Songs For Our Times #11

Morning Edition Song Project: Ketch Secor Pens 'Pray For America' : NPR

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 11th song, I chose Pray For America by Old Crow Medicine Show. America need’s our prayers right now. It needs love to fall upon the land and take away all this hate.

lyrics:
When sorrows are befallen
And shadows darken her door
When the fever spreads and a silent scourge
Outshines her golden shores
When a cry for comfort reaches forth
Like you never heard before
Pray for America
Our promised land

America, to thee
May God’s hand outreach
Lord have mercy on America

When the tears just keep a-fallin’
And the glory light’s gone dim
And the barren ground is full of holes
We hasten to fill in
When the firmest faith is shaken fast
By a fear that’s creepin’ in
Pray for America
Our promised land

America, to thee
May God’s hand outreach
Lord have mercy on America

Where the peaceful hour is broken
By the pounding tumult quake
And all is torn asunder
What we thought could never break
When all your saints come marchin’
Through hell for heaven’s sake
Pray for America
Our promised land

America, to thee
May God’s hand outreach
Lord have mercy on America

Pray for America
God shed Your grace on thee

Nikola Tesla and my daughter Kylie

Happy 158th, Nikola Tesla! Strange Facts About the Inventor | Live Science

A little story on how you can not always believe what you read.

I grew up in the 80’s and one of my favorite bands was Tesla. I looked into why they named the band Tesla and found out it was after Nikola Tesla. I have never heard of Nikola Tesla up to that point. Long story short, I researched everything I could on him and did a science report in high school and an English paper in college on him. Both of those teachers had never heard of him.

Fast forward to Kylie in 5th grade. She was doing homework and I walked by and saw it was on Marconi and how he invented the radio. I told her the book is wrong, Marconi did not invent the radio, Nikola Tesla did. She looked at me confused and asked why the book would tell her that if it was not true. I told her it was American history and politics, since Tesla was Russian.

I told her she should tell her teacher the next day that the book is wrong. I would even give her $5 if she did. She said no way.

I came home from work the next day and she told me I owed her $5 because she did it. She said her knees were knocking, her hands were sweaty, her mouth was dry and she thought she was going to throw up but she went to the teacher and told her. She told the teacher what I told her. The book is wrong and Marconi did not invent the radio, Tesla did. The teacher did a google search right there and then and said wow, I did not know that. I have never heard of Tesla.

Tesla died in his room on January 7, 1943. Later that year the U.S. Supreme Court voided four of Marconi’s key patents, belatedly acknowledging Tesla’s innovations in radio. The AC system he championed and improved remains the global standard for power transmission.

He also invented AC current that we use today for electricity, even though most people think Edison did.

The band Tesla has a song called Edison’s Medicine that has a verse which sums it up for our school books :

I spent twelve years of hard time,
More like the best years of my life.
Never heard or read a single word
About “the man” and his “wicked mind.”
They’ll sell you on Marconi.
Familiar, but a phony.
Story goes they sold their souls
And swore that you’d never know.

Tesla is getting more notoriety these days as several movies and documentaries have been made about his life. Check them out.

15 Thought-Provoking Quotes From Nikola Tesla's Brilliant Mind

Edison’s Medicine by Tesla –

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.

Related image

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 #10

Be The Hope - YouTube

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 10th song, I picked Be The Hope by Creed Fisher. He is one of my favorite country artists. I really like this song because he talks about keeping your faith and being the hope in these dark times.

lyrics:

In a road full of darkness I still see the light
Get down on my knees and thank the Lord every night
For always providing everything that I need
I feel the power of Jesus, and His bible I read

The hard times are taking a toll
There’s a war going on for my heart and my soul
Look up toward the sky, the King still on His throne
Stand strong in your faith and be the hope

I’ve always loved the good old US of A
It comes from the heart when I stand up and say:
I’ll never run from the devil, oh, no
I know the good Lord above is still the one in control

These hard times are taking a toll
There’s a war going on for your heart and your soul
Look up toward the sky, the King still on His throne
Stand strong in your faith and be the hope

These hard times are taking a toll
There’s a war going on for my heart and my soul
Look up toward the sky, the King still on His throne
Stand strong in your faith and be the hope
Look up toward the sky, the King still on His throne
Stand strong in your faith and be the hope
Stand strong in your faith and be the hope

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.

Related image

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 #9

Dawn by Rebecca St. James

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 9th song, I chose a new song by Rebecca St. James called Dawn. I chose this song because there are a lot of us that are struggling today with depression, fear, anxiety, the riots, the protests, Covid-19,  unemployment, etc etc.. but there is hope and there is a light.

lyrics:

Lord, I’m so tired in this fight
Tired of waking up with no end in sight
I feel I’ve got so little left
I know that I’ve come to the end of myself

Help me hold on
Cling to You ’til I see the sun

Held by Your love, I sing alleluia
You’re lifting my heart as I lift my hands
Safe in Your love, I sing alleluia
You’re healing my heart as I lift my hands

Water the garden of my life
With every sorrow, every tear that I’ve cried
Redeem this winter for Your good
Lord, show Your power as only You could

Help me hold on
I’ll cling to You ’til I see the sun, oh-oh

Held by Your love, I sing alleluia
You’re lifting my heart as I lift my hands
Safe in Your love, I sing alleluia
You’re healing my heart as I lift my hands

Even in the darkness, even when it’s hardest
You are faithful and You bring the dawn
On every mountain, I’ll sing it even louder
You are faithful and You bring the dawn
Even in the darkness, even when it’s hardest
You are faithful and You bring the dawn
On every mountain, I’ll sing it even louder
You are faithful and You bring the dawn

Held by Your love, I sing alleluia
You’re lifting my heart as I lift my hands
Safe in Your love, I sing alleluia
You’re healing my heart as I lift my hands
Held by Your love, I sing alleluia
You’re lifting my heart as I lift my hands
Safe in Your love, I sing alleluia
You’re healing my heart as I lift my hands

Love Not Hate: Love on Trial

Image result for different types of birds together

As with humans, the birds keep repeating history instead of learning from it. Catch up on their history with the links below.

I posted this one a year ago, hope it reminds you where God is in all of this and we need to continue to love.

Love, Not Hate: Part 1

Love, Not Hate: Part Two

Love, Not Hate: Christmas Eve

Love, Not Hate: A New Chapter

Love, Not Hate: A New World

Love, Not Hate: The Division

Love, Not Hate: The Reconciliation

Love, Not Hate: Tragedy At Mandalay Bay

Love, Not Hate: Continue To Love

Love Not Hate- Trick or Treat, Halloween Night

Love Not Hate- The Virus

Where's God in All of This?" is a... - Willow Creek Community Church |  Facebook

Some of the birds were in pain

Some of the birds cried in the rain

Another shooting, another tragedy

An opioid epidemic to escape reality

Nothing in their world was making sense

Every bird suspicious and on defense

One question asked by the birds of prey and the birds of love

Where is the eagle? Why has he abandoned us?

All of you were born with a heart to love

The cardinal, blue jay, vulture, warbler, the dove

But love has gone away over the last few years

While anxiety has increased, and with that fears

What can we do? The birds ask as depression looms large

Darkness has overcome the land as it seems no one is in charge

Then out of nowhere the eagle lands

Only to be taken into the trial to take his stand

“Where have you been?” the birds proclaim

On vacation or don’t care,” his reputation they try to defame

They all throw words of hate at him, both birds large and small

The birds all say you said you would love and stay and defend us all

Related image

Then the eagle looks at the birds scattered around, clears his throat and boldly speaks

“Your schools, your courts, your homes and some of your churches, you asked me to leave

I say love all and teach acceptance

But you preach intolerance

While the poor become poorer and the rich become more prosperous

Have I ever said not to help the least of us?

I ask you to lend a hand, to help each other out

But you scream hate and racist remarks you shout

I ask you to pick a brother up when he is down

But you use your beaks and claws to stomp him in the ground

I ask you to protect each other with your lives

But you kill each other with words as sharp as knives

I ask you not to store possessions but to give to those in need

But instead of sharing most of you would rather bleed

I give each of you a light inside yourselves to change all of our kind

But each of you denies that light, instead, acting as if you are blind

You ask where have I been? I say I have never left

I will even go so far as to say you have never been more blessed

Image result for walk through the valley of death

But what have you done with all these blessings

That’s a good question, many of you will be left guessing

But some of you will recognize the truth

I have given it all to the elders to teach all the youth

Parkland, Las Vegas, El Paso, Dayton. When will it stop?

I tell you when you love and all this hate you drop

You place me here on trial

But you, my friends, are in denial

I was there when the bullets took your loved ones away

I was there when you cried those tears of pain

I was there when the questions came

I was there when it was I who you blamed

I was there even though you have asked me to leave

I was there in your moments of joy and your moments of grief

Image result for hope quotes during tragedy

I was there in the deaths of the battlefields

I was there, protecting you with my shield

I was there when it didn’t rain in your barren lands

I was there when food was bountiful in your hands

I was there in every misfortune and every blessing

I was there when your tongues cursed me and when they were professing

I was there in those moments you felt uninspired

Yes, I was there when those shots were fired

Now I have answered your question on where was I

And I have said that hate is the answer to the question why

But I leave you with this when you wonder if I am here at all

Where is the love? Where are you all birds big and small?

Where is the compassion, empathy, and kindness? Listen to what I say

Fight for love, do not let the land be taken over by all this hate!”

Image result for matthew 5:44

Image result for love on trial

Why God by Austin French-

Where Is God by Michael Farren –

Questions by Tori Kelley-

Parkland by Duff McKagan-

Common by Maren Morris-

What If by India Arie –

Change by Mavis Staples-

1000 Promises by Building 429 –

Songs For Our Times #8

America (Neil Diamond song) - Wikipedia

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 8th song, I go way back and chose America by Neil Diamond.

I chose this song because, to me, it seems like a lot of people are wanting this country to change to a socialist country. Do those people not understand that people flee other socialist, communist, and dictatorship countries to come to America? They risk their lives, floating across the ocean on home made rafts or packing 200 people on a boat meant to carry 20. Think about that, they risk their lives to come to our country that we are letting die.

We are the best democratic country in the world and think when you vote this year on if you want it to stay that way.

lyrics:

Far
We’ve been traveling far
Without a home
But not without a star

Free
Only want to be free
We huddle close
Hang on to a dream

On the boats and on the planes
They’re coming to America
Never looking back again
They’re coming to America

Home, don’t it seem so far away
Oh, we’re traveling light today
In the eye of the storm
In the eye of the storm

Home, to a new and a shiny place
Make our bed, and we’ll say our grace
Freedom’s light burning warm
Freedom’s light burning warm

Everywhere around the world
They’re coming to America
Every time that flag’s unfurled
They’re coming to America

Got a dream to take them there
They’re coming to America
Got a dream they’ve come to share
They’re coming to America

They’re coming to America
They’re coming to America
They’re coming to America
They’re coming to America
Today, today, today, today, today

My country ’tis of thee
(Today)
Sweet land of liberty
(today)
Of thee I sing
(today)
Of thee I sing
(today)

Songs For Our Times #7

Alicia Keys Good Job English Spanish Lyrics - YouTube

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 7th song, I chose Good Job by Alicia Keys. I wanted to give a shout out to all those on the front lines, working every day to keep our country going.

Thank you!

lyrics:

You’re the engine that makes all things go
And you’re always in disguise, my hero
I see your light in the dark
Smile in my face when we all know it’s hard
There’s no way to ever pay you back
Bless your heart, know I love you for that
Honest and selfless
I don’t know if this helps it but

Good Job
You’re doing a good job, a good job
You’re doing a good job
Don’t get too down
The world needs you now
Know that you matter
Matter, matter yeah

You’re doing a good job, a good job
You’re doing a good job
Don’t get too down
The world needs you now
Know that you matter
Matter, matter yeah

Six in the morning
As soon as you walk through that door
Everyone needs you again
The world’s out of order
It’s not as sound
When you’re not around
All day on your feet, hard to
Keep that energy, I know
When it feels like the end of the road
You don’t let go
You just press forward

You’re the engine that makes all things go
Always in disguise, my hero
I see a light in the dark
Smile in my face
When we all know it’s hard
There is no way to ever pay you back
Bless your heart
Know I love you for that
Honest and selfless
I don’t know if this helps it but

Good Job
You’re doing a good job, a good job
Good job
You’re doing a good job
Don’t get too down
The world needs you now
Know that you matter
Matter, matter yeah

It’s a good job
You’re doing a good job, a good job
Good job
You’re doing a good job
Don’t get too down
The world needs you now
Know that you matter
Matter, matter yeah

The mothers, the fathers
The teachers that reach us
Strangers to friends
That show up in the end
From the bottom to the top
The listeners that hear us
This is for you
You make me fearless

You’re doing a good job, a good job
You’re doing a good job
Don’t get too down
The world needs you now
Know that you matter
Matter, matter yeah

Songs For Our Times # 6

Trent Tomlinson on TIDAL

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 6th song, I have picked If I Were The Devil by Trent Tomlinson. I picked this one because, well, if I were the devil right now and looking at our country, I would think things couldn’t get much better.

lyrics:

If I were the devil
I’d find a way somehow
To make man think he created god
And not the other way around
What you’d see on TV
Would seem like the gospel truth
I’d make right look so wrong
And make wrong look so cool
Anything to you out of heaven
If I were the devil

If I were the devil
Everyone would just see color
I’d take all religions
And then turn em against each other
I’d sit back and love it
And watch love fuel the hate
Then light fires on the evening news
And let em fan my flames
Bring everybody down to my level
If I were the devil

I would just keep doing what I’m doing
Cuz what I’m doing’s sure is working out
If you don’t believe me I can prove it
All you need to do is look around
Yeah, I’d be thinking things can’t get much better
If I were the devil

I would just keep doing what I’m doing
Cuz what I’m doing’s sure is working out
If you don’t believe me I can prove it
All you need to do is look around
Yeah, I’d be thinking things can’t get much better

If I were the devil
When it’s all said and done
I’d be the coward that I am
And I’d tuck tail and run
I’d hide out in my darkness
That I’m destined to regret
If were the devil
Hell, I’d be scared to death