Sticks and stones may break your bones, but words will never hurt me. I laugh at that one. Do they not know the power of me? Do they not know what I can do?
I am words. Only words. The funny thing about me is that I may move you, my reader. But yet another of my readers may not be moved at all. I can make you feel sad one day and you could look at me another day and feel happy. Fickle thing feelings are. It all depends on how you feel when you read me.
Some people are so good at using me that you can remember what they wrote many years later. Other people, even though what they wrote touched you at the moment, you forget the next day. Sometimes the next hour.
Put me to music and it is a whole new ball game. Music from yesteryear can evoke many memories, some good, some bad. I can make you move fast or slow. Well, technically it is the music but I control how the music is played.
Do you remember the song on the radio the first time you were kissed? Your wedding dance song? The day you lost a loved one? I can bring you happy and sad memories, all in the same song. I can make you smile, I can make you cry. Happy the first time you heard it, sad when you hear it now.
Do you see the power I have now? When spoken in truth I can help people live a better life. Sometimes I have to be spoken bluntly in truth. The receiver of me may not like me. When spoken in truth I am all powerful. No one can stand against me or deny me. I can make you feel good about yourself.
When spoken in lies, I can lead people astray. Lead them from where they want to be. Unfortunately, there are many people in this world that use me only to lead people astray, and they are quite good at using me this way. You won’t know until it’s too late that you have been following lies. I can bring you down, make you feel worthless.
How can you know when I am being used for good or for evil ? Am I being used in the same way consistently? Do I stand the test of time? Do I build you up or tear you down ?
Did you know I can not only affect you but I can affect everything around you? Did your mom ever talk to the houseplant? Ever hear of farmers talking to their crops? I can even affect water. Dr. Masaru Emoto did an interesting study (Messages From Water). He would say positive things to some water molecules and negative things to others. He would then instantly freeze them and took high speed pictures of them. Here are the results :
If I can do that to water, imagine what I do to someone you are talking to.
It has also been proven that positive words can actually change your brain structure.
In Andrew Newberg, M.D. and Mark Robert Waldman book, Words Can Change Your Brain, they write: “a single word has the power to influence the expression of genes that regulate physical and emotional stress.”
Positive words, such as “peace” and “love,” can alter the expression of genes, strengthening areas in our frontal lobes and promoting the brain’s cognitive functioning. They propel the motivational centers of the brain into action and build resiliency.
Conversely, hostile language can disrupt specific genes that play a key part in the production of neurochemicals that protect us from stress. Humans are hardwired to worry — part of our primal brains protecting us from threats to our survival — so our thoughts naturally go here first.
However, a single negative word can increase the activity in our amygdala (the fear center of the brain). This releases dozens of stress-producing hormones and neurotransmitters, which in turn interrupts our brains’ functioning. (This is especially with regard to logic, reason, and language.) “Angry words send alarm messages through the brain, and they partially shut down the logic-and-reasoning centers located in the frontal lobes,” write Newberg and Waldman.
According to the authors, using the right words can transform our reality:
By holding a positive and optimistic word in your mind, you stimulate frontal lobe activity. This area includes specific language centers that connect directly to the motor cortex responsible for moving you into action. And as our research has shown, the longer you concentrate on positive words, the more you begin to affect other areas of the brain. Functions in the parietal lobe start to change, which changes your perception of yourself and the people you interact with. A positive view of yourself will bias you toward seeing the good in others, whereas a negative self-image will include you toward suspicion and doubt. Over time the structure of your thalamus will also change in response to your conscious words, thoughts, and feelings, and we believe that the thalamic changes affect the way in which you perceive reality. *
Gives new meaning to to the phrase if you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all doesn’t it?
Does anything about me that you have read hit home? Does it make you think more before you use me? If you use me the correct, positive way, I can change your life. I can change your brain, your way of thinking. I can change the environment. Be wise, I am a weapon, I am a healer.
But what do I know, I am only black lines on a piece of paper. I am only words.
Why do we constantly judge people? I like this person because…but I don’t like this person because… Does it all come down to we are only human? Maybe we are but that isn’t how God wants us to treat everyone. Here are some examples of what I am talking about.
Miley Cyrus vs Selena Gomez –
Both have had hit shows watched by millions of kids, and adults alike. After starring in Hannah Montana, Miley released Can’t Be Tamed. A cd showing a more mature Miley you could say. Many parents were outraged that they bought the cd for their kids only to find out some of the songs were more mature than they liked. Note to parents: is that Miley’s fault? She didn’t release the cd under Hannah Montana. She was in several movies over the next few years then in 2013 released Bangerz, with the controversial video Wrecking Ball.
Selena, starred in Wizards of Waverly Place, and in several movies and releases several cd’s with Selena Gomez & The Scene. She also starred in a movie, Spring Breakers, with very mature content. In 2013, Selena went solo and released Come and Get It, with the hit single of the same name. No controversy about the mature content. Maybe I read more into the lyrics than I should but to me, come and get it sounds mature.
You ain’t gotta worry, it’s an open invitation
I’ll be sittin’ right here, real patient
All day, all night, I’ll be waitin’ standby
Can’t stop because I love it, hate the way I love you
All day, all night, maybe I’m addicted for life, no lie.
I’m not too shy to show I love you, I got no regrets.
I love you much, too much to hide you, this love ain’t finished yet.
This love ain’t finished yet…
So baby whenever you’re ready…
When you’re ready come and get it
Maybe it’s because Miley went through several years of partying and explicit behavior while Selena has kept a more clean image, and for the most part has stayed out of the media headlines. I will say I totally get the video of Wrecking Ball though. I get the song. You give someone everything you have, you are totally vulnerable, and the relationship ends. Maybe it could have been made a different way,but I get it. But let’s take a look at Selena’s video for Good For You. I don’t know about you but it is a little more racy than Wrecking Ball. Yes, Miley is naked, in a vulnerable way, but Selena is practically naked in a sexy way. I don’t recall ever hearing anything negative about the Good For You video like the uproar that happened with Wrecking Ball. Just to prove my point, when I went to Youtube to add these videos, I had to sign in for age verification for Wrecking Ball, but not for Good For You. Hmmm
Ryan Shazier’s hit on Giovanni Bernard vs Vontaze Burfict hit on Antonio Brown-
I am neither a Pittsburgh or Cincinnati fan. Watching these two hits though makes me wonder what is happening in the NFL? We all know the refereering this year has been terrible, but why the difference in these calls? Ryan’s hit his head is clearly down and hits Giovanni’s helmet, who’s head was up, head to head. Vontaze’s head was down but hit Antonio’s helmet with his shoulder after Antonio leaned forward with his head, if he would’ve stayed up it never would’ve happened. Is it because Vontaze is known to play more “dirty” for a lack of a better word? You can even hear the announcer say it was because Giovanni was not defenseless, by the rule it was still head down, helmet to helmet and should have been penalized. No penalty for Ryan, three games suspension for next season for Vontaze. Double standard?
Ray Lewis vs Pete Rose –
Two different sports but why is Ray Lewis a sure thing to be in the Hall Of Fame but Pete Rose can not get in? Ray Lewis plead guilty to obstruction of justice in connection with the stabbing deaths of two men in 2000. Ray tore his bicep in 2013 and recovered in half the time that is normal. The steroids he took to heal reportedly had in them a banned substance. A banned substance that is only detectable in blood tests, something the NFL does not do. Ray denies it but…Ray is expected to be inducted into the Hall Of Fame in 2018.
We all know the Pete Rose story. The greatest hitter of all time who bet on games. A lifetime ban from the Hall of Fame.
Maybe comparing the NFL to MBL is like apples to oranges with each having their own rules but..
Jesus verse, well, all of us –
This is the one case where there is not a double standard, never has been, never will be. He died on the cross for all of us. He has forgiven all our sins. Yet, many of us, including myself, keep sinning and doing what we want in this world. Jesus forgave his enemies on the cross for they know not what they do. Many of us know what we do and know it is wrong but do it anyway. He forgives us the same. He gives all of us the same choice to follow Him, or not to follow Him. He didn’t say well, Mother Teresa lived a life of service so she gets into Heaven but Rob, man, look at you, time after time I give you chances and you keep messing up. I want nothing to do with you. There is no double standard.
Unlike Miley, Vontaze, and Pete who have been condemned by humans for their past, Jesus does not condemn us for our past mistakes, for our history of repeated bad actions. He forgives us so we can live today, and tomorrow free of the guilt of yesterday. All of us, no double standards.
Back to normal Fridays now that the holidays are over.
Two new musician followers this week. I hope by me sharing your music that you will get more fans. Please feel free to share/purchase the song I wrote with Lily Messer and Ceylon Wise. I have many more songs I would like to get out there but can not financially afford to record them. If interested in teaming up together, feel free to contact me.
Thanks for all the follows.
The Perfect Storm by Cross The Divide –
Never Lose My Heart by Eliseo –
Some other music from followers and non-followers I have listened to this week. Hope you enjoy.
Love Thy Will Be Done by Delta Goodrem –
Magnetic by Martel –
Matthew, Mark, and Luke by Tony Ramey –
Meet You Halfway by Passport –
Memories Don’t by Emily Shackelton –
Mine by Hollyn –
More Alive by Pillar –
Most Days by Everything In Slow Motion –
Stand By Waiting Hill –
Masterpiece by Deitrick Haddon –
My World Needs You by Kirk Franklin –
Million Years Ago by Adele –
Record Year by Eric Church –
Padded Cell by Seal –
Nothing Where Something Used To Be by Vanessa Carlton-
Past Lives by Borns –
Relentless by New Years Day –
Perfect Love by Cindy Cruse Ratliff –
Rescue Me by Amy Helm –
Robin Williams by CeeLo Green –
and our song:
I Question You by Lily Messer –
On Itunes : https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-question-you-single/id1018588943
I am currently reading Mitch Albom’s The Magic Strings of Frankie Presto. I like all his books, hard to put them down when I start one. I can honestly say when I was a baby I did not grab any musical talent. God did not bless with me any musical talent. I can not read or write music or play an instrument or sing. Or dance, just ask my wife and kids. I do think I can write some pretty good lyrics. I also think I have a pretty good ear for talent.
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I will say I might miss here and there but for the most part, when I hear someone I think is talented they usually make it (at least on the singing shows.) Now there are a lot of musicians that I think are good, and I hear more and more from twitter followers I get that I put on my new music Friday posts, that don’t get “popular” but I guess there is only so much room at the top. I think most of that is marketing though. You can’t get heard if you aren’t promoted. Like the song I wrote the lyrics for and Lily Messer sings on.
There are a lot of musicians that get record deals and are promoted that I do not think are very good. I won’t say the name but there was one last year that sticks out for me. She is touted as the next big thing, nominated for awards, etc. etc. and I liked one or two songs on the cd. There are others that have one or two good songs on cd but the rest of songs I don’t care for. There are also many I like every song on the cd that don’t get promoted.
As I mentioned on my first post, I have a knack for picking the top 3 on both The Voice and American Idol. Two seasons ago on The Voice I picked the top 5, in order, of how they finished. This past season I picked the top 5 again, but the order was wrong. Emily messed up my order by finishing 2nd but I still had the winner in Jordan. (The x’s are ones I liked but didn’t think they would make it to top 5)
Last season I picked top 3 for American Idol, except I had Jax winning and Nick finishing 3rd. In years past I have always had the person I thought would win in the top 3, even though I have not always picked the winner. We will see how I do on this farewell season.
So with all that being said, any record exec’s want to give me a shot at finding the next big thing?
Here are the ones I have picked to win over the years.
For something that only has one thing to do, I get blamed for a lot of things. You would think that I would mind, but I don’t. It really isn’t my fault for the problems in people’s lives. I mean all I do is go around in circles, twice a day. You know today what you wasted yesterday. You know today that you have the same amount of time as tomorrow to do what you need to do. How is it my fault you didn’t get it done ?
I come in many forms. Sometimes I have hands. Other times I have a digital read out. Sometimes I have numbers, sometimes I don’t. No matter what I have or don’t have, my job is the same each day. Many of you say I am only right twice a day. Good one. I have to laugh when I hear that.
Often times, no pun intended, people look at me and can’t believe how much time has went by. Other times they can’t believe how slow I am going. I am here to tell you I do neither. I am constant. Always the same. 86,400 seconds then I reset to zero. Well, there was this one time when God stopped me but that’s the only time. Unless He asks again because I will never say no to God. Would you?
Let me ask you, what is your problem with me? Never mind, let me guess. I don’t have enough time. Or is it I have too much time on my hands. Isn’t it funny that when you have too much time it seems like you don’t have enough time? How many times have you sat doing nothing when you could’ve been doing something? You think Tom Brady ever said I don’t have enough time to read the playbook this week? You think Michael Jordan ever said I don’t have enough time to practice my jump shot? They had to sacrifice other things that took up their time to make time to do what they needed to do. I bet they don’t always sleep eight hours a day. I bet they don’t watch three hours of television a night. Do you think they ever said I am too busy to do what I need to do to be successful?
Mother Teresa said “yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” You think she ever said I don’t have enough time? If she was alive today how much time do you think she would spend on Facebook? How many selfies would she take?
Anyway, back to my story. I am like God in a lot of ways. I am the same today as I was yesterday as I will be tomorrow. I will never change. I am not God. Many of you look at me like I am. Many of you curse me because you didn’t do what you had to do in the time you had to do it. Are you more mad at me or yourself? I didn’t force you to waste your time today. I didn’t force you to spend your time that way. I didn’t tell you to spend ten minutes flirting with that woman instead of spending ten minutes calling your wife. Yet you blame me for not having enough of me to give to your wife. I didn’t ask you to spend thirty minutes looking at pornography instead of reading the bible. Yet you blame me for not having enough of me to get to read God’s word.
You know what you have to do in the time you have been allotted. On your death bed you can’t say you didn’t have enough time. I have seen it happen too many times. I regret I didn’t spend enough time with my family. I regret I spent so many hours working. I wish I would’ve spent more time talking to God. I wish I would’ve donated more time to help others. I I I ……I wish, I should have, I could have. Let me tell you you can. What will you do TODAY to take care of your TOMORROWS and not live in your YESTERDAYS? What will you sacrifice? I am not to blame. 1440 minutes. Each and every day. I give it to all of you. The same amount.
Don’t be one of those people. I know I might be out of a job by telling you this but throw me away. Live your life with purpose. Do what God wants you to do! Does it matter what time it is or how much time is left in the day? If God says move, does it matter what time I tell you it is?
Now take a minute and look at me. You looked? Seriously? What will you do with the time you have left today? Tick-tock.
Breathe In, Breathe Out, Move On by Jimmy Buffett –
Stop The Clock by Elle Varner –
Clock Don’t Stop by Carrie Underwood –
Before Out Time by Jon Foreman –
Time For That by Clint Black –
Ain’t Wasting Time No More by The Allman Brothers –
What if Noah said thanks God, but no thanks. I am not interested in building this ark you want me to build. It’ll take me 20-80 years (yes it is a wide range but from everything I have read- and there are many opinions-most say this is how long it took), not to mention all the food I have to bring on board. I have better things to do with my time. Can you imagine the cabin fever I will get God? The smell from all the animals? The ridicule, mocking, laughter I will receive by everyone that sees me making this ark to your exact specifications? It isn’t even raining, God. It hasn’t rained in a long time.
But Noah said yes, God, whatever you command.
What if David said thanks God, but no thanks. I am not interested in fighting Goliath. I mean seriously, have you seen how big he is? A bear, a lion, no problem. I am just a shepherd, not a warrior. All I have is a sling and some rocks. This guy will smash me.
But David said yes, God, I trust you will protect me.
What if Joshua said thanks God, but no thanks. I am not going to walk around the walls of Jericho for six days blowing only our trumpets and carrying the ark of the covenant. Then on the seventh day you seriously want me to walk around Jericho seven times, blowing our trumpets, then you just want us to yell? You know how everyone will look at us and laugh. Look at those fools, walking around blowing trumpets? Where are their swords and arrows? Do they not know how to fight? I will be called the worst general in history.
But Joshua did what God commanded.
What if Mary said thanks God, but no thanks. I am just a lowly woman from Nazareth. I have never been with a man. There is no way I will get pregnant. No God, this is not how I want to have my first child. I want to be married to Joseph first. I am happy here in Nazareth. Everyone will mock me and say I have disgraced Joseph. My entire family will be ridiculed and accused of something I did not do. All to have this child you want me to have? No thanks.
But Mary, said yes God. May your word to me be fulfilled.
What if Jesus said thanks God, but no thanks. You want me to leave my heavenly home, go to earth with all those sinners and be an example for them to follow. You want me to lead a sinless life, to be beaten, ridiculed, laughed at, crucified, for these people? Yes, I know they are made in our image but they have not followed our commands and I don’t think they ever will. You want me to be the sacrifice for their sins? What did I do to deserve this?
But Jesus said yes God, let your will be done.
What if I said thanks God, but no thanks. God, I like it here in my box. I have nothing to say. No one, and I mean, no one will read what I write. Wouldn’t my time be better used spending time with my family or doing things I want to do? So what if a couple people end up reading them, I won’t have an impact on anyone’s lives? I will just be one of thousands upon thousands of bloggers.
But I said yes, God. I will write what you want me to write. I have been humbled by the comments I get from people that have read my posts and have said they have an impact. I have been completely amazed at how God has taken these words and sent them all over the world. I started in late May 2015 and have written 139 posts, counting this one. There have been 1455 visitors from 36 different countries. Maybe they just tune in for the music, maybe the words have changed one person’s life from a non-believer to a believer. I will probably never know but God knows. All because I said yes God.
I look forward to saying yes God more in 2016 because I fail miserably at times. I still hear Him saying go talk to that person and I don’t know why but my feet won’t move. I have a long way to go in my walk with God. I want to thank you for being part of that journey in 2015. I need to say yes more. Yes, God, whatever it is you want me to do today I will do.
Happy New Year and in 2016, let’s all say yes to God more often. We can change the world together.
I pray everyone had a great Christmas. No matter what gift we got under the tree, we were given the most amazing gift with the birth of Jesus.
A couple new musician followers this week. I hope by me sharing your music that you will get more fans. Please feel free to share/purchase the song I wrote with Lily Messer and Ceylon Wise. I have many more songs I would like to get out there but can not financially afford to record them. If interested in teaming up together, feel free to contact me.
Hello by Dallas Remington (Adele cover) –
Thunder and Lightning by Elora Taylor –
Our Indiana Home by Danielle Lee –
We’re One by K-Bust –
Music I have been listening to recently by followers and non-followers. I know there is a lot but I am revisiting some followers and listening to their music as well as non-followers. Hope you enjoy.
Hero ( Coutney’s Song) by Lily Nelsen –
History One Direction –
Hey Mama by Hollyn –
Hey There by Karyn Williams –
Hide and Seek by Lydia Laird –
Hold The Rain by Consumed By Fire –
Holdin My Own by Eric Church –
House On A Hill by Kasey Chambers –
How You Learn To Live Alone by Jonathan Jackson-
Humble And Kind by Tim McGraw –
I Believe by Jimmy Fortune –
I Believe by JJ Heller –
I Didn’t Plan It by Sara Bareilles –
I Guess I’ll Have To Change My Plan by Seth McFarlane –
I Know How To Love You Now by Charles Esten –
I Love You by Little Mix –
I Wanna Live by Worth Taking –
If I Drink This Beer by Will Chase & Chris Carmack –
If I Should Go Before You by City And Colour –
If I Told You by Jason Walker –
If You Say Go by Blanca –
I’ll Show You by Justin Bieber-
I’m Not Alone by Eleven22 Worship –
and our song:
I Question You by Lily Messer –
On Itunes : https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-question-you-single/id1018588943
Week 5 of 5 week posts on original Christmas songs. I hope you enjoyed the five weeks of Christmas songs. Maybe there was one or two you had never heard before. Nothing wrong with the classics, Little Drummer Boy is my favorite, but wanted to showcase some originals. I was originally going to post this on 12/23 but something exciting is happening today that I will post tomorrow. (hint: It has to do with water)
What God Wants For Christmas by Darius Rucker –
I’ll Be Brave This Christmas by Big Daddy Weave –
December 25 by Francesca Battistelli –
Real by Nichole Nordeman –
The Night Before Christmas by Brandon Heath –
Christmas This Year by TobyMac
Family Tree by Dave Barnes –
Happy Christmas by Colbie Caillat –
Shake Up Christmas by Train –
Everybody Deserves A Merry Christmas by Ronnie Fauss –
My God, My Music, My Life 