I believe music can inspire, give hope, make you cry, make you think, and a million other things. I want to start posting some music that I really think speak to the times we are in. As you know, I listen to everything so tune in every day, never know what you will get.
For our 12th song, I chose another song from Fearless Soul on YouTube called Be The Change. I have included both the song and the spoken word videos.
I chose this one because there are a lot of people out there wanting change, but what are they doing to make that change happening.
Rioting, looting, violence and killing will not promote change.
Have you ever wondered who you are and what you are put on this earth to do? I have those questions also, but one thing I have always taken solace in is that I know who I am. Even if I do not like myself sometimes. I put a little bit of me in all my stories, poems and songs but to put myself completely out there is scary but here goes nothing.
I am not a democrat or republican. I am an American. As in introvert, I naturally observe more than I speak. I look at all sides and make a logical decisions based on the facts and common sense.
The color of my skin is white, but that does not define who I am. My dna and family tell me I am part Native American, Irish, German, Scandinavian.
I am from a small town near the Appalachia Mountains. I am the first person from all sides of my family to go to and graduate from college.
I was raised to respect authority. I will never beat a woman or a child. I will never run from the police. I will never riot or steal. I will never do drugs. I will never sex traffic anyone. If I see something that is wrong, I will stand up for what is right.
I watched my parents struggle at times, financially, personally and in their marriage. I watched how they worked hard and persevered. I watched their mistakes and defeats. I watched what they did well and their victories. I chose what to do with all that and added to it how they and other family members raised me and I became my own person.
I am a husband and a father. At times, I think I’m good at both. Most times, I feel like I fail at both.
I am a son, brother, grandpa, nephew and uncle. I know I fail at all these.
I like to write and have a lot to say but when it comes to social situations or making/keeping friends, I am at a total loss of words. I fail at this.
But, none of those things are who I am.
I’ve made mistakes. Lots of them. I’ve been defeated. I’ve yelled at God. I’ve learned from my mistakes. And yet, somehow, I still repeat some of them. I’ve picked myself up off the ground and I’ve tasted victory. I’ve thanked God. I’ve forgiven and been forgiven.
I’ve been cheated on, lied to, used, abused, and dealt with racism. Just because I’m white, does not mean racism does not exist toward me. But none of those things have changed who I am.
I have been kind when others have been mean. I have loved when others have hated. I’ve been appreciative while others have been critical. I have been hopeful when others have been hopeless. And at times, I’ve been the others.
But what shapes me is all the above. The good, the bad, the ugly. All of it has helped me become the man I am today. It is the choices I make . It is the integrity that I have. It is my moral compass. It is my character. This world will not change me. This world does not define me. The choices I make help me stay on the road I am on. I do not let circumstances bring me down. I wish I could change some of the things I have done and I wish I could change some of the things that have been done to me but if any of those things changed, maybe I wouldn’t be where I am today.
I know what I am and what I am not. I will try to be better at what I am and never be what I am not.
But, here is the truth about who I am.
I am a child of God and I believe that I am loved and forgiven.
I believe music can inspire, give hope, make you cry, make you think, and a million other things. I want to start posting some music that I really think speak to the times we are in. As you know, I listen to everything so tune in every day, never know what you will get.
For our 11th song, I chose Pray For America by Old Crow Medicine Show. America need’s our prayers right now. It needs love to fall upon the land and take away all this hate.
lyrics: When sorrows are befallen And shadows darken her door When the fever spreads and a silent scourge Outshines her golden shores When a cry for comfort reaches forth Like you never heard before Pray for America Our promised land
America, to thee May God’s hand outreach Lord have mercy on America
When the tears just keep a-fallin’ And the glory light’s gone dim And the barren ground is full of holes We hasten to fill in When the firmest faith is shaken fast By a fear that’s creepin’ in Pray for America Our promised land
America, to thee May God’s hand outreach Lord have mercy on America
Where the peaceful hour is broken By the pounding tumult quake And all is torn asunder What we thought could never break When all your saints come marchin’ Through hell for heaven’s sake Pray for America Our promised land
America, to thee May God’s hand outreach Lord have mercy on America
A little story on how you can not always believe what you read.
I grew up in the 80’s and one of my favorite bands was Tesla. I looked into why they named the band Tesla and found out it was after Nikola Tesla. I have never heard of Nikola Tesla up to that point. Long story short, I researched everything I could on him and did a science report in high school and an English paper in college on him. Both of those teachers had never heard of him.
Fast forward to Kylie in 5th grade. She was doing homework and I walked by and saw it was on Marconi and how he invented the radio. I told her the book is wrong, Marconi did not invent the radio, Nikola Tesla did. She looked at me confused and asked why the book would tell her that if it was not true. I told her it was American history and politics, since Tesla was Russian.
I told her she should tell her teacher the next day that the book is wrong. I would even give her $5 if she did. She said no way.
I came home from work the next day and she told me I owed her $5 because she did it. She said her knees were knocking, her hands were sweaty, her mouth was dry and she thought she was going to throw up but she went to the teacher and told her. She told the teacher what I told her. The book is wrong and Marconi did not invent the radio, Tesla did. The teacher did a google search right there and then and said wow, I did not know that. I have never heard of Tesla.
Tesla died in his room on January 7, 1943. Later that year the U.S. Supreme Court voided four of Marconi’s key patents, belatedly acknowledging Tesla’s innovations in radio. The AC system he championed and improved remains the global standard for power transmission.
He also invented AC current that we use today for electricity, even though most people think Edison did.
The band Tesla has a song called Edison’s Medicine that has a verse which sums it up for our school books :
I spent twelve years of hard time, More like the best years of my life. Never heard or read a single word About “the man” and his “wicked mind.” They’ll sell you on Marconi. Familiar, but a phony. Story goes they sold their souls And swore that you’d never know.
Tesla is getting more notoriety these days as several movies and documentaries have been made about his life. Check them out.
A reader shared this on her blog the other day and it reminded me that maybe it is time I repost it on mine. I need warriors to go with me and fight this fight.
Society wants me to conform. I will not conform.
I have had enough. I could not take It anymore. I had tried and tried but no one would go with me. If no one will go with me, I will do it alone.
I don’t see things any differently than anyone else. They all see the world is falling apart. The difference is I couldn’t sit still and watch it get worse. I couldn’t stay quiet and let the evil keep talking.
You know what they say, there is no God, he isn’t here, he doesn’t care. If there was a God then why….If there was a God then where was he when….
Well, didn’t we ask him to leave? We took him out of schools, court, any kind of gathering. We let the minority rule. If one person doesn’t like it then no one can enjoy it. It’s no wonder suicides have increased, opioid epidemic, mass shootings, over the counter meds for anxiety, divorce.
Nothing is sacred anymore.
I left to face the demons on my own. It wasn’t long before they had gathered to defeat me.
I drew my sword and drew a line in the sand.
I said, “If you are not a believer, you can not cross this line.”
The demons smiled at me as they approached the line. “My dearest friend, do you not know, even we demons believe.”
The demons crossed the line and I took a step back. The demons drooled and laughed. “So, friend , you do fear us.”
To their surprise, I then took a step forward with a smile on my face.
“I am not your friend.”
I knew what they did not. The demons hesitated for a second but that’s all I needed.
I drew my sword but it was only for a diversion. The demons attacked.
The demons were so consumed with me that they didn’t notice the warrior angels that had surrounded them.
Walk On Water by 30 Seconds To Mars-
What It Comes Down To Me Is Me by Mark Bishop-
Fight Forever by Anthem Lights –
Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies) by Chris Tomlin –
I believe music can inspire, give hope, make you cry, make you think, and a million other things. I want to start posting some music that I really think speak to the times we are in. As you know, I listen to everything so tune in every day, never know what you will get.
For our 10th song, I picked Be The Hope by Creed Fisher. He is one of my favorite country artists. I really like this song because he talks about keeping your faith and being the hope in these dark times.
lyrics:
In a road full of darkness I still see the light Get down on my knees and thank the Lord every night For always providing everything that I need I feel the power of Jesus, and His bible I read
The hard times are taking a toll There’s a war going on for my heart and my soul Look up toward the sky, the King still on His throne Stand strong in your faith and be the hope
I’ve always loved the good old US of A It comes from the heart when I stand up and say: I’ll never run from the devil, oh, no I know the good Lord above is still the one in control
These hard times are taking a toll There’s a war going on for your heart and your soul Look up toward the sky, the King still on His throne Stand strong in your faith and be the hope
These hard times are taking a toll There’s a war going on for my heart and my soul Look up toward the sky, the King still on His throne Stand strong in your faith and be the hope Look up toward the sky, the King still on His throne Stand strong in your faith and be the hope Stand strong in your faith and be the hope
A reader shared this on her blog the other day and it reminded me that maybe it is time I repost it on mine. I need warriors to go with me and fight this fight.
Society wants me to conform. I will not conform.
I have had enough. I could not take It anymore. I had tried and tried but no one would go with me. If no one will go with me, I will do it alone.
I don’t see things any differently than anyone else. They all see the world is falling apart. The difference is I couldn’t sit still and watch it get worse. I couldn’t stay quiet and let the evil keep talking.
You know what they say, there is no God, he isn’t here, he doesn’t care. If there was a God then why….If there was a God then where was he when….
Well, didn’t we ask him to leave? We took him out of schools, court, any kind of gathering. We let the minority rule. If one person doesn’t like it then no one can enjoy it. It’s no wonder suicides have increased, opioid epidemic, mass shootings, over the counter meds for anxiety, divorce.
Nothing is sacred anymore.
I left to face the demons on my own. It wasn’t long before they had gathered to defeat me.
I drew my sword and drew a line in the sand.
I said, “If you are not a believer, you can not cross this line.”
The demons smiled at me as they approached the line. “My dearest friend, do you not know, even we demons believe.”
The demons crossed the line and I took a step back. The demons drooled and laughed. “So, friend , you do fear us.”
To their surprise, I then took a step forward with a smile on my face.
“I am not your friend.”
I knew what they did not. The demons hesitated for a second but that’s all I needed.
I drew my sword but it was only for a diversion. The demons attacked.
The demons were so consumed with me that they didn’t notice the warrior angels that had surrounded them.
Walk On Water by 30 Seconds To Mars-
What It Comes Down To Me Is Me by Mark Bishop-
Fight Forever by Anthem Lights –
Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies) by Chris Tomlin –
I believe music can inspire, give hope, make you cry, make you think, and a million other things. I want to start posting some music that I really think speak to the times we are in. As you know, I listen to everything so tune in every day, never know what you will get.
For our 9th song, I chose a new song by Rebecca St. James called Dawn. I chose this song because there are a lot of us that are struggling today with depression, fear, anxiety, the riots, the protests, Covid-19, unemployment, etc etc.. but there is hope and there is a light.
lyrics:
Lord, I’m so tired in this fight
Tired of waking up with no end in sight
I feel I’ve got so little left
I know that I’ve come to the end of myself
Help me hold on
Cling to You ’til I see the sun
Held by Your love, I sing alleluia
You’re lifting my heart as I lift my hands
Safe in Your love, I sing alleluia
You’re healing my heart as I lift my hands
Water the garden of my life
With every sorrow, every tear that I’ve cried
Redeem this winter for Your good
Lord, show Your power as only You could
Help me hold on
I’ll cling to You ’til I see the sun, oh-oh
Held by Your love, I sing alleluia
You’re lifting my heart as I lift my hands
Safe in Your love, I sing alleluia
You’re healing my heart as I lift my hands
Even in the darkness, even when it’s hardest You are faithful and You bring the dawn
On every mountain, I’ll sing it even louder You are faithful and You bring the dawn
Even in the darkness, even when it’s hardest
You are faithful and You bring the dawn
On every mountain, I’ll sing it even louder
You are faithful and You bring the dawn
Held by Your love, I sing alleluia
You’re lifting my heart as I lift my hands
Safe in Your love, I sing alleluia You’re healing my heart as I lift my hands
Held by Your love, I sing alleluia
You’re lifting my heart as I lift my hands
Safe in Your love, I sing alleluia
You’re healing my heart as I lift my hands
I believe music can inspire, give hope, make you cry, make you think, and a million other things. I want to start posting some music that I really think speak to the times we are in. As you know, I listen to everything so tune in every day, never know what you will get.
For our 8th song, I go way back and chose America by Neil Diamond.
I chose this song because, to me, it seems like a lot of people are wanting this country to change to a socialist country. Do those people not understand that people flee other socialist, communist, and dictatorship countries to come to America? They risk their lives, floating across the ocean on home made rafts or packing 200 people on a boat meant to carry 20. Think about that, they risk their lives to come to our country that we are letting die.
We are the best democratic country in the world and think when you vote this year on if you want it to stay that way.
lyrics:
Far We’ve been traveling far Without a home But not without a star
Free Only want to be free We huddle close Hang on to a dream
On the boats and on the planes They’re coming to America Never looking back again They’re coming to America
Home, don’t it seem so far away Oh, we’re traveling light today In the eye of the storm In the eye of the storm
Home, to a new and a shiny place Make our bed, and we’ll say our grace Freedom’s light burning warm Freedom’s light burning warm
Everywhere around the world They’re coming to America Every time that flag’s unfurled They’re coming to America
Got a dream to take them there They’re coming to America Got a dream they’ve come to share They’re coming to America
They’re coming to America They’re coming to America They’re coming to America They’re coming to America Today, today, today, today, today
My country ’tis of thee (Today) Sweet land of liberty (today) Of thee I sing (today) Of thee I sing (today)
My God, My Music, My Life 