The Realist, The Dreamer and Me

Kermit the Frog...who doesn't love that lil' frog? Well, the song he sings called The Rainbow Connection has a catchy melody and leaves me feeling...a bit unsettled along with interweaved glimpses of hope.  I'm kind of a music nerd and love to read about the lyricists and songwriters meaning behind their songs.  Song Facts is the website I usually go to learn more.  This song is about the meaning of life, a spiritual journey and much more..

So I've been thinking about writing a song about my dreams, taking risks (something I don't do very well), etc. ..the title idea is The Realist, The Dreamer and Me.  After having a conversation with my friend and fellow songwriting pal, Daniel, he encouraged me to never compromise doing what I love...music and singing..that's who I've been created to be...the joy it brings to use and develop the gifts God's given me. Sooo... I was reminded of Kermit singing this song...and decided not to recreate the wheel as some ideas of my title fit into The Rainbow Connection song and underlying themes...

The Realist is the voice that says, "Don't pursue your dreams...you need to play it safe."  Others in my life who say the same thing looking through then lens of today...being rational, practical...feeling squashed in that.

The Dreamer is the voice that says, "Step out and take a risk...exercise your faith muscles...and fly baby fly!" (See Great Black Hawk song)

Me- Muddling through the scenerios of what could and could not be. what has and has not been..what steps to take next...what voice is the voice of truth...struggling just like Kermit. 

Feel free to take a listen to Beth and Kermit sing...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RdwhMPdhJGM&feature=youtu.be

Hush Down

torment (noun) extreme pain or anguish of body or mind: agony

A head FULL of thoughts kept rolling like a train, plowing like a tractor, destroying like a wrecking ball..was what I felt like this week.  Then something severed in my brain after some people prayed over me...it broke!  I had to stand on truth to combat the battle of the mind..a fear of cancer was rearing its head again...

mock (transitive verb) treat somebody or something with scorn or contempt, to imitate closely

Mocking soon tried to move in and dance with me...so I layed in bed praying a Psalm and a new melody called "Hush Down" came while playing my harmonica...goodbye mocking...hello sleep.

spirit of fear and mocking...Hush Down!...

song to come once my computer gets working again..ugh!

Psalm 4:8 As I lay down and sleep in peace, you alone O Lord make me dwell in safety.

Psalm 16

Live Snapshot

Snapshot... A song inspired after watching a compelling documentary called Nefarious. 
To listen to the song please click on the following link.  To learn more about this film read on...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m-Dc5Ok1kds&feature=youtu.be

Nefarious, Merchant of Souls, is a hard-hitting documentary that exposes the disturbing trends in modern sex slavery. From the very first scene, Nefarious ushers you into the nightmare of sex slavery that hundreds of thousands experience daily. You’ll see where slaves are sold (often in developed, affluent countries), where they work, and where they are confined. You’ll hear first-hand interviews with real victims and traffickers, along with expert analysis from international humanitarian leaders.
From initial recruitment to victim liberation—and everything in between—the previously veiled underworld of sex slavery is uncovered in the groundbreaking, tell-all Nefarious, Merchant of Souls.

The Cold Facts of Modern Slavery


• A child is trafficked every 30 seconds. – UNICEF
• The average age of entry into commercial sex slavery in the United States is 13 years old. – United States Department of Justice
• Human Trafficking occurs in 161 out of 192 countries. – The United Nations
• Pornography is a 96 billion dollar per year industry. – The Internet Filter Review
• Up to 96% of women in prostitution want to escape but feel they can’t. – United Labor Organization
• Human Trafficking is a 32 billion dollar per year industry. – The United Nations
• In some countries it is estimated that 70% of men purchase sex. – Victor Malarek; The Johns
• Over 27 million people are enslaved around the world. This is more than double the number of Africans enslaved during the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. – Kevin Bales; Free the Slaves

Shallow--Inspired while in Uganda

Drums...lots of them...
Children...playing them with passion and fervor
Singing that was coming from a deep place of gratitude, intimacy and love towards Heavenly Father
...left me speechless, in awe of God, and helped my heart connect with the lover of my soul in an inexpressible way... This song called Shallow came from worshipping with children in Uganda on a Friday night...the best Friday night of my life!!

Here's a link to some of the songs we sang with them along with Shallow...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dux3SQvzXU0&feature=youtu.be

Pearl of Africa

Uganda Africa...As I reflect on this missions trip, I was invited into a symphony of love.  God used many "instruments" to show me more about his love and heart for the nations of the world.

Intruments included-

The children-Selfless, full of love, still kids and awnry stealing my heart even more, and they worshipped God at a depth I have never seen nor experienced before...beautiful and humbling.
The mothers-Each one was a widow who cared for 4 boys and 4 girls.  They worked hard, cared deeply and had untold stories in their hearts I wish I could have heard.
My teammates-Honorable men and women who serve the Lord with passion.  I look up to them all and value each one of them and the ways they showed me how to love in greater measures...and they made me laugh daily!
The missionary couples-They have laid down the comforts most of us are used to and live sacrificial lives to serve at Restoration Gateway. They have testimonies of God's faithfulness in calling them to Uganda.  I wish you could have heard them share about how God made this orphanage a dream come true...His dream...vessels who said yes...and miracles still unfolding.  Check out their website... http://www.restorationgateway.org/
Click here to see pictures and listen to the song Pearl of Africa

http://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=9IVYmZHzOuE&list=UULevGOiwnuoDepe2K4sLJFw&index=1&feature=plcp

Can you imagine a childhood where mere survival is often a luxury few can afford? Where HIV, war and fear of being
abducted or killed are the norm?

Since the 1980s, AIDS and war have ravaged northern Uganda. A million have died from AIDS. 60,000 children have been abducted and forced to be soldiers or slaves in a war they did not want. [Read More]

For more than two decades, the


Lord's Resistance Army (LRA) has been terrorizing and victimizing the people of northern Uganda. The LRA is a brutal rebel group that has abducted from 30,000 to 60,000 children, often younger than 10 years of age. Throughout the 20-year war against the Ugandan government, children were forced to serve as soldiers, slaves or wives. The LRA has killed and mutilated many thousands of other children and adults.
1.8 million people were forced to flee their homes and villages to live in squalid Internally Displaced People (IDP) camps, relying on humanitarian aid for mere survival. Peace finally has returned over the last few years as a result of the LRA being forced out of Uganda. People now are returning to their villages to rebuild their lives, though many in the younger generation have lost the opportunity to learn job skills and many have felt abandoned by God. Most families in northern Uganda have felt the trauma of losing loved ones to the LRA, either through murder or abduction. Every family has felt stark terror at the possibility of attack.

If the atrocities of the LRA weren't enough, Uganda also has long been plagued with an HIV/AIDS epidemic. 1.2 million people are living with the disease -- 150,000 of these are children. Uganda has the highest percentage of children orphaned by AIDS worldwide. Although medications exist that can help those living with HIV, very few Ugandans can afford them. Often these medications cannot even be found by those in need. This problem increases exponentially in the rural bush of northern Uganda, where medical care is woefully inadequate. HIV/AIDS continues to pose a very significant threat to the population of Uganda.

The needs and wounds in Uganda are staggering.           

Only God can heal deep wounds, but He uses people like you and me to do it. Restoration Gateway exists to join Christ in restoring peace and healing wounds among the vulnerable children and war-torn people of Northern Uganda. 500 acres of land overlooking the Nile is being developed into a holistic, reproducible community through Orphan Care, Health Care, Empowerment and Ministry to the Church. You can help.

The Scourging

A man...the Son of God...sacrifice...tortured...crucified...love poured out...for you and me.

http://stations-of-the-cross.com/ 
...This is a visual art and music experience created by a group of artists from Madison Wisconsin.  I was invited to create a music piece on The Scourging of Christ.  The website is being finished.  In the meantime, you may click on the following link to listen to a two minute piece of  "The Scourging".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X1ns36aaSNY&list=UULevGOiwnuoDepe2K4sLJFw&index=1&feature=plcp

Tapestry

This song was inspired by two friends..one who said her life is but a weaving between God and her. Another wonders what her life has come to the older she gets...the disappointments loom. This picture of a tapestry came to mind to unfold stories in their hearts..in my heart as well. I believe God can use all things in our life including pain, suffering, heartache, mistakes...and use it for our good, the good of others and mostly for Him to be made known.  The artwork above is the song communicated on canvas board. 

Please click on the following link to listen to song...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cp76K-ySzrQ&list=UULevGOiwnuoDepe2K4sLJFw&index=1&feature=plcp

Tapestry

From the backside of this tapestry you see tangled threads

Nothing but a mess

Knot upon knot you’re confused and lost

It’s not making sense

Wondering when you’ll get

to see the other side

of this tapestry, this tapestry, this tapestry

From the front side of this tapestry the colors tell a story

There’s movement forward

Stitch by stitch each one’s in place

The weaver knows what He is doing        

There is nothing to change

even from  the other side

of this tapestry, this tapestry, this tapestry of life

Bridge:

You don’t see

You don’t know

The big picture’s not always shown

but it’s making something beautiful

On the inside of your heart believes the best

There’s got to be a purpose

Knot upon knot you’re still confused and lost

What’s this story all about

Wondering when you’ll get to see other side

On this side of heaven

Oh this tapestry, this tapestry, this tapestry of life