16 New Music Friday

On April 22, 2016April 29, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music, new music, new music Friday4 Comments

No new musician followers this week. 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, musicians and non-musicians.

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

Something Special by Aubrie Sellers –

Thank You by Bethel Music ( feat Jonathan David Helser) –

Open All Night by Brian Fallon –

Stop Me by Christon Gray –

Five More Minutes by Granger Smith –

Used To Love You by Gwen Stefani –

Rest Of My Life by Jasmine Murray –

Keep Breathing by Jody McBrayer –

Settle by Jordan Smith –

Way Too Long by Lee Dewyze –

I Belong To You by Matt Baird –

Committed by Newsboys –

I’ll Be Fine by Sierra Hull –

Perfectly Perfect by Simple Plan –

P.S. I Hate You by Simple Plan –

Sing For You by Steven Curtis Chapman –

Hallelujah, You Are Good by Steven Curtis Chapman –

This Place by Tamela Mann –

I Think I’ll Let You Drive by Tammy Jones Robinette –

The Man In Those Shoes by Tammy Jones Robinette –

Pretty Peggy by Wolfmother –

Pieces Of Me by 3 Doors Down –

and our song:

I Question You by Lily Messer –

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

The Boston Marathon- The Race

On April 20, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Boston Marathon, Christian life, marathon, marathon running, music7 Comments

I will post about the race today and our trip tomorrow.

First off, I want to say how proud I am of my wife, Kim. She completed a marathon that most runners can only dream of being able to run. She didn’t get the time she wanted, 3:30, but it was warm for running and there was a head wind. Even the winners had slower times than expected. The commentators kept asking experts why do you think the pace is slow today. The winning male was 2:12 and female 2:29. Pretty slow to me lol. However, her time of 3:46 did qualify her to run it again next year if she decides to.

Most of my comments will be from my wife obviously, since I did not run it, but I will add my two cents here and there. Kim loved the athlete village and the corals. She felt like it was much more organized than NYC. Maybe that was because there is half the amount of runners as in NYC. She felt the course was more congested than she thought it would be. Since a lot of it are on two lane roads going through neighborhoods, she felt for the first half she was constantly having to hold her arm out to keep from running into people or them running into her. Several times her feet were clipped by other runners but, luckily, she did not fall.

Apr 18, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; A Boston Marathon sign is displayed at the start line in Hopkington MA. Mandatory Credit: Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-265182 ORIG FILE ID: 20160418_sal_ad7_172.JPG

(image credit Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports)

(image credit Bill Greene/Globe Staff)

A quick recap of the winners before I get back into Kim’s race:

Below are the winning push rim (wheelchair) for male and female. The men’s race came down to the last few feet. What an exciting finish. The male winner,Marcel Hug, defended his title by less than a second. The female winner, Tatyana McFadden, won by a minute and fourteen seconds.

Below are the winning men and women about 100 yards from the finish. If you did not see the race it was crazy. The winning women, Atsede Baysa, was 37 seconds back at 35k. In the last 4.5 miles or so she made up that 37 seconds and passed the two leading women at mile 24 and won by 44 seconds. Do the math, in the last 4.5 miles she was running about 19 seconds per mile faster than the leaders. Crazy.

The men’s winner, Lemi Berhanu Hayle, was equally impressive pulling away in the last two miles. Mile 24 was a 4:56 pace. Only in my dreams. Put your treadmill on 12 and try to run as far as you can. He was going faster than that….. for longer.

Back to Kim:

The congestion affected her time first 5k time (8:06 per mile) was about a minute off where she needed to be to finish at 3:30. Her 10k split time was a little better. Through 10k (6.2 miles) she had improved to 8:03 per mile for this 5k section. She kept improving and her 15k time she was 8:01 per mile. She slowed down for the next 5k and her 20k time she was at 8:08 per mile for that 5k section.. At the half way point she was at 1:45:42. ( 8:03 pace) and was only about a minute and half off her goal for 3:30. Not bad considering the congestion but she still had the hills to go. Might I add she was also pretty consistent for every 5k.

She said the crowds at Wellesley College were crazy. The crowd noise was so loud she couldn’t hear her music but it was inspirational. A good pick up of encouragement.

Apr 18, 2016; Boston, MA, USA; Marathon fans from Wellesley College cheer on the runners along the course during the 2016 Boston Marathon. Mandatory Credit: David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports ORG XMIT: USATSI-265182 ORIG FILE ID: 20160418_sal_sv3_280.JPG

(image credit David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports)

She slowed down for the next 5k section and averaged 8:26 per mile at the 25k mark. She then hit the hills of Newton for the next 5k and averaged 9:02 per mile. She then hit the section with Heartbreak Hill and averaged 9:34 per mile for 30k to 35k. She said by that point it felt like her quads were going to fall off. She stopped and applied leg cramp creme that they were passing out. By this time they were running into a head wind and Kim was sick of running in wind. For training it is all we had. I think she mentally checked out and walked some. Her next 5k time to get her to 40k she averaged 9:43 per mile. She picked it up to the finish line and did the last little bit at 9:16 per mile and had an overall pace of 8:39. This was 40 seconds per mile off what she wanted to be at to finish in 3:30 but she is happy with her time. She finished and wasn’t injured. And still qualified for next year.

Kim, in the pink, finishing strong :

She really isn’t hurting or sore now. She seems to be in good shape and knowing her like I do, she is probably itching to go for a run. It is hard for her to stop and rest. I have to keep reminding her that even the best like Meb and Shalane and Amy Kragg all take two to three weeks off after running a marathon. I can’t imagine Kim ever taking three weeks off, she would go bonkers.

Overall, it was an enjoyable event for our family. We had beautiful weather. I wish there were more places we could have seen Kim during the race but that just isn’t possible with Boston Marathon course.

I know this was a lot of running jargon with pace per mile and split times and all that but I hope you enjoyed reading about Kim’s race experience.

The Definition of a Champion –

The Champion In Me by 3 Doors Down –

Hall Of Fame by The Script –

Centuries by Fall Out Boy –

Firework by Katy Perry –

What It Takes It Takes To Win by Journey –

We Are The Champions by Queen –

New, Forgotten, Unknown 4/15/16 New Music Friday

On April 15, 2016April 29, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music, new music, new music Friday4 Comments

Three new musician followers this week. Please take a listen and find some new music to listen to. 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.

Runaway by Boycode –

Mess Me Up by M3NDead –

Reflections by Julian Gray and Tonicity (from Relaxing Vibes YouTube channel) –

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

Some other music from non-followers I have listened to recently. Looks like I got carried away with how many there are, and will be next week, but I finished this months in 2 weeks with all the travelling so… pick out a few you haven’t heard and take a listen.

Fell From The Moon by 3 Doors Down –

Live On Forever by The Afters –

Liar Liar by Aubrie Sellers –

Shine On Us by Bethel Music (feat Will Matthews) –

Nobody Wins by Brian Fallon –

Follow You by Christon Gray –

I Can’t Believe by Elevation Worship –

The Next Storm by Frank Turner –

Tailgate Town by Granger Smith –

Make Me Like You by Gwen Stefani –

This Is Living by Hillsong Young & Free –

Stand In The Light by Jordan Smith –

How Good It Feels by Lake Street Dive –

Learn To Fall by Lee Dewyze –

This Side Of Heaven by Matt Baird –

]

Hero by Newsboys –

Painkiller by Nothing But Thieves –

More Than Roses by Rob Ickes Trey Hensley –

Try Everything by Shakira –

Lullaby by Sierra Hull –

I Refuse by Simple Plan –

Nostalgic by Simple Plan –

That Kind Of Beautiful by Sister Hazel –

Karaoke Song by Sister Hazel –

We Believe by Steven Curtis Chapman –

The Body by Steven Curtis Chapman –

The Letters by Tammy Jones Robinette –

Inside Of Me by 3 Doors Down –

and our song:

I Question You by Lily Messer –

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

Look Out Boston, Here We Come

On April 14, 2016April 14, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Boston Marathon, Christian life, marathon, marathon running, music6 Comments

Now that I made you cry for three days with sad poems, let’s end the week with a picker upper. A rare two posts in one day from me. Look out Boston, here we come.

This will be our first trip driving east, we flew to NYC. We always drive south where it’s warm. At least the weather forecast looks to be about perfect for all the runners. I plan on running from our hotel Sunday morning to Heartbreak Hill and back. Which, if I mapped it correctly, looks to be five miles or so to Heartbreak Hill so ten miles total. Of course it will be mostly uphill on the way there, downhill on way back. Maybe I will take the train to Boston College and get closer to Heartbreak Hill. Hmm. Oh, be tough and just run it all. That’s what my mind is telling me. Our hotel is on the other side of the water by mile 25 so if you check out the elevation chart below, it’s all uphill from the hotel until mile 20.5 of the race and it’s about a mile from our hotel to the 25 mile mark of the race so maybe it will only be like 4-4.5 miles uphill. I can do it. I have to keep plugging away to get where I was three years ago before I tore my meniscus. I have lost the weight in the last five months since I started running steadily again but was hoping muscle memory would kick in and not take this long to build up my endurance and speed but it is what it is.

Also have to get some locals advice on where we can see Kim, other than near the finish line. Since it’s like a straight line we would have to be able to get a train or bus from x to x to be able to see her multiple times, like we did in NYC. If not, we will be waiting at the finish. I know we can take the train, as mentioned above, to see her around Boston College/ Heartbreak Hill, but don’t know how fast we can get back to the finish area.

Of course our hotel swimming pool is under construction so Kylie won’t be swimming indoors. I am sure there will be plenty to do to keep us busy while Kim rests Sunday and runs Monday. Look for a post next week on our travels and the race. With that being said, I doubt I will have a post on Monday, race day, or Tuesday, after driving back all night Monday.

Anyway, we would appreciate prayers and thoughts for safe travels and an awesome race for Kim. Let’s pray she doesn’t hurt her hip like she did during the New York City Marathon. Let’s also pray for all the other runners, spectators, volunteers, the police and security, and all those involved for a safe weekend.

Hay is in the barn, trust in your preparation and run your race. Be strong, Boston strong.

Running On Pride by John Voci –

So Good (The Boston Song) by Vincent Sneed & Eyton Nicholson –

Boston (You’re My Home) by Kenzie –

Boston Strong by Steve Balsamo –

Keep On Running by Carly Tefft –

Strong (Boston Anthem) written by Amanda Carr feat Charlie Farren –

Run Run Run by Michelle Lewis –

Run – Inspirational –

The Champ by Nelly –

You’re Going Down by Sick Puppies –

Always Remember by Stereoside –

A Daughter’s Gift

On April 14, 2016May 4, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, daughter, Loss of loved one, music, poems6 Comments

Part three of three poems I wrote many moons ago. If you missed part one or part two here they are : A Mother’s Gift A Father’s Gift

A Daughter’s Gift

I am too small to speak

And I am still oh so weak

I don’t understand what you are saying

I will try to figure It out while I am playing

Don’t know what it is, but I’m missing something

From what you say daddy, she’s in Heaven with wings

I know I cry and I pout

But daddy, I am just trying to figure out

How someone could be taken away

Without me hearing one word she would say

I can hear the care and love in your voice

Even when I am making all this noise

You don’t know this but I hear you cry

When you think you are alone, I hear you ask why

Just promise me you will love me no matter what

And I’ll try to remember things I already forgot

If I remember right, mommy left so I could live

I won’t let you or her down , that’s the gift I give

You Should Be Here by Cole Swindell –

Heaven’s Garden by Kieran Brennan and Paul Kealy –

If You Could See Me Now by The Script –

Best Seat In The House by Locash Cowboys –

I Still Miss You by Hawk Nelson –

I Miss You by NllU –

Go On Without Me by Brett Eldredge –

With Hope by Steven Curtis Chapman –

A Father’s Gift

On April 13, 2016May 4, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, daughter, Fathers-Daughters, grief, grieving, Hope in God, Loss of loved one, poems5 Comments

The second of three poems I am sharing this week that I wrote a long time ago.

If you missed the first one here it is: A Mother’s Gift

I also posted another poem on Monday about spending time with your significant other, you can find it here : If It’s Only An Hour

A Father’s Gift
It’s just you and me now

We will get by somehow

I promise to give you all my love

You’ll always be who I’m thinking of

I know you’re sad, I am too

Oh no baby , I don’t regret you

I know that we lost your mother

So you may never have a sister or a brother

I know no one will ever take her place

Someday, you may be asked to let another be that face

Until then, it will be just you and I

So we must remember, even when we don’t know why

Everything happens for a reason

Good and bad, in every season

We’ll both make mistakes, but nothing you ever do

Could ever, ever , take away my love for you

A Fathers Love For His Daughter (commercial) –

Don’t Take The Girl by Tim McGraw –

Car In Front Of Me by Luke Bryan –

Save A Place For Me by Matthew West –

Without You by For King & Country –

Sissy’s Song by Alan Jackson –

One More Day by Diamond Rio –

If I Had Only Known by Reba McEntire –

Say Hello To Heaven by Collin Raye –

A Mother’s Gift

On April 12, 2016May 4, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, Loss of loved one, music, poems6 Comments

I did not know April was National Poetry Month. I just read that the other day. In honor of that, this week I will share three poems I wrote a long time ago. Twenty one years or so. The only reason I still have them is because they were published. Yes, I paid $30, I think it was, to buy the book and they, in return, published the poems. All three have to do with a dream I had when Kayhla’s mom was pregnant. Here is the first called A Mother’s Gift :

All I have left in this world

Is you, yes you, my little girl

Your mommy left, yes she is gone

No, baby, it wasn’t anything you had done

Her smile would move Heaven and Earth

You know, she passed it to you at your birth

Her eyes sparkled just like yours

When she cried, my eyes would also pour

She loved life and all its pleasures

She did so much but you’re her greatest treasure

Mommy couldn’t wait til the day you were born

There you were, I was happy, yet I mourned

I see her in everything you do

Sshh now baby, looks like you have her temper too

It’ll be hard, but you and I, we will survive

‘Cause mommy passed away to give you life

Mama’s Arms by Joshua Kadison –

All The Way to Texas by Coffey Anderson –

Mother I Miss You by John Tesh –

Thank You by Johnny Reid –

You Should Be Here by Cole Swindell –

If It’s Only An Hour

On April 11, 2016May 4, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, God in your marriage, marriage, music, poems, Time3 Comments

Many of us always seem to be too busy to spend time with our significant others. I know my wife and I are really bad about making times for ourselves. It is something we always talk about but seldom do. We get up early to work or work out, we go all day and Kylie goes to bed at 9:30 then we are right behind her, getting rest for the next early morning. However, I know there is time if we make it. What about you? Do you make the time? 30 minutes, an hour, if that’s all you have make them count.

If It’s Only An Hour

If it’s only an hour

To help our love flower

Then I will take the time

To keep our love alive

If it’s only sixty minutes

Then I will buy the tickets

We will dance to each song

We will keep this love strong

If it’s only three thousand six hundred seconds

In each and every one I will be present

We will laugh and talk

We will hold hands as we walk

If it’s only sixty minutes

This my dear, you can believe it

I will reconnect with you

I will do everything I can do

If it’s only an hour

I will do all that’s in my power

To show you what our love means to me

To show you, show you what I see

Until God gives us another hour

Sway Blue October –

Disconnected by 5 Seconds of Summer –

Together by Steven Curtis Chapman –

Just The Way You Are by Bruno Mars –

I’m Yours by Jason Mraz –

Love Like Crazy by Lee Brice –

When The Crazy Kicks In by Francesca Battestelli –

Restored by Matthew West –

Restore by Chris August –

When We Love by Love and the Outcome –

Chocolate and Ice Cream by Plumb –

Beautiful by Plumb –

Better Man by American Analog –

She Smiled

On April 7, 2016April 7, 2016 By roberthansen1317In All Glory to God, Christian life, God, God can change your life, music2 Comments

She was born into a home that didn’t want her. She was neglected and mistreated. She was told she wasn’t good enough. She wasn’t wanted. One day they proved that to be true and they gave her away. Through it all she smiled.

She was adopted a short time later by parents that wanted her. Parents that loved her. She had nightmares. She was comforted by her new parents. She was told how much she was loved. She was taught about God. She was told how much she was wanted. Through it all she smiled.

As she continued to grow and get older people would ask what is wrong with her. How can she always be smiling? She must be hiding something. She would tell them all is good, nothing to hide. She just loves life and is so happy to be here. They would tease her but through it all she smiled.

She met a guy. She fell head over heels. Everything in her life was perfect. Until it wasn’t. He started to yell at her all the time. He started to abuse her. She tried to leave but he would convince her to stay. She would believe him when he said he would change. Slowly her smile started to fade.

She became pregnant. He didn’t change. She knew she had to leave him, not only for her but for the baby. She could remember how her biological parents treated her. She didn’t want her baby growing up the same. She moved back to her adopted parents, her real parents. Slowly her smile came back.

She read her bible and raised her little girl on her own. She knew who she was and why she was here. She taught her little girl about God. She was told she was loved and wanted. She told her about her dad and about her Father in Heaven. It wasn’t always easy but through it all, they smiled.

On her last day here she thanked God for everything in her life. The good and the bad. She thanked Him for giving her a thankful heart. For giving her a smile through everything attitude. For giving her life lessons to teach her daughter. For giving her parents that didn’t want her, and for giving her parents that did. For giving her a home to grow up in that taught her about Him. She thanked Him for helping her forgive, her parents and her ex- husband. She took her last few breaths and as she left this world she smiled.

Think of these songs as a soundtrack to the reading.

Alyssa Lies by Jason Michael Carroll –

When Love Takes You In by Steven Curtis Chapman –

Orphan by John Waller –

Everything To Me by Mark Schultz –

You’re Never Fully Dressed Without A Smile by Sia –

Smile by Nat King Cole-

Bubbly by Colbie Caillat –

Face Down by Red Jumpsuit Apparatus –

That Don’t Sound Like You by Lee Brice –

I Smile by Kirk Franklin –

Like My Mother Does by Lauren Alaina –

There Will Be A Day by Jeremy Camp-

I Can Only Imagine by MercyMe –

I Was Thinking…

On April 5, 2016April 5, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, God, music3 Comments

I took last week off from posting because we were on vacation in Florida. We drove like we always do and that gave me time for thinking.

I was thinking I would try to do one new post last week and reblog some of my older ones but the wifi didn’t work that well. It was hit and miss for some reason and I didn’t want to spend hours waiting for it to work. Maybe that was God just telling me to relax and not worry about posting.

I was thinking I was going to run every day. I remember when I was younger I would wait until the middle of the day to run in the summer time. I liked running in the heat. I ran 3 the first day, 5 the second day then missed the next two days. Planned on running 10 miles but cut it short at 7. It was too hot and humid, 73 and 90% humidity average every day, at 7:30 in the morning. The old me would’ve toughed out the 10 but the wiser, older me said call it and live for another day. Being in the sun all day and that 7 mile run I think beat me so I missed one more day. Then I put mind over matter and did 5, 5, 3 three days in a row. Got used to the heat and humidity. Overall, I guess 6 out of 9 mornings wasn’t bad.

I was thinking on the drive back how much it costs taxpayers for states to put up mile marker signs every tenth of a mile. It used to be one every mile marker then they had to add one for every tenth, why? Sure, if you are broke down you can give a more exact location but I think they could find you if you said I am between mile marker 3 and 4.

I was thinking who would want to live in Atlanta? I’m sure it has a lot of positives but traffic is a nightmare. Yes, call me a fool for driving through instead of around. This is at 10 pm.

I was thinking I am getting too old to be driving straight through to Florida. 17-18 hours straight. My wife helps out some but by the time I get tired it’s one in the morning and I feel bad asking her to drive at that hour. I worry about drunk drivers and her falling asleep so I try to tough it out. Let me tell you what helps, Arbonne energy fizz. Two or three of them and I am awake. My wife is an Arbonne distributor if you want more info.

I was thinking at two in the morning I need to find a way to get all my thoughts and ideas down. I can’t talk into a recorder and wake every one else up. Anyone have ideas on something that can read your thoughts and put them down in writing?

I was thinking one of the best chorus I have heard is NF’s Mansion song.

Broken legs but I chase perfection
These walls are my blank expression
My mind is a home I’m trapped in
And it’s lonely inside this mansion

How many of us are chasing perfection, but have broken legs and will never get to perfection.

And then parts of two verses really speak to me :

Yo my mind is a house with walls covered in pain
See my problem is I don’t fix things
I just try to repaint, cover em up, like it never happen
Say I wish I could change. Are you confused?
Come upstairs and I’ll show you what I mean
This room’s full of regrets, just keeps getting fuller it seems
The moment I walk in to it is the same moment that I wanna leave
I get sick to my stomach every time I look at these things
But it’s hard to look past when this is the room where I sleep

So this part of my house, no one’s been in it for years
I built the safe room and I don’t let no one in there
Cause if I do, there’s a chance
That they might disappear and not come back
And I admit I am emotionally scared to let anyone inside
So I just leave my doors locked
You might get other doors to open up but this doors not
Cause I don’t want you to have the opportunity to hurt me
And I’ll be the only person that I can blame when you desert me
I’m barricaded inside
So stop watching
I’m not coming to the door
So stop knocking, stop knocking
I’m trapped here
God keep saying I’m not locked in
I chose this
I am lost in my own conscience
I know that shutting the world out ain’t solving the problem
But I didn’t build this house because I thought it would solve ’em
I built it because I thought that it would be safer in there
But it’s not, I’m not the only thing that’s living in here
Fear came to my house years ago I let ’em in
Maybe that’s the problem
Cause I’ve been dealing with this ever since
I thought that he would leave, but it’s obvious he never did
He must have picked the room and got comfortable and settled in
Now I’m in the position it’s either sit here and let him win
Or put him back outside where he came from, but I never can
Cause in order to do that I’d have to open the doors
Is that me or the fear talking?
I don’t know anymore

Yes I am partial to it because it reminds me of what’s in my head. Also looking forward to his new cd coming out, Therapy Session. Sounds like it will speak to me.

I was thinking how we are all like sand on the beach. Some of us get blown about by the wind and water, always trying to find where they belong and who they are. Find God, you will find who you are. Some of us are always getting in other people’s shorts, irritating and leaving some marks. Most of us are all in this together, there for everyone to enjoy and to spread the love of who God made us to be to everyone who we come in contact with.

I was thinking how great is God. The sunsets and sunrises. His forgiveness. His grace. The gifts He gives all of us to further His kingdom. How some of us are like Jonah and try to run away, others are like Peter and deny our savior to save ourselves. How some of us are like Judas and betray Jesus. How some of us are like Noah and just say yes God, whatever you want. The most amazing thing is how He loves us all the same and gives us all the same forgiveness.