Andy Mineo has the tendency to stalk my life on a normal basis. The project "The Sword", speaks volume into what is going on in my life right now. There are three songs I want to talK about, but they all deserve their own blog entry their so good. The first song in the three part blog entry is "Shame". Such a deep and dark song that anyone will be able to relate.
"I create my own prison, holding the keys inside."
This line, from the first verse stands out to me. It paints a perfect overall picture of the verse. Dont we all hold ourselves in prison that we create, holding the keys(power of God), but forget that we have it to break free? The whole verse takes you down a dark, weary point of Andy's life. The verse relies heavily on the perspective from the outside world, with lines like: "I feel like everyone know the secrets I wanna hide" and "Soon people gon’ find out I’m not what they expected. They see who I really am then I end up rejected." Deep down inside, if we are honest, we can relate. To some degree, we do care about what others around us thinks, especially the ones we care about.
"Everybody is crooked, some do a better job at hiding it."
Here, Andy is being brave and honest about his personal struggles and how it influenced his actions and thought process. I like how he says that he has became a public figure but his struggles wasnt private. Thought that was such a good play on words. Also so he mentions that he is willing to take all the stones so people will know that they are not alone. Very important for artists' audiences to know that they struggle with things just as them. At the end he finds freedom through realized he is weak.
I love the piano accompaniment to this song. The production is simple so the audience can focus on the lyrics. The end paints a picture of a breakthrough. I imagine the clouds opening shedding light into the dark areas below. You'll feel empowered and hopeful. As before, these artists does a great job in portraying their lives also create discussion amongst people who listen.
Have you ever been in a body of water, lying on your back then look up to realize that the water has drifted you further away from the shore? That is the picture KB is trying to depict in the song “Art of Drifting”. He warns us, through examples, that if we are not vigilant and alert, life can drift us away from our true purpose. But you cannot have the drift without the hope, and that is where “Art of Hope” comes in. Being reconciled with God despite us drifting away from Him.
“You can build a Christian empire without God”
The first verse starts off, “You dont love church no more, you dont love the church no more. You dont care serve no more, you just enjoy the perks homeboy…and enjoy counting money from the merch homeboy.” I imagine how convicting and scary this may seems to an artist who is a believer. They started out making music to glorify God and help others, but along the way they drift. They get caught up in the success, that God takes the back seat. But can we also relate? Those of us walking with God for a while and getting a little too comfortable? Letting our guard down? See, for KB, it maybe using God for profit, but for us, it may be dabbing in a little this a little that, thinking we can handle it, but it leads to a chain of bad decisions. He also mentions that when he leaves the stage, he dont even talk about Jesus. Do we camouflage ourselves into the crowd, or do we stand out? Do we only use Him to defend our disobedience? This verse started and ended strong.
“Going Down In The DM”
Next verse, he talks about everything that he used to do to keep his ways pure i.e. calling his pastor or having certain filters on his phone. He starts to drift and starts spending more and more time on his phone which led to talking to a woman on Instagram. He then mentions that the woman he has been talking to, showed up to one of his shows in the dress that he commented on. He is saying one thing to the crowd all the while taking clothes off of her in his mind. Allowing this to linger, led to adultry, which then led to losing his family. When we are not on guard about what we see or simply take in, we can slowly drift away from practices that kept us obedient.
“Art of Hope”
If KB left it there, it would have been really depressing, but he did not…there is hope. Simply, he is crying out to God for a turnaround, redemption of his acts. One line that stuck out to me was, “If you never left us, could we pick up where we left off?” That is a sobering line…that it is never too late to do a 180.
Of course all of this is a dream that KB had that he put onto paper, but still a very real thing. Be on guard and focus on finishing the race!
1. “Slide” ft. Frank Ocean and Migos-Very groovy track and nice opener for this album. Good way to introduce and give us a feel for what vibes this album have. Can’t understand a word Migos be saying, but this one of the few tracks that works for them in my opinion.
2. “Cash Out” ft. ScHoolboy Q, PARTYNEXTDOOR & D.R.A.M-Where the first track is more a slide song. I imagine this song at the end of a movie where there’s a cookout scene and everyone is doing a line dance in unison. This had to grow on me though, but not it did not take long.
3. “Heatstroke” ft. Young Thug, Pharrell & Ariana Grande-That bass guitar though…combined with an old school feel thanks to Pharrell vocals. Calvin definitely had some influences here.
4. “Rollin” ft. Future & Khalid-By far my favorite song on this album! My first time being introduced to Khalid. This flow is so catchy and the vocals in the background is genius. Synthesizers are blended in quite nicely. Future, I’m not a big fan of, but he really works for this song! Throw on some shades, let you top down (or windows) and enjoy.
5. “Prayers Up” ft. Travis Scott & A-Track-This is another song that didn’t get me on the first listen. The piano on this compliments it nicely. In my opinion the first track where it showcase Calvin’s skills.
6. “Holiday” ft. Snoop Dogg, John Legend & Takeoff-Classic Snoop. I can only imagine how fast he jumped on this when first presented to him. Nice combo for this track.
7. “Skrt On Me” ft. Nicki Minaj-She gets a song all to herself. She sings then raps. This one of my least favorite song on here, so let’s not spend too much time on it…next One.
8. “Feels” ft. Pharrell, Katy Perry & Big Sean-MY 2ND FAVORITE ON THIS ALBUM!! I admit, it took me a while to get into Katy’s vocals on here, but it did not not take long. This have more of a beach feel. And if you like the word plays of Big Sean, then you won’t be disappointed. He carries it over flawlessly. Prepare to catch “Feels” for this song.
9. “Faking It” ft. Kehlani & Lil Yachty-Weird blend. It has a modern sound, but when it breaks down before it hit the chorus it has a 90’s feel. This is one of those songs that sounds better in your car. I think Lol Yachty lyrics are a little elementary, but it works I guess.
10. “Hard to Love” ft. Jessie Reyez-Vocals are good and I guess it is a good placement on the album cause it is fine within itself. It is ok, but I really could in the album on “Feels”.
Shallow is the eighth track off of Heroes for Sale, and while this song seems to made for males, I'm pretty sure I'm not the only female that can relate to t...
“Do not let your adorning be external—the braiding of hair and the putting on of gold jewelry, or the clothing you wear— but let your adorning be the hidden person of the heart with the imperishable beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which in God’s sight is very precious.”-1 Peter 3:3-4
As I am thinking of a song to write about this week, I had one song in mind, but for some reason God led me to this song. I have not heard this song in a while, but as soon as heard the first verse, I quick realized why God had led me to this. To me, this song speaks on cherishing the inner beauty and the essentials that makes up a quality woman instead on outer appearances. He also speaks on being intentional on what you want out of a relationship instead of feeding around the bush and “playing games”.
“There are so many things that I don’t understand
Like why am I so lost if I have a captain?
I’m tossed back and forth by deceitful winds,
And if it all falls, look within.
I’ve been breaking hearts way too long
I did this from the start, now I’m all alone.
So focus on the heart if you want a home
I can’t settle for that cardboard box no more.”
We have someone to follow who paved a way for us to think and see thing as He sees them. So why do we still feel lost? Uncertain? I think, for me, I focus on what the flesh wants and not what the spirit needs, what God wants for me. Some people date and then break up with the person if that person is not meeting their needs at the time or if it just a bad relationship. For me, without being in a relationship, is just plain shallowness. Not seeing women as women should see themselves as mentioned above. The last two lines of the intro spoke to me. If I truly want to find someone and have a joyful relationship with someone, I must start with the heart and not settle for what the media deems attractive.
“I’m going through a process to stop seeing women as objects
‘Cause the meaning of marriage is not sex.
It’s so much more, this ain’t no beauty contest
When you play that game then somebody’s always got next.
If charm is deceiving and beauty’s vain(Proverbs 31:30), then I bet
The standards that we judge most people with are nonsense.
I put too much emphasis on my preferences,
Dang, I’m feeling shallow just addressing this
'Cause God loves me despite of how much a mess I am
And I’m writing off shawties whose bodies is less impressive like, dang.”
To be honest, this second half of the first verse is what convicted me and ultimately, drew me to write about this song. Sex is a gift that God only gives to those wait for marriage. The problem is that sometimes we, including myself, put too much emphasis on sex than marriage. And as I understand that you should wait until then, I think I can fall into that danger to put too much emphasis on the physical interaction than the spiritual interaction. I have my preferences, mostly in body type. Sound so shallow and it IS shallow, but this is coming from allowing my flesh and media to influence my preferences instead of letting God lead and being ready to receive whatever He has for me. Am I forgetting my own flaws? Do I realize that I am in the risk of judging? Yes and yes! I respect Andy for saying something we all are afraid to admit, which is that last line. “That girl does not fit my body type preference. Put a X in the box and on to the next one.” I pray that I, and all single men, can see women as God sees us in 1 Samuel 16:7 “ But the Lord said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him. For the Lord sees not as man sees: man looks on the outward appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.”
The second verse basically speaks on being intentional with a woman. Where is this going? Can we see ourselves going far? So far as into marriage? I am a firm believer that if you date someone, date with a purpose. Dating without purpose, is like high school dating. You just dating just to have a title instead of putting in the work to push for something more meaningful. I only had two girlfriends in my lifetime and they were in high school lol. Well…three if you count the girl in kindergarten who slept by me at nap time lol. And I am okay with that, if that means I don’t leave a trail of broken hearts behind and to intentionally pursue a woman I plan to marry. Men, we have to be mindful of the heart of a woman. It can be fragile. Always show qualities in a man that your sister(in Christ) would want to marry one day even if it is not you. How you handle her heart could put up a wall in her heart that makes it harder for the next man to tear down. Now I am not saying to stalk a girl to see if she wifey material and then pursue. Date, get to know that person, but make sure you are upfront and honest about your intentions.
In summary, our hearts have to align with God. When that happens, we can truly see people how God sees them. Now I am not saying we cannot have preferences. Just make sure those preferences are healthy and non-shallow preferences. I am a firm believer that you can make a checklist of preferences, but ultimately God has already have someone for you and you will fall in love with that person no matter what you preferences are.
"Life is a precious gift. A gift we often take for granted until it is threatened. Pain can be a haunting reminder to appreciate every waking moment. So we w...
“Just fight a little longer, my friend. It’s all worth it in the end. But when you got nobody to turn to. Just hold on, and I’ll find you.”
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”(James 1:12). What an encouraging chorus and verse. The road is less traveled, but God said that our endurance will produce character(Rom. 5:4). It is easier said and harder to believe and live out. I believe we live in a world that faith does not require some pain and suffering, but it is completely the opposite. I imagine the words of the chorus as Jesus calling me friend and telling me to hold on, He sees me in my struggles and telling me to fight and eventually I will see His face.
“They said don’t get bitter, get better. I’m working on switching them letters.” Probably one of my favorite lines in the song. Not only that I like the play on words bitter and better, but the truth behind that line. When life get tough, don’t we just let it overwhelm us to the point where it leaves a sour taste for life in our mouths? Don’t we sometimes get mad at God when things don’t go our way? Same verse Lecrae mentions that he smiles in everyone faces, but cries whenever someone leaves and he is by himself. I read in a devotional that we should be quiet in the mist of trials and wait for God. I do agree that we should take it to God first and wait for Him, but I also believe that we should have a close, tight circle of friends to bear our burdens. It’s using the gift that God has given us which is the body. I like to think that I am a transparent person, but I tell my close circle of brothers all my struggles, because, like it says in 1 John, I want to be in the light not the dark.
“They say fear haunts, and pain hates. I say pain strengthens, and fear drives faith.” Good line to close with. God does not mean for to live in fear, nor to dwell in our pain. He desires our pain to turn into a testimony that can influence others who are going through the same journey. Also if we come to the conclusion that we do not know the answers to this thing called life, that fear will turn into trust and have faith in the ones who went before us.
Sorry guys for being away for so long. I feel like I have been busy and everytime I get free time, I want to relax my brain and that relaxation turns into laziness.
It has been rough though. With the passing of my grandmother 3 months ago and these decisions I have to make it can get overwhelming at times. One of the big decisions I have to make is whether or not I should go to grad school. There’s always that fear of going back though. Would I be able to change my day to day routines to make time for school? What would it look like? Am I capable? Is it even smart with the debt I have from undergrad? All I know is that I can feel God having something bigger for me even when I am at work I know that this is not where I belong.
One thing I have come to learn is that it is sometimes hard to give up your future for God and let it go. So much I want to be in control because I want to know and see how soon it is coming. But it is not up to me to decide when it is coming, it is up to God.
We’ve been going through a series called, “The Battle Plan for Prayer”. And this week, in particular, it talks about the “locks and keys of prayer”. Locks prevents God from hearing us and keys is when our hearts is right before the Lord to where He can hear us.
Locks are things like, praying in public when you suppose to pray in private(Matt 6:5-6), or praying while abusing your spouse, bitterness in our hearts, praying with an unrepentant heart. God wants to grant us our prayers but these things prevents God from doing so. And that’s where I am right now. I know God provides mercy and grace and He wants to reveal what’s the next phase of my life. But if I have anything like the ones mentioned above, I need t do a heart check and make sure my heart aligns with Him upon making a request. He knows I am not perfect, but like Casting Crowns, I should strive to be renewed daily.
Tomorrow I am going to post about Andy Mineo’s song, “Now I Know”. Stayed tuned folks!
Oh my gosh; I haven’t posted in a while. I switched schedules to midnight shift and didn’t account for the fact I’d be exhausted half of the day. That’s not exactly a great excuse but hey that’s my story. Which ties in great with the song “When the crazy kicks in” by Francesca Battestelli. It’s a song that tells of all the distractions that can get in the way of our relationship with God. She’s tiptoeing to the kitchen and the coffee cup breaks and she prays quietly that no one wakes up. She prays that because in that time when she drinks her coffee and reads the Word and listens to God. In Psalm 27:8 it reads, “You have said, “Seek my face.” My heart says to you, “Your face, Lord, do I seek.” (Psalm 27:8)
I am personally guilty of not being able to just set aside a constant time just for God. It seems like every time I think about it; there’s something to distract me. I’m guessing that’s the reason God put this blog on my heart. He wants me to not only spread the good news, but have that relationship with Him. He does it for my good. He has a plan for me.
"For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jeremiah 29:11)
Distractions come in all shapes and sizes. Suffering is a distraction. Some people use that distraction instead of going to God and giving it to Him. I know I’ve done it. I have been convinced that I have to take on a suffering that I either put on myself or just happened. Okay nothing just happens, I believe that God uses the suffering distraction as a way to say “Hey, I know you are suffering, but I’m here for you, just ask me for help.”
“Beloved, do not be surprised at the fiery trial when it comes upon you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you.”
(1 Peter 4:12)
Forgive me for the brevity of this post, but I think it’s short and sweet. Pray that my lack of sleep doesn’t distract me from writing these posts. Meanwhile I’ll pray that God will forgive me for not keeping up. Until next time rockers!
WEDNESDAY SERMON
Francis Chan: “A Personal Relationship”
(Start Time: 3:02)
We decided to begin posting sermons for a few reasons:
1. One sermon a week just isn’t enough for some of us.
2. Some of us may not have the opportunity to attend church on a Sunday.
3. An easy way to share faith.
4. It may be just what you need right now.
PLEASE WATCH AND SHARE. IT MAY BE JUST WHAT YOU, OR SOME ONE ELSE NEEDS.
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