I've been meaning to get to this song for awhile. P.O.D. was one of the bands that I listened to a lot when I was younger. In seventh grade we had to do two devotions a year in my Bible class. The first one I did was on this song "Alive" by P.O.D. I did all the research on the meaning and everything before I went into it. The second song I did was "Rippin' Me Off" by Skillet. My teacher after both of them said that I would most likely not live to see my 16th birthday because I would probably kill myself first due to the "heavy" music I listened to. I don't know about you, but a song about feeling alive and being thankful for every single day you have on this earth is not one that promotes suicide.
The meaning I see behind this song is someone who has finally found God. Someone who's finally become a believer. lines like "Now that I see you, I can never look away." Now that he's found God, he can't turn away from that and has hope for the future. He's on this total high. Just think about this
"And now that I know you
I could never turn my back away
And now that I see you
I could never look away
And now that I know you
I could never turn my back away
And now that I see you
I'll believe no matter what they say"
Definitely speaks to me that he's talking to God saying that now that I truly know you I'm yours and I'm not turning away from you. I won't deny you or be ashamed of you.
The lead singer, Sonny Sandoval said that it's a song about not taking anything for granted and living every day to the fullest as if it's your last. He said it's about a guy who realizes that there is a God and something more to live for causing him to see everything different and live his life to the fullest.
I've heard the question before, "What would you do if you knew you were going to die tomorrow?" Most people answer with things like travel, do some crazy stunt, or commit a crime (usually as some sort of revenge). What would you do? Today very well could be your last day; you don't know. Would you continue living like you are, or change something? If you would change something, then you aren't living life to the fullest.
I'm not saying that you shouldn't say that you'd go on some big trip. You may not be able to afford said trip currently. I'm talking about how you actually live. If you were going to die tomorrow would you be going around mending relationships? loving your family more? spending more time serving? If you answer to those questions is "yes," then maybe you need to find ways to do that now.
It's easier said than done, I know. I don't always love my family as much as I can. I certainly don't help out around the house as much as I could when I'm home. I haven't done as much service as I've wanted to lately, really not since I left my old church. I haven't asked the questions I've wanted to ask, haven't built up as strong of relationships as I could, etc.
I need to work on this, and if you're like me then you do too. Just think about what you were like that first day you became a Christian. If you were older, then you might remember it quite well. Was there a difference in your output at that moment? Did you feel any different? Or if you've ever gone to church camp do you remember all those promises you made during the week that you never kept? What would it be like to actually do those things? Or at least make a strong effort to do so.
Here's a challenge. Think of one thing that you can work on over the course of the next week. Really try to do it. I'd love to hear back what some people attempt and how they went about doing so. I'd also like to hear about whether or not you succeeded in your attempts. Even the attempt should be some encouragement than not trying at all.
Sunday, July 17, 2011
Week #21 Alive by P.O.D.
Alive
by P.O.D.
Everyday is a new day
I'm thankful for every breath I take
I won't take it for granted
So I learn from my mistakes
It's beyond my control, sometimes it's best to let go
Whatever happens in this lifetime
So I trust in love
You have given me peace of mind
[Chorus]
I feel so alive for the very first time
I can't deny you
I feel so alive
I feel so alive for the very first time
And I think I can fly
Sunshine upon my face
A new song for me to sing
Tell the world how I feel inside
Even though it might cost me everything
Now that I know this, so beyond, I can't hold this
I can never turn my back away
Now that I've seen you
I can never look away
[Chorus]
Now that I know you (I could never turn my back away)
Now that I see you (I could never look away)
Now that I know you (I could never turn my back away)
Now that I see you (I believe no matter what they say)
[Chorus x 2]
by P.O.D.
Everyday is a new day
I'm thankful for every breath I take
I won't take it for granted
So I learn from my mistakes
It's beyond my control, sometimes it's best to let go
Whatever happens in this lifetime
So I trust in love
You have given me peace of mind
[Chorus]
I feel so alive for the very first time
I can't deny you
I feel so alive
I feel so alive for the very first time
And I think I can fly
Sunshine upon my face
A new song for me to sing
Tell the world how I feel inside
Even though it might cost me everything
Now that I know this, so beyond, I can't hold this
I can never turn my back away
Now that I've seen you
I can never look away
[Chorus]
Now that I know you (I could never turn my back away)
Now that I see you (I could never look away)
Now that I know you (I could never turn my back away)
Now that I see you (I believe no matter what they say)
[Chorus x 2]
Sunday, July 10, 2011
Whispers in the Dark by Skillet (post by Far From Alone)
No, you'll never be alone. When darkness comes you'll know I'm never far, hear the whispers in the dark.
If you know Skillet, then you are very familiar with these words. It is very powerful musically, is the live opener, and it a song to those who feel alone and broken. The lyrics to this song inspired my username on most of my online haunts, and cause me to rock out to these at concerts. In fact, I'm pretty sure that half of the blame of my still-sore-from-Ichthus neck can be blamed on it. "Whispers in the Dark" is an incredible song that has been very important to me these past two years, and has kept me from becoming a person that I never wanted to become.
In these past two years, there have been many changes in my life. For starters, I moved to a new state (again), which in turn meant leaving my best friend behind. I'm sure that you can imagine how tough that would be. Previously, I had close friends that I trusted, but they were never close enough to feel like a sister. I realized how lonely I had been after we got so close, and I didn't want to leave that bond of friendship that I finally had. For what seemed like the first time in my life, I had someone that I could share secrets, pains, and memories both good and bad with. For the first time, I had someone who "got" all of my idiosyncracies. For the first time, I had to leave this person. Despite how close we were (and still are), because she had never moved anywhere outside of the town she was born in, I didn't feel like I could share how much knowledge of this move hurt. I knew about the impending move half a year before it actually happened, so I decided to put on a facade. The entire time, the pain, hurt, and sadness was building up. He is the source of the "Whispers in the dark" that comfort us and heal us.
I felt so alone, and therefore unloved.
Eventually, the time came that I actually moved. The stress and agony was taking its toll, and I felt depressed. As we pulled onto the interstate and I looked at my now former home one last time, I vowed that I would never be close to anyone again. Why should I bother if that person was just going to move again? I hated my life so much at that point. I couldn't help but ask questions. Why did I have to move? Would I ever have close friends? I didn't sleep well for a while.
We got to the area where we live now and stayed in guest lodging while we found our house. While my parents were out house hunting one evening, I was in the room all my myself. I had nothing do do except to read and listen to music. I read a bit, but, as often happens, I got bored. This left the music, naturally. Nothing on my iPod was standing out to listen to, so I put on Skillet. If all else fails, I can always listen to some Skillet. I went to the Comatose CD and just started playing it. I stared off into space through all of Rebirthing, but I decided that I wanted to listen to Whispers in the Dark. I'm glad that I was alone when I listened to that, because I started crying. In case you don't know, the first line is "Despite the lies that you're making, your love is mine for the taking."
I had been lying to myself. Though it felt like I had no one else to talk to besides my friend, I had been missing God when he said "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest," in the book of Matthew (11:28). Despite these lies, as the song goes, my love was still his for the taking. I felt unloved, but feelings lie most of the time. It was wrong for me to feel like I was unloved, because my Lord saved me, thereby loving me more than any human relationship could. When we focus ourselves on the things of this world, we take our focus off of God. Only He should be the one that we run to, and only he should be the one to guide us. Because his love is the "burning consuming fire," it demands all of us. When we feel "lonely and ragged" and "lay here broken and naked," only He can heal us.
I'm sure that God was speaking to me through that song. It told me that I was not alone, and that I was loved. I had been ignoring God when I felt that I had no one to talk to, because God is always there, and listens to my prayers. To me, that song had incredible timing. My emotions by the time I listened to this had run dry, and cutting was looking very appealing. I knew that I didn't want to, but even pain would have felt better than nothing. I prayed to the Lord for renewal of faith in Him, then renounced my vow to never make friends. I've still had trouble, and I've still felt alone, most recently at the one year anniversary of my move (which I believe to be no coincidence), but I have been renewed, and I am making good, solid, Godly friendships. Because of God working through this song, my faith has been renewed, and I know that I will never be alone, no matter what the evils of this world try to tell me. Though I may still get sad and depressed feeling, I know one thing:
My love is just waiting
To turn your tears to roses.
If you know Skillet, then you are very familiar with these words. It is very powerful musically, is the live opener, and it a song to those who feel alone and broken. The lyrics to this song inspired my username on most of my online haunts, and cause me to rock out to these at concerts. In fact, I'm pretty sure that half of the blame of my still-sore-from-Ichthus neck can be blamed on it. "Whispers in the Dark" is an incredible song that has been very important to me these past two years, and has kept me from becoming a person that I never wanted to become.
In these past two years, there have been many changes in my life. For starters, I moved to a new state (again), which in turn meant leaving my best friend behind. I'm sure that you can imagine how tough that would be. Previously, I had close friends that I trusted, but they were never close enough to feel like a sister. I realized how lonely I had been after we got so close, and I didn't want to leave that bond of friendship that I finally had. For what seemed like the first time in my life, I had someone that I could share secrets, pains, and memories both good and bad with. For the first time, I had someone who "got" all of my idiosyncracies. For the first time, I had to leave this person. Despite how close we were (and still are), because she had never moved anywhere outside of the town she was born in, I didn't feel like I could share how much knowledge of this move hurt. I knew about the impending move half a year before it actually happened, so I decided to put on a facade. The entire time, the pain, hurt, and sadness was building up. He is the source of the "Whispers in the dark" that comfort us and heal us.
I felt so alone, and therefore unloved.
Eventually, the time came that I actually moved. The stress and agony was taking its toll, and I felt depressed. As we pulled onto the interstate and I looked at my now former home one last time, I vowed that I would never be close to anyone again. Why should I bother if that person was just going to move again? I hated my life so much at that point. I couldn't help but ask questions. Why did I have to move? Would I ever have close friends? I didn't sleep well for a while.
We got to the area where we live now and stayed in guest lodging while we found our house. While my parents were out house hunting one evening, I was in the room all my myself. I had nothing do do except to read and listen to music. I read a bit, but, as often happens, I got bored. This left the music, naturally. Nothing on my iPod was standing out to listen to, so I put on Skillet. If all else fails, I can always listen to some Skillet. I went to the Comatose CD and just started playing it. I stared off into space through all of Rebirthing, but I decided that I wanted to listen to Whispers in the Dark. I'm glad that I was alone when I listened to that, because I started crying. In case you don't know, the first line is "Despite the lies that you're making, your love is mine for the taking."
I had been lying to myself. Though it felt like I had no one else to talk to besides my friend, I had been missing God when he said "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest," in the book of Matthew (11:28). Despite these lies, as the song goes, my love was still his for the taking. I felt unloved, but feelings lie most of the time. It was wrong for me to feel like I was unloved, because my Lord saved me, thereby loving me more than any human relationship could. When we focus ourselves on the things of this world, we take our focus off of God. Only He should be the one that we run to, and only he should be the one to guide us. Because his love is the "burning consuming fire," it demands all of us. When we feel "lonely and ragged" and "lay here broken and naked," only He can heal us.
I'm sure that God was speaking to me through that song. It told me that I was not alone, and that I was loved. I had been ignoring God when I felt that I had no one to talk to, because God is always there, and listens to my prayers. To me, that song had incredible timing. My emotions by the time I listened to this had run dry, and cutting was looking very appealing. I knew that I didn't want to, but even pain would have felt better than nothing. I prayed to the Lord for renewal of faith in Him, then renounced my vow to never make friends. I've still had trouble, and I've still felt alone, most recently at the one year anniversary of my move (which I believe to be no coincidence), but I have been renewed, and I am making good, solid, Godly friendships. Because of God working through this song, my faith has been renewed, and I know that I will never be alone, no matter what the evils of this world try to tell me. Though I may still get sad and depressed feeling, I know one thing:
My love is just waiting
To turn your tears to roses.
Week #20 Whispers in the Dark by Skillet
Whispers in the Dark
by Skillet
Your love is mine for the taking
My love is just waiting
To turn your tears to roses)
Despite the lies that you're making
Your love is mine for the taking
My love is just waiting
To turn your tears to roses
I will be the one that's gonna hold you
I will be the one that you run to
My love is a burning, consuming fire
No, you'll never be alone
When darkness comes
I'll light the night with stars
Hear my whispers in the dark
No, you'll never be alone
When darkness comes
You know I'm never far
Hear my whispers in the dark
(whispers in the dark)
You feel so lonely and ragged
You lay here broken and naked
My love is just waiting
To clothe you in crimson roses
I will be the one that's gonna find you
I will be the one that's gonna guide you
My love is a burning, consuming fire
No, you'll never be alone
When darkness comes
I'll light the night with stars
Hear my whispers in the dark
No, you'll never be alone
When darkness comes
You know I'm never far
Hear my whispers in the dark (x2)
(whispers in the dark)
(whispers in the dark)
(whispers in the dark)
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