This Chapter

On February 23, 2016February 26, 2016 By roberthansen1317In A Chapter, Christian life, music1 Comment

I wrote this awhile ago, just a reminder no matter what you are going through, it is only a chapter. Keep flipping the pages, the next chapter could have you on top. Hope you enjoy reading.

This Chapter

This chapter in my life is only a chapter

Full of sadness and so little laughter

This chapter is only part of my story

That I must go through to see your glory

When I look back at what has been witten before

Did I love this life or I did I love You more

I read the chapters that have been

I am amazed how much I have sinned

This chapter is only a small part

How will I let this chapter affect my heart

This chapter is like a grain of sand

This chapter is being written by Your hand

I ponder on the blank pages of the future

I know your hands will finish the picture

As hard as I try to write the words down

I know only in You will they be found

These early chapters written on how I’ve died and how I’ve lived

How selfish I have been and how little did I give

This story is not complete and only You know how it will end

Will I live the rest trusting in you, not trying to comprehend

This chapter is only a small part

How will I let this chapter affect my heart

This chapter is like a grain of sand

This chapter is being written by your hand

God I pray as you write the next chapters

I pray it will be You I seek, You I am after

Even if in the present I don’t understand

I pray I will remember it is all part of Your plan

Seasons by Lydia Laird –

A Season by Pillar –

Seasons In The Sun by Terry Jacks –

God Of Every Story by Laura Story –

My Life Is Based On A True Story by Joey & Rory-

My Story by Big Daddy Weave –

New Story by Johanna J –

Story Of My Life by Bon Jovi –

The Chapters That Follow by Danger Silent –

Write Your Story by Francesca Battistelli –

New, Forgotten, Unknown 2/19/16 New Music Friday

On February 19, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music, new music, new music Friday6 Comments

Six new musician followers. I love finding new musicians and listening to new music I would never have heard of if it wasn’t for social media. Be sure to check out other musicians I posted. Maybe you will find someone new you like. I hope by me sharing your music that you will get more fans to listen to your music. 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.

What’s Next by David Fanning –

Starving Artist by Izzy Cash –

Unclear by Victoria Canal –

Breathe by Chalk –

Lessons Learned by Three Beards –

Rather Unique by Ben Illa ( produced by E Smitty) –

Thanks for all the follows, musicians and non-musicians.

. Let me know your thoughts, do I put too many on here, not enough, just right? Which of the three little bears am I? Hope you enjoy.

Some other music from non-followers and followers I have listened to this week.

Back Home by John Anderson –

Be Careful Out There by Regina Belle –

Beloved by Jordan Feliz –

Bird Set Free by Sia –

Breaking Down by Disciple –

The Call by Joy Enriquez –

Come On Jesus by Tray Michaels –

Dead Man Walking by John Tibbs –

Don’t Forget To Thank The Lord by John Anderson –

Don’t Threaten Me With A Good Time by Panic At The Disco –

Don’t You Love Me Anymore by Joe Cocker –

Edge Of Darkness by Wesleigh Rushing –

Fade by The Black Lillies –

Finally Free by Stitched Up Heart –

Forget About The Blame by Trans-Siberian Orchestra (feat. Lzzy Hale) –

God Is On The Move by 7eventh Time Down –

Hear Me by Tedeschi Trucks Band –

Hold Each Other by A Great Big World –

I Don’t Have The Answers by We Are Messengers –

and our song:

I Question You by Lily Messer –

On Itunes : https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-question-you-single/id1018588943

I’m Ready For Spring Break

On February 18, 2016February 18, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music3 Comments

Even though we have had a mild winter, little snow, lots of rain, I am ready for some warmer weather. I am ready for skies of blue, ground of sand, waves crashing over the land. Mr. Groundhog did not see his shadow so an early end to winter is coming. Mother Nature said I don’t think so and followed Groundhog Day with the coldest and snowiest ten days in a row we had all winter. We even had enough snow for Kylie to go sledding for the first time this winter. Go figure.

On the positive side it is light when I drive home from work now. There are shorts on sale in stores. Baseball has started spring training. Nascar is starting. There is hope for warmer weather.

Spring break has meant a lot to me over the years. When I was younger and going with my friends at the end of senior year high school where it was all about partying and celebrating. For the last eleven years though it has all been about family. Getting away from the cold and spending a week with the family. Having life slow down and spending time with each other. I am sure it is like that for most of us as we get older though. I can’t help but think of the commercial where the kids say it’s a paid week off, spend it with us.

If you can’t take a Spring Break vacation I pray you will take some of that paid time off you have and spend it with your family before it’s too late. Before they are older and have their own lives where your schedules won’t always be able to match. Work to live, not live to work.

Image result for beach and sunset

Maybe you take days off just to go sledding or swimming. Memories that will last forever. I remember growing up a lot of our vacations were weekend getaways to Cedar Point or Kings Island. Catch a Reds game. I remember those things my parents did for me and my brother. (and for themselves)

Or maybe you take a family mission trip somewhere and help out a village in need. Or do like we did last summer, and will do again this summer, take a week vacation to someplace like Gull Lake Ministries for Christian fellowship in a fun environment. If you missed it here is the link:

https://mygodmymusicmylife.wordpress.com/2015/06/28/what-i-learned-last-week/

Maybe its a staycation. Stay at home. Spend time with the kids. Get things done around the house.

Whatever it is I urge you to take the time off, refresh your mind, body and soul and build relationships with those closest to you.

Rather than thinking of time away as vacation, perhaps we should reclaim the term holiday from “holy day”. The emphasis should fall on spiritual reorientation and refreshment in order to tackle our work “as unto the Lord” when we return.

Spring Breakdown by Luke Bryan –

Spring Is Coming by Steven Curtis Chapman –

It’s A Good Day by Hilary Weeks –

Island In The Sun by Weezer –

Checking Out by Luke Bryan –

Somewhere On A Beach by Dierks Bentley –

Toes by Zac Brown Band –

Roller Coaster by Luke Bryan –

Beautiful Life by 7eventh Time Down –

Somewhere In The Sun by Kenny Chesney –

Kokomo by The Beach Boys –

Summertime by Lonestar –

I’m On Vacation by Rhett and Link – funny song

I Remember You by Skid Row – Memories of Spring Break ’88

Standing In The Fire

On February 17, 2016February 17, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music3 Comments

I call myself one of the good people

But only praise God when I’m in the steeple

The devil drags me down, knocks me about

Fills my head with lies and doubts

Why do I believe all his crap

I’m always caught in his trap

I tell myself I don’t like a liar

I’m the one standing in my own fire

Do I trust in Your ways?

Is that how I live all my days

Do I love like You love?

Do I always rise above?

Do I forgive like You forgive?

Do I live like You want me to live?

Do I sell my soul to the highest buyer?

I’m the one standing in my own fire

Then I look outside my world to all those in need

All those that die, all those that bleed

Lives torn apart by earthquakes and wars

Will their world ever be like it was before?

They face persecution, starvation every day

How can I continue to look away?

Any minute of any day their lives could expire

And here I am standing outside the fire

How can I help? What can one person do

How do I even begin to live like You?

My world seems such a mess

I can see how truly I am blessed

When I look at those that suffer in your name

When I see those that hurt I know You are not to blame

What of my life would You require?

For me to no longer be standing outside the fire

I pray a prayer to You to set me ablaze

Give me your eyes so I can gaze

So I can see their pain, so I can feel the hurt You feel

I want to see their world, not as fantasy but as real

I know in the fire You are there

I feel Your presence everywhere

I want to help those whose situations are dire

Help me to be one who is standing in the fire

Help me to forget my hurt, my pain

Help me to spread the news of Your Name

I can not do this on my own, even when I try

The words don’t come, but I can hear their cry

I can see them in my mind

I can see how I have been blind

Take me to where You want me to go

My body or just these words You sow

Help me to never tire

From standing inside the fire

Fire Walk With Me by Abel –

Fire by Scarlet White –

Fire by Krystal Meyers –

Carry The Fire by Dustin Kensrue –

Start A Fire by Unspoken –

Catching Fire by Blanca –

Standing Outside The Fire by Garth Brooks –

Set Me Ablaze by Jesus Culture –

I’m On Fire by We Are Messengers –

Soul On Fire by Third Day –

Walk Through The Fire by Consumed By Fire –

Set The World On Fire by Britt Nicole –

Fire and Fury by Skillet –

Hearts On Fire by Dan Bremnes –

Carry The Fire by Andrew Peterson –

Fire Inside You by We Are Leo –

Fire by Echoing Angels –

When You Edit A Post

On February 16, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life7 Comments

Image result for when you get ready to post a blog and delete it by mistake

and hit delete by mistake.

Looks like all you good readers will have to wait another day.

New, Forgotten, Unknown 2/12/16 New Music Friday

On February 12, 2016March 4, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music, new music, new music FridayLeave a comment

Several new musician followers. I love finding new musicians and listening to new music I would never have heard of if it wasn’t for social media. Be sure to check out other musicians I posted. Maybe you will find someone new you like. I hope by me sharing your music that you will get more fans to listen to your music. 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.

Lifeline by Kai –

Seek by GFM Band –

Drowning by Eden Burning –

Better On A Barstool by Nick Alligood (7-Hills Florida) –

Misunderstood by Harbor Boulevard –

Thanks for all the follows, musicians and non-musicians.

Now that I am down to one playlist instead of three maybe the list will get shorter next week. I keep saying that though. Let me know your thoughts, do I put too many on here, not enough, just right? Which of the three little bears am I? Hope you enjoy.

Some other music from non-followers and followers I have listened to this week.

Uncover Your Eyes by Young Empires –

Us Time by Stoney Larue –

Windmills, Worry by The Vamps –

Your Love Will Blow Me Away by Son Little –

Say A Prayer, Tightrope by Veridia –

Winter by Lydia Laird –

Simple Gospel by United Pursuit –

You Don’t Belong In Mine by Resistant Hearts –

Transformed by Survivor Q –

What If We by 3for3 –

Alive by Sia –

Always by 7eventh Time Down –

Amazing by Hedley –

Amen by I Am They –

American Crazy by Brothers Osborne –

Awake The Fire by Forever Still –

Where I Am Right Now by Jared Anderson –

The Wind by Our Fears –

2 Blessed 2 Be Stressed by Coffey Anderson –

and our song:

I Question You by Lily Messer –

On Itunes : https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-question-you-single/id1018588943

Temple Fit (To Fat To Fit)

On February 11, 2016February 11, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, fitness, music, Temple Fit8 Comments

Have any of you seen the show Fit to Fat to Fit on A&E channel? We started watching it four or five weeks ago. If you haven’t seen the show let me recap it for you and explain why I am writing about it and what we can learn from it.

The shows premise is that many trainers can’t relate to overweight people and that is why there sometimes can be a disconnect between trainer and trainee. The trainer thinks trainee is overweight because they are lazy or have no initiative or just don’t care enough about themselves to make healthy food choices. (Note: This isn’t all trainers. My wife isn’t like that.)

For the first 16 weeks the trainer gains as much weight as they can, so far it has been anywhere from 40 -70 pounds. They also can not work out during that 16 weeks. They are having to eat 6-10000 calories a day to gain the weight. At first most of them are okay with it. They get to eat foods they never eat, donuts, fast food, deserts, etc., and eat it in big portions. I am talking like a table full of food. I don’t see how they can keep it down, and some do struggle. They go out with friends drinking and eating late at night. What is amazing is how fast they lose what they had and how long it takes to get it back. During the 16 weeks the show shows the emotional, physical, and mental toil gaining all this weight takes on the trainers. Many quit playing with their kids or spending time with their spouses because they have no energy or think they don’t deserve it because of how they look. They get depressed and some have had to go to the doctor because of high blood pressure or heart troubles, all in 16 weeks.

The next 16 weeks the trainers and trainees start working out together to lose weight and learn how to make healthy eating choices. The trainers talk about how hard it is to break the bad habits. They crave the bad food they were eating. They didn’t think it would be that hard to quit eating bad and get back into shape. They now know what it is like to be overweight and to have to lose the weight and make the right choices.

Why am I writing about it? Because it shows how easy it is to make bad choices and how hard it is to break them once you start. How easy it is to bust your butt to get healthy and just a couple weeks of bad choices can take it all away. It is a daily choice to make to be healthy. You will have setbacks but don’t let one bad day turn into two or three. These trainers see how addictive bad food is. Why is it? Because food companies spend millions and millions of dollars to see how food affects a person and your brain and they put ingredients in it to get you addicted. All for the mighty dollar. Just think what they could do with those millions of dollars to make our food how God made it to be, clean, natural, organic.

Working out is hard. You have to get mentally there before you can get physically there. The hardest step is always the first. There are days I don’t feel like working out or running but my mental note is once I put the shoes on, I am doing it. For you it may be just getting out of bed and saying I am going to do something today. Even if it is just ten push-ups or walk around the house twenty times. Maybe it’s to do jumping jacks during commercials, get off the couch. Eat an apple instead of a cookie. Grab a handful of grapes instead a handful of M&M’s – my enemy.

Don’t give up. Every day make small changes that will add up to big lifetime changes over time. Give it time. Make clear, specific goals. It doesn’t have to be about weight. It can be about not buying junk food this week. Or to be a one size smaller. Or to lose 10 lbs. by March 12th. Then once you hit those goals, make new ones.

The most powerful change you will see is the change inside you. The voice in your head that goes from you can’t to you can. Every little step will give you confidence to take the next step.

On Top Of The World by Imagine Dragons –

Keep Your Head Up by Andy Grammer –

Fighter by Gym Class Heroes (feat Ryan Tedder) –

Best Day Of My Life by American Authors –

Stronger (What Doesn’t Kill You) by Kelly Clarkson –

Stronger by Building 429 –

Overcomer by Mandisa –

Not Afraid by Eminem –

Fight Song by Rachel Platten –

Why Did God Put The Tree There?

On February 10, 2016February 10, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music4 Comments

Adam and Eve could eat anything they wanted in the garden, except from the tree of good and evil. If all was good and everyone and everything- man and animals- got along and didn’t eat each other then why was the tree there?

This is one of many questions I have. Add that to if the tree wasn’t there then maybe the serpent didn’t have to be there and all would still be peachy keen right? Did God have to put the tree of good and evil there? No, of course not. He did give us free will and with that free will comes choices.

Do I or don’t I? If I do what is the consequence? If I don’t what is the consequence? Do we all ask ourselves before we do anything what would Jesus do? I know I do not. I know I should. It would stop a lot of dumb things I have done.

Here is another way I think about it. In school we are given tests. We are given opportunities to study before the test. I can either study or not study. I can study a lot or a little, or none at all. My grade will depend on how much I study. I don’t want to fail so I study. Yet, when it comes to God I find myself skipping school. I find myself making a choice to not study God’s word. I find myself relying on me more than on God. But I reach for God’s hand and He pulls me up and brushes me off and gives me another chance.

So back to the tree of knowledge of good and evil. If we don’t eat from that tree that God didn’t have to put there then we will rely on God for what is wrong and right. If we do eat from the tree then we take it upon ourselves to know what is wrong or right. We are saying we don’t need to rely on God because He said if we eat from it certainly we will die. But we didn’t die in the way of dying , no more breathing. We died to relying on God. We died on the inside.

I am not a theologian but in my layman terms and what I think is that God put the tree there to give us a choice. He doesn’t want us to be robots. Because He gave us free will he gave us freedom to choose. Adam and Eve chose wrong. I choose wrong. I eat the fruit and sometimes I go back for seconds.

Did God have to build the tree? No. Did God want us to turn away from sin and rely on Him? Yes.

What I need to start doing is walking away from the tree. I need to quit reaching for that apple. I need to say no thanks, I am full of making my own choices. I need to starve myself from bad choices and start making healthy choices.

I don’t know about you but I know I can use a little less knowledge of good and evil and a lot more of relying on God.

What choices have you been making? Do you rely on God or on yourself? The wonderful thing about God is His grace and mercy that He gives all of us another chance every day to choose again.

The Way by Jeremy Camp –

Prodigal by Sidewalk Prophets –

Promises by 7eventh Time Down –

Remind Me Who I Am by Jason Gray –

Why Did It Take So Long? by Abandon –

Angels Or Devils by Dishwalla –

Angels and Demons by Tedashii (feat Crowder) –

Angels and Demons by Colt Ford (feat Lamar Williams) –

Angels and Demons by Disciple –

Where Did The Angels Go? by Papa Roach –

New, Forgotten, Unknown 2/5/16 New Music Friday

On February 5, 2016February 5, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian lifeLeave a comment

One new musician follower this week but she is the next American Idol. At least right now she is in my top 5 to win it. Will see when live shows kick off. I hope by me sharing your music that you will get more fans to listen to your music. 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.

Holy Grail by Tristan McIntosh (Justin Timberlake cover)-

Thanks for all the follows, musicians and non-musicians.

I keep telling myself I have to shorten this post and put less songs on here. I liked a lot of music I heard this week and I use to limit one song per artist per post but I went a little crazy this week. Maybe next week will be less. Hope you enjoy.

Some other music from non-followers I have listened to this week.

Stone by Alessia Cara –

Today by Blanca –

Village by Cam –

Red Robin by Clark Richard –

Standing Still by Codie Provost –

You Got Spirit Kid by Coheed and Cambria –

Up & Up by Coldplay –

Still Care About Me by Danetra Moore –

We Need Love by Family Of The Year –

What If I’m Right by Get Scared-

Steady Me by Hollyn (feat Aaron Cole) –

Use Me by Joe Douglass –

This Isn’t Easy by Josh Abbott –

A Season by Pillar –

Wake Up by The Vamps –

Pretty Lies by Veridia –

Ordinary Angels by Karyn Williams –

Take Off by Marcus Anthony –

Underneath The Tide by Mayday Parade –

and our song:

I Question You by Lily Messer –

On Itunes : https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/i-question-you-single/id1018588943

Let Me Fail

On February 3, 2016February 25, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Let Me Fail, music3 Comments

Hey mom and dad, it’s okay if I fail. I tried. I will not succeed at everything but I have to fail at most things to know what I will succeed at. You have to let me fail.

I know it’s hard for you to not just jump in when I am struggling but let me struggle. I have to be able to figure things out on my own. I love when you hold my hand but there will be times when you won’t be there and then what? What will I do if you aren’t there? I will have to figure it out on my own. I am capable. I am strong. I am smart.

I know this is hard for you to hear but sometimes you just have to get out of the way. I know you love me and I know if I can’t get this figured out I can ask for your help. Just like the other day when I asked you about that math problem. I had to have time to think it through and figure out if I could do it on my own before I asked.

Chances are I will not be a professional athlete. No matter how hard you push me, no matter how many nights I spend in the driveway shooting free throws, no matter how many extra sprints I run. No matter how loud you yell at my games. No matter how many times you play catch with me. You know the odds are astronomical right? If I choose to pursue this though you better know I will push myself beyond my limits to do it because I know not very many make it. However, if I don’t want to play soccer this season but want to try to play guitar, let me. I may go back to soccer later. I may be a terrible guitar player, but I won’t know unless I try. Who knows, maybe I am the next Eddie Van Halen.

I will give 100% to everything I try. I learned that from you. I will not quit if I don’t like it at first. I may even end up liking it. You have never quit on our family so I know what it is like to keep trying and not give up. I just may not be good at what I try and that’s okay. I will do the most with the abilities I have. Success for me right now is trying.

I am not afraid to try. Fear of failure is not a part of me. I want to be able to fail, to find out more about me. I am still trying to find out who I am in this world. Not who you want me to be. I will fail. There is no doubt in my mind. I will also succeed at many things. I just need you to give me that opportunity.

I don’t know what God has in store for me but you have given me a great start. For that , I am forever thankful. As I grow older though I want to try new things. I want to see what I am good at. I want to be .. Well like you. You know what you are good at and you know what you are bad at and it’s all because of you trying and succeeding, and failing.

Do not let me make bad choices or go down the wrong road. I fully expect you to put me in place if that happens. There is a difference between making bad choices and failing at something I want to try.

Don’t get me wrong, I want to succeed. But I also want to fail. I want to pick myself up and dust myself off and say wheww I suck at that. I won’t know until I try though. I want to find out what it’s like to be knocked down and get back up. I want to figure out what I did wrong and how I can get better. I want to persevere. It even says in the Bible that perseverance builds character . I want to be someone that people look to and say they want to be like me. I can’t do that if you do everything for me. If you are always helping me succeed. I have to test my limits and my abilities. I know you will be there for me if I need you, but right now I just want to go for it on my own. I want to see what I am made of. I want to laugh at myself if I stink. I want to be proud of myself if I succeed. I won’t be able to do any of these things if you don’t let me try, knowing I may fail.

Please mom and dad, let me fail. I will be okay. I may cry. I may get mad. I will struggle. I will get hurt. I will feel pain. I will get knocked down. I will pick myself up. I will find joy. I will be proud of myself for trying. I will find something I really enjoy doing. I will be thankful for the experience . I will learn how to fight for what I want. I want to say I tried. I will succeed.

I will succeed, but first you have to let me fail.