jn 1:1). (2025). Crossway Bibles.

[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Jn 4:25–26). (2025). Crossway Bibles.

[3] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Jn 8:58–59). (2025). Crossway Bibles.

[4] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Mt 26:63–64). (2025). Crossway Bibles.

Posted in Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Creativity and the Digital/Human Connection

Posted on March 17, 2026 by rgpriest

Reflections on AI, Creativity, and the Human Touch

Welcome back. This is a second post about digital tools, AI, and creativity.

This part came up while I was writing the first post. I didn’t want to turn that into one long, rambling piece, but it got me thinking more deeply about the role of AI—especially in content creation, artistic expression, and the human element, the human interaction.

As I said in my other post, I use digital tools. I’m not opposed to them. I use them in my recording process, my editing, graphic design, and other areas. For years, I was very much a snob purist—“you don’t do that.” Then I started recording and posting and realized that a little help, used as a supplement, is okay. It’s not the main driver, but it can be useful. I’m also fine acknowledging when those tools are being used.

What I started thinking about, though, was the difference between digitally generated creation and digitally enhanced creation. How does digital technology impact the human part of what we make?

For me, I’ve always felt that the more human element involved, the better.

I heard an interview with Joe Walsh (James Gang, The Eagles) that he’s shared in a few places. In the context of The Eagles, he said something to the effect that there isn’t a single Eagles recording or performance that was perfect. There were always imperfections: a note that didn’t land quite right, a transition that was just a little off. That’s the stuff humans do—and that’s what gives their music its mojo.

That human element is something a computer can’t truly replicate. They didn’t go back later and try to “fix” everything to remove those little mistakes—if we want to call them that for this conversation.

That idea really stuck with me. You should be able to play, record, write, and create without being afraid to let the human element show up, instead of using digital tools to sanitize the final product and make it perfect. That thought just kept rolling around in my head.

Now, I’m not saying that “in-the-box” creation—using only digital tools—is wrong or bad. It’s not my preference, but there are some very talented people doing it. I’m also not saying that those who work that way lack skill or talent. I just think there’s something more impactful when you can hear and sense the humanity in the creation.

Maybe that’s because of how God made us. As you know, my faith is important to this channel. The Bible says we are made up of a physical body, and then—depending on how you read certain passages—either body and soul, or body, soul, and spirit. Regardless of how you land on that, I do think there’s an emotional and psychological connection between human creation and how we receive it.

I don’t have definitive research or scientific studies to back this up—this is just my opinion. But I don’t think we need digital tools to erase the human part of creation.

One article called it presence. I know there is not a human presence producing that sound.

In the early days of the pandemic there was research showing that in virtual meetings our eyes may see faces, but we know they are disembodied. Those people are not really in the room with us. And it had a negative effect.

There was another interview I heard, this time with Joe Bonamassa and Dion. If you’ve never listened to Live from Nerdville, Joe Bonamassa is a great interviewer and asks really good questions about guitar, music, and the whole creative process. In one of his early interviews—I think it was with Dion—they talked about recording and performing “back in the day.”

There were no in-ear monitors, no backing tracks, no prerecorded parts. You had stage noise, amplifiers, a live drum kit, monitors, and crowd noise. And yet, those guys hit the mark. They hit the notes. They nailed the transitions. Yes, they were human, and you could tell it was a human live performance—but you had to have the chops. You had to sing the notes, play the notes, and hit the changes, because nothing was running through a computer to fix things before they reached the listener’s ears.

I found that really interesting. Again, I’m not saying that performers who use modern tools lack talent or skill. But back then, you really had to hit the mark—or people knew. Audiences were forgiving, but they knew you were actually up there performing, not lip-syncing and dancing along to a recording.

And again, I think that comes back to the human aspect: the highs and lows, fast and slow, tension and release. All of that factors into what makes good art and good music.

Andrew Peterson once said that when people ask him what kind of music he likes, he replies, “I like good music.” He doesn’t pick a genre or a style. If it’s good, it’s good music. I like that. In the end, we all decide for ourselves what we think is good.

So I’ve been thinking a lot about digital and AI-driven music and art creation, and the differences that might exist. Then another thought crossed my mind and ruminated for a few days:

Is there a connection between the longevity of a song, an artist, or a creative work—and the human element involved in its creation?

I started thinking about songs that were popular when I was a teenager in the 20th century. Yes, the 1900s. Songs we’re still listening to today: Pink Floyd, The Eagles, Dionne Warwick, Patti LaBelle, Robert Johnson, The Rolling Stones, The Who, Chuck Berry, Little Richard, Elvis Presley. That music is still popular—not just with us, but with our kids and grandkids.

I wonder if some of the music being written, recorded, and performed today will still be around five years from now… or fifty years from now.

In the Contemporary Christian or Praise &Worship realm I think they estimate a song has a life span of 3 years.

How many bands today are doing 50th anniversary tours of an album? They’re doing that because people are still buying that album decades later. And it’s not just the same people—it’s new generations discovering the music their parents and grandparents listened to.

Is there a connection between that longevity and the fact that much of that music was made before digital workstations, Auto-Tune, and heavy sampling? It was people sitting in a room, hashing out ideas, scribbling on paper, picking up guitars, hitting strings, hearing the sound in real time, building songs together. They banged on drums, played keyboards, blew into saxophones—people interacting with each other in a live setting and capturing what came out of those sessions. The human element.

Rick Beato has talked about this when evaluating popular songs on Spotify. Some of them are hugely popular and get massive play counts. They’re simple—not bad, just simple in melody, rhythm, and lyrics. Then he looks at the songwriting credits and sees 10 or 12 people listed. You start to wonder how much input each person had, and how much was generated through the process, versus three or four people sitting in a studio, hashing out ideas, writing the song, maybe bringing in a few studio musicians, putting a mic in front of an amp, miking the drums, recording to tape, and saying, “That’s it. Press the album.”

That got me thinking about the human element in music that we’re still listening to today—and about my own experience.

One of the first albums that truly blew me away and hooked me on this music journey was Leftoverture by Kansas, specifically “Carry On Wayward Son.” I remember the first time I heard that opening vocal, then the guitar kicking in. I was done. Hooked.

I can still picture it clearly: probably 13 or 14 years old, lifting the dust cover on the turntable, putting the album down, dropping the needle on the opening track. The world went away, and I went on that journey with the music. It was physical as much as it was auditory.

When Kansas released Point of Know Return, I didn’t put Leftoverture on a shelf or toss it in a pile to give away. When Audio-Visions came out, I didn’t get rid of Point of Know Return. Same thing with Rush: when I bought Moving Pictures, I didn’t stop listening to Permanent Waves. I built a collection. I didn’t replace last year’s music with this year’s release.

There was something about the physical act of listening—vinyl, cassette, 8-track—putting it on, pressing play, sitting down, and really listening.

Now, with digital music, we don’t really do albums the same way. We pick songs and build playlists, and that’s fine. I’m not saying we shouldn’t go digital. But I do wonder: if Point of Know Return came out today, would Leftoverture just get buried somewhere on a hard drive? Forgotten as the playlist updates to whatever’s newest and most listened to?

Is there something about the physical nature of how music was written, recorded, and listened to that affects how deeply it sticks with us. The journey to the store. Searching for the one you wanted or seeing what else was there.

Getting home. Opening it. Or opening it in the car.

Reading the liner notes and checking out the art.

The physical process of putting it on a turntable, or tape player and hitting the controls compared to hitting shuffle and moving on.

I don’t know. These are just thoughts.

Out of curiosity, I looked up the Top 10 Billboard songs for this week in 2026. I wasn’t familiar with many of them. I recognized some of the artists, but most of the music isn’t in the style I typically listen to. That’s partly just me and my taste.

Then I looked at the same week in 2025. Same thing. Not much repeat or carryover

Then I looked at this week in 1979. I would’ve been 16. As soon as I saw the list—songs like “What a Fool Believes” by The Doobie Brothers and “Sultans of Swing” by Dire Straits—I realized people are still listening to those songs today. I still hear them played in all kinds of settings. Not just us 20th century people but new generations.

Will the songs that top the charts today still be listened to by our kids and grandkids? Or will they be going back to Rod Stewart, Dire Straits, The Doobie Brothers, Pink Floyd, Elvis, Dionne Warwick, Tina Turner, Chuck Berry, and Kansas?

Is there a connection there? The human element or the digital creation.

One last side note: as I read the Top 10 Billboard list from March 12, 1979, I couldn’t help but hear those words in the voice of Casey Kasem—or Dick Clark. You can’t separate those charts from those voices.

So yeah—this has been a bit of rambling reflection. I keep coming back to the question of whether there’s a difference, and whether it matters, between hands-on, human-made, analog artistic creation and computer-generated or heavily digitally enhanced creation.

What are your thoughts?

Does music—or any art—resonate differently when you know it was created by a person, through physical effort and human interaction, maybe enhanced a little by digital tools? Or does it feel the same when the end product is generated primarily through cut, paste, sample, prompts and algorithms?

I’d genuinely love to hear what you think.

        Don’t use the digital world to correct or fix your human element.

You are made in the image of God, a creator God

So Create, Don’t Copy

Posted in Article | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Using AI and Digital Tools in Content Creation

Posted on March 14, 2026 by rgpriest

Today’s post is going to be a little different. I won’t be referencing a song in this presentation. Instead, I wanted to talk for a bit—maybe even ramble a little—about how I use digital tools and AI in the content I post online.

I’m not here to argue whether these tools are right or wrong, whether everyone should use them, or how much they should be used. My goal is much simpler: transparency. I want to be clear about how I use these tools in my content creation.

A computer chip with the letter ia printed on it
Photo by Igor Omilaev on Unsplash

In the end digital tools and AI are amoral and have no ethics. While the developers can program some bias, it is the user who brings the morality and ethics. And like all of God’s gifts, they can be used or abused.

Fire is good for light, warmth and the absolute best way to cook a steak and other meats. Used irresponsibly or maliciously and it is destructive.

God gave people wisdom to take various elements around us and create medicines that relieve pain, cure disease and improve quality of life. Used carelessly or maliciously they create addiction, pain and even death.

God gives us sex for both pleasure and procreation within marriage. But used outside its design leads to confusion and other problems.

And digital tools, in the end, their benefit or danger is in the hands of the user.

If you want the “too long; didn’t read” version, here it is:

I use digital tools and AI to fill gaps where I lack certain skills, resources, or time.

Before I go any further, I want to clarify something up front. When I refer to AI, I’m usually talking about ChatGPT and Copilot. I’m not sponsored by them, and I’m not endorsing them—they just happen to be the tools I default to.


Likewise, I use Fender Studio Pro, various plug-ins, and Canva, simply because those are the main platforms I use.

I also use OBS to record video and DaVinci Resolve to edit video/audio to create the video.

And I use Logos Bible Software.

Also, everything I’m about to share applies only to my social media and creative content—not how I might use these tools in my day job or in areas like Bible study or sermon preparation.

Music Production

The first area I want to talk about is music creation, because this has the biggest impact on my YouTube channel, Common Man Guitar. That’s where I post original instrumental music alongside my content.

I play guitar, and by default that means I can play some bass as well. So any guitar—and most bass—you hear in my recordings is me playing those instruments. I write the music, and I play the parts.

Sometimes I record through a pedalboard into an amplifier that’s mic’d and then routed into my recording software. More often, though, I plug directly into my interface and record straight into the software.

I use multitracking, just like musicians have been doing since Les Paul developed it back in the 1940’s.

I might record multiple guitar tracks and pan them left and right, each with slightly different tones. Sometimes I’ll add a subtle part in the center just to fill out the sound. I use pedals and plugins to simulate different amps and effects, but the playing itself is mine.

For other instruments, I use a MIDI keyboard controller connected directly to my recording software. I know enough music theory to play melody lines and basic chords, and then I experiment with the software to determine what instrument those notes sound like. One part might end up as a saxophone, another as a pad, a Hammond B3, or a piano.

If you’ve ever worked with recording software, you know you can spend days auditioning sounds—from orchestras and choirs to bird chirps and car crashes. I keep it simple. I choose basic instruments that let me add a melody or hook to support the song. Again, I’m playing the notes I wrote—the software is just capturing and shaping them.

Drums and Percussion

This is where things are completely digital.

I am not a drummer. I don’t play drums. I don’t own drums. I struggle to keep time, and while a metronome is great for practicing strumming or picking technique, it doesn’t work well for me when I’m writing and recording songs.

Inside my recording software, I use drum plugins and instruments. I drag and drop patterns to create basic drum tracks for verses, choruses, intros, outros, and bridges as I arrange the song. These drums are samples and loops—I select them, arrange them, and build a track, but I don’t play the parts myself.

Once the drum track is in place, I record everything else with it.

So when it comes to music production, these digital tools aren’t replacing my creativity or playing—they’re filling in gaps where I don’t have the tools.

Graphics

Another area where I use AI and digital tools is graphics, primarily for YouTube thumbnails.

When I can, I’ll jump into Canva and build something myself—choosing backgrounds, images, and layouts. Other times, I’ll use an AI tool to help generate ideas. I’ll describe what I’m trying to create, and the AI will suggest colors, fonts, layouts or images. Sometimes I’ll even ask it to generate an image.

For example, I recently posted a video and song based on Judas and Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. I prompted the AI with the theme, title, and overall idea. It gave me suggestions for color schemes, fonts, and imagery. From there, I generated an image and then tweaked it—adjusting details where the characters didn’t quite look right.

I use AI here because I’m not a graphic designer, and I’m not at a point where I can hire one. My daughter designed the logo for the YouTube channel, but that was a one-time thing—I can’t have her doing all my graphics.

I also use digital tools when I need slides for a video—things like end screens, “subscribe” prompts, quotes, or Bible verses. Canva and Logos Bible Software both make that pretty easy.

For Substack or my website, I usually stick with stock or public-domain images that fit the theme of what I’m writing.

Again, this is about filling gaps where I don’t have the skills or resources to do everything myself.

Editing

This is the last area I want to cover.

I write my scripts. I write my posts. Just like I write my songs. In most cases, the text is the same whether it’s for the YouTube script, Substack, or my website—though I might tweak it slightly for spoken delivery.

After I’ve written everything, I’ll sometimes use AI for research and verification, especially when I want to make sure I have facts or references correct. Logos Bible Software, for example, helps me find verses and understand context. In the Judas post, I used it to confirm where Judas is referred to as the “son of perdition” and how that term is used in context.

Once the content is written, I’ll paste it into an AI tool and ask it to check for spelling, grammar, and typos. I may also ask it to make the text more conversational, more professional, or more impactful.

Just like I did for this post.

Then—and this part is important—I compare the edited version to my original. Sometimes the AI nails it. Other times, I’ll read something and think, Anyone who knows me knows I don’t talk like that. When that happens, I put my original wording back in.

I’ve also noticed that AI will occasionally leave out something I consider important. When that happens, I make sure it gets added back in.

At the end of the day, this is still my message, my point, and my voice. The AI is just helping me polish it.

Conclusion

That’s really it. That’s how I use digital tools and AI in my social media content, presentations, and posts.

The work is mine—the ideas, the writing, the playing. These tools simply help me fill gaps in skills and resources. I don’t have an editor, a graphic designer, a producer, or an engineer. It’s just me, my guitar, my laptop, and a few additional tools like pedals and a keyboard.

And the digital tools.

I’ll admit, the temptation is always there to let AI write a song or generate content based on a theme or genre. But I don’t do that. I want this to be my message, presented in a way that’s accurate, coherent, understandable, and hopefully helpful.

I’m not recommending that you do things my way. I’m not saying my way is the best or the only way. You may use these tools far more extensively—and that’s your choice. You may avoid them entirely—and that’s fine too. It’s your message and your voice.

For me, transparency matters. I think it’s important to acknowledge where and how these tools are used. This idea was inspired by an interview where Joe Bonamassa and Ian Scott I think mentioned that concert tickets should disclose how much of a performance is prerecorded or tracks. I actually agree with that idea.

I’ll be doing another post soon about the human/digital connection in content creation and creativity. That comes from a comment by Joe Walsh about how the computer/digital process strips away the human connection, the mojo of the music when it is sanitized and perfected to remove all the human presence,

I want to be able to say: This is my voice. This is my message. This is my song. And yes, I used tools to fill in some gaps.

I’d love to hear from you—drop a comment and let me know how you use AI or digital tools. Do you use them extensively? Do you just dabble? Or are you completely opposed to them, and why?

And while you’re at it, hit the like and subscribe buttons—they really do help. You’ll also find affiliate links in the description for things like Amazon or Cable Free Guitar. Those commissions go right back into supporting my platforms with no additional cost to you, and I truly appreciate it.

However you approach these tools, remember:

Create. Don’t just copy.

Posted in Article, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Jesus, Judas, and Us

Posted on March 8, 2026 by rgpriest

This post didn’t start out the way I planned.

I had an idea forming, but between work, life, and distractions, it never quite came together. I made some progress, but I wasn’t confident in the direction—so I was late getting it finished.

Then, sitting in church this morning, everything changed.

The sermon was from Matthew 26, focusing on the betrayal of Jesus by Judas. When the pastor reached Judas’ kiss, something struck me with fresh weight:
Judas is not just a villain in the story—we see ourselves in him.

WE all know Judas. But what if the real danger is not in being betrayed, but being the betrayer.

So often when we talk about Judas, the focus is on how we can be betrayed by people close to us. But Scripture presses us to look deeper—to ask how we, too, are capable of betraying the God of the universe.

Judas Had Every Advantage

Judas wasn’t an outsider.

He was invited into Jesus’ closest friends. He walked with Christ. He heard Jesus’s words firsthand. He listened as Jesus said:

Judas saw and heard everything

  • “Blessed are the poor in spirit.”
  • “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”
  • “I am the way, the truth, and the life.”

Judas saw the blind receive sight.
He watched demons flee.
He felt the boat steady as the storm was silenced.
He saw Lazarus walk out of the grave.

And yet—something was off.

Maybe Jesus didn’t meet Judas’ expectations.
Maybe the cost of discipleship was too high.
Maybe it wasn’t high enough.

We’re not told.

What we are told is this: for a handful of silver, Judas turned a moment of intimacy into an act of betrayal. A kiss—meant for affection—became an instrument of treachery.

The Graciousness of Christ

One of the most sobering realities in this account is the grace of Jesus.

Jesus knew what Judas would do.
And still—He welcomed him.
He taught him.
He blessed him.
He treated him no differently than the others.

That should stop us in our tracks.

Everyone Wanted Jesus Silenced

When you step back, you see four groups involved in Jesus’ death:

  1. Judas – a close companion
  2. Religious conservatives – the Pharisees
  3. Religious liberals – the Sanhedrin
  4. Secular authorities – the Romans

Different beliefs. Different motivations.
One shared goal: silence Jesus.

Not much has changed.

Some churches abandon the authority of Scripture because Jesus doesn’t align with cultural expectations. Others believe He isn’t strict enough—or that He’s too strict. And many in the secular world wish He would simply disappear altogether.

Yet the irony remains: people work incredibly hard to get rid of someone they claim doesn’t exist.

The Kiss of Death

Judas received countless blessings—yet he saw himself as his own master.

His kiss looked like devotion, but it was hollow. Scripture warns us about this kind of faith—“having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power” (2 Timothy 3:5).

Earlier in that passage Paul speaks of difficult days, people will be lovers of self, lovers of money and a whole list of what looks like today’s news reports. And it says they oppose the truth and disqualify their faith.

This is the danger of hypocrisy:
looking faithful while rejecting the truth, redefining Christ, and hollowing out the gospel.

Judas’ later sorrow was real—but it wasn’t repentance. The apostle Paul speaks of a sorrow that does not lead to repentance. Feeling bad is not the same as being transformed.

The Judas in Us

This is where the story turns uncomfortably personal.

  • We’ve received forgiveness—but refuse to forgive others.
  • We’ve been accepted by God—but withhold acceptance from those we dislike.
  • We’ve received generously—yet resist giving sacrificially.

We enjoy the blessings of God while resisting His authority.

The sin that ultimately condemned Judas wasn’t the kiss.
It wasn’t the betrayal itself.
It was refusing to believe—to receive mercy—to trust Christ for salvation.

Mercy Still Speaks

Here is the good news:
our betrayal does not have to be the final word.

No matter how deep the failure, God’s mercy is greater.

During Lent as Christians reflect on Christ’s Passion (suffering), we’re reminded not only how painful our sin is—but how far Jesus was willing to go to redeem sinners.

What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God’s elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword?[1]

“If God is for us, who can be against us?”

Christ was not spared—so that mercy could be offered freely to all who repent and believe.

The question Judas leaves us with is simple—and urgent:
Will we receive Christ, or merely remain close to Him?

“We all know Judas. But what if the real danger isn’t being betrayed… it’s being the betrayer?


Judas saw everything. He heard everything. He walked with Jesus. And yet—he never truly believed.

That should terrify us.

You can be close to Jesus.
You can know the language.
You can enjoy the benefits.
And still miss the gospel entirely.
We redefine Jesus. We soften His words. We ignore obedience—while still enjoying His blessings.

That’s Judas-like faith.

The issue was never access.
It was never knowledge.
It was a heart that refused to submit in faith.

Salvation is not proximity to Christ—it’s union with Christ.

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Ro 8:31–35). (2025). Crossway Bibles.

Posted in Article, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Where Did We Get Music?

Posted on February 20, 2026 by rgpriest
The current image has no alternative text. The file name is: a-guitar-and-a-bible.png

Zamar (Hebrew for music)

There is a video version of this with an original song at http://www.youtube.com\@commonmanguitar

Music Is God’s Idea

Where did music come from?

When you really stop and think about it, music has been with humanity for as long as we can tell. As far back as recorded history goes, people have been making music. Archaeologists have found bone flutes in Germany that date back nearly 10,000 years. Around 5000 BC, there are references to aulos—double‑reed pipes. By 2000 BC, we’re already seeing lutes show up in history.

Music has always been part of the human story.

And in modern times, Kiss famously sang, “God gave rock and roll to you.”
That song was originally written by Argent in 1973 and later covered by Petra in 1977.

And honestly—that’s where I want to start.

Music is God’s idea.

If you’re new here, my name is Bob. This is Common Man Faith, where I share my faith, my music, and sometimes a few other random thoughts along the way.

**********************************************************************************

When we open the Bible, the first clear reference to music shows up in Genesis 4. It tells us that Jubal was the father of all who play the lyre and the pipe.

But it may go back even earlier than that. In Genesis 2, when Adam speaks about Eve, many scholars believe his words are poetic—possibly even song‑like. In the book of Job, we’re told that the sons of God (spiritual beings, angels) sang at creation. In Exodus 15, Miriam leads the people in song after God delivers the Hebrews from Egyptian slavery.

Music shows up again and again.

Joshua’s army blew trumpets and the walls of Jericho fell. David appointed musicians to serve in the tabernacle. And then, of course, there’s the book of Psalms—the songbook of the Bible.

There are NT references telling us to encourage one another with Psalms, Hymns, and Spiritual songs

So the question becomes: why did God give us music?

Music Expresses Emotion

The Psalms cover the full range of human experience: sorrow, joy, brokenness, fear, trust, anger, lament, and praise.

In fact, the book of Psalms alone contains at least 50 direct commands to sing. Music isn’t optional—it’s commanded.

We’re told to sing a new song.
To sing of God’s works and His mercies.
To “sing to the Lord” and “make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation.”
Play skillfully on the strings.

Trumpets and cymbals which are not quiet instruments so God I guess likes loud music.

Throughout history, others have recognized this power as well. Beethoven once said, “Music is a higher revelation than all wisdom and philosophy.” He believed music communicates when words fail.

Franz Liszt said, “Music begins where the possibilities of language end.”

And that rings true, doesn’t it? We are made in the image of God, and God made us with emotions—with depth and feeling. Sometimes our joy is so overwhelming that words fall short. Sometimes our grief runs so deep that language just isn’t enough.

But melody, harmony, and rhythm step in where words fail. Minor chords think of sorrow and lament. Major chords are power and joy.

Music gathers all of that emotion and gives it expression.

That’s why music is a gift from God for worship.
It’s a gift from God for expressing emotion.

Music is Powerful as a Teaching Tool.

Think about it—how many things did you learn through music? You learned the alphabet with The ABCs. You can learn the Periodic Table with a songs about the elements. Even the “12 Days of Christmas.”

Some believe it was used to teach Scripture to children

One God.
Two Testaments.
Three pillars of Faith Hope Love
Four Gospels.
Five books of Moses.
Six days of creation
Seven gifts of the Holy Spirit
Eight beatitudes
Nine fruits of the spirit
Ten Commandments.
Eleven Faithful apostles
Twelve tribes of Israel or 12 points of the apostles creed

Martin Luther believed music was one of the best ways to teach theology. Compare the language of those early hymns to todays modern music. That’s why so many hymns were written in four‑part harmony—not just to worship, but to teach doctrine and even help people learn to read music and sing.

Music Defines Culture

Songs are how cultures preserve their identity, values, and their history. Not just social culture but church culture.

From national anthems to protest songs, music tells us who people are. Plato once said, “If you want to know a people, listen to their music.” And in 1704, Scottish politician Andrew Fletcher famously said, “Let me write the songs of a nation; I care not who writes its laws.”

Music shapes hearts. Declares our values, our priorities, our loves. Even the things we rail against.

So far, I have said that music is used to worship.
It’s used to express emotion
It’s used to teach.
It helps define a culture and a community

But there’s one more thing—among many others.

God Uses Music to Express How He Feels About His People.

In Zephaniah 3, we read these words:
Sing aloud, O daughter of Zion; shout, O Israel!
Rejoice and exult with all your heart, O daughter of Jerusalem!
The Lord has taken away the judgments against you; he has cleared away your enemies.

The King of Israel, the Lord, is in your midst; you shall never again fear evil.
On that day it shall be said to Jerusalem: “Fear not, O Zion; let not your hands grow weak.
 The Lord your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save;

And then listen to what He says

He will rejoice over you with gladness; he will quiet you by his love; He will exult over you with loud singing.[1]

Not only does God receive our worship in song.

He sings over His people with joy. When God looks at His covenant people He sings, He rejoices

Think about that. Not only does God receive our worship in song—He sings over His people with joy.

So let’s go back to where we started.

Music is God’s idea.
Music is God’s gift.
And God Himself sings.

And remember—you were made in the image of God. You were made to sing.
You were made to create.

So don’t just copy.
Enjoy what others have created.
But also find ways to create yourself—as an expression of worship, faith, and gratitude.

Your joy, your grief, your longings. Find the songs, or write the songs, that help you express them

If this resonated with you, like and subscribe.
But more than that—leave a comment.

What has music meant to you?
What has music helped you get through?
Was there a song—something you wrote or something someone else wrote—that showed up at exactly the right moment?

I’d love to hear your story.

Create, and enjoy what others have created too.

[1] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version (Zep 3:14–17). (2025). Crossway Bibles.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment

MasterPeace

Posted on February 13, 2026 by rgpriest

Christ the Lord of Peace, Creating a Masterpiece

Peace is hard to find these days.

I once read a statistic from a New York Times article published in 2003 that said this:
Out of the last 3,400 years of recorded history, humanity has been entirely at peace for only 268 years—about 8% of the time. In that study, “war” was defined as any conflict resulting in more than 1,000 deaths.

Now, there has been debate about the accuracy of those numbers and how peace or war should be defined. But even with debate, one thing is clear: human history is overwhelmingly marked by conflict. For most of recorded time, peace has been the exception—not the rule.

So today, I want to talk about peace.
Not the absence of conflict.
Not a temporary calm.
But something deeper. Something biblical.

What Kind of Peace Are We Talking About?

Recently, Scotty Ward Smith published a short article—or really, a prayer—in his daily post Heavenward. It asks a piercing question:

Who—or what—rules your heart?

That article reminds us that when Christ rules our hearts, He rules with peace—a peace that guards our hearts and minds.

So let me define what I mean when I say peace.

I’m talking about peace in the biblical sense.

“Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way.”
—2 Thessalonians 3:16

“And let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts.”
—Colossians 3:15

Biblical peace is not denial. It is not escapism.
It means well‑being, security, and rest under God’s rule.

In the Old Testament, the word is shalom—wholeness, completeness, flourishing. And that peace is always rooted in God’s covenant with His people.

God Never Promised an Easy World

Nowhere does God promise us a life free from conflict, illness, loss, or pain. In fact, Scripture tells us the opposite.

We live in a world that is broken and infected by sin. Jesus Himself told us plainly: “In this world you will have trouble.”

That trouble shows up everywhere:

  • Toil and frustration in our work
  • Broken relationships
  • Confusion over identity
  • Disease and suffering
  • War, violence, and death

But here is what God does promise:

In the storm, He is our shelter.
In the chaos, He is our rock.
In the darkness, He is an ever‑present help.

These things do not have the final word.
They do not get to cancel our peace.

And God assures His covenant people that they will never be lost or forsaken.

Peace Was Secured at Calvary

The clearest proof of that peace was displayed at Calvary.

It was there that this world unleashed its most hideous evil—taking the perfect God‑Man, Jesus Christ, and nailing Him to a cross.

And yet, it was also there that the greatest act of love was displayed.

Jesus willingly laid down His life.
He bore the full weight of our sin.
He absorbed the righteous wrath of God in our place.

And three days later, He rose from the grave—declaring once and for all that even the worst evil imaginable does not get the last word.

That empty tomb is the foundation of our peace.

Living on God’s Timeline

At Grace Renewal Church, we’re currently going through a Colson Center study called Truth Rising. One of the sessions talks about understanding life on God’s timeline.

Scripture gives us four great movements:

  1. Creation
  2. The Fall
  3. Redemption
  4. Restoration

Creation has happened.
The Fall has happened.

If we forget those two, nothing else makes sense.

After the Fall came Redemption, accomplished fully and decisively in Christ. And right now, we live between redemption and restoration.

I don’t know where we are on that timeline.
None of us do.
Days? Centuries? Millennia? Only God knows.

But because this is God’s timeline, and because redemption is already accomplished, I can be certain of one thing:

God will get His redeemed people all the way home.

My restoration is not based on what I do for God—but on what God has already done for me in Christ.

Why This Gives Us Unshakable Peace

I won’t always like what happens on the timeline.
I won’t always understand it.

But I have peace because God sees the whole timeline. He knows where history is going, and He will accomplish everything He has purposed.

Now compare that with a different kind of peace.

If my peace is based on:

  • What I can control
  • What I must accomplish
  • What has happened to me
  • What might happen to me

Then that peace is fragile.
It can disappear with a flat tire.
Or a doctor’s visit.
Or a phone call that changes everything.

And those moments can be tragic, painful, and shattering.

But what they cannot do is cancel what God has promised.

Because He is the Lord of peace, and He gives peace at all times and in every way.
Our situation or circumstances are not the source of peace. He is.

Peace in a Chaotic World

I can’t turn on the news—or scroll through social media—without seeing unrest, hostility, and division. And if I’m honest, it affects me. I get angry. I grieve the loss of civility, dignity, and basic human decency—even among so‑called leaders and professionals.

Albert Mohler has spoken recently about the loss of dignity in our culture, our leaders and he’s right.

But I have to remind myself of this:

I do not need to add to the chaos.

Instead, I have the privilege—and the responsibility—to point people to the infinite source of peace. When the opportunity is there, I must speak of the Lord of Peace.

And even when I can’t say something, I can demonstrate how His peace secures, guides me.

Why I Call This “Master Peace”

I titled this Master Peace very intentionally.

In the Truth Rising documentary, there’s a story about Colorado baker Jack Phillips, whose shop is called Masterpiece Cakeshop. That word—masterpiece—stuck with me. Put this seed in my mind

Then I thought of Paul’s words in Ephesians:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.”

That word translated “workmanship” is the Greek word poiēma—the word we get poem from.

In other words, what God is creating—both individually in His people and corporately in His church—is a masterpiece.

Now, from our vantage point, it may not look like a masterpiece. We see blotches of paint. Rough edges. Half‑formed sculptures. Smudged lines. Crumpled drafts. How can you call this a masterpiece.

But the Artist sees something different.

He sees the finished work.
He sees what He is making.
And Scripture tells us plainly: we are His workmanship.

And here’s where the wordplay comes in.

Christ is not only shaping a masterpiece.

Christ is the Lord of Peace.
The Master of Peace.

And when He rules our hearts, He is doing something profound:
He is creating Master Peace.

Not a fragile peace built on circumstances.
Not a shallow peace built on denial.
But a covenantal, blood‑bought, resurrection‑secured peace—rooted in His sovereign rule and His finished work.

This peace does not mean the storms stop.
It means they no longer reign.

This peace does not mean suffering disappears.
It means suffering does not have the final word.

Christ, the Master of Peace, is ruling His people—even now.
And as He does, He is shaping them into something glorious.

A people at peace.

A people of peace.
A people secure.
A people being formed into His masterpiece.

And since you are created in the image of God, you can pursue peace.

You can create and not just copy.

A video version of this along with some music will be posted at Common Man Guitar.

Posted in Article | Tagged , , , , , , | Leave a comment

Excuses vs Reasons: Overcoming Your Assumptions

Posted on February 6, 2026 by rgpriest

Hello all. It has been a long time since I posted. I am updating this site to compliment my YouTube Channel

EXCUSES OR REASONS?

What’s your excuse?

Let’s be honest—we all have them. For different situations, different seasons, different fears. But today I want to talk about something specific: excuses versus reasons.

My name is Bob, and this is Common Man Faith—a place where I share my faith, music, and sometimes just some honest rambling.

This one’s a little more personal. I want to talk about the excuses that kept me from starting this channel…and the much bigger excuses that once kept me from making a spiritual decision.

Excuses Are Easy

Let’s start small.

It took me over a year to finally pull the trigger and start a YouTube channel and return to this site.. I thought about it constantly—and talked myself out of it constantly.

My setup isn’t appealing.
Ugly wall. Bad colors.
I don’t have good gear.
I don’t have anything worth saying.
I’m not good at this stuff.

And on and on it went.

But here’s the truth.

This isn’t a professional studio—but with a little effort, I can make it work. Put the camera where you can’t see the ugly stuff. Shoot at the right time of day so the window light is manageable and even helps. I added a couple inexpensive lights from Amazon. Helpful, but not required.

Gear?
I already had a laptop and a phone—so I already had a camera and a microphone. That is what you need for a YouTube channel. You don’t even need both.
I already owned an interface for my guitar and a better mic.
That interface came with a full-featured DAW—for free.
I had a webcam that I used for work calls.
OBS is free video software.
DaVinci Resolve is free editing software.

So no—gear wasn’t a reason.
It was just an excuse.

Something to say?
I’ve written songs.
I have a faith story.
Turns out… I do have something to say.

So what actually stopped me?

Fear.

Fear of not being good enough. Or as good as others
Fear of looking foolish.
Fear of negative comments.
Fear of learning new skills.
Fear of being seen.
Fear of being vulnerable.

Once I was honest with myself, every excuse fell apart. Not one of them was a legitimate reason.

And that’s how Common Man Guitar was born.

Bigger Excuses

Now let’s talk about something more personal—faith. Specifically, biblical Christianity.

I wasn’t raised in a Christian home. We weren’t hostile to faith—it just wasn’t a thing. AS children my parents saw no need to have my brother or I baptized, no Sunday school, no catechism or confirmation classes. Good moral home, but God simply wasn’t part of the conversation.

I was a Boy Scout, so I respected religion in theory. The Scout promise said reverence was important. If other people needed it, fine. I was a “good person.” That felt sufficient.

By high school, I was drinking, getting high, and deeply into rock and roll. Music—and especially the guitar—became my religion.

Around 1980, my parents were in a serious car accident. They walked away with only scratches and bruises. I attributed it to being in a 71 Chevelle. Those cars were built with steel and metal and the telephone pole was no match for that car.

My mom believed God had a reason for protecting them. She talked to a friend, visited a church, talked with the pastor and she got saved.

My dad started helping out using his electronics background. Eventually, he attended events, got saved himself, and went all in—studying to be an elder, teaching Sunday school, and eventually entering the pastorate.

Meanwhile, my partying escalated. Friends joked that I’d be “next to get saved.” I resisted hard.

But I did attend a men’s conference with the guys from my parents’ church. TO be nice to my parents.

And it wrecked my stereotypes.

These weren’t weak, passive men. They were mechanics, hunters, businessmen, athletes—real men, unafraid to be masculine, but also unafraid to be honest. Not the arrogant, abusive caricature

When the pastor, Brooke Solberg, gave the invitation, my right hand started to go up.

My left hand grabbed it—and I literally sat on my hands.

No way.
No way I was signing up for that.
No way I was facing my friends.

When Excuses Collapse

Eventually, my dad was installed as an elder, and I attended the ceremony. I started showing up on Sunday nights. Be a good son. And one night, the pastor—who was already a familiar face in our house—asked if he could talk with me.

I had my excuses locked and loaded.

I’ll lose my friends.
I’ll have to quit drinking and partying.
I’ll have to give up rock and roll for hymns and “kumbaya.”
I’ll have to cut my hair.
Change how I dress.
Change everything.

But as we talked, those excuses started falling apart.

If they’re really my friends, they won’t care.
Giving up drunkenness and substance abuse isn’t a loss.
I can still make music.
Who cares about my hair or my jeans?

Here’s the realization that hit me:

I didn’t have a single legitimate reason.

I couldn’t say I’d examined Christianity and proven it false.
I couldn’t say Jesus wasn’t real.
I couldn’t say the Bible was wrong.

All I had were opinions, assumptions, and fear.

Fear of what people would think.
Fear of giving up what I thought was fun.
Fear of losing control—of autonomy, of doing what I want to o not want some God or church or book says I should do.

When my beliefs clashed with God’s, I assumed I was right… without evidence.

So I surendered

Then the pastor showed me John 15:16:

“You did not choose Me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit…”

And suddenly, everything clicked.

Looking Back

I remember my Boy Scout days. We were at a leadership weekend at Camp Lenape in NJ. And each troop had responsibility for a different part of the weekend. My troop was assigned to the Sunday church service, and I had to lead it. A guy who maybe went to Sunday School once and one funeral had to lead a church service. And all I had for a reference was the Scout handbook. I don’t remember what I did but I did it.

I remembered a girl in high school telling me how Jesus could wash away my sin—cast it as far as the east is from the west.

But I am young and have a life of rock and roll fun ahead of me.

I remembered finding a “Jesus Loves You” sign drawn in dirt after a fishing trip, with a Creation Festival flyer left in my car. So Christians do have music with guitars and drums. I did not go

The men’s conference.


Then three weeks before my fathers elder installation ceremony, in my 20’s getting chicken pox—three weeks quarantined in a house full of Bibles and Christian books.

All of it leading to that night in my parents’ living room.

And all my excuses crumbling under the weight of reality.

So… What About You?

That’s what excuses do.
They feel solid—until you examine them.

Most of the time, they’re just assumptions with no real evidence behind them.

So what excuses are you holding onto?

Maybe it’s starting a YouTube channel.
Asking someone out.
Learning an instrument.
Making a needed change.

Or maybe it’s Christianity itself.

Isaiah 1 says, “Come now, let us reason together.”

Not assume.
Not react emotionally.
Reason.

Evaluate.
Consider the facts.
Question honestly.

You can like and share this post. You can subscribe.
But more than that—leave a comment.

Let’s reason together.

What excuses are holding you back from taking the first step?
Not every step. Just the first one.

And remember:

Create. Don’t Copy.

Posted in Article | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

God’s Heart

Posted on May 13, 2020 by rgpriest

Gentle and Lowly by Dane Ortland

This book came out at just the right time. Ortland has written a book full of comfort and grace. At the end of the day he does a compelling job of showing just how much we need to adjust our thinking about who God is and how He has revealed His heart through Jesus. This is a fine work challenging incorrect thinking about the grace of God.

This book is a great piece revealing to the reader hos God’s heart is bent towards people with a desire to extend grace and compassion. Before you think this is all about unicorns and cotton candy fluff it is not. Dane never minimizes God’s holiness or righteousness. He never portrays God as a soft old man willing to overlook any and everything. Instead he goes to show that even when God’s disciplines and corrects, His hearts desire is mercy and grace.

Ortland walks us through the Scripture as well as puritan writers revealing the true heart of God, and God that desires the best for His people and will go to the greatest lengths to make that happen. And even when there is discipline, there is always grace.

The purity of God’s heart causes Him to abhor evil, and he hates to see the evil in His people, but His deepest heart is their restoration

Yes, God’s thought are higher than ours even when it comes to realizing how His heart yearns for our restoration.

Fight those preconceived notions about what you may think you know about Christ’s heart and realize the strength of His mercy and grace waiting for you. No matter how dark your world seems, God’s heart turns toward you.

Posted in Uncategorized | Leave a comment