You all know I'm a Divine Martyr fan, right? Well, early last year (2023 for those who might be reading this in the 23rd century), they mentioned they were being interviewed on Lithoscry podcast, promoting their video of my favorite song by them ("Truth"). I watched it, and I became an immediate fan of the program. I'm now binge listening to earlier podcasts.
I also found out about his book "Stones That Cry: God's Precious Metal." While there were a few things I disagreed with, I found myself having a similar mindset on several of his points.
JR: Welcome to the blog, Glenn. My normal first question would be “How did you come to Christ and what interested you in music?” However, since you answered those questions in the first chapter of your book, and I want to encourage them to read it, let me instead ask: What inspired you to write “Stones That Cry?”
GR: In many ways “Stones That Cry” is my testimony of how God used metal and hard rock to help heal me physically after having a brain tumor removed. God also used metal and hard rock to help me cope through the very dark and trying recovery process.
In writing “Stones That Cry” there were certain artists I wanted to personally reach to let them know that even though they may not know Jesus, He used them in my life in a profound way. Writing “Stones That Cry” was my first step in an attempt to share my testimony with them. My hope, and it still is, is that many of the artists who God used to help me will be introduced to Jesus through this testimony they were a part of so they too can be saved eternally by Him.
I also wanted to introduce the church to understand that all too often we stuff God into a “religious box.” Many Christians have come to believe that God cannot work outside of the church or use things considered to be “secular” to glorify Himself. However, Jesus said in Luke 19:40 that stones will glorify God if His people are silent “... I tell you that, if these should hold their peace, the stones would immediately cry out.” (Luke 19:40).
JR: I’m going to give you a hybrid question. Can you tell us the origins of your podcast and how it morphed from “Get Real” to “Lithoscry,” with the information that the person asking this question is asking himself if starting a podcast himself is either something he’s called to or whether it’s a busyness that unless I feel God speaking clearly, it’s something I shouldn’t worry about?
GR: Absolutely! the podcast I currently host is not my first media rodeo. In 1999, I hosted a local cable television program “Arise & Shine!” This show would consist of a Bible study and music from the worship team at the church I was an assistant pastor at. In 2001, one of the other pastors and I had a door open for us on radio as well. The Program Director of the flagship AM Newstalk Station in Charleston, SC allowed us to host, at no cost to us, a Christian call-in show that was intended for those who did not go to church. We were made a part of the regular line-up on Saturday Nights.
This was not a preaching or teaching show but a celebration of free speech where callers could voice their concerns, opinions, and questions, and we would share our Christian world view. The radio show's name was “Get Real.” The show was intended to premiere in late September 2001. However, one day after the tragedy of 9/11, the Program Director called me and said, we need you on this weekend, we need your show due to what has happened. So, for the first several weeks, we found ourselves ministering on the most influential radio station in Charleston, SC to people who were deeply scared, confused, and concerned.
Just as I was completing “Stones That Cry” God pressed upon me to once again enter the realm of media and to start a podcast that would complement the book. I decided to go with the Get Real! name that had been established many years prior as a starting point.
As I got further into the project, God gave me more clarity on the direction He wanted the podcast to go and gave me the title “Raven’s Heart.”
Lithoscry, which is means stones or rocks (lithos) that cry is the name for the broad spectrum of outreach which includes the Raven’s Heart Podcast, the book and hopefully future publications, the Lithosbytes podcast which focuses on Bible teaching and prophetic insight, and the Get Revelation Rockfest music festival.
JR: I have thoroughly enjoyed your interviews on Lithoscry, including former interviewees I’ve had on this blog like Divine Martyr, Reclaim The Day, DeadSin, Crystoria, Worhol, and others I can’t think of right away. Are there any interviews that either surprised you or completely changed your life in some way?
GR: Yes! In fact the first interview that surprised me was an interview with Richard Morrill, the former lead singer of the band L.A.P.D. that is today known as KORN. When I was working on the overall idea of a rock music podcast from a Christian perspective, I shared the idea with a coworker of mine. I told my coworker that he might think what I am thinking of doing is kind of crazy and shared the idea with him. He not only told me he thought it was a great idea but that Richard Morrill from L.A.P.D. was his uncle and that he would introduce me to him to get him on the show. I was very quickly introduced to Richard and we were able to bring him on the show for our one year anniversary. All of this was a confirmation that I was moving in the right direction.
Other interviews that have surprised me include an interview with Dallas Jenkins, director of “The Chosen” and the late Dr. Michael Heiser. Each of these interviews were the result of divinely arranged meetings and acquaintances.
The interview most special to me was with Justin Elswick who goes by the name “Sleepthief.” Though his music is not rock or metal, he was one of the artists who God used to help me heal physically and emotionally during the darkest time in my life. I was blessed to be able to share with him publicly how God used him in my life.
The interview that had the most impact on me was a recent interview with Lara Landon. There is a lot of behind the scenes with each show. We had some scheduling challenges prior to the show and at the end of the show (I can’t remember if it was included in the broadcast), she prayed for me and the Lithoscry ministry. Within minutes of her praying, we experienced a major breakthrough in the ministry. The next day she messaged me and told me that she had turned down an opportunity to sing at a major event because she sensed Holy Spirit telling her she needed to do the interview. This was a very humbling experience that has given us a greater opportunity to minister to many who would not consider going to church and helped remind me of the sphere of influence God has called me to.
JR: One thing that caught my attention in some of those interviews is in dealing with names. Could you tell us how you got interested in that, and how it applies to life?
GR: I have always been interested in what people’s names mean. Even before I came to know Jesus, when I would meet someone who became significant in my life I would look their name up in Webster’s Dictionary. Nobody taught me how to do this. It was just something I did. In growing in my walk with Jesus I have come to learn that there are no such things as coincidences or random happenings. I believe this applies to people’s names as well. To test this I once again began researching the names of people who have ministered to and taken care of me and sure enough their names matched how they ministered to me.
This is also true as one studies Scripture. The names of the individuals spoken of in the Bible describe their function in the Kingdom of God.
As a podcast host, I am a servant of those whom I am interviewing and often times I will be led by Holy Spirit to encourage a guest with how their name fits what God has called them to do for His Kingdom.
JR: One question that your book deals with is whether God can use the unsaved to glorify His name, further His Kingdom, and minister to His people. Would you be interested in elaborating on this?
GR: Yes. There was a time in my walk with Jesus that I believed that only those who have been saved are of use to the Kingdom of God. However, it was through my experiences with metal and hard rock that this view was not correct. I searched the Scriptures to see if someone who is not a believer can be used by God for His purposes. Not only did I find one example but found several. King Cyrus who blessed Israel and made the rebuilding of the Temple after the Babylonian Captivity was not a believer, Balaam the wizard who set out to curse Israel was used to bless Israel and actually prophesied of the coming Messiah was not a believer. The one that is most astonishing, the Magi who sought the Messiah after His birth were men were not men that would be welcomed today in many churches because prior to their arrival to the feet of Jesus, they were practitioners of the mystery religions of Babylon. In the commentaries I have read on the Magi, some theologians struggle with the Magi because of their backgrounds.
However, we must remember though God may use a person who is not a believer, someone who is not saved may do some things that glorify God; this does not guarantee eternal life. This is what Jesus meant when He said, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven. Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Mathew 7:21-23).
No matter how great a work any person does, the only way to enter the Kingdom of Heaven is by receiving the gift of eternal life through Jesus.
JR: Thank you for your time. How can we keep up with Lithoscry and any other ministries you have? Any final thoughts?
GR: The best way that you can keep up with all things Lithoscry is through our website at lithoscry.com Of course, watch Raven’s Heart every week on Thrusday night’s at 8p EST on our YouTube channel The best way to support the ministry of Lithoscry is to like and share our YouTube content! Thank you so much for this opportunity.
