What are you going to do?

     For anyone who woke up today with a feeling that you could not explain.  For anyone who was going through their day and felt an overwhelming, encompassing feeling of joy and comfort and you don't know where it came from.  For that person who was sitting at their computer and a smile spread across your face for no reason.  For all of these people and even more who felt the loving touch of God and felt a praise in their heart but didn't know what to do, there is something you can do.

      For the person that feels weighed down by the problems and troubles that they are going through and you just can't see your way out.  For the person in pain and turmoil with physical aches and mental woes.  For the person who has cried themselves to sleep and woke up to cry some more.  There is something you can do.  

     This won't absolve your responsibilities.  This won't make your troubles magically disappear.  This won't make everything in your world golden, nice, and clean.  What will it do then?  What is the reason?  Why should I even bother?  What will it do?  It will release angles on your behalf.  What is the reason?  You give praise to a mighty and awesome God who is more than able to heal, deliver, set free.  But even more than that, knows your story after the trial, knows the blessings on the other end. knows the triumph and victory waiting for you if you only persist.  Why should you even bother?  What have you got to lose?  There is no need to try everything else and then try God and if you have already tried everything else, then why not try God?

     My suggestion to the person that has that overwhelming joy, that urge to dance, sing, and shout hallelujah.  Do it!  God doesn't need a reason to bless you and you don't need a reason to praise Him.  Even if everything in your life is perfect and you couldn't imagine Him blessing you with anything else, look at what He has already done and praise Him.  Praise Him because you know that it was God and only God that brought you through.

     My prayer for the person that can't see a way to praise is to stop looking for a way to praise.  We don't have to search for a way to praise God.  It is already in you.  It has been us since the day we were born.  He made us to praise Him.  You don't know how to start?  Close your eyes and think about God.  Not your troubles, not your pain, not your worries.  Just think about Him.  If you don't know what to say, just say His name, say thank you.  He knows your heart.  There is no "perfect" way to praise God.  Praise from your heart.

     Don't look for the reason, don't look for the why.  Don't stop to think what may be coming your way that you should praise Him for.  Praise Him now and stop the devil in his tracks.  Praise Him now and give Him the glory He deserves.

      

Inspired by Trent Cory-I've Got a Praise-Album-My Joy

Do You Remember

     This writing is inspired by Israel and New Breed's "Not Forgotten" from the Live in South Africa Disk 1.  The song says, I am not forgotten.  He knows my name. 
     Who is it that knows my name?  My Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ.  The One who called and purposed me to walk this life.  The One who chose me to speak a word and be a light.  The One who has directed my steps from the day I was born.
     There have been circumstances and situations that I have been in that looking back, if I had listened to the voice of the Lord, I never would have been in but even though I tried to do my own thing and ended up in some bad ways, He never left me.  He never turned his back on me and He did not forget who I was.
     There have been times when I have tried to change myself to be more this or that or to please this person  or that person.  There have been times when I have tried to change myself so that I would like me.  But even through all of my changes, waffling, and swaying, He never forgot who I was.  I have changed hair color, hair style, clothing style, handwriting, walk this way, or talk the other but through all that, God saw the real me underneath and allowed me time to see the person that He sees and learn to love me for exactly how He created me.
     God never forgets who we are but do we?  God never forgets our name but what do we answer to.  Sometimes we allow situations or bad circumstances that only last a season to give us a name we carry forever.  What are you answering to?  Failure, disgrace, less than, not good enough, you'll never amount to anything?  Are these the things that have branded you and now the name you answer to?
     If you are answering to these things, you can't simultaneously be answering to the name God has called you.  Son, friend, conqueror, more than an overcomer.  When you look at the fruits in your life, were they born from a failure or from a child a God.  We can only birth what we identify with.  If we only see failure, we will produce more failure.  Instead, look to God and listen to His voice to hear your name again.
     I hear Him calling softly on the wind.  My child, lean to me and my call.  I have not forgotten you.  The blessings, giftings, and purpose I have for you have not changed.  Answer to the name that I have for you and watch me work it for your good.

Living Golden

Jill Scott's Golden (lyrics at end of post provided by Elyrics.net)

Verse 1 is a perfect start to living the life that God has blessed you with now.  Take the freedom of knowing who you are and whose you are and working that to the fullest of your capacity and energy.  Be proud of who you are and don’t hide or diminish yourself for anyone.  Wear your God-given talents proudly.  Take your salvation, your birthright with you everywhere you go.  Allow people to see the God in you because as the saying goes, ‘you may be the only bible some people ever read.’  Our lives are a testimony of God and His grace and mercy working in us.

Verse 2 Carry yourself like a child of the most-high God.  Carry yourself with pride and dignity.  When life throws things at you that you don’t know how to deal with, don’t look solely to the world for direction, instead, take a queue from Psalm 121 NIV ‘I lift my eyes to the hills-where does my help come from? (2) My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth.’  Follow the leading of the Lord in everything you do and be proud of it.  Let the Lord’s love shine in you daily and let it warm and bless those around you.  But you can only enjoy this love and peace if you embrace the freedom of being the unique you that God created.

Verse 3 Understand that Ephesians 1:13 is yours to hold on and carry with you and cannot be taken from you.  NIV states ‘and you also were included in Christ when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit’.  When you were born again in Christ, you were born into the kingdom of God and He has generously and wisely blessed you with everything you need to do the things He has gifted you to do.  You have a special talent, skill or gift that no one can do like you.  Trust what He has told you and given you and look to Him for the wisdom to be that beautiful you and wear your inheritance proudly.

Make sure you make your life matter every single day.  We are not remembered for one great thing but for the many things that we do on a daily basis.  Who are you every day?  Who you really are shows in the things you do each and every day.  It shows in the little average things that you do so chose to do these things with a loving heart, with a compassionate heart.

Life is a gift and we only get one.  You can’t get to the end and decide it didn’t go the way you wanted to and ask for a do-over.  Make every day count and appreciate every day.  The people you love may not always be there and we are not guaranteed our next moment so make use of every chance you have to express to your friends, family and loved ones how much you care.  Express your heart because no one can read your mind and everyone likes to know that they matter.

Golden living, valuing every moment that you have and making it matter.  Enjoy the gift of life.

Jill Scott’s Golden lyrics

Courtesy of Elyrics.net

[Intro:]

Heyyy, Ohh, Heyyy, Yeah, Ohh, Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeah Yeahhhh

[Verse 1]

I'm taking my freedom,

Pulling it off the shelf,

Putting it on my chain,

Wear it around my neck,

I'm taking my freedom,

Putting it in my car,

Wherever I choose to go,

It will take me far,

[Chorus]

I'm livin' my life like it's golden

Livin' my life like it's golden, [X3]

Livin' my life like it's golden, golden,

Livin' my life like it's golden, [X4]

Livin' my life like it's golden, golden,

 [Verse 2]

I'm taking my own freedom

Putting it in my song,

Singing loud and strong,

Grooving all day long,

I'm taking my freedom,

Putting it in my stroll,

I'll be high-steppin' y'all,

Letting the joy unfold,

[Chorus]

I'm holding on to my freedom,

Can't take it from me,

I was born into it,

It comes naturally,

I'm strumming my own freedom,

Playing the god in me,

Representing his glory,

Hope he's proud of me,

[Chorus]

[Bridge]

I'm living my life like its golden, golden, golden, golden, golden, golden, [X2]

[Chorus]

[Jill Scott:]

Livin' my life like it's golden,

It really matters to me, Ohhh

[Bridge X5]

Life Rhythm

It is interesting to me how the drum set and the sound of the drum relates to life. People learn you by the way you carry yourself. The characteristics you exhibit say a lot about you, more than words ever could. The saying, ‘your life may be the only bible some people read’ is very true and accurately illustrates what I am saying.

There is a young man that I know that it has been quite a pleasure observing or ‘reading’ his life book. He is a drummer and that really doesn’t encompass the true God-given talent that he has.

I first met him when he was much younger. For as long as I have known him, he has been rather quiet and when he does speak, people have a tendency to listen. He doesn’t have a habit of wasting words and this is much how he makes the drum set speak.

I picture him on different occasions I have had the privilege of observing him at his craft and he always approaches the set very calmly and meekly and if not for his physique, he could almost be overlooked because of his peaceful, unassuming air. He is one of quiet peace and assuredness. As he sits on the drum throne and quietly picks up the sticks, you try to imagine what is coming next.

And then it starts.

You almost hate the fact that you have to blink or breath. You want to maintain focus on the awesome things that he is doing. I have often asked myself, how in the world does he do it. But if you can pull your eyes away long enough, you’ll see that he is calm and cool as he makes the set sing. As you try to watch what he does, you finally come to the conclusion that it is impossible to ‘see’ everything so you close your eyes and listen and are totally blown away.

Listening in, you can experience a leisurely walk by the ocean, timing your pace to the steady kick as the snare acts as birds flying by and the cymbals the whisper of the wind. You then find yourself on a roller coaster flying between toms and crashes and upside down with a kick controlled by one foot that some people can’t perform with a double pedal. It is always a journey and pure auditory heaven.

As I have gone from just listening to the sound of the beat to truly appreciating the feel of the toms, the rhythm of the kick and the different voices of the cymbals I have grown more in love with the musicality of the instrument but in striving to see more of this young man play, I have been a witness to his maturing. He has inspired me to examine my life and how I live and to seek more after God. He is young in age but lives his life with a confidence and belief in God that I admire. He knows that it is God who has gifted him and he lives his life to bring Him honor. He displays a faith and a resolve to serve God in everything that he does.

His life reads well and will assuredly lead many to the kingdom. So, feel free to explore the talent of one Mr. Marcus Thomas and enjoy some life rhythm. Enjoy the journey.

Just Wanna Say – Israel Houghton – Album –The Power of One

It never fails to amaze me the way God will use the talents and giftings that He has given people to speak to His children. I recently purchased the album The Power of One by Israel Houghton and have to say that it has been a blessing.

As I listen to track 3 ‘Just Wanna Say’ I am re-encouraged by the word and promises of God. The lyrics to the song are

‘Young but now I'm older

Never have I seen the righteous forsaken

Believe in what You told me

You would always hold me safe in the palm of Your hand

Even though I go through the valley of the shadow

I'm not forgotten

And I'll never let a day go by my, my

Lemme shout it from the mountain

I just wanna say I'm not afraid

I know that You are with me always

Young but now I'm older

Never have I seen the righteous forsaken

Believe in what You told me

You would always hold me safe in the palm of Your hand

Even though I go through the valley of the shadow

I'm not forgotten

And I'll never let a day go by my, my

Lemme shout it from the mountain

I just wanna say I'm not afraid

I know that You are with me always

I give You praise

For every day I know You'll never leave me, no way

Said You'd never leave me

Said You won't forsake me

Never leave me lonely

God, God, I surely believe it

I just wanna say I'm not afraid

I know that You are with me always

I give You praise

For every day I know You'll never leave, no way

Said You'd never leave me

Said You won't forsake me

Never leave me lonely

Surely I believe it

Said You'd never leave

Said You won't forsake

Never leave me lonely

Surely I believe it

Said You'd never leave

Said You won't forsake

Never leave me lonely

Surely I believe’

Songwriters: Houghton, Israel; Lindsey, Aaron; Sims, Tommy L.

Just Wanna Say lyrics © Aaron Lindsey Publishing; Warner-tamerlane Publishing Corp

The first part of the song starts of as a confirmation to all believers. We all go through things and at some point in our lives it may seem that everyone we love and know has deserted us. This may be true for the people in our lives but we have to know in our hearts that no matter what, God never leaves or forsakes us. God will always be by our side even when we can’t feel Him.

So, when you start off singing the song, you are re-affirming to yourself that God will never leave, never forsake you, never leave you alone, and never desert you. When you need God, just call on Him for He always hears the voice of His child.

The song then goes into a testimony of what you believe as a child of God. “I just wanna say I’m not afraid, I know that you are with me always”. So even though that statement feels good and makes us want to shout, it also gives us no out for pursing the works and purposes that God has for us.

Sometimes when we go to step out on faith and move on the things God has shown us, we become afraid and are immobilized by our fear. Fear is a trick of the enemy to stop a move of God, to stop your move for God. But if you realize that God has not given you that spirit of fear but has enabled you to speak boldly the word of God, there is no reason why we cannot move forward.

When you go to pursue that dream that God has given you and you feel that cold hand of the enemy trying to sneak up on you and hold you back just say to yourself, ‘I’m not afraid, I know that you are with me always. Said you’d never leave me said you won’t forsake me’. Need biblical proof that it’s real? Check out Psalms 23:4 NIV “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and staff, they comfort me.” Find comfort in the promise that God has given you and know that He won’t leave you.

This song gives me ammunition to pursue the things that God has shown me. It gets scary to think about moving on a vision that you see and maybe no one else completely grasps but understand that if you are seeking God, His kingdom and His way, He will provide. He will provide the instruction, the plan, the will and the way. God will provide what is needed to bring the vision that He has given to pass. 1 Kings chapters 5 – 8 is an example of God providing for His vision.

As you continue to move on the things that God has shown you and daily walk out the teachings of God ‘shout it from the mountain’ that God is. God is what? He is everything that you need Him to be…. Shelter, strength, confidence, love, encouragement, guidance, provision, you name it, He has it covered.

How do you shout it from the mountain? By living a life that exemplifies God. It’s not through your words but through your actions that people see the love of God in you.

Why MuzikSpeak?

The purpose of this blog is to hopefully share with others what I hear between the beats, the words I hear between the lyrics, the deeper meaning in the verse that strikes me.

There is a world of music out there that has some positive, uplifting and encouraging lyrics. They all may not be categorized in the genre of Gospel or Christian or have been penned by Christians but music is a lot like other areas of our lives. We can learn from both positive and negative experiences, situations and people.

To muse is to meditate on, to comment thoughtfully or ruminate upon. This blog will contain the musings on music, lyrics and the meanings that I take away from the music. Please feel free to comment on how the music moves you as we 'MuzikSpeak' together!

The Color of Music

The Color of Music

What is the color of music when it hits your soul? What is the color of music when it takes you to worlds far away from your own? Does music have a color in your mind or is it bland and blah like the sands of time?

What is the color of music when your heart beats to it? What is the color of music when you breathe rhythmically with it? Does music rock your world or is your environment on a perpetual metronome of here to there with no cymbal or snare?

What is the color of music when it moves your mind? What is the color of music when it stirs your emotions? What is the color of your world when you stop to look?

Cool blue jazzy
Fire red rap
Sunrise orange gospel
Sandstone brown blues

What is your color of music when it enters your world?
What color splash are you when you groove on the waves of music?