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?