Thursday, December 31, 2009

Something More?

Have you ever wondered if there was anything more to life in this world? It is the time of year for such. Well, even if you haven’t, be assured that many have.

A typical Christian will tell you that they exist to glorify God, and that they have a very good reason to do so. For He sent His only begotten Son to pay the price in full for their sins so that they could spend all of eternity with Him in His Kingdom of Heaven as an heir to all that is His glory (or at least something like that).

Be assured that I am not here to dispute any of that, but a fairly interesting question does come to mind. For after a person comes to accept Christ Jesus as their own personal Lord and Savior, they are supposed to be saved from having to pay for their own sins, which is eternal Spiritual death. Therefore, why do they have to continue to suffer the indignities of life in this world afterward?

No, I am not talking about continuing to be poor in either health or wealth, even though that may be a part of it. For what I am talking about is having to remain in this world after they have been saved from having to spend all of eternity in Hell. After all, if that is what life in this world is all about, what is there to be accomplished afterward?

Alas, there are hundreds (if not thousands) of different Christian denominations, and many of them have a different answer for that question. Some will proclaim that the reason why a saved person is required to continue to live in this world after their salvation has been secured is in order to save others while others proclaim that accepting Christ Jesus as their own personal Lord and Savior is just the beginning of the process, which may continue even after a person’s time as a part of this world comes to an end.

No, there is nothing about this that is meant to unfairly demean, embarrass, nor insult anyone in any way for what they want to believe is the truth, but it should be fairly easy to see where both of those doctrines really came from. For both (in effect) are proclaiming our Heavenly Father to be a liar. After all, does He not make it clear that it is the work of His Holy Spirit to seek and to save souls [John 16:8-11], and to claim that there is more to securing our salvation than just having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is to deny that we are saved by grace—does is it not [Ephesians 2:8-10]?

So, does this mean that there is no answer to why most are required to continue to live in this world after they have accepted Christ Jesus as being their own personal Lord and Savior? No, it most certainly does not. For it is during what time we may have left in this world that our Heavenly Father can gain the most satisfaction from us.

In reality, it actually starts way before then. For everything that we are required to endure in this world is meant to give us opportunities to give our Heavenly Father the full benefit of our considerable doubts after our eyes have been opened to the truth.

Please allow me to give you an example of what I am talking about. Let’s say that you feel a great deal of gratitude (and maybe a lot more) towards the person who helped you pick up the pieces and start to live again after your spouse and child died in what you thought was a horrible accident of some kind. Now, would you feel the same way about them after it became clear that it was really no accident, and that this person was actually fully responsible for the deaths of your loved ones?

If it can be accepted that our Heavenly Father is in full control of all that happens, how could He not be fully responsible for every horrible thing that has ever happened in this world? Yes, there is a difference between making something happen and allowing it to, but He still allowed it to when He could have easily prevented whatever it was from ever happening. Subsequently, how can He not be ultimately responsible?

Back when we were first married, my wife told me that ignorance is bliss, and that infuriated me at the time. Since then, I have softened somewhat. For our Heavenly Father has made me acutely aware of the fact that most simply do not want to know what He wants them to, and I would not wish the anguish that this causes me upon anyone. Yet, it causes me even more anguish when I try to remain silent about it. Hence, opportunities to give Him the full benefit of my considerable doubts [Jeremiah 20:7-9].

No, just coming to terms with the truth of our circumstances in this world is not all there is to it. For what our Heavenly Father really wants is to have a very close and personal relationship with as many as will while they are still a part of this world.

Yes, many talk about such, but if you listen closely to what they are saying, is that what they really have? For the absolute truth of the matter truly is that the vast majority of those who claim to be walking with Jesus on a daily basis have nothing more than merely the kind of relationship that they could now have with Thomas Jefferson by faithfully studying every book that they could obtain about him and visiting the Jefferson Memorial in Washington, DC at least once a week.

Of course, followers of other faiths would claim that nothing more than that can be had with Christ Jesus, as well. How can anyone know for sure without being able to truly hear His voice?

Tragically, most can hear His voice, but they recognize it as being nothing more than just random thoughts bouncing around in their brain. For they have had it pounded into their heads that He only speaks through His Holy Scriptures now, but can anyone tell me which verse makes that clear?

Yes, it can be argued that if it really was that important to Him, our Heavenly Father would do something to get our attention, like speak through a burning bush [Exodus 3:1-4] or knock us down with a blinding light [Acts 9:1-19], but when He does something like that, it costs Him. For it is much more glorifying to Him when we want to believe when there are plenty of reasons why we should not.

It also costs us. For it is written: And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that His is, and that He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. [Hebrews 11:6 NAS]

Besides, none of it is necessary. For He is well able to get our attention without having to resort to miraculous spectacles [Isaiah 65:1-2], and no one will be able to honestly say that they did not understand everything that He wanted them to, come Judgment Day [Romans 1:18-20].

No, I cannot promise you that everything will be all right (in a natural sense) after you start truly having a very close and personal relationship with our Heavenly Father. For it may be for you, as it has been for me [Ecclesiastes 1:18].

Nonetheless, I can promise you that nothing will be the same anymore [2 Corinthians 5:11-21], and that you will be able to at least have confidence in the fact that your sufferings have not been in vain. Furthermore, you will know for sure that great will be His joy when the time comes for our Heavenly Father to gather all of His children by faith unto Himself to spend all of eternity with Him in His Kingdom of Heaven as heirs to all that is His glory [Romans 8:17-21].

Woe be it unto all who do not care about such things. For it is also written: “I know your deeds, that you are neither cold nor hot; I wish that you were cold or hot. So because you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of My mouth. Because you say, “I am rich, and have become wealthy, and have need of nothing,” and you do not know that you are wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked, I advise you to buy from Me gold refined by fire so that you may become rich, and white garments so that you may clothe yourself, and that the shame of your nakedness will not be revealed; and eye salve to anoint your eyes so that you may see. Those whom I love, I reprove and discipline; therefore be zealous and repent. Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and will dine with him, and he with Me. He who overcomes, I will grant to him to sit down with Me on My throne, as I also overcame and sat down with My Father on His throne. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says to the churches.” [Revelation 3:15-22 NAS]


Please Also Visit: [FishHawk Droppings]

Wednesday, December 30, 2009

WhiteHeart Wednesday

Link: [Inside]



MP3 Audio From: [BlogDumps Video]

Ritual
WhiteHeart

Hush boy
Oh it’s not polite
To ask if what I’m doing is right
I don’t see why it matters to you
I just do what I do
What I do
What I do
It’s my ritual

From a long long line of next of kin
No one knows how it all began
It’s not for me to understand
I just do it again and again
It’s my ritual

Oh it’s a trend
Oh don’t you bend
Cue it up again

Numb to the beat
Shuffle your feet
I can’t stand the heat

So dance
Dance
Dance
Dance to the Spiritual
Chance
Chance
Take a chance
Oh break the ritual
Ritual

It’s habitual
But I’m no longer comfortable
Just to let life flow and flow
Into nothing

Just can’t take it no more
Leave my mind in a jar by the door
I don’t care who’s done this before
It ain’t cool
We’re all fools
We’re all mindless bores in our ritual

Oh smash the trend
Turn around the bend
Never again

Move to the beat
Motivate your feet
I wanna take the heat

So dance
Dance
Dance
Dance to the Spiritual
Chance
Chance
Take a chance
Oh and break the ritual
So dance
Dance
Dance
Dance to the Spiritual
Chance
Chance
Take a chance
Come on and break the ritual
Ritual

Ooh
Dance
Dance
Dance
Dance to the Spiritual
Chance
Chance
Chance
Chance
Take a chance
Oh and break the ritual
Dance
Dance
Dance
Oh to the Spiritual
Chance
Chance
Take a chance
Oh and break the ritual

Oh
Oh
Oh break the ritual

Oh
Oh
Oh
Oh
Oh
Oh
Oh
Oh
Oh you’ll break the ritual

Oh take your chance
Oh and break the ritual
Ooh
Ritual
Oh
Oh
Oh
Ooh Spiritual
Chance
Chance
Chance
And break the ritual
Oh and break the ritual
Ritual

Link: [WhiteHeart]

Please Also Visit: [FishHawk Droppings]

Tuesday, December 29, 2009

TWO FOR TUESDAY {REDO}

Not every song that will be featured here will be what is generally considered as being “Christian” in the eyes of this world. For some will be anguished cries from the pit of despair, and others will be quite obviously ferverent rants of rebellion. Nonetheless, be assured that they will all be of our Heavenly Father (in one way or another) and I hope that you have been given ears to hear the message.

***WARNING***
Some may find the lyrics of the songs, and the imagery of the videos, quite disturbing. So, be prepared to close your eyes and ears at any moment, but please keep your heart and mind open.


Link: [On YouTube]

Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)
Green Day
Another turnin’ point
A fork stuck in the road
Time grabs you by the wrist
Directs you where to go
So make the best of this test
And don’t ask why
It’s not a question
But a lesson learned in time
It’s something unpredictable
But in the end is right
I hope you had the time of your life

So take the photographs
And still frames in your mind
Hang it on a shelf of good health
And good time
Tattoos of memories
And dead skin on trial
For what it’s worth
It was worth all the while
It’s something unpredictable
But in the end is right
I hope you had the time of your life

It’s something unpredictable
But in the end is right
I hope you had the time of your life

It’s something unpredictable
But in the end is right
I hope you had the time of your life


Link: [On YouTube]

Boulevard of Broken Dreams
Green Day
I walk a lonely road
The only one
That I have every known
Don’t know where it goes
But it’s home to me
And I walk alone

I walk this empty street
On the boulevard
Of broken dreams
When the city sleeps
And I’m the only one
And I walk alone

And I walk alone
And I walk alone

And I walk alone
And I walk alone

My shadow’s
The only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart’s
The only thing that’s beating
Sometimes I wish
Someone out there will find me
‘Til then
I walk alone

Uh huh
Uh huh
Uh huh
Uh huh
Uh huh
Uh huh
Uh huh

I’m walking down the line
That divides me
Somewhere in my mind
On the borderline
Of the edge and where
I walk alone

Read between the lines
Of what’s f#$%ed up
And everything’s all right
Check my vital signs
To know I’m still alive
And I walk alone

And I walk alone
And I walk alone

And I walk alone
And I walk alone

My shadow’s
The only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart’s
The only thing that’s beating
Sometimes I wish
Someone out there will find me
‘Til then
I walk alone

Uh huh
Uh huh
Uh huh
Uh huh
Uh huh
Uh huh

And I walk alone
And I walk alone

I walk this empty street
On the boulevard
Of broken dreams
When the city sleeps
And I’m the only one
And I walk alone

My shadow’s
The only one that walks beside me
My shallow heart’s
The only thing that’s beating
Sometimes I wish
Someone out there will find me
‘Til then
I walk alone

Lyrics From: [Sweets Lyrics]

Please Also Visit: [FishHawk Droppings]

Monday, December 28, 2009

Come Monday...Eddie and The Cruisers

“Come Monday…” is a weekly series that will involve a review of, or commentary about, websites, movies, documentaries, television shows, sports, music, and whatever else may tickle my fancy at the time. Be assured that these reviews will be generally positive, as in accordance to the Jimmy Buffett song “Come Monday.” This is subject to change, however. In fact, I would be most derelict in my duties to neglect going on a rant every once in a while. For rants promote change, and change can be good—right? Therefore, since good is generally considered as being a positive force in 99.3% of the parallel universes that I am aware of, even a rant could be considered as being something positive, and a genuine hissy-fit would be even better (so I’m told).
A few weeks ago, I posted a piece about [Streets of Fire], which is one of my all-time favorite movies. [Michael Pare] played the lead role of a brooding hero, who comes through to save the heroine, who was played to the hilt by the luscious [Diane Lane].

This piece about [Eddie and The Cruisers], which is another Michael Pare movie where he plays basically the same role. Well, at least in the sequel he comes through to save the day. For in the first movie, he just does a lot of brooding, and then disappears without a trace.



Link: [On YouTube]

No, Eddie and The Cruisers is not one of my favorite movies. It does, however, feature some great music—including one of the best songs ever recorded (in my most humble opinion).

The song is On The Dark Side, and it was actually performed by [John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band] . It starts soft and slow, and then kicks you right in the face, which is the way I like it—as long I am the one doing the kicking, of course.


Link: [On YouTube]

On The Dark Side
John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band

The dark side’s callin’ now
Nothin’ is real

She’ll never know
Just I how I feel

From out of the shadows
She walks like a dream

Makes me feel crazy
Makes me feel so mean

Ain’t nothin’ gonna save you
From a love that’s blind
Slip to the dark side
You cross that line

On the dark side

Oh yeah

On the dark side

Oh yeah

The dark side’s callin’ now
Nothin’ is real

She’ll never know
Just I how I feel

From out of the shadows
She walks like a dream

Makes me feel crazy
Makes me feel so mean

Ain’t nothin’ gonna save you
From a love that’s blind
Slip to the dark side
You cross that line

On the dark side

Oh yeah

On the dark side

Oh yeah

Ain’t nothin’ gonna save you
From a love that’s blind
Slip to the dark side
You cross that line

On the dark side

Oh yeah

On the dark side

Oh yeah

On the dark side

Oh yeah

On the dark side

Oh yeah

Lyrics From: [elyrics.net]

Another great song featured in the movie is Tender Years, which is also performed by Cafferty and his band. Some of you on the more old foggie side of life might actually like this song better. For it may hark back memories of slow dancin’ with your sweetie down under the boardwalk or something like that.

Now, for someone like [Crotchety], it would probably bring back memories of bumpin’ uglies in some dark alley down in the heart of Newark, and I don’t even want to think about what memories might come to [Chuck’s] mind. For the sake of my own life and limbs, any speculations about what might float through the very pretty heads of [Lin], [Ann] and [Katherine] will be left alone.


Link: [On YouTube]

Tender Years
John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band

When the moon hung soft and low
Catchin’ stardust in the light
You held me closer and closer
There was magic in the night

A sweet love song
A melody that I still can recall
Two young hearts filled with dreams
To walk away with it all

Whoa
Whoa
Tender years
Won’t you wash away my tears
How I wish you were near
Please don’t go
Tender years

A summer love
A beach romance
Sought her kisses in the sand
Two young hearts filled with fire
Lost in never never land

Whoa
Whoa
Tender years
Won’t you wash away my tears
How I wish you were near
Please don’t go
Tender years

Whoa
Whoa
Tender years
Won’t you wash away my tears
How I wish you were near
Please don’t go
Tender years

Lyrics From: [elyrics.net]

As was mentioned before, there was a sequel to Eddie and The Cruisers. The name of that movie is [Eddie and The Cruisers II – Eddie Lives!], and it is a much better movie—all in all.

Yes, Michael Pare was as brooding as ever, but that fit the plot perfectly. For the storyline was about him living his life incognito while being fully aware of all of the speculations concerning his possible death and haunted by what could have been if things had of went his way in the first movie.

Of course, if it had of went his way in the first movie, there would have been no need for a sequel. So, it was actually good that things went so bad before.

To make a fairly long story somewhat shorter, in the first movie, Eddie (Michael Pare) wanted to take the band in a new direction musically, and the powers that were at the record company refused to release Season In Hell, which is what Eddie considered to be his finest work.


Link: [On YouTube]

Season In Hell
John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band

See the writing on the wall
I think I was bound to fall
Voices whisper in the wind
I can hear them callin’
Love is the fire burnin’
And I want to burn

Darkest now before the dawn
Times we’ve known will soon be gone
Flames of freedom fill the air
I can hear them callin’
Love is the fire burnin’
And I want to burn

Fire

Fire

Love is the fire burnin’
And I want to burn

Fire

Fire

Love is the fire burnin’
And I want to burn

Lyrics From: [Lyrics Keeper]

I actually liked the song. So, I don’t know what those idiots were thinking, but since it was probably a part of the script, I suppose I should give them the benefit of the doubt.

Evidently, that was something that Eddie couldn’t do. For the first movie pretty much ended with him driving his car off of a Jersey pier into the Atlantic Ocean.

Yes, it went on and on after that with members of his band scrambling around full of disbelief, and their manager setting the stage for himself to land a prominent role on [The Sopranos] later on. It was good for [Joe Pantoliano], but it was very bad for the movie (again, in my most humble opinion).

The sequel was much more to my liking. For it started out with our hero working in construction until he jumps on the stage of some hole-in-the-wall bar to show the lead guitarist of the band that was trying to serve as the entertainment for the evening how to play a song that people could actually enjoy listening to.

The sax player in the band recognized who he really was, but our hero refused to admit that he really was Eddie Wilson until much later in the movie. The first one he told was [Marina Orsini], whom he had become romantically entangled with in a very hot and heavy sense, and she was quite reluctant to believe it, which just added to the drama.

Also adding to the drama of the sequel were multiple flashbacks of the first movie, and several of the character from the first one had roles to play in the sequel. Although I was disappointed that [Tom Berenger] did not reprise his role as the keyboard player in the sequel, a very emotional reunion with [Matthew Laurance], who played the bass player and Eddie’s best friend in the first movie, did bring a tear to my eye. (Stop laughing [Adullamite]!)

In the end, Eddie’s new band won a spot as the opening act at a huge concert being held in Montreal, QE, and it was on that stage where Eddie announced to the world that he was indeed still alive. John Cafferty and The Beaver Brown Band reprised their roles as being the ones who actually performed the songs in the sequel, and Through The Fire is not bad at all.


Link: [On YouTube]

Runnin’ Through The Fire
John Cafferty & The Beaver Brown Band

I got smokestack lightnin’
Runnin’ through my veins
Trouble hangin’ ‘round my neck
It’s like a ball and chain

Gotta be more than this to bein’ alive
Every day spittin’ out nine to five
Every night runnin’ all over this town
Comin’ home feelin’ no pain

I got a hunger and a cold desire
Someday it’s gonna take me higher
Just another small flame
Just runnin’ through the fire
Just another small flame
Just runnin’ through the fire

Runnin’ through the fire
Baby it’s gonna get hot
Runnin’ through the fire
Honey if you’re ready or not
Runnin’ through the fire
Honey no way you turn
Runnin’ through the fire
Baby you’re gonna get burned

I’m rollin’ down the alleyway
Headin’ for the neon lights
I got a soul full of strugglin’
Need a little mercy tonight

This world’s askin’ just a little too much
Honey I need a lovin’ tender touch
Just move your body close to mine
Make everything all right

I got a hunger and a cold desire
Someday it’s gonna take me higher
Just another small flame
Just runnin’ through the fire
Just another small flame
Just runnin’ through the fire

Runnin’ through the fire
Baby it’s gonna get hot
Runnin’ through the fire
Honey if you’re ready or not
Runnin’ through the fire
Baby no way you turn
Runnin’ through the fire
Baby you’re gonna get burned

Runnin’ through the fire
Baby it’s gonna get hot
Runnin’ through the fire
Honey if you’re ready or not
Runnin’ through the fire
Baby no way you turn
Runnin’ through the fire
Baby you’re gonna get burned

Runnin’ through the fire
Baby it’s gonna get hot
Runnin’ through the fire
Honey if you’re ready or not
Runnin’ through the fire
Baby no way you turn
Runnin’ through the fire
Baby you’re gonna get burned

Lyrics From: [elyrics.net]

Please Also Visit: [FishHawk Droppings]

Sunday, December 27, 2009

A Sunday Drive

Back during my childhood, our parents would often load up my brother and I after Sunday morning church services for a leisurely drive around where we lived. Even though we were seeing mostly familiar sights, it was still good to see them, and this is why “A Sunday Drive” sounded about right for the name of a weekly series revisiting familiar sites that are well worth seeing again and again. The link below the image is to the site itself, and the image is linked to the post it was first included in here.


Saturday, December 26, 2009

Another North Pole Tragedy?

The following news report appears to be suspiciously similar to a report that I saw last year. Of course, I suppose anything is possible when it comes to Santa, but I would expect good news—certainly not this!


***WARNING***
The following video contains images and testimony not suitable for most children and many adults. Proceed with caution.


Link: [On YouTube]

The Night Santa Went Crazy
Weird Al Yankovic
Down in the workshop
All the elves were makin’ toys
For the good Gentile girls
And the good Gentile boys
When the boss busted in
Nearly scared ‘em half to death
Had a rifle in his hands
And cheap whiskey on his breath
From his beard to his boots
He was covered with ammo
Like a big fat drunk
Disgruntled Yuletide Rambo
And he smiled as he said
With a twinkle in his eye
Merry Christmas to all
Now you’re all gonna die

The night Santa went crazy
The night St. Nick went insane
Realized he’s been getting’ a raw deal
Something finally must’ve snapped in his brain

Well the workshop is gone now
He decided to bomb it
Everywhere you’ll find pieces
Of Cupid and Comet
And he tied up his helpers
And he held the elves hostage
And he ground up poor Rudolph
Into reindeer sausage
He got Dancer and Prancer
With an old German Luger
And he slashed up Dasher
Just like Freddy Krueger
And he picked up a flamethrower
And he barbequed Blitzen
And he took a big bite and said
It tastes just like chicken

The night Santa went crazy
The night Kris Kringle went nuts
Now you can’t hardly walk around the North Pole
Without steppin’ in reindeer guts

There’s the National Guard
And the F.B.I.
There’s a van from the Eyewitness News
And helicopters circlin’ ‘round in the sky
And the bullets are flyin’
The body count’s risin’
And everyone’s dyin’ to know
Oh Santa why
My my my my my my
You used to be such a jolly guy

Yes Virginia
Now Santa’s doin’ time
In a federal prison
For his infamous crime
Hey little friend
Now don’t you cry no more tears
He’ll be out with good behavior
In 700 more years
But now Vixen’s in therapy
And Donner’s still nervous
And the elves all got jobs
Working for the postal service
And they say Mrs. Claus
She’s on the phone every night
With her lawyer
Negotiating the movie rights

They’re talkin’ ‘bout
The night Santa went crazy
The night St. Nicholas flipped
Broke his back for some milk and cookies
Sounds to me like he was tired of getting’ gypped

Whoa
The night Santa went crazy
The night St. Nick went insane
Realized he was getting’ a raw deal
Something finally must’ve snapped in his brain
Whoa
Something finally must’ve snapped in his brain
Tell ya
Something finally must’ve snapped
In his brain

Link: [Weird Al Yankovic]

Lyrics From: [A-Z Lyrics Universe]

Please Also Visit: [FishHawk Droppings]

Friday, December 25, 2009

Sites To See

The SOLE purpose of this weekly series is to call attention to sites that I think many would find most interesting—in one way or another. The link below each image is to the site itself, and each image is linked to the particular post from which it was taken when applicable. Please, go see for yourself.


Thursday, December 24, 2009

TobyMac - This Christmas


Link: [On YouTube]

This Christmas
TobyMac

Joy to the world
Let Heaven and nature sing
Let Heaven and nature sing

Now Johnny never got his wish
On December 25th
That’s what he said
When we left the orphanage
9 years old
But Johnny was an old soul
Gonna spend his first Christmas
In a real home
Showed me a picture
That he drew the night before
Was a picture of a man
Standin’ outside a door
I asked him who it was
And he said
Someone I only see in dreams
Comforts me
When I cry myself to sleep

Father of the fatherless
Be with your sons and daughters
This Christmas
This Christmas

Believe in angels
Johnny asked me
Starin’ at the sky
I said I do
And saw a sparkle in his eye
Big brother for the weekend
Respondin’ to the season
Took the chance
That givin’s better than receivin’
Two nights
A new family
Some holiday cheer
We laughed and sang
Came on a midnight clear
We gave
Received
And as we headed to close
We looked to the heavens
And it started to snow
Down blessings

Father of the fatherless
Be with your sons and daughters
This Christmas

You ain’t livin’
‘Til you choose to give
Love and joy and peace
To one of His

Father let us not forget
The children who are all alone
This Christmas

You ain’t livin’
‘Til you choose to give
You ain’t livin’
‘Til you choose to give

Religion that God our Father
Accepts as pure and faultless
Is this
To look after orphans
And widows
In their distress [James 1:27]
Merry Christmas everyone

Joy to the world
The Lord is come
Let Heaven and nature sing
Let Heaven and nature sing
Let Heaven and nature sing
Let Heaven and nature sing

Believe in angels
Johnny asked me
Starin’ at the sky
I said I do
And saw a sparkle in his eye
9 years old
But Johnny was an old soul
Gonna spend his next Christmas
In a real home

Father of the fatherless
Be with your sons and daughters
This Christmas

You ain’t livin’
‘Til you choose to give
Love and joy and peace
To one of His

Father let us not forget
The children who all alone
This Christmas

You ain’t livin’
‘Til you choose to give
Love and joy and peace
To one of His

Father of the fatherless
Be with your sons and daughters
This Christmas

Let Heaven and nature sing
Let Heaven and nature sing

Father let us not forget
The children who are all alone
This Christmas

You ain’t livin’
‘Til you choose to give
You ain’t livin’
‘Til you choose to give
You ain’t livin’
You ain’t livin’
You ain’t livin’

Let Heaven and nature sing
Let Heaven and nature sing

You ain’t livin’
‘Til you choose to give
You ain’t livin’
‘Til you choose to give
Don’t leave me all alone
This Christmas

Merry Christmas everyone

Link: [TobyMac]

Lyrics From: [Sing365.com]

Please Also Visit: [FishHawk Droppings]

Wednesday, December 23, 2009

WhiteHeart Wednesday

Link: [Souvenirs]



MP3 Audio From: [BlogDumps Video]

The Little Drummer Boy
WhiteHeart
Come they told me
Pa rumpa pum pum
A new born King to see
Pa rumpa pum pum
Our finest gifts we bring
Pa rumpa pum pum
To set before the King
Pa rumpa pum pum
Rumpa pum pum
Rumpa pum pum

So to honor Him
Pa rumpa pum pum
When we come

Little Baby
Pa rumpa pum pum
I am a poor boy too
Pa rumpa pum pum
I have no gift to bring
Pa rumpa pum pum
That’s fit to give a King
Pa rumpa pum pum
Rumpa pum pum
Rumpa pum pum

Shall I play for You
Pa rumpa pum pum
On my drum

On my drum
I’ll play for You

Mary nodded
Pa rumpa pum pum
The ox and lamb kept time
Pa rumpa pum pum
I played my drum for Him
Pa rumpa pum pum
I played my best for Him
Pa rumpa pum pum
Rumpa pum pum
Rumpa pum pum

Then He smiled at me
Pa rumpa pum pum
Me and my drum
Me and my drum
Me and my drum
Me and my drum

Link: [WhiteHeart]

Please Also Visit: [FishHawk Droppings]


Tuesday, December 22, 2009

TWO FOR TUESDAY {REDO}

Not every song that will be featured here will be what is generally considered as being “Christian” in the eyes of this world. For some will be anguished cries from the pit of despair, and others will be quite obviously ferverent rants of rebellion. Nonetheless, be assured that they will all be of our Heavenly Father (in one way or another) and I hope that you have been given ears to hear the message.

***WARNING***
Some may find the lyrics of the songs, and the imagery of the videos, quite disturbing. So, be prepared to close your eyes and ears at any moment, but please keep your heart and mind open.


Link: [On YouTube]

Calling You
Blue October

There’s something that I can’t quite explain
I’m so in love with you
You’ll never take that away
And if I’ve said it a hundred times before
Expect a thousand more
You’ll never take that away

Expect me to be calling you to see
If you’re okay when I’m not around
Asking do you love me
I love the way you make it sound
Calling you to see
Do I try too hard to make you smile
To make us smile

I will keep calling you to see
If you’re sleeping are you dreaming
If you’re dreaming are you dreaming of me
I can’t believe you actually picked me

I thought that the world had lost its sway
It’s so hard sometimes
Then I fell in love with you
Then came you
And you took that away
And it’s not so difficult
The world is not so difficult

You take away the old
And show me the new
And I feel like I can fly
When I stand next to you
So while I’m on this phone
A hundred miles from home
I’ll take the words you gave
And send them back to you

I only want to see
If you’re okay when I’m not around
Asking do you love me
I love the way you make it sound
Calling you to see
Do I try too hard to make you smile
To make us smile

I will keep calling you to see
If you’re sleeping are you dreaming
If you’re dreaming are you dreaming of me
I can’t believe you actually picked me

I will keep calling you to see
If you’re sleeping are you dreaming
If you’re dreaming are you dreaming of me
I can’t believe you actually picked me


Link: [On YouTube]

Hate Me
Blue October

If you’re sleeping are you dreaming
If you’re dreaming are you dreaming of me
I can’t believe you actually picked me

Hi Justin. This is your mother. It is 2:33 on Monday afternoon. I was just calling to see how you were doing. You sounded really uptight last night. It made me a little nervous, and a little… Well, it made me nervous, but it sounded like you were nervous, too. I just want to make sure you are really okay, and I wanted to see if you were checking in on your medication, too. You know I love ya, and… Take care, honey. I know you’re under a lot of pressure. See ya. Bye Bye!

I have to block out thoughts of you
So I don’t lose my head
They crawl in like a cockroach
Leaving babies in my bed
Dropping little reels of tape
To remind me that I’m alone
Playing movies in my head
That make a porno feel like home
There’s a burning in my pride
A nervous bleeding in my brain
An ounce of peace is all I want for you
Will you never call again
And will you never say that you love me
Just to put it in my face
And will you never try to reach me
It is I that wanted this

Hate me today
Hate me tomorrow
Hate me for all the things
I didn’t do for you
Hate me and wait
Yeah wait for it to swallow
Hate me so you can finally
See what’s good for you

I’m sober now for 3 whole months
It’s one accomplishment that you helped me with
The one thing that always tore us apart
Is the one thing that I won’t touch again
In a sick way I want to thank you
For holding my head up late at night
While I was busy waging wars on myself
You were trying to stop the fight
You never doubted my warped opinions
On things like suicide and hate
You made me compliment myself
When it was way too hard to take
So I’ll drive so f#$%ing far away
That I’ll never cross your mind
And do what it takes in your heart
To leave me behind

Hate me today
Hate me tomorrow
Hate me for all the things
I didn’t do for you
Hate me and wait
Yeah wait for it to swallow
Hate me so you can finally
See what’s good for you

And when the sad hard eyes
Say bye to you and wave
Kicking shadows on the street
For every mistake that I have made
And like a baby boy
I never was a man
Until I saw your blue eyes crying
And I held your face in my hand
And then I fell down yelling
Make it go away
Just make a smile come back
And shine just like it used to be
And then she whispered
Who could you do this to me

Hate me today
Hate me tomorrow
Hate me for all the things
I didn’t do for you
Hate me and wait
Yeah wait for it to swallow
Hate me so you can finally
See what’s good for you

For you

For you

For you

I can’t believe you actually picked me
Hey Justin
Hey Justin
Hey Justin
Hey Justin
Hey Justin
Hey Justin
Hey Justin
Hey Justin
Hey Justin
Hey Justin
Hey Justin
Hey Justin

Lyrics From: [A-Z Lyrics Universe]

Please Also Visit: [FishHawk Droppings]

Monday, December 21, 2009

Come Monday...The Sparrows

“Come Monday…” is a weekly series that will involve a review of, or commentary about, websites, movies, documentaries, television shows, sports, music, and whatever else may tickle my fancy at the time. Be assured that these reviews will be generally positive, as in accordance to the Jimmy Buffett song “Come Monday.” This is subject to change, however. In fact, I would be most derelict in my duties to neglect going on a rant every once in a while. For rants promote change, and change can be good—right? Therefore, since good is generally considered as being a positive force in 99.3% of the parallel universes that I am aware of, even a rant could be considered as being something positive, and a genuine hissy-fit would be even better (so I’m told).


A few weeks ago, I received an email notification that The Sparrows wanted to be friends on MySpace. After reading that their reason for wanting this was because of seeing that I was a fan of [Steve Earle], I enthusiastically approved of their request and promised that I would try to post a review of their music as soon as possible. For I had a “feeling” that I would enjoy their music as much as his.

Well, I was not disappointed in the least. On their [MySpace page], they list the following as musical influences: [The Band], [The Rolling Stones], [The Eagles], [Lucinda Williams], [Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young], [The Flying Burrito Brothers], [Leon Russell], [The Beatles], [Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers], [The Long Ryders], [Waylon Jennings], [Leonard Cohen], [Warren Zevon], [WILCO], [Buck Owens], [Emmylou Harris], [Neil Young], [Bob Dylan], [Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds], [anything Motown], [Johnny Cash], [Chris Isaak], [Willie Nelson], [Uncle Tupelo], [The Allman Brothers], [Steve Earle], [Drive-By Truckers], [Ryan Adams], [Humble Pie], [Creedence Clearwater Revival], [Gram Parsons], [Cactus], [Counting Crows], [Son Volt], [The Wallflowers], [Joe Cocker], [The Black Crowes], among many others… Be assured that they did them all proud.

Needless to say, theirs is my kind of music. Regardless of what you want to call it, it is southern rock at its finest to me.

A good example of that is the opening lick on Feel Better. For it immediately took me back to hearing [Jon Butcher’s Wishes] for the first time, and the rest was [sawmill gravy] heaped on a plate full of buttermilk biscuits. In other words, it was some really good stuff.

Alas, I regret not being able to provide Feel Better for you here. For I could not find an embeddable copy of it anywhere, but you can listen to the song on their [MySpace page] and at [CD Baby].

No, that is not the only song of theirs that I fell in love with, and I was able to find an embeddable copy of Radio. The second video includes part of The Hitchhiker, which kicks in at around the 50 second mark, and if it doesn’t get your toes to tappin’, there’s something seriously wrong with you.

The truth is that I had a fairly hard time finding much of anything on them. For when I go to do a review like this, I look to see if I can find something other than what is provided on their MySpace page, and when I went to do this, the first thing I found was a website for [another band] by the same name, then a Wikipedia article about an early sixties Canadian rock band that later became [Steppenwolf].

I suppose the reason why I had such a hard time is because they are a fairly new band that is yet to break out into the international spotlight, but if they keep playing the way they are, I’m sure it won’t be long before most everyone knows who The Sparrows are. Please, listen to what I mean.

Link: [On CD Baby]

Please Also Visit: [FishHawk Droppings]


Sunday, December 20, 2009

A Sunday Drive

Back during my childhood, our parents would often load up my brother and I after Sunday morning church services for a leisurely drive around where we lived. Even though we were seeing mostly familiar sights, it was still good to see them, and this is why “A Sunday Drive” sounded about right for the name of a weekly series revisiting familiar sites that are well worth seeing again and again. The link below the image is to the site itself, and the image is linked to the post it was first included in here.


Saturday, December 19, 2009

NewSong - The Christmas Shoes

Link: [On Amazon]


Link: [On YouTube]

The Christmas Shoes
NewSong
It was almost Christmas time
There I stood in another line
Tryin’ to buy that last gift or two
Not really in the Christmas mood
Standin’ right in front of me
Was a little boy waitin’ anxiously
Pacin’ ‘round like little boys do
And in his hands he held
A pair of shoes
And his clothes were worn and old
He was dirty from head to toe
And when it came his time to pay
I couldn’t believe what I heard him say

Sir I want to buy these shoes
For my mama please
It’s Christmas Eve
And these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry sir
Daddy says there’s not much time
You see
She’s been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes
Would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful
If mama meets Jesus tonight

He counted pennies for what seemed like years
Then the cashier said
Son there’s not enough here
He searched his pockets frantically
Then he turned and he looked at me
He said
Mama made Christmas good at our house
Though most years she did without
Tell me sir
What am I gonna to do
Somehow I’ve got to buy her
These Christmas shoes
So I laid the money down
I just had to help him out
I’ll never forget the look on his face
When he said
Mama’s gonna look so great

Sir I want to buy these shoes
For my mama please
It’s Christmas Eve
And these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry sir
Daddy says there’s not much time
You see
She’s been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes
Would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful
If mama meets Jesus tonight

I knew I’d caught a glimpse of Heaven’s love
As he thanked me and ran out
I knew that God had sent that little boy
To remind me
What Christmas is all about

Sir I want to buy these shoes
For my mama please
It’s Christmas eve
And these shoes are just her size
Could you hurry sir
Daddy says there’s not much time
You see
She’s been sick for quite a while
And I know these shoes
Would make her smile
And I want her to look beautiful
If mama meets Jesus tonight

And I want her to look beautiful
If mama meets Jesus tonight

Link: [NewSong]

Lyrics From: [Christian Lyrics Online]

Please Also Visit: [FishHawk Droppings]