Tag: Christian life

Running With Sin

On By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music, running, Sin4 Comments

I ran today.  Without pain.  I don’t remember the last time I ran without pain. It was a lot easier to run, let me tell you that. I didn’t even realize I had no pain until I was finished and was like hhmm, that was fast and felt good.  Then I got to thinking, did I have pain yesterday?  I don’t think I did.

I had ran with pain for so long that I had gotten used to it. It was just an every day part of my life. A pain and irritating but it didn’t stop me from running.  Well, it did stop me from running like I used to but I could still run.

Which brings me to my topic for today. Running with sin. How many of us are so used to sinning that we don’t even think about it anymore. It has just become a part of our lives. Lying, cheating, addiction, idol worship, spending more than we make, etc… We don’t even think it is wrong anymore, it’s just become a part of who we are.

We limp around everyday with the sin on our back. It doesn’t stop us from living. Not only sin but let’s talk about shame, guilt, fear, pride, etc..  The monkey is on our back but we just keep on going.  Sometimes we add on to it until the weight becomes so much we can longer carry it.  Then we break.

The smart thing for me to do when I am injured is to slow down. Take a few days off. Rest my injury so I can get back to a pain free run.  However, I usually don’t heed that advice and keep going until it heals, which takes longer, or  it hurts more, or I just get to the point I ignore it.

When I run with sin what should I do?  Stop doing it. Pray to God to help me. I know it’s wrong but some things will take more than me knowing it for me to stop. I need to break the addiction. I need someone to hold me accountable. Maybe it’s a best friend or my pastor or someone I will trust to be honest with me. Confess my sins and know that I am forgiven.  Fight another day.  Let the guilt, shame, pride, fear go.  Give it all up.

I don’t want to run with sin. I want to run with God and there is only one way I know how to do that. Give it all to Him. Work on it every single day. Before I know it, I will wake up one day and truly be free. I will be able to live my life without all the junk and pain I added to it.

 

How about you? Are you tired of running with sin? Want to be able to live free?

Turning Away by Bryan Andrew Wilson – 

Running To Stand Still by U2 – 

Run by Thriving Ivory – 

Run by Kutless – 

Run by Sanctus Real – 

I Won’t Run Away by Ashes Remain – 

Run To Jesus by Francesca Battistelli – 

New, Forgotten, Unknown 6/17/16 New Music Friday

On By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music, new music, new music Friday8 Comments

Three  new musician followers this week. Think I have been stuck on three a week for awhile now. Come on people, I’m allowed to have more than three a week. 🙂 Take a listen, might find someone new that you really like their music.  Please feel free to share/purchase the song I wrote the lyrics to,  Lily Messer is the voice and Ceylon Wise is the producer. 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, musicians and non-musicians.

Gotta Have You by Risa Bender – 

Feel Good Feeling by Ryan Daniel –  

Ordinary by The Further (Barrington Mole) – 

Some other music from non-followers I have listened to recently.  Pick out a few you haven’t heard and take a listen. In trying not to put way too songs on here I am going to start putting 1 or 2 per band max and just tell you the entire cd, or 90%,  is good and I would recommend purchasing it or checking out more songs on your own.  I may add more artists and their new cd’s as I listen to more songs from them. Not all the way through all of them yet.

Cd’s I recommend:

Listen by Tim Bowman Jr

Black by Dierks Bentley

If I’m Honest by Blake Shelton

Honest by Maren Morris

Life Screams by Lacey Sturm

 

All This For A Piece of Fruit by Dogs of Peace – 

Better by Meghan Trainor – 

Break Free by Cilver – 

Bottom To The Top by V. Rose – 

Bottle You Up by Zendaya –  

Burden by Foy Vance – 

Already Ready by Dan & Shay –  

Battleship Chains by Volbeat –  

Beautiful World by Mudcrutch –  

Catching Fire by Tremonti – 

Different For Girls by Dierks Bentley – 

Figure Me Out  by The Summer Set – 

Chasing The Sky by Jussie Smollett – 

Circles by Pierce The Veil – 

Color Purple by Da Truth – 

Drunk Girls Don’t Cry by Maren Morris – 

Drunk In Heels by Jennifer Nettles – 

Every Time I Hear That Song by Blake Shelton – 

Everybody Needs Love by Tim Bowman Jr. – 

Faith by Lacey Sturm – 

Fling Wide! Fling Wide! by Urban Rescue –  

Free Now by Sleeping With Sirens – 

Freedom by Beyonce –  

Get Myself To Saturday by Michael Franti – 

 

and our song:

I Question You by Lily Messer – 

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

What Version Of Me

On By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music, poems, Poetry, the mask you wear8 Comments

What version of me

Will I let you see

The one who can smile through the pain

The one who dances in the rain

The one who keeps it all inside

The one who can’t find a safe place to hide

The one who screams at God to take it all away

The one that says yes God today is the day

The one who would take a bullet for you

The one who will walk away, find someone new

The one who has a million voices in his head

The one who will only listen to the one who bled

The one who has fears and doubts

The one who has life figured out

Tell me what version  you want to see

Does anyone want to know the real me

The hurt I feel, the anger locked away

The one who wonders who will listen to what I have to say

The one who says this one’s pretty good, maybe  they’ll like

The one whose voices in his head are always in a fight

The one who only knows how to pray

The one who says forget about it, live for another day

The one who loves with all his heart

The one who won’t let you know he fell apart

The one who wears the mask

The one whose real face won’t last

So tell me, what version do you want to see today

I can be that person if that’s the only way

Or

Should I just be me?

I Can Just Be Me by Laura Story –  

I Don’t Want To Be by Gavin Degraw – 

Do You Wanna Know by Kesha – 

Well, I was in an Art Of Dying kind of mood today.

Raining by Art of Dying – 

Best I Can by Art of Dying – 

Tear Down The Wall by Art of Dying – 

Best I Can by Decyfer Down – 

Best I Am by Flaw – 

 

Whataya Want From Me by Adam Lambert – 

Monster You Made by Pop Evil – 

Who Am I by Casting Crowns – 

 

 

 

I Know What It’s Like

On By roberthansen1317In Christian life, I Know What It's Like, music, Poetry15 Comments

 

I know what it’s like to feel all alone

I know what it’s like to be a stranger in your own home

I know what it’s like to have words to speak

Only to  have them not come out when our eyes meet

I know what it’s like to have your heart broken

By words that should’ve been left unspoken

I know what it’s like to walk the streets of NYC and feel like the only one there

I know what’s it’s like to have someone who loves you say they no longer care

I know what it’s like to  lose and to mourn

I know what it’s like see the joy of a life born

I know what it’s like to fake a smile

I know what it’s like to go the extra mile

I know what it’s like to be rejected

I know what it’s like to feel neglected

I know what it’s like to struggle with fear

I know what it’s like to shed a tear

I know what it’s like to feel like I don’t matter

I know what’s it’s like to wonder why I can’t hear the laughter

I don’t know what it’s like to be crucified on a cross

I don’t know what it’s like to die for all those who are lost

I don’t know what it’s like to perform a miracle

I don’t know what it’s like to be thought of as only mythical

I don’t know what it’s like to look down from Heaven above

I don’t know what it’s like to shed a tear for all those I love

I know what it’s like to be at the bottom of despair

I know what it’s like to feel His hand there

I know what’s it like to be forgiven

I know what it’s like to be still and listen

I know what it’s like to feel His touch and my heart leap in my chest

I know when I move on from this life in His home I won’t be a guest

I know what it’s like to experience His grace

I don’t know what I will do when I actually see His face

I know what it’s like to look the devil in the eye

I know what it’s like to thank God I am still alive

Do You Know by Tonic – 

Life Ain’t Always Beautiful by Gary Allan – 

Good To Be Alive Today by Michael Franti – 

Beautiful Life by Seventh Time Down –  

Awful Beautiful Life by Darryl Worley – 

Good To Be Alive by Andy Grammer – 

Good To Be Alive by Jason Gray – 

Good To Be Alive by Meghan Trainor – 

Good To Be Alive by Skillet – 

<a href=”https://dailypost.wordpress.com/prompts/struggle/”>Struggle</a&gt;

 

New, Forgotten, Unknown 6/10/16 New Music Friday

On By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music, new music, new music Friday1 Comment

Three  new musician followers this week.  Take a listen, might find someone new that you really like their music.  Please feel free to share/purchase the song I wrote the lyrics to,  Lily Messer is the voice and Ceylon Wise is the producer. 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.

Fireflies by April Kry – 

Self Centered by Austin Hafner – 

Pure Heart by John Blackwell – 

 

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

Some other music from non-followers I have listened to recently.  Pick out a few you haven’t heard and take a listen. In trying not to put way too songs on here I am going to start putting 1 or 2 per band max and just tell you the entire cd, or 90%,  is good and I would recommend purchasing it or checking out more songs on your own.  I may add more artists and their new cd’s as I listen to more songs from them. Not all the way through all of them yet.

 

One Hell Of  A  Song by Mike Posner – 

Oh Lord by NF – 

Senior Year by Randy Houser – 

These Times Are Changing by The Struts – 

Statistic by Take 6 –  

That’s What The Cross Is For by The Taylors – 

Precious Memories by Wade Bowen – 

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

On My Way by The Wild Feathers – 

Panic by 1 Girl Nation – 

Waking Up by Parachute – 

Alive & Well by Musiq Soulchild – 

All Cried Out by Craig Morgan – 

All In by The Summer Set – 

Always On Time by Tim Bowman – 

and our song:

I Question You by Lily Messer – 

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

Pen To Paper

On By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music, poems, Writing6 Comments

 

I start to put my pen to  paper

Before a word gets out I start to waiver

What if the darkness is too much for them to bear?

What if their reaction is they just don’t care?

No one will care, that’s what one voice shouts

No one cares what you are all about

Can I really let all the words go?

No, no, I can never let them know

I crumple it up and toss it away

Who really wants to hear what I have to say?

I will let the words vanish before I put pen to paper

Do they really want to hear my dreams?

Are they as impossible to reach as they seem?

I see the stars so far out of my reach

What words to toss, which to keep?

So many doubts controlling my thoughts

If I wrote a book would one copy be bought?

Throwing away more words in the trash

How long will I’m not good enough last?

How will my words make them feel?

Before I let the words become real

I will let the words vanish before I put pen to paper

I guess these words are coming from somewhere

Should I waste them by throwing them over there?

Here comes the truth, even though it may hurt

The voices in my head sometimes sound like a concert

One telling me this, one telling me that

One telling me to move forward, the other to go back

Twisted thoughts do battle with words of hope

Letting them all out is the only way I can cope

I look to God for a little inspiration

A few words of His He  gives me as a donation

I will let the words… No, no,  I will put pen to paper

 

Words I Would Say by Sidewalk Prophets – 

If I Could Just Get It On Paper by Jimmy Buffet – 

Blank Sheet Of Paper by Tim McGraw – 

In This Diary by The Ataris – 

Pen To Paper by Jay Clark  – 

Pen To Paper by Kevin Skies – 

 

Why Not Mine?

On By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Don't quit, Keep trying, music, poems11 Comments

 

In a world with so many good poems, stories and songs

Why would I ever think any of mine would find a home?

I’ve been rejected every time I tried

With each no, a little piece of me died

I wasn’t born to stop, wasn’t born to quit

These words in my head come out like this

I’ll put pen to paper and try another tune

Maybe this one will make it to the moon

Another no will probably come my way

All I know is tomorrow is a new day

Maybe I’ll have to write a thousand more

Before the one that gets me to that open door

I try to be witty, clever and smart

The best ones come when I write from the heart

In a world filled with a million good poems and stories

Maybe this one will be remembered when they are in their forties

In a world filled with a million good songs

Maybe this one will be the one they sing a long

If not maybe it’ll be the next one to pop out of my head

Maybe I’ll be like Bach , be more popular when I’m dead.

Born To Try by Delta Goodrem – 

Try by Hayden Panettiere – 

Trying To Matter by Gary Allan – 

Die Trying by Art of Dying – 

God Didn’t Give Up by Deitrick Haddon – 

I’ll Die Tryin by Lonestar – 

Fix You by Coldplay – 

Rodney The Raccoon – Inside The Mask

On By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Get to know someone, Look inside someone, music13 Comments

20160531_101118

(image credit: Mari Jones from Journey of a Million Miles)

“Oh, hello there.  My name is Rodney. It’s nice to see you. I don’t get many visitors. Most people see the mask and think I am bad.  I must tell you, I am not! At least most of the time. I am honest if nothing else. My mom always told me honesty is the best policy.”

“Come on down and have a sit. I don’t have rabies or anything. My uncle Phil had rabies but he is long gone. Only one in the family to get rabies but everyone usually thinks we are all rabid.  It’s like your family. I bet you have one bad apple in that tree.  Does everyone think you are bad because of them?”

“Let me tell you something else. We eat a lot of different things from pesky insects and small rodents to fruits and nuts. Yes, that was me in your trash can the other day but I could not find any other food. I had to feed my family. Sometimes you got to do what you got to do.  You know how many of your kind I have seen trying to find food in trash cans. It’s sad if you ask me.  I mean me, I’m an animal and I don’t have anyone looking after me except maybe my near family. Your kind though, you throw away about half the food you eat. I see it in your trash cans and land fills. Shouldn’t you be helping others of your kind out instead of throwing it away?  How about buying less so there is less to throw away and using that extra money to give to a food bank or something? I once helped a deer out. Not typical for me but I just could not eat anymore berries so instead of tossing them to the ground, I gave them to the deer. Next time you see that homeless guy, look past what you see and feel what’s in his heart. You won’t miss that dollar or that sandwich you give him. Maybe even your heart will  grow three sizes that day if you did.”

“The mask?  What’s up with the mask you ask?  Take a look around you, everyone wears a mask.  Some you just see easier than others. My mask is for me to be able to see better at night. Look at that person over there? Do you think her mask is to protect her from her past?  She would love to take off her mask, get rid of her past mistakes but she is too scared to take it off. You don’t see a mask? Trust me, it’s there.  Look at that guy.  Do you think his mask protects him ? He looks like he is big and tough and can take on the world but inside he is hurting, he is begging to be loved, he is a big softy but no one will ever see that.  That little girl over there? Yes, another mask. She tries to put a smile on and be happy but I see her eyes. Her pain. She gets yelled at everyday. Her parents fight all the time. She doesn’t think she is worth anything.  That’s sad to see a mask on someone so young. I think you humans can do better. Take off the mask. Like my mom always said, honesty is the best policy. It will release so much stress and hurt.”

“What? You thought I was an animal to stay away from?  Why?  Because of my mask and the rings on my tail.  Really?  Take a look around you. Do you stay away from everyone that looks scary?  The guy with all the tattoos?  He is the nicest guy I ever met. The black man over there gave me his leftover food one day. I took that right home to my kids. They were so thankful. The white guy over there killed a snake one day and brought it over near my home. I eat anything.  Dead carcasses are sometimes my favorite. The Asian guy over there came right up to me one day, just like you did today, and just started talking. I sat there and listened. The Muslim lady over there wept with me one day when my youngest baby was hit by a car.  I don’t discriminate. I need all of you to survive.  Sometimes I help you, sometimes you help me.  That’s the way it should be. ”

“It doesn’t matter who you are. I will come up to you. That scares most people who only see my mask. Do you know I have a friend names Jesus who was the same way?  He talked to everyone, and there were people who were afraid of Him. He only wanted to teach people about His father and the love He has for all of us and how we should treat others.  Yet, people were afraid of Him and had Him crucified. He died for all of us. That includes you. Isn’t that awezing?”

“What? That’s not what you are taught. That’s a shame my friend. A real shame. I can call you friend, right? That’s what you are to me. I think you should take my words to heart. Go out and look at what’s inside a person. Get to know them.  Get past the masks and the colors.  You might be surprised what you find.”

“Have an awezing day my friend.  What’s that? You don’t know what awezing is? Oh, that’s a word I made up combining awesome and amazing. See, never know what you will find once you get to know someone.”

(image credit: Laura Ross)

Walking Blind by Javier Colon – 

Chosen Ones by Blanca – 

Get To Know Me by Mateo – 

Colors of the Wind by Tori Kelly – 

Heal The World by Michael Jackson – 

Where Is The Love by The Black Eyed Peas – 

Unite by 1GN – 

World Changers by Matthew  West – 

Love Feels Like by TobyMac – 

Rainbow Connection by Gwen Stefani (original by Kermit the Frog) – 

 

 

 

 

New, Forgotten, Unknown 6/3/16 New Music Friday

On By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music, new music, new music Friday3 Comments

Three  new musician followers this week.  Take a listen, might find someone new that you really like their music.  Please feel free to share/purchase the song I wrote the lyrics to,  Lily Messer is the voice and Ceylon Wise is the producer. 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.

Stranger by Harbors – 

Candela by Cinco Santos – 

We’re Going On An Adventure ep 24 by Josh Taylor – 

 

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

Some other music from non-followers I have listened to recently.  Pick out a few you haven’t heard and take a listen. In trying not to put way too songs on here I am going to start putting 1 or 2 per band max and just tell you the entire cd, or 90%,  is good and I would recommend purchasing it or checking out more songs on your own.  I may add more artists and their new cd’s as I listen to more songs from them. Not all the way through all of them yet.

Javier Colon – Gravity CD

Lonestar –  Never Enders CD

Josh Kelley – New Lane Road CD

Kris Allen –  Letting You In CD

Till The End Of The Day by Ace Frehley – 

Lucky by Aurora – 

Middle of A Memory by Cole Swindell –  

Same Old Story by From Ashes to New –  

This Path Tonight by Graham Nash –  

My Perspective by Javier Colon – 

Silence by JJ Heller –  

Rest Now by JJ Weeks Band –  

Morning Light by Josh Garrels –  

It’s Your Move  by Josh Kelley –  

That Could Still Be Us by Keith Urban –  

Time Will Come by Kris Allen –

Scarred by Like Pacific –  

Sun Keeps Risin’by Lissie –  

My Own Hometown  by Lonestar – 

The Middle Ages by Mary Chapin Carpenter – 

 

and our song:

I Question You by Lily Messer – 

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

The Music Never Dies

On By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music6 Comments

 

With her husband and her beliefs all her dreams came true

She was able to sing country and songs of faith for me and you

Even on her sickest of days she never wavered in her faith

We will miss you Joey Feek. March 4th the day you passed away

Little Red Corvette was the first song stuck in my brain

But the one I can’t forget is Purple Rain

He could have many albums called greatest hits

But the day he died April 21, I will not forget

Craig Strickland you died way too young

Just when your career had begun

I had just discovered Backroad Anthem

January 4th, you disappeared before you could go platinum

I never listened to a lot of your tunes

If they weren’t on the radio so I know I missed quite a few

Changes, Rebel Rebel, Let’s Dance, Dancing In The Streets

Mr. Bowie, after January 10, we will miss  your beats

Your legacy with the Eagles few can deny

But when I was 14, Sexy Girl really caught my eye

On January 18th, after a long battle, you passed away

A life of influence in music gone that day

 

On April 6th you passed away

Crazy how you left on your birthday

Most of your music was before my time

As I listen now the talent gone brings a tear to my eye

Paul Kantner, Papa Wemba , Jane Little,  Les Waas,  Nick Menza, Lonnie Mack, Otis Clay

Just a few more we will only hear the music they made yesterday

Signe Anderson,  Emilio Navaira, Gogi Grant, Lennie Baker, Maurice White

All were here then passed away like the stars in the night

John Bunch, Keith Emerson, Daryl Coley, Guy Clark, John Berry, Leon Haywood , Billy Paul

These are just a few that have passed this year, I am sure I didn’t get them all

Even though they have left this life

They left us music that never dies

When I’m Gone by Joey & Rory – 

Purple Rain by Prince –  

Torn by Craig Strickland of Backroad Anthem – 

Changes by David Bowie – 

Collection of Songs by Glenn Frey –  

Mama Tried by Merle Haggard –