I was quoting some of my lyrics that were appropos to another blog's topic, and I started considering exactly why it is that I never made it in the recording industry.

I am actually a fairly decent lyricist (I've seen MUCH better, but I've seen a lot worse, too...Kylie Minogue's lyricist, for one). But much of my lyrics have a decidedly Christian take to them, as being a Christian is integral to who I am. So, that pretty much rules out most secular music outlets.

So, you'd think I'd be a natch for the smaller Christian recording industry, right? Guess again.

You see, the problem is, I view the Christian church, as with just about any other institution, as a church in need of reformation. In fact, I think the term "organized religion" is an oxymoron, as religion is a PERSONAL experience. My lyrics have reflected this philosophy, and have often been composed of critical, often biting commentary on the problems I see in the church (NOT excluding myself in these commentaries, mind you). They don't belong in the secular music industry because they are messages meant for people who DO believe, but most Christians (especially true of the conservative variety), have turned a blind eye to the fact that there are some very real, very pressing problems that need addressing...and NOW!

My formal training was in a Baptist college, but I quickly became repulsed by how quickly they were to judge through outward appearance (you won't see this when you go into most Baptist churches, but you WILL see it when you are "on the inside" of many of them). I eschewed the liberal theologians because they seem determined to rewrite the bible, and I tend to eschew many conservatives because they don't want to READ the thing, IN CONTEXT (this is why I brand myself a "misfit Christian"...I simply don't fit).

And thus, we circle back to, of all things, why I blog. I think I have a point to be made, and am thankful for a forum in which to make it, even if it doesn't get seen by as many as I would like.