Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Showing posts with label music. Show all posts
Monday, June 27, 2011
Sunday, May 15, 2011
Friday, April 22, 2011
A Book and A Song: Thoughts on Safety
Jesus, You are worth every risk in my life! :)
"He's not safe, but he's good [referring to Aslan from The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe]."
--C. S. Lewis.
~"Safe" by Britt Nicole~
You keep trying to get inside my head
While I keep trying to lose the words you said
Can’t you see I’m hanging by a thread
To my life, what I know
Yeah, I’m losing control and
Oh, no
My walls are gonna break
So close
It’s more than I can take
I’m so tired of turning and running away
when love just isn’t safe
You’re not safe
I’m strong enough
I’ve always told myself
I never wanna need somebody else
But I’ve already fallen from that hill
So I’m dropping my guard,
here’s your chance at my heart and
Everything you want, but it’s everything you need
It’s not always happy endings
But it’s all the in-between
It’s taken so long, so long to finally see
That your love is worth the risk
Oh, no
My walls are gonna break
You’re not safe
And that’s ok
Written by Britt Nicole, Jason Ingram, and Joy Williams © 2009 Britt Nicole Publishing / WB Songs / Spudnut Music / Shankel Songs (ASCAP) / Peertunes, Ltd. / Grange Hill Music / Windsor Way Music (SESAC)
Monday, April 11, 2011
"Pray" by Justin Bieber
Coming from a person who is by no means a "die hard" fan of Justin, I still appreciate this song. :)
Friday, December 17, 2010
Jeremy Willet Is A Musician With A Message
Gandhi said, “Be the change you wish to see in the world.” Rachel Scott—a victim at the Columbine School Shooting—wrote, “I won’t be labeled as average.” Jeremy Willet, in a song that he has written called “Thirsty,” sings, “Change will only come when, we get up off the floor/And it’s in my blood, it’s the language that I dream in...”
Jeremy Willet is helping to bring awareness about global poverty, as well as a message of hope, to those that he meets. Quite frankly, he is not afraid to be a part of the life-saving change that is needed to save lives around the world—in fact, he embraces it.
This December, Jeremy and his brothers, also known as the rock band Willet which has been touring internationally since 2006, will be performing their fifth annual “Willet Snow on Christmas?” tour from Dec. 8-19 in 15 different cities on the U.S. East Coast.
The band is composed of three brothers from Maryland, including Jeremy Willet with vocals, acoustic guitar and keyboards; Justin Willet on electric guitar and Jordan Willet on bass guitar. Jeremy Willet, 25, describes their music as having “heavy guitar hooks, melodic vocals and symphonic production” and “thought-provoking lyrics inspired from scripture from the Bible and global poverty.” He says that Chevelle, Switchfoot and Blindside are some of the band’s musical influences.
What an average tour day looks like for Jeremy:
Between 8am-10am: Wake up, read Bible, drink some coffee, and load up in van.
10am - 3pm: Drive to next city
3pm-4pm: Radio/TV/newspaper interviews
4pm-5:30pm: Set up for concert
6pm - 7pm: Prayer/Bible study before show
7pm - 8:30: Concert / autographs
9pm - 10:30pm: Tear down
10:30pm – Midnight: grab some food, drive to hotel/host home
Willet has also played at festivals that have featured bands such as Switchfoot, Relient K, and the Newsboys, and has been on tour with Electric & Musical Industries (EMI) recording artist Sanctus Real.
Jeremy said Christmas especially has deep meaning to him.
“Christmas to me is a celebration of the birth of our Savior and an extension of the rest of the year that we should be living our lives for Jesus,” he said. “Christians especially get upset when people call it a ‘holiday’ instead of saying ‘Christmas’, etc., but I don't get caught up in the wording or politics of it. Call it what you want, at the end of the day, it is all about who you believe in, and how you live your life.”
In addition to writing and playing music, Jeremy recently co-authored a book called “carried.” with friend and youth pastor Justin Hanneken.
“We wrote ‘carried.’ after a trip to Africa together in 2009,” he said. “It brings a unique perspective from a youth pastor that ministers in one location weekly, and a Christian touring musician that is in a different city each night. The book is all about how we should lay down our ‘kingdoms’ that we have built up—consumerism, materialism, patriotism—and instead, pick up our cross.”
Jeremy describes what happens at a Willet concert, and what he hopes people take away from the concert when they leave.
“At a Willet concert, people experience an hour of hearing/seeing our original songs performed live, sometimes synced with videos on a backdrop,” he said.
At every Willet concert, the band shares an update about an international community that they work in. Currently, Willet works in Ethiopia, Mozambique and Haiti and visits these countries several times each year.
“Our hope is that people walk away from a Willet concert with a sense of urgency to sponsor a child from one of the communities that we work in,” he said. “We have seen that when one person/family takes the time and sacrifice to sponsor one child living in extreme poverty, then an entire community is transformed. Over the past five years, over 2,000 children have been sponsored through Willet concerts.”
He says that Willet first decided to take on the endeavor of sponsoring children following their first trip to Ethiopia, Africa, in 2007. Jeremy said the songs that songs directly address child sponsorship are the entire record “Virus” that they released in 2008, as well as “Shelter” off their ‘Teeth of a Lion, Fangs of a Lioness” album.
“I sponsored my first child after meeting Food for the Hungry at a festival and hearing about their strategy to address both physical and spiritual needs in poverty-stricken communities,” he said. “Their vision to work with pastors, community leaders and the children is fantastic! When someone sponsors a child, they also provide funding for a missionary in that community to tell the children about Jesus!”
Jeremy says that he and his wife, Kat, have sponsored three children, and have had the chance to meet one of them.
“In 2011, we are adopting our first child from Africa as well,” he excitedly said. “We are so excited to become parents to an orphan!”
Jeremy says that he and his wife, Kat, have sponsored three children, and have had the chance to meet one of them.
“In 2011, we are adopting our first child from Africa as well,” he excitedly said. “We are so excited to become parents to an orphan!”
If high school students and their families would like to become involved with sponsoring a child this Christmas, Jeremy recommends either going to www.fh.org/willet or coming to one of the 15 cities on the Christmas tour listed at http://www.willetonline.com/.
The last song on Willet’s latest album "Teeth of a Lion, Fangs of a Lioness" is called "Steps." The lyrics are: "The more steps you take/The more that you leave behind/So who is following you now?" With this in mind, Jeremy sums up how he hopes to impact and influence others by the way that he lives.
“My goal is this—songs are important, music is fun, touring the world is a blast, but ultimately, all of that will pass away and be replaced by the ‘next thing,’” he said. “What really matters in this life is our relationship with Jesus, and how we love those around us. We do a lot internationally, but one of my favorite things to do in the U.S. is to go and meet homeless people under a railroad track in my hometown and take them out to dinner and talk to them. People living in poverty—domestic or international—deserve to be shown love. That is what The Bible is all about! That is what Jesus did! And...I want my life to look like Jesus.”
“My goal is this—songs are important, music is fun, touring the world is a blast, but ultimately, all of that will pass away and be replaced by the ‘next thing,’” he said. “What really matters in this life is our relationship with Jesus, and how we love those around us. We do a lot internationally, but one of my favorite things to do in the U.S. is to go and meet homeless people under a railroad track in my hometown and take them out to dinner and talk to them. People living in poverty—domestic or international—deserve to be shown love. That is what The Bible is all about! That is what Jesus did! And...I want my life to look like Jesus.”
Saturday, December 11, 2010
Everfound Rock the Halls in Russian
My favorite Christmas song('O Holy Night') + Russian = AWESOME! :)
Like what you see? Please feel free to check out the band's website, http://www.everfoundmusic.com/. Sposiba! (Thank you!) :)
I Don't Believe in Coincidences, And This is Why... :)
I don't believe in coincidences anymore--only in divine appointments. It seems that one story amazingly leads into another, and into another. God the Author has created beautiful stories, each one a chapter that is contributing with countless others into what seems to be a never-ending myriad of mellifluous melodies for His glory. Since meeting Ruslan Odnoralov, keyboardist and guitarist from the band Everfound at the Lifelight Christian music festival in 2008, I especially have refused to give any credit to "chance" or to "luck." At first, my conversation with Ruslan didn't seem like a big deal, but what has come as a result from it has made quite a series of wonderful impressions on my life. Little did I realize at the time, that, had I not walked into the merch tent that Friday afternoon, I would not have met so many AWESOME people! I thank God that I just 'happened' to walk into the merch tent, 'happened' to walk over to Everfound's table, and just 'happened' to talk with Ruslan, and become interested in Everfound's music. The following year, Everfound was at Lifelight again. While waiting in an autograph line for them after their show, I met an incredible friend of mine. Her name is Amy M. She is so sweet, and is very dear to my heart. After meeting Amy, another great story began. During this past year at Lifelight 2010, I was walking through the merch tent, and heard a voice behind me cry out, "I LOVE EVERFOUND!" I turned around and saw my soon-to-be friend Aiste M. standing there. She is such a delight, and also is my Russian-learning buddy! Here another great story began, as well. These are just two of the melodies that are being beautifully played out in this overall indescribably amazing song of the Master Musician's, with "I don't believe in coincidences anymore" being but six of the lyrics in the chorus that is my life.
Monday, August 30, 2010
Letter of Introduction...May I Introduce Myself... :)
Dear ___________,
Alas! Senior year has arrived just in time to see my freshman, sophomore, and penultimate years of my secondary education make both their stately entrances, and, their rather joyous exits. I am both appreciative and thrilled to be able to have obtained this opportunity of studying my final year at _____________ for the primary purpose of acquiring more knowledge on the subject of writing. During the course of the present semester, my profound hope is that whatever aptitude that I may possess in the topic may be better refined. I will most certainly labor to give my best performance in the subject in a manner that will not allow it to be perfunctory in the least.
Accompanied with my dedication to writing, are other appurtenances, of which, I believe, are aiding me in becoming a better writer and, also, I daresay, a more informed tenant of the present world. Of these, three of the focuses that have me most captivated are anthropology, the diversity of music, and reading. Collectively, they are allowing me to see the world, and history itself, from new and unique perspectives.
Studying anthropology through means of literature and media, I, have, theoretically, been able to journey outside of my state’s border, and away to far-off places, where, I can co-exist with Russians, Britons, Australians, and Finns—as well as among the indigenous tribes of Africa. Even though I, in reality, have not been able to travel to these people’s homelands as of yet, I have, nonetheless, been privileged to become acquainted with friends who have come to Sioux Falls from across the nations.
Sudan, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, the Philippines—these are only a few of the many places from which my delightfully unique friends have traveled from. They—especially my Russian-speaking acquaintances—have instilled in me a desire to learn their native tongues, of which I am currently learning Russian, as well as continuing to broaden my understanding of the Spanish language. In particular, the Russian culture has me deeply fascinated. I look forward to obtaining more information as to their way of life (and in the process consume more bowls of borscht as well)!
Flyleaf’s Memento Mori, Kelly Clarkson’s Breakaway, Coldplay’s Viva La Vida—these albums are currently resting on top of my dark-chocolate-colored dresser next to the media player in my bedroom, each disc eagerly aspiring for me to grant them the opportunity of articulating to me, however direct or indirect it may seem, their ideals and thoughts on life’s topics through their mellifluous melodies and words.
While listening to music, whether by myself or in the company of others, I endeavor to utilize proper discretion in what I am allowing myself to take in, not wanting to offer occasion for unsuitable thoughts to formulate in my already naturally sinful mind, as well as in the minds of everyone else. No, I’d rather determine to give my attention to the art that I know to be lovely and constructive, instead of to its antithesis, which is, in nature being contrary to the former, both perverted and destructive. That being stated, my overall credo on the subject of media is this: the influences to which I permit my rather delicate and impressionable mind to encounter must only contribute to the strengthening and preservation of my ethics, never detracting from them, but instead, building up the bettering of my own well-being, family, friends, church, community, nation, and world.
I take satisfaction in being just one of the many patrons who support the artists who have resolved to make a positive impact in their communities and around the world—the artists who have determined to not only play music and to support the respectable organizations, but also most importantly, to set an example with who they are and how they live, including the way that they treat other people, both on and off-stage.
Knowing that I am helping to promote compassionate, reputable causes with both my time and funds, and that, I am, in some method, helping to better the lives of beautiful strangers, gives me reason to consider many of the eclectic lyrics and sounds of music blasting through my stereo’s speakers…harmonies that promote hope…words that are worth my time.
Words. I know not how to express in a small amount of terms just how much they have truly aided in changing my life. Reading, I have found, is a great treasure indeed. Through literature’s impressively powerful influence, one can both receive words of wisdom, as well as return the favor by bestowing to others what he has learned throughout his many experiences in life besides.
For me personally, there are certain books that have already served as monuments in my young life thus far, books that have and are still continuing to mold me into the young woman who I am now and am continuing to become.
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl is the poignant story of teenager Anne Frank, a Jewish girl living in Holland with her family, who was threatened by blitzkrieg and later brutally murdered in a concentration camp in the Holocaust during World War II, after having been hidden away in a “secret annex” above her father’s office for two years. This is a much-loved book in my personal library. Even through the unimaginably hard times during World War II, Anne’s honesty and wittiness has made me appreciate who she was immensely, and has made me look at myself and ask, How would I respond if I were placed in the same position that she was?.
Rachel Scott, another girl, who, like me, also motivated by Anne Frank’s life and love for journaling, is the focus of my favorite biography/autobiography. Written by her parents in her honor, Rachel’s Tears is the story of 17-year-old Columbine victim Rachel Scott, Christian girl who was cruelly murdered by two of her fellow students at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, on Tuesday, April 20th, 1999, for her faith in God. This book, which includes journal entries of Rachel’s, has challenged me in a myriad of ways.
She was a person who was not afraid to reach out to others and to make sure that they felt loved and included, even if it meant going out of her way to help people. Her “chain reaction of love” still continues to live on, even after her untimely death that occurred a little over a decade ago. Rachel’s life has definitely motivated me to want to become a better person, friend, and citizen.
I have taken the statement that she had written on the front cover of her journal—“I WON’T BE LABELED AS AVERAGE”—as my own. Her wise words have definitely helped me to grow in my faith as well. “What is life when living without the Lifemaker?” she asked. “He [Jesus Christ] gave His life for me. I will give my life to Him,” she decided.
Even though I never had the opportunity of meeting Rachel, her legacy truly does live on. I have met her mother Beth Nimmo and have heard her speak about her daughter’s love for people, and how we also can extend a “chain reaction of love” to others—just like Rachel did. I am most honored to be friends with Rachel’s sister, Bethanee Scott McCandless. Just from corresponding with Bethanee and seeing how she reaches out and encourages people, I can imagine how Rachel did the same.
Through anthropology, the diversity of music, and reading, I have procured an invaluable wealth of knowledge about people, the world, and history. It is my supreme desire, that, through creative writing, I may use the wisdom and knowledge that I have obtained so far in this journey of life, to encourage, to reach out, to benefit, and to aid people who are struggling. To show Hope to the hopeless…to make a difference…one that will last.
Writing to Make a Difference,
Jenna
Alas! Senior year has arrived just in time to see my freshman, sophomore, and penultimate years of my secondary education make both their stately entrances, and, their rather joyous exits. I am both appreciative and thrilled to be able to have obtained this opportunity of studying my final year at _____________ for the primary purpose of acquiring more knowledge on the subject of writing. During the course of the present semester, my profound hope is that whatever aptitude that I may possess in the topic may be better refined. I will most certainly labor to give my best performance in the subject in a manner that will not allow it to be perfunctory in the least.
Accompanied with my dedication to writing, are other appurtenances, of which, I believe, are aiding me in becoming a better writer and, also, I daresay, a more informed tenant of the present world. Of these, three of the focuses that have me most captivated are anthropology, the diversity of music, and reading. Collectively, they are allowing me to see the world, and history itself, from new and unique perspectives.
Studying anthropology through means of literature and media, I, have, theoretically, been able to journey outside of my state’s border, and away to far-off places, where, I can co-exist with Russians, Britons, Australians, and Finns—as well as among the indigenous tribes of Africa. Even though I, in reality, have not been able to travel to these people’s homelands as of yet, I have, nonetheless, been privileged to become acquainted with friends who have come to Sioux Falls from across the nations.
Sudan, Russia, Brazil, Mexico, the Philippines—these are only a few of the many places from which my delightfully unique friends have traveled from. They—especially my Russian-speaking acquaintances—have instilled in me a desire to learn their native tongues, of which I am currently learning Russian, as well as continuing to broaden my understanding of the Spanish language. In particular, the Russian culture has me deeply fascinated. I look forward to obtaining more information as to their way of life (and in the process consume more bowls of borscht as well)!
Flyleaf’s Memento Mori, Kelly Clarkson’s Breakaway, Coldplay’s Viva La Vida—these albums are currently resting on top of my dark-chocolate-colored dresser next to the media player in my bedroom, each disc eagerly aspiring for me to grant them the opportunity of articulating to me, however direct or indirect it may seem, their ideals and thoughts on life’s topics through their mellifluous melodies and words.
While listening to music, whether by myself or in the company of others, I endeavor to utilize proper discretion in what I am allowing myself to take in, not wanting to offer occasion for unsuitable thoughts to formulate in my already naturally sinful mind, as well as in the minds of everyone else. No, I’d rather determine to give my attention to the art that I know to be lovely and constructive, instead of to its antithesis, which is, in nature being contrary to the former, both perverted and destructive. That being stated, my overall credo on the subject of media is this: the influences to which I permit my rather delicate and impressionable mind to encounter must only contribute to the strengthening and preservation of my ethics, never detracting from them, but instead, building up the bettering of my own well-being, family, friends, church, community, nation, and world.
I take satisfaction in being just one of the many patrons who support the artists who have resolved to make a positive impact in their communities and around the world—the artists who have determined to not only play music and to support the respectable organizations, but also most importantly, to set an example with who they are and how they live, including the way that they treat other people, both on and off-stage.
Knowing that I am helping to promote compassionate, reputable causes with both my time and funds, and that, I am, in some method, helping to better the lives of beautiful strangers, gives me reason to consider many of the eclectic lyrics and sounds of music blasting through my stereo’s speakers…harmonies that promote hope…words that are worth my time.
Words. I know not how to express in a small amount of terms just how much they have truly aided in changing my life. Reading, I have found, is a great treasure indeed. Through literature’s impressively powerful influence, one can both receive words of wisdom, as well as return the favor by bestowing to others what he has learned throughout his many experiences in life besides.
For me personally, there are certain books that have already served as monuments in my young life thus far, books that have and are still continuing to mold me into the young woman who I am now and am continuing to become.
Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl is the poignant story of teenager Anne Frank, a Jewish girl living in Holland with her family, who was threatened by blitzkrieg and later brutally murdered in a concentration camp in the Holocaust during World War II, after having been hidden away in a “secret annex” above her father’s office for two years. This is a much-loved book in my personal library. Even through the unimaginably hard times during World War II, Anne’s honesty and wittiness has made me appreciate who she was immensely, and has made me look at myself and ask, How would I respond if I were placed in the same position that she was?.
Rachel Scott, another girl, who, like me, also motivated by Anne Frank’s life and love for journaling, is the focus of my favorite biography/autobiography. Written by her parents in her honor, Rachel’s Tears is the story of 17-year-old Columbine victim Rachel Scott, Christian girl who was cruelly murdered by two of her fellow students at Columbine High School in Littleton, Colorado, on Tuesday, April 20th, 1999, for her faith in God. This book, which includes journal entries of Rachel’s, has challenged me in a myriad of ways.
She was a person who was not afraid to reach out to others and to make sure that they felt loved and included, even if it meant going out of her way to help people. Her “chain reaction of love” still continues to live on, even after her untimely death that occurred a little over a decade ago. Rachel’s life has definitely motivated me to want to become a better person, friend, and citizen.
I have taken the statement that she had written on the front cover of her journal—“I WON’T BE LABELED AS AVERAGE”—as my own. Her wise words have definitely helped me to grow in my faith as well. “What is life when living without the Lifemaker?” she asked. “He [Jesus Christ] gave His life for me. I will give my life to Him,” she decided.
Even though I never had the opportunity of meeting Rachel, her legacy truly does live on. I have met her mother Beth Nimmo and have heard her speak about her daughter’s love for people, and how we also can extend a “chain reaction of love” to others—just like Rachel did. I am most honored to be friends with Rachel’s sister, Bethanee Scott McCandless. Just from corresponding with Bethanee and seeing how she reaches out and encourages people, I can imagine how Rachel did the same.
Through anthropology, the diversity of music, and reading, I have procured an invaluable wealth of knowledge about people, the world, and history. It is my supreme desire, that, through creative writing, I may use the wisdom and knowledge that I have obtained so far in this journey of life, to encourage, to reach out, to benefit, and to aid people who are struggling. To show Hope to the hopeless…to make a difference…one that will last.
Writing to Make a Difference,
Jenna
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