Category Archives: Reviews

Entertainment, Reviews

Natalie Grant – King of the World

Leave a comment

I love words.  I love how words can bring out emotions that just would not come up from a visual perspective.  Words allow you to use your emotions and imaginations.  From the days of my parents reading to me a bedtime story, to the days of reading my favorite author – Sidney Sheldon, words always captivated me.  Naturally, the words of the Bible is the biggest inspiration to me.  Just before the holiday season, I came across the voice of Natalie Grant while listening to K-Love.  King of the World is one of those songs that just connects you to God. The instruments in the background is soft and reflective…but its the lyrics and content of the song that got to me.

I tried to fit you in the walls inside my mind
I try to keep you safely in between the lines
I try to put you in the box that I’ve designed
I try to pull you down so we are eye to eye

When did I forget that you’ve always been the king of the world?
I try to take life back right out of the hands of the king of the world
How could I make you so small
When you’re the one who holds it all
When did I forget that you’ve always been the king of the world

Just a whisper of your voice can tame the seas
So who am I to try to take the lead
Still I run ahead and think I’m strong enough
When you’re the one who made me from the dust

When did I forget that you’ve always been the king of the world?
I try to take life back right out of the hands of the king of the world
How could I make you so small
When you’re the one who holds it all
When did I forget that you’ve always been the king of the world

Oh, you set it all in motion
Every single moment
You brought it all to me
And you’re holding on to me

When did I forget that you’ve always been the king of the world?
I try to take life back right out of the hands of the king of the world
How could I make you so small
When you’re the one who holds it all
When did I forget you’ve always been the king of the world
You will always be the king of the world

be_one_by_natalie_grant

Just reading those lyrics give me chills.  In life, we try to make moves in our life to better our current situation and sometimes that leads us into thinking we know better than God; i am not innocent in that as well.  I think i know better and i try to “make moves” when in reality my “moves” are just making my blessings take a little longer.  King of the World  is a reminder that God is indeed the Alpha and Omega and in no way can i do ANYTHING without him

I could not find an official version of the original song but this acoustic version will give you just as much chills.

If you have Apple music, you can find the album simply by searching Natalie Grant – BE ONE.  For iTunes users can go here. Finally, if you use Spotify you can find it here.

Dont forget to follow Natalie Grant on Twitter.

Thank you Natalie for such a beautiful song that connects us to God and reminds us of his power and glory. – PJSLB

***Natalie Grant is also an author.  I will definitely have to pick up this book.***

Entertainment, Family, Music, Reviews

Christian Christmas Music Day 10 – Taylor Swift

Leave a comment

***Until Christmas Day, I will be highlighting one song that defines Christmas for me and my family. Hopefully, some of these songs will be an inspiration to you and your family as well.

Day 10 – Taylor Swift – A country start that became the Pop icon

The Taylor Swift Holiday Collection Song – Silent Night

screen-shot-2016-12-16-at-8-18-35-am
My family loves Taylor Swift.  Let me start by saying that we were Taylor Swift fans before Taylor Swift was Taylor Swift.  We have been fans since her country days and to be honest, there are times when we still listen to the “old songs” because Ms. Taylors voice and a guitar was just pure magic.  The same can be said with Taylor’s version of Silent Night.  It is such a change of pace (in a good way) to your traditional version of the song.  It was a song that we would listen to when we would be missing Georgia.

In 2014, my daughter and I had the chance of a lifetime to not only spend a night with Taylor Swift but also do so at the Mall of Asia Arena in Manila, Philippines.  My daughter had an absolute blast! This concert had a huge impact on my daughter.  Even now at the age of 10, my daughter still wears Keds, writes poems, short stories, and has journals because “…thats what Taylor use to do”.  Since the concert she also started joining the school choir and has participated in plays.  Never would have imagined that a concert would have such an impact on a 8 year old.  Taylor Swift’s  1989 album is my families soundtrack during our adventures in the Pacific and Asia for the last two years.  Believe me, Shake it off and Blank Space has been blasted in the Philippines, Japan, and Guam plenty of times! -PJSLB

Exclusive Taylor Swift Keds Shoes from the Red Tour (Asia swing)…on sold at concerts.

My little girls first concert

Music, Reviews

Christian Christmas Music Day 9 – Ed Ames

1 Comment

***Until Christmas Day, I will be highlighting one song that defines Christmas for me and my family. Hopefully, some of these songs will be an inspiration to you and your family as well.

Day 9 – Ed Ames – A voice from the 60’s

Christmas with Ed Ames Song – Away in a manger

Away in a manger
No crib for His bed
The little Lord Jesus
Lay down His sweet head

The stars in the sky
Look down where He lay
The little Lord Jesus
Asleep on the hay

The cattle are lowing
The poor Baby wakes
But little Lord Jesus
No crying He makes

I love Thee, Lord Jesus
Look down from the sky
And stay by my side
‘Til morning is nigh

Be near me, Lord Jesus
I ask Thee to stay
Close by me forever
And love me, I pray

Bless all the dear children
In Thy tender care
And take us to Heaven
To live with Thee there

 

My love for Hip Hop is well documented but sometimes you just need to bring it back to the classics.  Ed Ames has that kind of voice.  When you hear it, memories of the a different time comes.  Many of you have never heard of Ed Ames but after hearing this son, I hope you give him a try.  Ed always brings back the times when life was just a little more simple.  Merry Christmas to all!  =)  -PJSLB

Music, Reviews

Christian Christmas Music Day 8 – Whitney Houston

2 Comments

***Until Christmas Day, I will be highlighting one song that defines Christmas for me and my family. Hopefully, some of these songs will be an inspiration to you and your family as well.

Day 8 – Whitney Houston – Sung the best version of the US National Anthem

One Wish The Holiday Album Song – O come O come, Emmanuel

whitney-houston-84791_1280

Growing up, there was a voice that no matter was the topic of her song, always had me just stay still and listen.  There was her song for the movie The Bodyguard, I Ihave Nothing that has parts in it where you really doubt that it is a human being singing because there is no way a human can hit those notes with such command and ease.  Mrs. Houston had me standing still again during the beginning Super Bowl XXV (my Giants won!) when just days after the US entered the war, she sang what is to this day the standard of what the US National Anthem should sound like.

Whitney’s struggles while on earth is well document BUT also is her love for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  When people ask me how can someone like Whitney say they love the Lord and particiapte in such aweful things, my answer is always the same:

Our Lord is comfort to those who seek him.  We are all lost and broken and it is thru Jesus that we are redeemed.  Our salvation is something that no person on this earth can take away for it is a gift from God.  A gift we received when we accepted the Lord Jesus Christ as our savior who died for our sins.

Merry Christmas to all!  =)  -PJSLB