Expecting A Harvest

On March 16, 2016March 16, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, God, music3 Comments

I was looking at our garden to get an idea of what to plant where this year. I didn’t do so well last year. It was the first year I planted the seeds, my wife usually does. I either planted them too deep or we bought a bunch of bad seeds. I can’t imagine all the seeds we bought were bad so I would have to say the former.

The only thing that produced all summer was broccoli. By the end of summer we had a bunch of tomatoes and peppers come up. We finally had lettuce after I reseeded the area. Everything else was pretty much a dud. Unlike the year before when we had abundance and gave a lot away.

Strangely enough we had carrots pop up. I didn’t plant carrots. The wife planted carrot seeds the year before but we didn’t get any. Now two years later, they were here.

I have big plans this year for a big harvest. I ripped out the raised beds and will be tilling the area so wish me luck. I believe, I know, the wife will be planting the seeds. She obviously can do that a lot better than I can.

Isn’t our walk with Jesus a lot like a garden. He who made us gives us a choice to believe in Him or to not believe in Him. We can either plant a garden or not plant a garden. We all have seeds to plant.

If we choose to believe in Him and choose to plant a garden then we have to listen to His words, seeds, to help us grow. We have to believe in His plan for our lives during the rainy difficult seasons and the dry hot seasons. To produce good fruits you need rain and sunshine.

We have to tend to our faith and to our garden. We have to discern what is good in our lives and take care of the good. We have to get rid of the weeds. We have to prune. We have to read the Bible, follow His word. Take out what is bad in our life and cut out the things that get in the way of us moving forward.

I have to protect my garden. I have to keep the rabbits, squirrels and chipmunks out or they will eat it all. They will destroy our garden if not. I have to protect my life. I have to keep the devil and all his minions out. I have to not believe his lies, his tricks, and his schemes or they will destroy my life.

When the time is right to pick the ripe vegetables and fruit, we have to do it then to produce more. Just like when God gives us the opportunity to share our faith we should do it then. Not wait for the next time you see them or the next opportunity. I know I have failed in this area many times and then I never see the person again. I have to quit walking in fear and pick the produce when it is ready to be picked.

Seeds. I plant the seeds and wait for them to grow. Some come up quicker than others. Some are bountiful and others are not. Just like in life we plant seeds and wait to see the results. Some we can see right away, others take months and even years to ripen. Some we may never see ripen. They may not happen in our lifetime. But we, as Christians, have to keep planting the seeds and let God be the gardener. The seeds I plant can be the words I say, my actions, a smile, anything that would show Jesus in me.

I welcome the sun, I welcome the rain. I will look to God to bring a good harvest. I will plant the seeds the best I can and wait for God to bring the seeds to life. Both in my garden and in my words I share with you.

Send The Rain by William McDowell – (the last 2 minutes where he talks) –

Send The Rain by William McDowell –

The Harvester by Brandon Heath –

Sow Good Seeds by Mavis Staples –

Find Your Wings by Mark Harris –

Like Jesus by Son of Adam –

Love Like Jesus by Rhett Walker Band –

Planting Seeds by Nimo Patel –

American Farmer by Alabama –

Amarillo Sky by Jason Aldean –

Bring On The Rain by Jo Dee Messina –

I’ll Grow My Own by Chris Cagle –

The Drummer

On March 14, 2016March 14, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music8 Comments

CAM00118 I’m the drummer. I sit in the back and you will probably never know my name. I am hardly ever in the spotlight. I am confident in my abilities. I do not need to be in the front. You usually won’t catch me singing. I’m the drummer.

I’m the drummer. I keep the beat going. If I mess up, it messes the entire song up. I can’t mess up. The singer can mess up, get winded and miss a word or two, can even start to sing the wrong lyrics but I can’t mess up. I have to play my best every night. I can’t have an off night.

I am the anchor of the band. I keep the rhythm and time going. I can push the beat faster or slow it down. I don’t do any fills that don’t need to be done. I listen to the rest of the band. I help keep the timing of the song in check. You can feel the power in my arms and legs. You can feel the beat in your heart. You can feel the energy build as I pick up the pace, sweat dripping off my face.

I’m a drummer. I can play anything. Country, rock, pop, hip-hop, gospel, Christian, alternative- you name it, I can play it. I can identify what a song needs and play it with the right sound and feel to make you feel it.

A band with a strong, reliable, confident, dynamic drummer is a band with a strong foundation. Think of me as the engine of a car. All the parts working together but without me, the car won’t go anywhere. Don’t get me started on drum machines. There is nothing like a live drummer. Drum machines will never replace what I can do. What I can bring to the rest of the band.

I have the best seat in the house. I see the rest of my band mates. I pick them up if they are having an off night. I can see you, my audience. I feel your energy bouncing off mine. There is no other feeling like it. Can you feel the bass drum? Can you hear the clash of the cymbals? Can you feel my heartbeat?

Reminds me of someone I have come to know. His name is Jesus. He has the best seat in the house. He is the driving force behind the rest of us, his band. He has perfect time and rhythm. If you turn away from Him, your song will be a mess. If you are having an off night, He can pick you up. He sees us, hears us, watches us. He is our biggest cheerleader. He wants us and loves us.

If your heart and His heart beat in time, you can feel Him. You can hear Him. There is no one else like Him. There are others that try to be like Him but they are only drum machines. They will never ever replace Jesus. Listen to His voice. Listen to his beat. Do you hear it? Can you feel it?

Dedicated to my dad. He could play anything I brought home by ear.

CAM00465

Bang The Drum All Day by Todd Rundgren –

Wipe Out by The Surfaris –

John Bonham Drum Solo –

Neil Peart (Rush) Drum Solo –

Jen Ledger (Skillet) Drum Solo –

Drum Solo from the movie Whiplash –

New, Forgotten, Unknown 3/11/16 New Music Friday

On March 11, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music, new music, new music Friday4 Comments

One new musician follower. 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.

Remind Me by Conrad Sewell –

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

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

Detour Sign by Aoife O’ Donovan –

The Driver by Charles Kelley –

Hide Away by Daya –

Boots On The Ground by Frank Foster –

Keep My Heart Open by Green River Ordinance –

Good Kings Highway by Kevin Max –

Cruising by Lecrae –

Growing Up by Macklemore and Ryan Lewis –

Dedicated by Mavis Staples –

Deeper by Meredith Andrews –

Cooler by Phases –

The Best Damn Thing by Rick Springfield –

If I Stand by Sidewalk Prophets (Rich Mullins cover) –

I’ll Be Waiting On You by Vince Gill –

He Gotcha by Virtue –

Jesus and a Jukebox by Wynonna & The Big Noise –

and our song:

I Question You by Lily Messer –

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

New, Forgotten, Unknown 3/4/16 New Music Friday

On March 4, 2016March 4, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music, new music, new music Friday3 Comments

Family Adventure Reel by Sean Beeson –

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

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

Put Your Hands Up by Boiling Point-

Pawn Shop by Brothers Osborne –

Then There’s You by Charlie Puth –

Where Does The Time Go by A Great Big World –

Simple Life by Green River Ordinance –

You All Are Beautiful by John Anderson –

Run Wild by John Tibbs –

Shine by Joy Enriquez-

Love Come Crashing Down by Kutless –

My Church by Maren Morris –

My Victory by Passion (Crowder) –

I Turn To Christ by Passion (Matt Redman) –

Speechless by Rachel Plattten –

Take It All by Sawyer Fredericks –

Unstoppable by Sia –

Could Have Been Me by The Struts –

Laugh About It by Tedeschi Trucks Band –

I Need You by Tray Michaels –

I Still Believe, Kingdoms by 7eventh Time Down –

and our song:

I Question You by Lily Messer –

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

Somebody Wishes They Were You

On March 2, 2016March 3, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music4 Comments

It’s amazing how God works. I was going through some old songs last week and heard the song Somebody Wishes They Were You by Adelitas Way. I instantly thought how could I forget this song, it is a great song. I need to find a way to put it in a post. Then wouldn’t you know it, this appeared in my inbox Monday.

So You Want to Be Someone Different?

“You shall have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3).

Let’s do something different. Let’s have you pretend you are someone different, someone completely different than whom I have made. You can decide your appearance, your personality, your strengths. You can decide your quirks, your special hidden talents. You can decide what makes you unique, valued, worthy. You can decide what it means to be a woman I am delighted to look on and call precious, adored, daughter.

Do you see her? Do you hear her? Can you grasp the picture you’ve created, this imaginary girl concocted in your head?

Is she all you want her to be? Don’t leave anything out. Write her out. Imagine her. Is she so different from you? Is she like you or the opposite of everything I’ve made you to be?

How is her worth measured? How did you decide to write her eyes the way you did, or make her laugh like that, or have her get things done so quickly, so efficiently, so perfectly? Who is this girl-woman you’ve created whom you worship and think I love more than I could ever, possibly, love you?

Why do you worship this pretend self you wish existed rather than Me?

She needs to be destroyed now, you know. She needs to be thrown into the fire, where all lies need to be sent to be destroyed, for good. This imaginary girl you’ve created in your head is not the daughter I have crafted with my two hands. She is not the woman I have born with my breath and designed, in all your wondrous and perfect beauty, to be.

Throw down this lie you chase that makes you strive towards imaginary perfection. You will not receive my joy, my peace, my life in you that sustains if you continue to chase what is not meant for you to attain. Who are you to decide what it means to be desired, perfected, worthy? Who are you to shun what I’ve made and desire something different?

Let me show you this daughter of mine. Let Me show you the beauty of her, the joy she brings Me, the strength in her to love just the way I’ve made her to love, to work with the passions I’ve given her to use. She is mighty when she knows who and whose she is and abandons all idols that bring distraction to this life I’ve given her, distractions that bring death to her heart.

For I bring life, my daughter. I bring you life. And this life I bring you is in you. I am in you. You are my delight and the one I sing over and never, ever want to leave.

Somebody Wishes They Were You by Adelitas Way –

Be Like That by 3 Doors Down –

Someone Worth Dying For by Mikes Chair –

You Have Searched Me by Citizens & Saints –

Never Surrender by Skillet –

Invisible by Disciple –

Remind Me Who I Am by Jason Gray –

Scars To Beautiful by Alessia Cara –

Girl Crush by Little Big Town –

Wishing You Were Someone Else by Georgia Faye Steele –

Let Me Love You (Until You Learn To Love Yourself) by Ne-Yo –

The First Bud Of Spring- A Love Story

On March 1, 2016February 18, 2017 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, God in your marriage, marriage, music7 Comments

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It was a long, cold, dark winter. One that she didn’t think would ever end. There was snow, rain, and sleet. A couple of times there was enough ice to nearly break the branches on the trees. The little girl held on. She waited for the warmer weather, the better times, the warmth of the sun. She knew it would come, it was just a matter of time. As she waited patiently, she would say her prayers, she would thank God for protecting her and her mommy and daddy during these cold, dark, winter nights.

Finally, the day had come. The first bud of spring appeared out of the ground. The bud peeked out of her shoot and could feel the warmth surround her. She was filled with so much joy that, at first, she didn’t notice she was the only bud sprouting. After basking in the warmth of the sunshine for a few minutes she looked around, startled that she was the only one. Where was everyone else? Was she going to be all alone? Did she come out too soon? Was colder weather coming back and she would die because of her eagerness to sprout? She was filled with fear and doubt but she stayed strong. She knew God had a plan for her. It was then that a little girl saw her and started yelling for her dad to come see the new flower. The little girl was so excited that the bud could not help but smile. Her excitement was contagious.

A little while later another bud awakened. He also took a moment to take in the warmth around him. He then looked to see if the others had awakened and that was when he saw her. She was within inches of him and he knew he would love her. It didn’t take long for her to notice him either, even though it took the help of a little girl yelling “Look, daddy, now there’s two!”

They welcomed the spring with all the other buds that started to awaken. With all the other flowers around them, they knew they were meant for each other. When the rains came, he would lean towards her to cover her petals. When the strong winds came they would lean into it together, holding stems. They were inseparable. When the bees came they opened their petals for them so they could spread their seeds to other lands where there were no flowers. They also knew that the bees relied on their pollen to take back to their hives for food. It was a beneficial relationship. Everything was new and exciting.

Then summer came. It was a scorching summer, one like they had never seen. There was no water. Many flowers died but not our couple. They shared what they had with each other. Every little drop of moisture was shared between them. Luckily, they were also planted where they had shade for part of the day. They counted the hours down together until they were cooled by the shade. Every once in awhile the little girl would come out with a can of water and help keep them alive. They were often too tired to open their petals wide enough for the bees to come but they did their best. They knew the only way to survive this summer was with the help of others. They prayed their prayers for rain, for cooler temperatures but it was not to be. Sometimes in life, God doesn’t answer prayers and there are reasons only He knows why. They had reached a point in their relationship that they were still together, but they didn’t talk much. Too much too worry about, too much life got in the way. When was their next rain drop, how would they make it through another day without food, why couldn’t they be like they were in the spring? Did they waste this whole season of their life? They knew better because they still shared the little water they had, they still protected each other but the excitement was gone.

Before they knew it Autumn was here. They had made it through the difficult summer and were enjoying another season of their life. The rains came again, as well as cooler weather. When he looked at her she was still the most beautiful, most loving, most caring flower in the garden. When she looked at him he was still the bravest, strongest, most handsome flower this side of Eden. They held each other’s petals more each day, knowing that their days were winding down. They reflected on the spring and the summer. Days when their love was new and days when they didn’t know if they would make it. They thought of their seeds spread far and wide, soon to be new flowers that would spread their love and beauty around the world. It wasn’t easy, they had moments of doubt but they fought for each other, they fought for their love. They survived.

Soon the cold winds blew again. They held on for as long as they could but with each passing day, their petals would fall off. They knew it wouldn’t be long now but they held on for each struggling moment. Relying on each other to get by. Praying for just one more second. She was the first to go, as she was the first to sprout. He wasn’t far behind her.

The little girl, all bundled up from the cold, looked at her daddy and said, “Look, daddy, the first two here are they last two to leave. I wonder if they were happy here, I wonder if they were in love.”

“Now, now,” said the daddy, “we know flowers can’t fall in love but if they could, those two would definitely have been like me and your mom. Through all the seasons and all the weather, the rain, the sun, the cold, they were standing right beside each other. Holding petals all the while.”

The little girl giggled. Through the cold, dark, winter nights she was safe as she anxiously waited for the first bud of spring to blossom again.

I Will Be Here by Steven Curtis Chapman –

Then by Brad Paisley –

Stand By You by Rachel Platten –

Love Like Crazy by Lee Brice –

The End Is Not The Answer by Three Days Grace –

Worth Fighting For by Nine Days –

When I Said I Do by Clint Black –

Forever Changed by Carrie Underwood –

Remind Me by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood –

Would You Go With Me by Josh Turner –

I’ll Stand By You by The Pretenders –

Meant To Be by JJ Heller –

What Faith Can Do by Kutless –

Patching Walls and Scrubbing Floors

On February 29, 2016February 29, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, marriage, music11 Comments

A great country song title don’t you think? It turned out more like a poem but put in the right hands and with some reworking I think it would make a good country song.

This has been bouncing around in my head for 67 days and this weekend I think it all came together. Do any of you have 37 drafts like I do? I have some as old as 152 days that I hold on to. Sometimes I look at my drafts and say that was 83, or 41, or 152 days ago? Seems like just yesterday that thought was in my head. Sometimes a thought pops in my head, or a title and I write it down to finish later. Sometimes its a few lines and sometimes it’s a couple paragraphs but then it stops, waiting for God to finish it.

Let me know if you like it. Have a great Leap Day. What are you doing with the 24 extra hours this year?

Patching Walls And Scrubbing Floors

Patching walls and scrubbing floors

Replacing broken dishes, replacing doors

What happened to our love?

Yelling words that keep the neighbors awake

Slamming doors hard enough to cause a quake

Why is there so much bad blood?

You’re not the same and neither am I

We stare in disbelief and wonder why

How did we get to this place?

We keep playing these head games

I know we are both to blame

Can we have a heart to heart, face to face?

I pull my hair out, frustration sets in

Halfway through I wonder why did we begin

Are you still here?

Have you checked out, want to be anywhere else

We have our children, quit thinking of your self

This was my worst fear

Can we get to where we were before?

Instead of patching walls and scrubbing floors

Do we walk away or give it one more try?

Were all these years just a mistake?

Was our love for each other fake?

Do we talk it out or say one last goodbye?

Are we just actors in a movie, playing our role

On to the next scene, same ole same ole

I don’t want to be in this movie

I’m here, let’s take that first step

Look to the future and try to forget

Take a good look at you, a good look at me

There is only one way to heal, to make us better

We need to look to the One who brought us together

‘Cause I’m done fighting these wars

I’m done patching walls and scrubbing floors

If We’re Honest by Francesca Battestelli –

House Divided by Josh Wilson –

Restored by Matthew West –

I Don’t Wanna Fight by Westlife –

Don’t Know What You Got Til It’s Gone by Cinderella –

Until It’s Over by Oleander –

Do I by Luke Bryan –

Angry All The Time by Tim Mcgraw –

Take It Back by Toni Braxton & Babyface-

Fighting For Something by The Wrecking –

Love Is Not A Fight by Warren Barfield –

Tired of Fighting With You by Barenaked Ladies –

Feel Again by Blue October –

Losing Ground by Tyrone Wells –

Fight For It by Estelle –

What Are We Fighting For by John Berry –

Exhale by Plumb –

New, Forgotten, Unknown 2/26/16 New Music Friday

On February 26, 2016March 11, 2016 By roberthansen1317In Christian life, music, new music, new music FridayLeave a comment

Three new musician followers. Actually had four but I had to make a decision based on what I believe in and did not include the fourth because of language and contents of the three songs I listened to. I tried to find one that would work but could not. I love finding new musicians and listening to new music I would never have heard of if it wasn’t for social media. Be sure to check out other musicians I posted. Maybe you will find someone new you like. I hope by me sharing your music that you will get more fans to listen to your music. Please feel free to share/purchase the song I wrote with Lily Messer and Ceylon Wise. I have many more songs I would like to get out there but can not financially afford to record them. If interested in teaming up together, feel free to contact me.

Shine The Light by Jill Taylor –

Distance by Cold For June –

Ready 4 This by Travaughn –

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

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

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

When You’ve Lost It All by Boiling Point –

Loved by Kutless –

Shape of A Wheel by The Bottle Rockets –

21 Summer by Brothers Osborne –

Let Love Win by Carrollton –

One Call Away by Charlie Puth –

Temporarily Forever Mine by Donnie Fritts –

Sad Song by Elora Taylor –

70,000 by Joy Enriquez –

Paralyzed by Failure Anthem –

Slip Away by Gabrielle Aplin –

This Is Who We Are by Generation Unleashed –

Won’t Stop Running, One Step Ahead by A Great Big World –

Maybe It’s Time by Green River Ordinance –

Are You Ready For The Country by Hank Williams Jr. –

Sweater Song by Hedley –

Born For Me by I Don’t Cares –

Freedom Isn’t Free by John Anderson –

Love Stands Tall by John Tibbs –

The River by Jordan Feliz –

Lean On, Ubelievable by 7eventh Time Down –

and our song:

I Question You by Lily Messer –

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

This Chapter

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

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

This Chapter

This chapter in my life is only a chapter

Full of sadness and so little laughter

This chapter is only part of my story

That I must go through to see your glory

When I look back at what has been witten before

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

I read the chapters that have been

I am amazed how much I have sinned

This chapter is only a small part

How will I let this chapter affect my heart

This chapter is like a grain of sand

This chapter is being written by Your hand

I ponder on the blank pages of the future

I know your hands will finish the picture

As hard as I try to write the words down

I know only in You will they be found

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

How selfish I have been and how little did I give

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

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

This chapter is only a small part

How will I let this chapter affect my heart

This chapter is like a grain of sand

This chapter is being written by your hand

God I pray as you write the next chapters

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

Even if in the present I don’t understand

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

Seasons by Lydia Laird –

A Season by Pillar –

Seasons In The Sun by Terry Jacks –

God Of Every Story by Laura Story –

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

My Story by Big Daddy Weave –

New Story by Johanna J –

Story Of My Life by Bon Jovi –

The Chapters That Follow by Danger Silent –

Write Your Story by Francesca Battistelli –

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

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

Six new musician followers. I love finding new musicians and listening to new music I would never have heard of if it wasn’t for social media. Be sure to check out other musicians I posted. Maybe you will find someone new you like. I hope by me sharing your music that you will get more fans to listen to your music. Please feel free to share/purchase the song I wrote with Lily Messer and Ceylon Wise. I have many more songs I would like to get out there but can not financially afford to record them. If interested in teaming up together, feel free to contact me.

What’s Next by David Fanning –