The Most Dangerous Book In The World

On January 26, 2016January 26, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music, Persecution, The Bible4 Comments

Living in America, there are many things I take for granted. The freedom to work where I want, live where I want, shop where I want, and to live like I want. The one thing I probably take granted the most is the freedom to worship God. In America, we can be free to be a Jew, a Muslim, a Catholic, a Christian along with many other religions. I can open the Bible anytime I want, anywhere I want. I can read scriptures on my computer or on my phone.

At my church I attend, we are doing a short series on In God(s) We Trust, and this week we had a guest speaker who spoke on Muslims and what they believe in. What they believe, or don’t believe, about the God I believe in. He is constantly amazed of how God is opening doors for him to Muslims who are looking for something more because of the extremists that are using violence and murder in the name of Allah. A friend introduces him to a friend who introduces him to a family who introduces etc etc. He treats them with kindness, compassion- like we are told to do – he shares the gospel, some accept, some don’t but they are amazed that a Christian will sit and just talk to them, just to share with them and to help them.

Then God put it on my heart to read some magazines I get monthly that I put aside to read at a later time. I have come to realize a later time rarely comes. So I sat down and started to read. Wouldn’t you know they went hand in hand with the sermon I just heard.

I opened up The Voice of the Martyr magazines and was deeply touched by how far other people in other countries have to go to be able to be a Christian, to be able to read and/or hear the Bible. In many , many countries if you are caught with a Bible, you will be thrown in jail, persecuted, or even killed if you do not denounce your faith as a Christian and commit to being whatever the “main” religion is of that country. Missionaries and other people actually risk their lives just to smuggle bibles, mp3 players, flash drives and other devices to spread the word of who Jesus is.

Many of the Christian leaders in their communities are outcasts. They are constantly threatened, beaten, persecuted, and some are killed. Many are forced to leave their villages if they continue to spread the gospel. All of this would stop if they would just denounce Christianity and commit to the religion of that area. They stand strong in their faith.

Would I be that strong? If I knew my daughter would be kidnapped, beaten, raped and left for dead because I am a Christian, would I be able to continue to say yes, I am a Christian and I will not denounce my faith. I will stand strong on God’s promises. I would like to think so but luckily, as of now, in this country I don’t have to make that choice.

Then I read how God has protected some of them. How they have gotten through ISIS checkpoints as they fled their homes. How they have survived this terror or that horror. How, even when a family member has been killed, they stand strong. I read where some terrorists escape that life because God called them to change, and now they are Christians fighting against the terrorists groups they were a member of just a short while ago.

It is amazing how God is using the terrorist groups like ISIS, Boko Haram, Taliban, North Korea communists, and many others to push thousands and thousands of people away from them and into the arms of our loving father, God, and Christianity. Many Muslims are horrified of these groups and their proclamation that Allah is having them do this. They say if this is the will of Allah, then we don’t want any part of it. One pastor in northern Iraq says “there are a lot of people turning from Islam. Jesus has a big net and ISIS is pushing people toward this net. What we are seeing now is like the tip of the iceberg.” He continues to say ” ISIS is making people, especially Muslims, think about their faith and question the faith they were born in and don’t understand.” He said they are repulsed by what ISIS is doing and increasingly disagree with Islam’s teachings. His church, which used to have seven to ten people on a Sunday, now is full to overflowing every Sunday because a lot of people are coming to know Jesus.

The Voice of the Martyrs has sent out 16,440 action packs (food, supplies, necessities), assisted 18,889 families and delivered 70,231 Bibles in just the Islamic state alone since June 2014 through October 2015. VOM is just one organization spreading the gospel. There are many others that share the same stories I mentioned above. Even though Christianity is declining in America, it is increasing many times over in parts of the world that denounced Christianity not too long ago.

Will you take a minute today and pray for VOM and other organizations like them? Will you pray for the believers who remain faithful amid persecution from ISIS and other terrorists groups? Will you take a minute and give thanks to God that you are free to read this without fear of persecution, that you are free to worship, free to read the most dangerous book in the world?

Unspoken by JustClay –

When The Saints by Sara Groves –

I Have Decided To Follow Jesus by Jadon Lavik –

The Just Shall Live By Faith by Rich Mullins –

Dreams of Jesus from Muslims –

Suffering Servant by Dustin Kensrue –

Guilty by Newsboys –

Our God by Chris Tomlin –

New, Forgotten, Unknown 1/22/16 New Music Friday

On January 22, 2016January 22, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music, new music, new music Friday4 Comments

A few new musician followers this week. 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.

Thanks for all the follows.

Awake Now by Caroline Sky –

Take My Life by Wesleigh Rushing –

Light by Jon Henderson –

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

Another You by Armin Van Buuren (Feat. Mr. Probz) –

Beloved Child by Tru Serva (feat. Jeff Deyo) –

Cold In California, Burning House by Cam –

Here To Mars by Coheed & Cambria –

Amazing Day by Coldplay –

Drivin’ Around Song by Colt Ford (feat. Jason Aldean) –

It’s A Game by El Vy –

Born To Love You by Jussie Smollett –

Breaking Me Down by Escape The Fate –

Give A Little by Family Of The Year –

Easily by Grimes –

Count It All Joy by James Bolton –

Do You Love Me Any Less by Jason Boland & The Stragglers –

Before Our Time by Jon Foreman (feat. Sara Watkins) –

Amnesia by Josh Abbot Band –

Getting Ready To Get Down by Josh Ritter –

Downtown by Majical Cloudz –

All My Heart by The Mynabirds –

Break Up With Him by Old Dominion –

All You Are Is History, Around The World And Back by State Champs –

Heal Our Land by Troy Sneed –

and our song:

I Question You by Lily Messer –

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

Now That I Know The Words

On January 21, 2016July 22, 2018 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music, The Bible15 Comments

I have heard the words before

But I never listened for the meaning

They never had me wanting more

I can’t say I was much for believing

I tried to hum the words silently

I tried to put them in a song

I fumbled them quite easily

Never ending up where they belong

Why couldn’t I get them right?

I even looked them up on the internet

I tried night after night after night

But there seemed to be some disconnect

I tried cues from Dr. Seuss

I even asked some actors

But it was no use

I never asked the one that matters

So I prayed to Jesus

A silly prayer I know

But I know He hears us

So I let it all go

Dear Jesus, help me to learn the truth

Help me to learn your words in red

Let me learn like I did in my youth

When I was oh so eager to be fed

This simple prayer I pray to remember

All the words You have taught

Then I felt a spark , a tiny ember

I started to recall all I forgot

I’m still learning, long way to go

But like you take care of the birds

You will take care of me as I grow

Now that I know the words

Believe by Brooks and Dunn –

That Old King James by Scotty McCreery –

What The Bible Says by The Collingsworth Family –

Next Thing You Know by Matthew West –

Red Letters by DC Talk –

Family Bible by Willie Nelson –

The Bible and The Belt by Joey & Rory –

Read All About It by The Newsboys –

I Want To Be Just Like You by Phillips, Craig, Dean –

The Great Adventure by Steven Curtis Chapman –

There Is Power by Lincoln Brewster –

Tell Me The Story Again by Chris Rice –

I Am Only Words

On January 20, 2016January 20, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music, words14 Comments

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. *

*Borchard, T. (2015). Words Can Change Your Brain. Psych Central. Retrieved on January 19, 2016, from http://psychcentral.com/blog/archives/2013/11/30/words-can-change-your-brain

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.

Words by Hawk Nelson –

Speak Life by TobyMac –

Words Can Break Your Heart by Don Henley –

My Words Have Power by Karen Clark Sheard –

Words Are Weapons by Seether –

Words Are Weapons by Birdy –

Words Are Medicine by Tim McGraw –

Words by Train –

Words Of Life by Big Daddy Weave –

The Words I Would Say by Sidewalk Prophets –

New, Forgotten, Unknown 1/15/16 New Music Friday

On January 15, 2016January 21, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian lifeLeave a comment

No new musician followers this week. Many other followers though so I can only pray God is using His words He gives me to reach others out there that need to read them or hear the songs.

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.

I know there are a lot on here. Listened to a lot of music lately. Next week should be less.

Save Myself From Me by New Years Day –

Selfish Lives by Queensryche –

Slow by The Fratellis –

Saint or Sinner by Hunter Hayes –

Sunshine Overtime , Underdogs by Chris Young –

Splinter by Man Overboard –

The Way That I Am by Tove Lo –

Thank You For Being God by Travis Greene –

Three Year Old by Eric Church –

Time Machine by Coin –

Wanna Be Happy by Kirk Franklin –

Water Under The Bridge by Adele –

What You’re Looking For by Tim McGraw –

Never Looking Back by Scarlet White –

Never Walk Away by Sleep Signals –

No Distance by Those Among Us –

No One Fights Alone by Christian Spear –

Not Me, Not I by Delta Goodrem –

Nothing Left To Give by Reverse Order –

Numb by 3CK –

Old Fashioned Love by Rachele Lynae –

On My Knees by Jermaine Edwards –

One More Day by Poynte –

and our song:

I Question You by Lily Messer –

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

Thunder In My Heart

On January 14, 2016January 14, 2016 By roberthansen1317In affairs, Christian life5 Comments

There is thunder in my heart

This is gonna leave a scar

There is lightning in my veins

Your lies drive me insane

My heart is turning to stone

I shake my head, I should’ve known

My blood is turning to ice

No more playing nice

You thought I would never leave

Your words I no longer believe

You thought you could use me and abuse

You ask me how can I accuse?

I’ve got proof I read your texts

You ask me to stay, there won’t be a next

I read all your email

You’ve already lost, you fail

Thunder rolled, a voice rumbled

A step back. I started to stumble

Electricity in the air

His words were there

“LET HER GO, GIVE HER TO ME”

The voice rumbled, “JUST BELIEVE”

“I’m done,” said my heart of stone

I yelled back, “I’m better being alone”

“You are never alone,” the voice said

“I was on the cross, For this I bled”

The thunder in my heart started to slow

The lightning in my veins stopped its flow

God worked a miracle

The invisible became visible

He did something I couldn’t do

He can do the same for you

If there is thunder in your heart

You know where to start

If there is lightning in your veins

Through it all God’s love remains

Storm In My Heart by Colin Hay –

My Darkest Hour by Thunder –

Thunder Rolls by Garth Brooks –

Fall Apart by Every Avenue –

I Don’t Care by Apocalyptica –

Breaking Me Down by Escape The Fate –

Breakin Free by Tesla –

In It For Life by Sick Puppies –

Prophet Song/ God Speaks by Martin Smith –

Fall On Your Knees by David Crowder Band –

Need You Now by Plumb –

Head In The Fight by Sanctus Real –

Don’t Cry Forever by Pillar –

Broken Together by Casting Crowns –

Thunder Road by NewSong –

The Heart

On January 12, 2016January 12, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, The Heart3 Comments

I am the heart. I provide life to the rest of the body. I pump oxygen and blood to and from other organs. You can not survive without me. I am the wellspring of life. Everything you do comes from me.

I am going on strike.

Yes, you read that correctly. I am tired of how you treat me. I will no longer be helping out your kidneys or right foot. I am thinking about not helping your brain either. You don’t seem to use it much when it comes to me anyway. I saw you last night watching The Biggest Loser while you were eating popcorn and M&M’s and washing it down with a can of Coke.

I break for you. I feel your hurt and your pain. I feel your depression. I feel your frustrations. I feel your joy, your excitement. I feel the rush of endorphins when you exercise. I feel your longing, your wanting to belong. Everything that you do and feel, I feel.

My main enemy is your brain. It is often said that the mind is the devil’s playground. How many times have you not got me pumping harder because your mind said you couldn’t do this or that? Your mind says stop but I can go on. Give me a chance to prove that to you. How many times have I begged you “please stop eating this food, it is making me work harder, it is clogging my highways to take care of the rest of your body” but do you listen? No, because your brain says I will take a double order of fried, greasy food because it will make me feel better. Lies. All lies. The brain is like the devil. It doesn’t care about you and neither does he. Most of the time I think they are planning their attacks on me together.

Most any one can tell you that you don’t need your brain to survive. Look at the decisions you make every day. Some really good ones and some really bad ones. The only thing we have in common is if you don’t use us, we can’t help you. Okay, so you do need the brain to survive. I mean if not, we would all be walking off cliffs or in front of cars all the time. That would put an end to me as well. However, the brain can’t work without me. I only wish I could tell your brain to take better care of you, and therefore me.

Did you know that in the NIV Bible the word heart is used 570 times in the Old and New Testament? I am the fourth most common word behind father, God and Lord, not in that order. Why do you think that is? I would not exist without God. You would not exist without God. I am a uniquely created internal organ made so that you can have physical life. You are a uniquely created person.

If you walk away from things that make me work better you will die. If you walk away from God, you will die and spend an eternity with our enemy, the devil. If you eat right, sleep well, exercise, take care of me, I can make your life here on earth all that it is meant to be. I determine your actions and reflect whether Jesus is at the center of your life. If you give your life to Jesus, He can make your life here on earth all that He meant for it to be. If you put Jesus at the center of your life, you can have a life of abundance, a life of joy, no matter what your circumstances are.

The good news is that it is not too late. You can fix all the damage that has been done to me by your past actions. I can be renewed. You can take away years of neglect by turning around and doing what is right. Take care of me so I can take care of you. You can’t do it alone though. You need Jesus. Ask Him to continually renew me. Ask Him to help you take that first step. Each step after that will get easier. Let Him hold your hand as you start a new, healthier you, and me.

Where am I in your life today? Are you struggling to make me healthy? Are you making the right choices when it comes to food, drink, exercise and sleep to make me work better?

If not, ask yourself this question, where is Jesus in your life today? Are you struggling with sin, with bad habits? Ask Jesus to come into me today. Let Him help us become healthy, physically and spiritually. Ask Jesus to renew me, your heart, and commit that He will remain at the center of me, your heart.

You have only one me, the heart. You have only one body. There is only one God. Align all three of us and ask God into your heart, into your mind, into your life.

Here’s My Heart by Casting Crowns –

Open The Eyes Of My Heart by Paul Baloche –

Feel It In Your Heart by Abandon –

Where My Heart Goes by Colton Dixon –

Heart On Fire by Dan Bremnes –

The Heart Of The Father by Brad and Rebekah –

My Brain Says No But My Heart Says Yes by FM Static –

Here’s My Heart by Crowder –

Busted Heart by For King and Country –

Your Heart by Casey J –

Tell Your Heart To Beat Again by Danny Gokey –

How Could I Withhold My Heart by The Glorious Unseen –

Wtih Every Beat Of My Broken Heart by Hawk Nelson –

Search My Heart by Hillsong United –

Strength Of My Heart by Rend Collective –

My Heart Cries Out by Rush Of Fools –

Jump Start My Heart by Satellites & Sirens –

Change This Heart by Sidewalk Prophets –

Double Standards

On January 11, 2016January 11, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music2 Comments

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.

Have a great night. God bless.

New, Forgotten, Unknown 1/8/16 New Music Friday

On January 8, 2016March 4, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music, new music, new music FridayLeave a comment

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

Record Companies, The Voice, & American Idol

On January 7, 2016January 28, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music10 Comments

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.

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)

voice

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.