Songs For Our Times #12

Be The Change You Want To See (Truly Inspiring Speech)

I believe music can inspire, give hope, make you cry, make you think, and a million other things. I want to start posting some music that I really think speak to the times we are in. As you know, I listen to everything so tune in every day, never know what you will get.

For our 12th song, I chose another song from Fearless Soul on YouTube called Be The Change. I have included both the song and the spoken word videos.

I chose this one because there are a lot of people out there wanting change, but what are they doing to make that change happening.

Rioting, looting, violence and killing will not promote change.

Be the example.

I Do Not Fight Alone

Image result for god is proud of you

A reader shared this on her blog the other day and it reminded me that maybe it is time I repost it on mine.  I need warriors to go with me and fight this fight.

Society wants me to conform. I will not conform.

I have had enough. I could not take It anymore. I had tried and tried but no one would go with me. If no one will go with me, I will do it alone.

I don’t see things any differently than anyone else. They all see the world is falling apart. The difference is I couldn’t sit still and watch it get worse. I couldn’t stay quiet and let the evil keep talking.

You know what they say, there is no God, he isn’t here, he doesn’t care. If there was a God then why….If there was a God then where was he when….

Well, didn’t we ask him to leave? We took him out of schools, court,  any kind of gathering. We let the minority rule. If one person doesn’t like it then no one can enjoy it. It’s no wonder suicides have increased, opioid epidemic, mass shootings, over the counter meds for anxiety,  divorce.

Nothing is sacred anymore.

I left to face the demons on my own. It wasn’t long before they had gathered to defeat me.

I drew my sword and drew a line in the sand.

I said,  “If you are not a believer, you can not cross this line.”

The demons smiled at me as they approached the line. “My dearest friend, do you not know, even we demons believe.”

The demons crossed the line and I took a step back. The demons drooled and laughed. “So, friend , you do fear us.”

To their surprise, I then took a step forward with a smile on my face.

“I am not your friend.”

I knew what they did not. The demons hesitated for a second but that’s all I needed.

I drew my sword but it was only for a diversion. The demons attacked.

The demons were so consumed with me that they didn’t notice the warrior angels that had surrounded them.

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Walk On Water by 30 Seconds To Mars-  

What It Comes Down To Me Is Me by Mark Bishop- 

Fight Forever by Anthem Lights – 

Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)  by Chris Tomlin – 

Fighting For Us by Michael Farren – 

I Do Not Fight Alone

Image result for god is proud of you

A reader shared this on her blog the other day and it reminded me that maybe it is time I repost it on mine.  I need warriors to go with me and fight this fight.

Society wants me to conform. I will not conform.

I have had enough. I could not take It anymore. I had tried and tried but no one would go with me. If no one will go with me, I will do it alone.

I don’t see things any differently than anyone else. They all see the world is falling apart. The difference is I couldn’t sit still and watch it get worse. I couldn’t stay quiet and let the evil keep talking.

You know what they say, there is no God, he isn’t here, he doesn’t care. If there was a God then why….If there was a God then where was he when….

Well, didn’t we ask him to leave? We took him out of schools, court,  any kind of gathering. We let the minority rule. If one person doesn’t like it then no one can enjoy it. It’s no wonder suicides have increased, opioid epidemic, mass shootings, over the counter meds for anxiety,  divorce.

Nothing is sacred anymore.

I left to face the demons on my own. It wasn’t long before they had gathered to defeat me.

I drew my sword and drew a line in the sand.

I said,  “If you are not a believer, you can not cross this line.”

The demons smiled at me as they approached the line. “My dearest friend, do you not know, even we demons believe.”

The demons crossed the line and I took a step back. The demons drooled and laughed. “So, friend , you do fear us.”

To their surprise, I then took a step forward with a smile on my face.

“I am not your friend.”

I knew what they did not. The demons hesitated for a second but that’s all I needed.

I drew my sword but it was only for a diversion. The demons attacked.

The demons were so consumed with me that they didn’t notice the warrior angels that had surrounded them.

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Walk On Water by 30 Seconds To Mars-  

What It Comes Down To Me Is Me by Mark Bishop- 

Fight Forever by Anthem Lights – 

Whom Shall I Fear (God of Angel Armies)  by Chris Tomlin – 

Fighting For Us by Michael Farren – 

Songs For Our Times #5

The Browns - Brave - Amazon.com Music

I believe music can inspire, give hope, make you cry, make you think, and a million other things. I want to start posting some music that I really think speak to the times we are in. As you know, I listen to everything so tune in every day, never know what you will get.

It just takes a spark to change the world. Whether it is a negative or positive spark is up to you. Let us change the world by showing kindness, giving hope, sharing faith, respecting others opinions.

For our 5th song, I picked Little Fires Everywhere by The Browns.

Love, Not Hate: A New World

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Even though the dove ruled with compassion and love

Many birds had decided they had had enough

They wanted a leader like the Eagle had been

Their patience had started to wear thin

As they secretly plotted against his rule

There was a riot at one of the schools

A female red-throated hummingbird said she didn’t like males

Her parents didn’t understand and wanted more details

“What’s there to say? I am in love with another female hummingbird”

Her parents kicked her out of the nest without saying a word

Then an Ivory Gull said he was in love with a Black Rail

“You can not love one not of your kind,”  their parents started to yell

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They were told they had to leave their land

They were in love and could not understand

The hawk, vulture, condor, falcon and osprey came together

“We are the biggest birds and surely we are the  most clever.”

“This is our chance to take a stand,

To make our presence known in the land.”

They quickly spoke up and said; “We can all agree

That these birds style of living isn’t for you or for me.”

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The mockingbird and turkeys shook their heads yes

Did they ever have their own thoughts? It was anyone’s guess

They continued, “We shall banish them, but why stop there?”

“If you aren’t from our country, but from lands elsewhere,

Then you should be banned and sent from where you came.”

“All the problems in our land, well, you are all to blame!”

“Syrian Serin, Algerian Desert Lark,  Arabian Partridge, African Sacred Ibis

Afghan Babbler, Yemen Thrush, Palestine Sunbird, any we have missed?”

“Oh yes, Somali Starling, West Mexican Chachalaca, Banded Quail

Red-shouldered Hawk, Plumbeous Kite and Aztec Rail.”

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“We no longer will welcome you with open arms.”

“We don’t care if less than 1% of you wish to harm.”

“We will no longer take a chance if  you are from the Middle East,

From Mexico, if you are LGBT, your numbers must be decreased”

“We should build a cage around our entire land!”

Many of the birds thought that was a great plan

But other birds were smart enough to know if it will keep birds out

Then the cage can keep birds in, and of that, they had no doubt

The dove stood tall amidst the growing controversy

“Don’t you see, these birds are the same as you and me.”

“We all have come from different lands to make this land our home.”

“We should accept all birds, not give in to this hate syndrome”

“Where is the good when we choose these birds to be expelled?”

“We have been taught to love all birds, not just ones like yourself”

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“The Eagle taught us when he gave us these words:

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all birds

Remind them to be ready to do whatever is good, to slander no one

To be peaceable and considerate, and always be gentle to everyone.”

“I implore all birds to take a stand, to do what is just and right,

To end all this bickering and all these fights.”

“Instead, reach out a helping hand,  open your wings wide.”

“We can change this land if we show all birds the love we have inside.”

“We can no longer be the silent majority!

“The words I speak come from the highest authority!”

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“Our God, Jesus our Savior, commands us to love!”

The birds started whispering about the dove

One by one they stood up and said: “We agree!”

“This land was made for you and made for me.”

“We can live in love and make this country grand.”

“To the Republic and for what it stands

One nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all!”

They all agreed it was time to stand together before they all would fall

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Bleed The Same by Mandisa- 

Heal Our Land by Kari Jobe- 

All Around The World by Taj Mahal and Keb Mo – 

I Hate Hate by About A Mile – 

The Gospel by Ryan Stevenson –  

Lousy Sum Of Nothing by Erasure- 

Remembered For by Colony House – 

How Many Walls by Rise Against- 

Reptiles (We Woke Up) by Flogging Molly – 

Say It All by Matty Mullins – 

World We Used To Know by Scorpions- 

Silent Majority by Nickelback- 

If We Keep Doing Nothing by Kris Allen- 

Pressure Under Fire by Gov’t Mule- 

Dear Black Son by Brother Ali- 

Pray For The World by Deon Kipping- 

All Join Hands by Acoustic Ghost- 

The Greater Good by Styx- 

Sons and Daughters by Brett Stanfill- 

Who Taught You How To Hate by Disturbed- 

Love, Not Hate: A New Chapter

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It would soon be a sad, sad day throughout the land

When the eagle would soon fly to Heaven to be in God’s hands

All the birds talked about the progress they had made

When they all decided to love instead of hate

They all knew a new leader needed to lead

But some birds didn’t think there was a need

Why can’t we just govern ourselves

While others thought that would not go well

It wasn’t long before the roads the eagle paved turned to gravel

All the progress the birds had made started to unravel

The Hawk stepped in and said he had something to say

“I should be the leader because I am a bird of prey!”

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The Vulture laughed out loud and said he should be the one

A younger Eagle said he had the right since he was the son

The Hummingbird said it should be him since he was small and fast

The Falcon and the Osprey both said no as they laughed

“How can a small bird be a leader?”

“Wake up little bird, you are just a dreamer”

It was then the wise old Owl spoke up

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“All of you are making me sick, ENOUGH!!”

“Listen to how we speak!”

“If only the Eagle wasn’t so weak”

“It is as if all we have learned has been erased”

“Appreciation and respect for others is being replaced

With words of hurt and words of hate”

“I see a new leader as all of you debate”

“The only one who hasn’t said any words

Should be the new leader of the birds”

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All the birds looked around wondering who it could be

They all gasped when they saw the Eagle crying quietly

“This was just a test of the last resort”

“For my time here is indeed short”

“Have you all forgotten how it was before?”

“When we all killed in a useless war.”

“We can all coexist in love.”

“That is why I will appoint the dove.”

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“There is no other way we can live,

As we have been doing, we must continue to give.”

“We must continue to encourage!”

“Let kind words continue to flourish.”

“Help all those hurt and  in need.”

“Don’t let in selfishness and greed”

“These might be the last words I say.”

“Love, my friends, love instead of hate!!”

“I pray you will always do what is just, what is right.”

Then the Eagle spread his wings and took his last flight

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Better Than I Found It by Danny Gokey – 

Here We Stand by Chosen House Choir- 

Brother What Happened by Muddy Magnolias- 

How Did You Love by Shinedown- 

As Long As There’s Love by Alabama- 

Enough Love To Go Around by Doug Anderson- 

Troubled Times by Green Day- 

4-15-13 by Dropkick Murphys- 

One More Light by Linkin Park – 

Unstoppable by Matty Mullins feat Jordan Feliz – 

Change For The World by Charles Bradley- 

Choose To Love by Francesca Battistelli – 

One Way To Live by Clint Black- 

Unite by 1Girl Nation- 

Heal Our Land by Troy Sneed- 

O God Forgive Us by For King & Country – 

What Do I Know by Ed Sheeran – 

Get Together by The Youngbloods – 

Love, Not Hate: Christmas Eve

cardinals, goldfinch, bluebird, nuthatch, chickadee:
art credit: James Hautman

It was Christmas Eve all through the land

All the birds stared in amazement at the Christmas tree so grand

The little birds could barely contain their excitement

The older birds looked on, filled with contentment

The eagle remembered how far they have come

He remembered all the work ALL the birds have done

Which made this day an even more special day

He took his place and said: “Birds, I have something to say”

 

Want to see one--not at a zoo--SOON!:
photo credit: Paula Krugerud Photography

“I’ll keep it short since tonight the little ones can’t be up late.”

“It has been a long time since we chose to love instead of hate.”

“It was a lot of work to repair our broken relationships.”

“As you all know, it hasn’t always gone to script.”

“We have learned from our mistakes, our experiences.”

“We have learned to work through our differences.”

“We have returned this land to the way it was created.”

“For that reason alone, tonight we ALL should be celebrated!”

“We are gathered here today because of the one who was born.”

“Who also died for us, tattered and torn.”

“As some of us birds are getting older,

We know we can’t carry this land on our shoulders.”

“We must teach the next generation

That love is the only way to rule this nation!”

All the birds started to sing

A beautiful sound that caused a gathering

All the animals from the forest came

The deer, the rabbit, the skunk and others you know by name

They gathered around the Christmas tree

They held hands and all sung with glee

The sound reached near and far

Then humans arrived, by foot and by car

They couldn’t believe their eyes

It was then they started to realize

Everything they thought they knew had to be ruled out

Because right there was a hawk singing with a field mouse

There was a bear beside a deer

There was a sheep standing by a wolf  with no fear

There was a fox right beside a hare

All these beautiful birds were there

They could hardly believe their ears

When the animals said: “There is nothing here to fear!”

“Yes, at one time we were all enemies!”

“We decided to let love rule our hearts until our eyes could see!”

Then the humans held each other’s hands

All the different people across the land

Blacks and whites, Muslim and Christian

All races, all people, could see the animals vision

The eagle then spoke once again:

“One last thing to say my friends.”

“To move forward you must move on from the past!”

“You have to live as last is first and first is last.”

“Let every man, every woman, every boy, every girl

Know what it’s like to have peace in this world!”

“Let ALL our voices join together as we sing Silent Night!”

Then they sang Joy To The World  and We Wish You A Merry Christmas

I can only say it’s all true, as I was there to witness

All the birds of a different color

Helped all the people discover

Instead of fighting they should ALL join hands

Because love is the only way to rule the land

Merry Christmas to ALL and to ALL a love filled night 

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art credit: Peter Rabbit

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Let It Be Christmas by Alan Jackson – 

My Grown Up Christmas List by Amy Grant – 

Better Together by Gaither Vocal Band – 

Join With The Angels by Matthew West – 

Little Drummer Boy/ Peace On Earth by Bing Crosby and David Bowie – 

Rest In You Tonight by The Oak Ridge Boys – 

Gather Round by Band Of Merrymakers – 

My Wish For Christmas by R Kelly – 

Love Is Christmas by Sara Bareilles – 

Happy Christmas (War Is Over) by John Lennon – 

The Night Before Christmas by Brandon Heath – 

Love Is Here by Laura Story – 

A Joyful Noise by Little River Band – 

Wish List by 7eventh Time Down – 

Love Can Build A Bridge by The Judds- 

Prayer Of St. Francis by Sarah McLachlan – 

Silent Night by Pentatonix – 

Joy To The World by Jeremy Camp – 

We Wish You A Merry Christmas by Celtic Women – 

Love, Not Hate: Part Two

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Please take a minute to read part 1 :

The birds of the land lived in peace for quite a long time

They shared everything, what’s mine is yours and yours is mine

They sung songs together and visited each other’s nest

Peace, nothing to worry about when their feathers would lay down to rest

Then one day the unthinkable happened

The skies of blue suddenly blackened

During a training flight, a blue jay crashed into a warbler

I can’t put into words, it was indeed horrible

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The warbler fell to the ground, it had been killed

Mourning came to the land, his little heart had been stilled

It didn’t take long for the warblers to blame the blue jays

Even though the birds that witnessed it said the warbler flew the wrong way

They demanded justice, the words were harsh that they spoke

They didn’t consider that the blue jay’s heart was broke

He was terribly sad for what happened but said he wasn’t to blame

The warblers attacked his nest, the land would never be the same

Attack after attack, nest after nest

None of the birds could find rest

A dark cloud had overtaken the trees

No bird was safe, no bird was free

The eagle couldn’t believe what his eyes did see

He thought, Have they forgotten our history?

Nothing good will come from this

He bowed his head and prayed his wish

O mighty father above, help me find a way

To help these birds remember our yesterday 

When we nearly destroyed our homes, our land

We fought over the colors of our feathers right where they now stand

How eventually we put aside our differences and came together 

We joined as one as we each held those different colored feathers 

He opened his eyes and looked around

Hate wasn’t the answer, love had to be found

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He once again called a meeting

He searched hard for the words he would be speaking

He looked left, he looked right

He said “My fellow birds, why do we fight?”

“I’m not saying what happened was right or wrong

But don’t you remember when we all sang the same song?”

“Warblers, I know your hearts are bleeding

But violence isn’t the answer to what you are needing.”

“Blue Jays, I know your heart is breaking

But fighting back leaves only hate for the taking.”

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“I ask both of you is this really the answer?

Look around, can’t you see the disaster

We’ve been here before, look at our history books

There can never be peace if we are all crooks.”

“I know what happened is a travesty

But anger and hate only lead to more tragedy!”

“I ask you birds, can we move on from the past?”

“Today is a new day, the anger and hate don’t need to last!”

“I ask you birds not to forget yesteryear

I tell you birds it’s okay to shed a tear

But let’s not let history repeat itself

It’s time we put hate and anger on the shelf!”

 

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“How easy it is to forget we are all one

I’m not asking you  to forget what is done!”

“I am asking you to join hands

Reunite all the birds in this land!”

“I’m asking you to look at your communities

Ask yourself, is this who we want to be?”

“If you have even an ounce of love in your heart

Let it ignite and become a spark!”

“We do not need to fear each other !”

“You are my sisters, you are my brothers!”

“I end with these words said not long ago

That love is all we need to know

We are all created equally

We all can live peacefully

Look into the depths of your hearts

And let today be a new start

But you must not let the evil of anger and hate

Destroy our land. It is not, it will not be our fate!”

It was then he looked up and saw a  dove

The symbol of peace, the message of love

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Everyman by Blackfoot – 

Love With Your Life by Hollyn – 

Be The Change by Britt Nicole – 

What You Want by Tenth Avenue North – 

Jesus Built This Church On Love by Ivan Parker – 

Jesus Again by Tamela Mann – 

Future + Hope by New Hope Oahu – 

Common Ground by Julianna Zobrist – 

Love, Not Hate : Part 1

We sit on this branch all flocked together

All of us birds of a different color

We fly from tree to tree and limb to limb

Helping whoever is in need for we are all friends

There was peace in the land, air, and trees

We were brothers and sisters, no difference between you and me

Until one day the robin said I can do better on my own

Off to another land he had flown

Then, the cardinal said, I can do that too

Off to another land he flew

One by one they each left the branch

Scattered apart throughout the distance

The only bird that stayed was the dove

Because he still believed the answer was love

One day the cardinal didn’t like the land he was in

He flew off and attacked the land of the robin

Then the yellow finch thought his land was too narrow

He went and attacked the land of the sparrow

The robin and the sparrow started a new land

Joining together, they formed a very strong clan

They attacked the yellow finch and the cardinal

The destruction of all the land was quite remarkable

Then the eagle was flying around

He couldn’t believe the destruction on the ground

He knew he had to make a stand

He had to do something to unite the land

What could he do? he thought in his head

If he didn’t do something soon, almost all the birds would be dead

He could use force, tear all the birds apart

But today , love was the only thing in his heart

He wanted to try love, to put it to the test

He flew down to them, he was much bigger than the rest

When the eagle came near

All the birds cowered in fear

But he gave them a helping hand

He helped them rebuild the land

He said “My fellow birds, is this how we want to live?”

“Instead of taking, we should learn to give.”

“Remember the time when we were never in need?”

“When one of us bled, we would all bleed?”

“Let all of this land be united as one.”

“It doesn’t matter our color, or where we came from.”

“Give love, teach love, be the love you want to see.”

“You see I have learned, the greatest change has to happen in me.”

With that said,  the birds joined together

To make this land great again, forever

I Believe by The Infamous Stringdusters feat Lee Ann Womack – 

Change by Christina Aguilera – 

Friends by Blake Shelton –  

I Will Rise Again by Jason Gray – 

Man In The Mirror by Michael Jackson – 

Be The Change by Shuree – 

Imagine by John Lennon – 

Hope For The Future by Paul McCartney –  

I Believe by Blessid Union Of Souls – 

I Still Believe In Love by Blessid Union Of Souls – 

Love Will Find A Way by Michael Franti – 

We Are More by Ziggy Marley – 

Love Like Jesus by Rhett Walker Band – 

Love Come To Life by Big Daddy Weave – 

Love Can by Decemberadio – 

Love Has No Walls by Billy Ray Cyrus (cover of Matthew West) – 

Continue To Love

Catch up on the love and not hate series

Birds Of A Different Color

Birds Of A Different Color: The Sequel 

Birds Of A Different Color : Christmas Eve

Birds Of A Different Color: A New Chapter

Birds Of A Different Color- A New World

Birds Of A Different Color- The Division

Birds Of A Different Color – The Reconciliation

Birds Of A Different Color- Tragedy At Mandalay Bay

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The birds gathered in mourning again

Another school shooting, when will it end?

Another police officer killed in the line of fire

The evil tragedies were making the birds feel dire

The hawk looked at the eagle and asked, “what can we do, what can we say?”

“Why do they always seem to choose hate?”

“Why do they choose to live like this?”

“Sometimes, this life seems to be pointless”

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The eagle answered as he shed another tear

“We can not give up, we can not live in fear.”

“We must continue to have faith.”

“In all this mess, God will lead the way.”

“We must teach them it all starts at home.”

“We must tell them we are never alone.”

“We must give this country back to God!”

“How we live now is deeply flawed.”

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“We teach not to pray in school,

that it’s all about me and forget the golden rule.”

“Young birds  don’t learn how to fail,

so when they do, they don’t cope well.”

“Their entire lives are out for the world to see,

everything has to be perfect and they can never be in need.”

“They post pictures and Snapchat with smiles,

not letting anyone see they are going through trials.”

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“Holding it all inside until one day they snap,

do something that they can never take back.”

“It’s a tough world in which they live,

it is up to us to teach them they have so much to give.”

“Be honest and show some vulnerability,

Asking for help doesn’t mean you have a disability.”

“Hawk, we must stand strong,

show this world where they have gone wrong.”

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“We must give life and not take,

wake from their slumber, they must wake!”

“We must lend a helping hand,

we must heal this land!”

“They must know they are truly loved,

they must know about God above.”

“We will stand united in the face of adversity!”

“We must live our lives purposely,

showing love to all who enter our nests,

by going out in the world and telling the rest

about the good news of the one who died,

the one who loves, we must put away our pride!”

“We must remember when the winds are strong,

that even the strongest winds don’t last that long.”

“When the wind blows out the light,

we have to be persistent to reignite.”

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“We can never give up!”

“We must stop the hate and continue to love.”

“We can never, ever give up the fight!”

“Let our light light up the darkest night!”

Then the hawk, who was still new to the faith

Asked the eagle,  “how do we get others to see things our way?”

“We lead by example,” said the eagle, “let our actions be clear.”

“No matter the hate, no matter the terror, we will not fear!”

“We will pursue the enemy, even when they hide,

we will win because God himself will fight by our side.”

The hawk and eagle then flew over the land

Many other birds joined them, taking their stand

Their numbers grew as they flew from shore to shore

They helped birds, other animals, humans, and more

They talked their words but backed them up

These birds were showing the world how to love

Will you join the movement and show others how to live?

Let your actions show by the way you give

Never ever be dismayed and never ever give up

Help us make hate extinct as we always show love

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Image result for QUOTES about love instead of hate

Weep With Me by Rend Collective – 

Not Even Now by Alisa Turner – 

Bleed The Same by Mandisa – 

Help Us by Tasha Page Lockhart – 

Give Love by Andy Grammar – 

Divided States of America by The Script –  

Prayer For Peace by North Mississippi All-Stars –  

Moving Forward by G.I. – 

Faith Hope Love Repeat by Brandon Heath –  

Come, In Our Dark Time by David Haas – 

I’ll Keep On Praying by Karen Peck –