Don’t know what happened this week but have a lot more musician followers than normal. I appreciate the non-musician followers as well, I just can’t show my appreciation by sharing your words as easily. I hope my sharing your music will get word out about your music. Please take time to listen/share/purchase the song I wrote with the wonderful Lily Messer and Ceylon Wise at the bottom of this page. Thank for the follows.
Since I had so many followers songs to get on here, I will post a non-followers that I have been listening to tomorrow. Have a great friday.
I have been struggling for the last week or so. Don’t know why, just comes out of the blue sometimes. This introvert may just be getting anxious for all the extrovert stuff coming up in the next few weeks. Volunteering at Columbus Marathon since not running it this year, me injured and wife doing NYC instead. Then going to NYC for a weekend for the marathon and to do some tourism with money I don’t have to spend. Bad time of year coming up for me with bad memories. Etc. etc.
Anyway, I listen to music and usually when I finish the songs I had on this month I will revisit older cd’s. I listen to the songs in alphabetical order by title so I don’t hear same singers, or genres, all the time. Takes me about a month to go through 500 songs or so. However, God put it in my head to start listening to next months and these four songs were what I needed to hear so I wanted to share.
Just a reminder that God is there. We just have to ask, confess, repent, and He will come find us.
Awakened by Denise Renee –
Come Find Me by Alabama – yes I know love song but I can hear it as a plea to Jesus to come find me, even as I am just blowing along and on the ledge, I need my friend, come find me (even though I should be finding Him)
Every rose has it’s thorn. What a sad way to live, but many of us live this way. We fail to see the beauty in things because we are complaining about the ugly part of it. Something good happens in our lives and we start wondering when the bad will happen.
We look at someone and because the way we look we automatically think they are not a good person. We don’t look for the beauty inside of them. We think because someone is attractive that there isn’t an ugliness inside of them. Most of us have both, beauty and ugliness. It’s what we choose to show the world that makes people see us for the rose or the thorn.
We are not all okay. We all have thorns. Yet, so many of us choose to only love the roses. Anyone can love a rose, but can you love a thorn?
I have thorns and the last few days I have been letting them get the best of me. It’s crazy how one day we can be on top of the world and the next be in the dirt but that is life. My Jesus had to wear a crown of thorns to save me from these thorns I carry around. It’s a lot easier said than done but I keep fighting my way back to the rose. I know I will get there, it just may not be today. I know God will get me through it and use these times to strengthen me in the future.
I don’t even know why I am down. Maybe it’s just that time of year. Where I start to see the ugliness and not the beauty. Maybe it’s just the weather changing. I know God is with me and sees me and loves me. I know he loves the ugly, the weak,the thorns, the least of these. He loves me when I am like this. I know I need to see the blessings in these times, for they are all around me.
It’s just whether I choose to see the roses or the thorns.
I was shivering. Strange, since when I went to bed I put an extra blanket on and set the thermostat to heat up the house at 6:00. I then realized I was also wet. I startled awake only to realized I wasn’t in my warm bed. I was in some type of… give me a minute to look around. I was in some type of maze. Confused, bewildered, baffled were some of the words that came to mind. I had to be dreaming, but I wasn’t.
I yelled out, but no one answered. I did the only thing I could and started to walk. Around this bend, turn left here, turn right there, dead end, start again. I then saw a note up ahead. I read it: If you have ever lied turn left at the next turn. Well yeah I have lied, who hasn’t? I came to the turn and went left. After about 200 yards or so I found another note. If you have ever stolen anything, turn left again. Unfortunately, I had to turn left. I kept walking for another 200 yards and yet another note. If you have ever dishonored your mother or father turn left again. Well, to be honest I am sure I have but if I did maybe it was just something little like talking back or missing curfew. Guess my answer was already made for me because the only way I could turn was left.
I know I just walked in a square but yet I was someplace new. Hanging up at the end of this walkway was a mirror. As soon as I looked into I heard the voices. You are ugly. You aren’t good enough. No one likes you. Your kids don’t even like you. Look at your body, what have you done to it. You are a disgrace. Why are you even alive?
I covered my face with my hands and ran. I ran as fast and as far as I could but I could not get the voices out of my head. I came to another intersection.
Have you ever committed adultery? Well. Not physically. Then another voice: that doesn’t matter. Have you or haven’t you? Okay, yes I have! Correct. Go right.
Have you ever murdered someone? Of course not, I said. Are you sure about that? Yes, I am positive on that one. Then the images came to me like it was yesterday. The girl I talked into sleeping with me. She was so young and innocent. I wanted her. She said no but eventually I wore her down and she gave in. I murdered a piece of her that night. I murdered a piece of the boy I used to make fun of because he wasn’t like me. Oh God! Make this stop. Good try! God isn’t here and he isn’t coming. This is my world and you are just a pawn in it. Go right.
Have you ever worshiped someone other than your so called God? Have you ever used your so called Gods name in vain? Have you ever …. GO RIGHT I SAID!
NO!! I screamed. I don’t have to listen to you. I don’t have to go where you want me to. I can break this. I can walk away. You are a liar.
No, you can’t. Remember you are a nobody. No one likes you, except me. You are what I need to change this world. YOU can follow me, YOU can rule the world with me. YOU can turn stones into bread. YOU can jump off a building and angels will catch you. I can make you into the most powerful person in this world. TURN RIGHT!!
No, that’s where you are wrong. I don’t want to be the most powerful person in the world. I don’t need to be liked by everyone because I know God loves me. I don’t need your lies. I just need to follow the truth. With that last word I sprinted as fast as I could, to the left, and ran and ran for what seemed like days. I didn’t realize that the maze was disappearing as I ran. I was breaking free from the chains that bind me. By the time I stopped it was all gone.
I fell to the ground. Exhausted. Sweating. Breathing hard. I didn’t hear the footsteps come up beside me. Maybe there wasn’t any. I heard his voice. The one I have heard many times throughout my life but ignored. I felt him kneel beside me. I felt his hand on mine. I heard him say well done. I heard him say I love you. I heard him say I want you. I heard him say you belong with me.
He picked me up and walked me back home. He said trust in me. Have faith in me. Love me. And just like that he was gone. But was he really?
A few more musician followers this week. I hope my sharing your music will get word out about your music. Please take time to listen/share/purchase the song I wrote with the wonderful Lily Messer and Ceylon Wise at the bottom of this page. Thank for the follows.
Send An Angel by Becky Kelly –
Becky also has a new song out, check it out here: also check out her Christmas song Where’s The Line To See Jesus – one of my favorite Christmas songs.
I’m Yours by Becky Kelly – ♫ I’m Yours – Becky Kelley. Listen @cdbaby http://bit.ly/1VICrpq
Take Me To Hollywood by Ashley Krouse –
The Right Road by Capturing Souls –
Not War by Casey Conroy –
Some new music I listened to this week from some non-followers.
One Way To Live by Clint Black –
I Am by Leona Lewis –
I Ain’t The Girl by Lindi Ortega –
I Don’t Like Who I Was Then by The Wonder Years –
I Rise by Etana –
I Will Go by Big Daddy Weave –
Pass The Ammo by Moonshine Bandits (Crucifix) –
Hunter by Du Blonde –
Make Them Gold by Chvrches –
Lose It All By Brett Eldredge –
Question Everything by Five Finger Death Punch –
Lombardi Avenue by Katie Dahl –
and our song:
I Question You by Lily Messer –
Now on i tunes : https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-question-you-single/id1018588943
I have been going back and forth, fighting myself on whether or not I should put my lyrics on here. On the plus side, maybe my words could touch someone without being in a song. On the negative side, what if someone used my lyrics without my permission. Anyway, in honor of October being breast-cancer month I have decided to put this one on here. I can hear how I want it to sound in my head but, unfortunately, God didn’t bless me with the talent to write music.
I wrote this 2/10/15 when I was in Kroger one day and saw someone in a wheelchair and the words just started coming out. I wrote if for cancer but a friend of mine said he could see this disease as just being sin in general. I had never thought of it like that but I can see it like that also.
I would still like to turn my lyrics into a song but finances are not what they need to be for me to do that. I would love to have Lily Messer sing it. Or the girl who sings Thank You by Jesus Army. Or Lauren Daigle. Or maybe there is a voice out there I haven’t found yet that will reach out to me. All my attempts so far have failed but I am not discouraged. God will take the words where they need to go and the rest will be history. Anyway, if you are a musician and would like to put music to these lyrics, feel free to contact me.
For those that have cancer, or any disease, I pray that you will find strength in the one who made you. I pray you will find comfort in His arms. I pray that you will fight.
This Disease
This disease is tearing me to shreds
Some days I can’t get out of bed
I still have a voice to pray
That You God can heal me today
I’m okay if this is the day I die
In you I know I will always be alive
Behind these tears know I’m at peace
I’ll miss this world but I’m ready to leave
I know I’m coming home
I know they won’t be alone
Your arms will comfort them like they have me
In Heaven, I will be rid of this disease
Thank you for giving me time on this earth
Thank you for dying, to show me what I’m worth
Thank you for giving me your words, your life
Thank you for dying so I can be alive
I’ll be an example, I’ll fight to the end
I pray that I’ve been a good friend
But when I breathe my last breath
As my time in this world is put to death
I know I’ll be coming home
I know they won’t be alone
Your arms will comfort them like they have me
In Heaven, I will be rid of this disease
Let them know I didn’t give up
That they will always have my love
I’ll be watching them as they grow
I pray that You they will get to know
It’s time to leave this disease behind
Your eyes they look so kind
As my soul leaves this body
I’m coming home to You God
I know I’ll be coming home
I know they won’t be alone
Your arms will comfort them like they have me
In Heaven, I will be rid of this disease
This disease didn’t win
Your love was always within
Let me know what you think. Any musicians that would like to put it to music let me know.
I Run For Life by Melissa Etheridge –
Healing Hand of God by Jeremy Camp –
My Story by Big Daddy Weave –
Through All Of It by Colton Dixon –
Your Hands by JJ Heller –
Believe by Elisa Lynee –
No One Fights Alone by Christian Spear –
Hold On by Dominic Camany –
Hope by Capri Ruberto Anderson (Capri Canada) –
I’m Gonna Love You Through It by Martina McBride –
Surprised? Yes I was too when Kayhla told me she was moving to Virginia, and she wanted to marry Joey, someone I had never met. She just moved back home and out of a bad relationship. I just got her home and was hoping to spend some time with her. I had never met Joey nor did I know anything about him or his family. When she told me I told her I did not approve. I thought it was too soon. I was trying to look out for her best interests and maybe, just maybe, I was being a little selfish.
I don’t know her heart though and she said Joey is the one for her. They had been best friends for three years. They met at church camp. Through all of her bad relationships he was there for her. She was going to church with him now. She was scared because he is in the Air Force and could be deployed. She put her fears aside to marry the man who makes her a better person. Maybe it was time I put my fears aside also.
After meeting Joey a couple times my reservations were pushed aside. I could tell she was the Kayhla that I know and love. She was silly, goofy, laughing and happy around him. He told me how he adores her and will treat her like God would want him to treat her. He slowly won me over over the last three months.
20 years ago God gave me a baby girl to take care of. I raised her the best I could. Made many mistakes on the way but I was always there for her, and I always will be. On October 3rd, I gave her away to another man. A man who I hope will hold his promise to me.
All I know is that I have to give it all to God. Let Him direct her steps. Let Him direct their steps. All my worries and fears are gone because I know God is there.
Like their pastor said I can only pray that they will put God first in their marriage. That they will put the other person second and that they will put their own selves last. Communicate. Isn’t that what marriage is? It definitely isn’t easy but put God first and the rest will fall into place.
Congratulations Kayhla and Joey. I pray you have many many years to love each other. Welcome to the family Joey. I love you daughter. I don’t know if I will get used to seeing you on social media as Kayhla Reichert. Who is that? I will get used to it, eventually.
I pray you two ask God for help each day in strengthening your marriage.
My Baby Girl by Sol Knopf – a video to Kayhla
God Gave You To Me by The Hoskins Family –
A Promise To Daughter from the movie Courageous –
Marriage Prayer by John Waller –
This Ring by T Carter –
Take My Hand by Emily Hackett and Will Anderson –
Better Today by Coffey Anderson –
Beautiful In White by Westlife –
I Do by Westlife –
When I Say I Do by Matthew West –
See You Tonight by Scotty McCreery – Kayhla and Joey’s song –
A few more musician followers this week. I hope my sharing your music will get word out about your music. Please take time to listen/share/purchase the song I wrote with the wonderful Lily Messer and Ceylon Wise at the bottom of this page. Thank for the follows.
My Girl’s Hand by Mitch Goudy –
She’s My Kinda Party by Dana Michael –
Moving On by Waiting Hill –
Juliet by Anastasis (Jacob’s Well Records) –
Some new music from non-followers I have been listening to this week:
This Corner by Denaun –
Love You More by Nichole Nordeman –
Airplane by Langhorne Slim –
Another Man’s Words by Vintage Trouble –
Every Giant Will Fall by Rend Collective –
Blind Love by Bon Jovi –
Father I Stretch by Kim Burrell –
He Knows What He’s Doing by Jason Crabb –
Break by Katharine McPhee –
How Did You Love by Shinedown –
December by Neck Deep –
Driftwood by Cody Simpson –
Eye Of The Storm by Scorpions –
Real Men Love Jesus by Michael Ray –
Everything Breaks by Jewel –
Who remembers this oldie:
December 1963 (Oh, What A Night) by Frankie Valli and the Four Seasons –
and our song:
I Question You by Lily Messer –
Now on i tunes : https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-question-you-single/id1018588943
Why does this man keep popping up in my life? More important question is who is he? He keeps showing up in the most unexpected places at the most unexpected times.
The first time I can recall is the day I was born. I know what you are thinking, no one remembers when they were born. I remember hearing his voice. I remember him telling me I was meant to be here and that he would be here to help me walk through this life. He told me what a wonderful and amazing person I was. Don’t ask me how, but I do remember.
I didn’t think about him for many years and apparently he didn’t think he had to be in my life. He was never where I was. He was never in my thoughts. I never heard his voice.
Then one day when I was sixteen he appeared out of nowhere. I had just got my driver’s license a few months prior and on this night I was at a party. I had been drinking and having a good time and was about to leave. I walked to my car and saw someone standing by the driver’s side door. As I approached him he just smiled. I asked who he was and what he thought he was doing. He said give me your keys, you aren’t driving tonight. The voice sounded so familiar but I couldn’t place it so I laughed and said I don’t know you, why would I give you my keys? He just looked at me and whether it was the love in his eyes or his smile I gave in and gave him my keys. I lived through that night because of him.
Of course I forgot about him over the years until the night I crashed my car. Crashed is probably not the right word to use. I totalled it. I don’t know how he got there. I didn’t see him but I immediately recognized his voice again. He pulled me out of the car and dragged me to safety. The police couldn’t believe I was alive. The only part of the car that wasn’t demolished was the driver’s seat. I didn’t have a scratch on me.
I started searching for him then. How was I supposed to find one person in a world full of many. I prayed, what little I knew of praying, for him to come back into my life. I could not believe that he was only there in the bad times of my life. That he somehow was my protector. Why couldn’t I find him?
Many years later my wife left me. I was in a bad place. I was angry. I was sad. I was drinking. I started hanging out with the wrong people. I was in a whirlwind of despair. It was in the deepest gutter in the darkest alley in the darkest street that he appeared again. He held out his hand. I stared in disbelief. He said come on, this isn’t where you are supposed to be. Let me carry you home. I took his hand but said I had no home. He told me he talked with my wife and she is at home waiting for me.
My wife and I reconciled and she wanted us to start reading the bible together. We did some devotionals but they only brought me pain. It seemed like every single devotional was about marriages falling apart. I couldn’t see the message of hope in each one.
I took a walk in the woods and there he was again. He asked if I remembered him. How could I forget? You have been there every time I needed you. He told me he always will be and started to walk away. I yelled, hey what’s your name? When can I see you again? How can I find you? He just smiled and said you’ll find me in time. Until then, I will keep finding you.
My wife asked me to go to church. She had been going by herself and said it was really touching her. So I went. THERE HE WAS. Right in front of the church. Nailed to a cross. I was confused. How could this be the man who kept appearing in my life? It was time I learned more about this man. It was time I gave my life to this man.
Many years later as I was on my death-bed and he was there again. Giving me comfort. Giving my family comfort. This man whispered in my ear it was time to come home. This man was always there, from birth to death and all the times in between. When I didn’t see him, when I didn’t want him, didn’t think I needed him, was too ashamed to come to him, was too proud to ask him, was to full of hate to love, was too scared to trust him, when I wouldn’t give, when I wouldn’t help, when I didn’t care. Through it all, this man was there.
Will you let Him be there for you?
This Man by Jeremy Camp –
Remember IOU by Big Dismal –
How Many Lashes by Kirk Franklin and Yolanda Adams –
Rusty Nails by 7eventh Time Down –
Were You There by Selah –
Jesus, Take The Wheel by Carrie Underwood –
New Again by Brad Paisley and Sara Evans –
Reason I Live by Big Dismal –
Tell Me The Story by Todd Agnew –
Tell Me The Story Again by Chris Rice –
Sweetly Broken by Jeremy Riddle –
I See Love by Third Day/MercyMe/Steven Curtis Chapman –
Relearn Love by Scott Stapp –
Jesus Died My Soul To Save by Pocketful of Rocks –
My wife and I almost got a divorce three years ago. We were not happy and things happened that should not have. It took awhile to get back to not only where we were but to surpass that and to have a better marriage.
One day I decided to leave her a note. It said hello, my name is Rob. I would like to get to know you better. Here are some things about me that you may not know. Of course a lot of it was silly and things she should know. Things like my favorite football teams are the Dallas Cowboys and The Ohio State Buckeyes. I like running with you. I like it when you smile. I don’t like orange chicken. I love your cooking. I don’t like my voice. I don’t like that we are going through this. I believe in God. I love our children. I used to spend all my lawn mowing and paper route money on baseball cards, video games, and records (who remembers what records are?). I worked three jobs (paper route, lawn mowing, stocking shelves at a pharmacy) when I was thirteen. I wish I would have been good enough to play professional baseball. I used to be able to eat a large pizza by myself. I love being outside. I could sit by a pool or beach all day. I wish I would’ve studied more to be a pediatrician like I wanted to be. I like to read. I like to work-out and run. Etc. etc. You get the point and now you know more about me also.
My wife replied back with things like she thinks her legs are sexy. She loves to run and wish she would’ve pursued a career in it and been paid to run. She hates reading the newspaper and watching the news. She loves to drink water. She likes to have a clean house but has learned to let some things go. She wants to qualify for NYC and Boston marathons (and she has this year). She wishes she was more organized. She had way too many stuffed animals as a kid. She wants all processed foods out of our house. She would love to be the next Jillian Michaels. I would love to see a movie with you. She wishes she was more creative. She enjoys shoveling snow. She can’t stand sitting still. She counts her blessings daily. She loves me and thinks I am handsome and loves my smile. She loves chocolate m&m’s. Etc. etc.
We did this over a few months and it brought smiles to our faces, brought some things to our attention we didn’t know about each other and reminded us of why we fell in love with each other.
In times of trouble it helped us reconnect. It didn’t cost us any money and it was kind of fun. I would leave one in her shake blender and she would leave one in my lunch box. I would leave one under some of her workout clothes so it would take a few days to find it. We made a game of it and it did help us.
Do you need to reconnect with someone? Your husband or wife? Your children? A brother or sister? A mom or dad or grandparent? Maybe you need to reconnect with God. Take the time. Follow our example and make it fun. It doesn’t take a lot. It just takes a commitment to start.
Watch Fireproof and The War Room. Read a devotional together. Exercise together. Eat dinner together. Have date nights (we struggle at this and don’t do it nearly as much as we should).
Today, we know together that we are children of God. That we believe in God and believe in each other.
My God, My Music, My Life 