Zebraic
2017

Zebras are controversial. Americans pronounce it "zee-bra," other English-speaking nations pronounce it "zeh-bra." Some folks say zebras are white with black stripes (based on underbellies); others say they're black with white stripes (based on embryos).

One thing we can all agree on is they're not gray. Or is it grey? We can't even agree on the spelling. "Grey" is more popular with the English; "gray" is more popular with Americans. But that's enough horsing around.

This album's title was inspired by another, Black and White in a Grey World (released in 1985 by Leslie Phillips) -- a great way to describe the challenges we face living a Christian life in a world that rejects moral absolutes.

Christians are controversial, too. Referees are sometimes referred to as "zebras," and we're about as popular with the crowd as they are. Moses heard the same thing back in Exodus 2:14: "Who made you ruler and judge over us?"

As zebras in the world, we have to be just as cautious as zebras in the wild. As 1 Peter 5:8 says, "Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour."

However, we do have this encouragement: "Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you" (James 4:7). That's how we earn our stripes.