"Cutting Through The (American Noise)" - Skillet Saturday 6: By Bert Starzer

This guest post is written by fellow writer Bert Starzer, Author of "Hershey The Hound of Hope: In Search of Her Forever Home"

Link to Bert's Blog and his Website:  (Below)

http://bnatl.wordpress.com/2013/09/19/cutting-through-the-american-noise/ 

www.hopedistributionstudios.com


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I have never asked to be apart of a blog much less any writing exercise on the web.  However, when I came across KayLeigh's blog, Song of Songs 8:4, and her recent series based off the rock band Skillet and their latest CD release, Rise, I really felt my spirit stir with excitement.  Not only had I found another writer who shares a love for my most favorite band in the entire world, but KayLeigh's passion and desire to delve deeper into the songs really captured me.  I've been following along each week as she has used a very personal touch in sharing what the music of Skillet has meant to her and how God has continually shown His love.

In my entire life I have never come across a band who has spoken to the very core of what I am going through in my life than Skillet.  Ever since I have been listening to them, from their self titled album Skillet, it has felt like John Cooper, lead singer and bass player, has been keeping a diary of my life.  Through the good times as well as the hard times, you could pick any Skillet album and a song and I would be able to tell you exactly what was going on in my life at that time.  What's amazing to me is just when I believe this will never happen again, the next album comes out and again I am floored by the accuracy of the lyrics and my life at the time.  Rise has been no different.  In fact, with this album I am thinking of getting a restraining order to make sure Mr. Cooper isn't eaves dropping on my conversations with God, LOL!!  All kidding aside the song that has been stirring me lately is titled “American Noise”.

"Angry words and honking cars
Satellites and falling stars
Distant dark blue radios that whisper down my boulevards
Ghosts and chains rattle in the attic
Broken headphones filled with static
Lonely room you’ve got nowhere to run"

As some of you may know, I self published my first children's book titled 'Hershey the Hound of Hope (In Search Of Her Forever Home)' and with self publishing in order to create any amount of buzz you need to spend a good bit of time doing the social media tour.  Prior to the release of Rise I had been fairly active on Twitter and Facebook.  I had also opened a Pheed account and linked all of my sites together so I wouldn't have to make redundant posts.  You can say I am a social media geek.  Any way, while I have met some very awesome people on the sites I had been telling myself I was doing the social media tour to advertise my book.  While I had done some advertising and promotion at the same time I had become addicted to them and was spending hours just reading, responding and creating various messages.  I neglected my sleep and after several months of only getting around 4-5 hours of sleep a night my immune system shut down.  I became extremely sick with strep throat that nearly went into pneumonia.  Now while mine is only a cautionary tale and not as severe or tragic as some other experiences, it was during this time God began to seek me.

"Times will be bad, times will be good
Things I wish I hadn’t done and some I wish I would
Cutting through the American noise
You’ve got a voice and a song to sing (and a song to sing)
Drink deep in the morning
Drink deep in the morning
See what the day will bring"

I've been a follower of Jesus Christ now for 20 years and I can say my walk has not been the ideal model.  However, I know that through everything God has always been there with me.  Encouraging me and loving me, desiring my best.  Shortly before I became sick one of my best friends gave me a book that a mutual friend had given her to give to me.  The title of the book is 'How To Stop The Pain' by Dr. James B. Richards.  Now every day for a month or two after receiving the book I clearly heard God tell me I needed to read the book.  And every day I continued to ignore God.  In stead I chose to spend my time playing in the social media world and ignore God's best for my life. 

Now to peel away just another layer of the onion to allow you to see a bit deeper, while I was busy social networking and ignoring God, I had begun to battle depression once again.  I have for many years battled what I call 'cycles of life'.  You know those seasons where you are on top of the world for a week to a month and then you gradually fall to the point where it feels impossible to pull yourself out of bed the next day and it continues till you ride the very same roller coaster the next week to a month?  Well if you haven't had those struggles feel very blessed.  Most of my issues were tied to self esteem and my world view which began to bring me to a complete free fall and it was beginning to be documented on my Twitter, Facebook and Pheed time lines.  It was as though self destruction was inevitable.  Then I got sick.  So sick I was out of work for over a week.  So sick the only activity I wanted to participate in was sleeping, period.  During this time I decided to yield my will and listen to the lover of my soul and so I began to read.  For those who know me well know I am not a reader.  I know it sounds weird, an author who doesn't read, but yep, that is me. As I began to read however, God began to show me where my mind set was off.  Where I had not forgiven some in my heart and most importantly how my own concept of Him and His love was so far off base it was holding me back from partaking in all of His promises and even more I was missing out on living a life free from the pain I had been engaged in battle with for so long.  To make a long story short Jesus with His ever loving arms delivered me once again.  This time however, He illustrated to me by His deep and passionate love how to use all the tools He has already provided and let me say freedom has never tasted so sweet. 

"La da da da
Lift up your voice
Let love cut through the American noise
La da da da
Lift up your voice
Let love cut through the American noise"

It's been nearly two months now since I was sick and two months since I last battled any type of depression.  It has also been two months since I have ventured into any social media sites.  Most of the updates have come strictly through my web site, Hope Distribution Studios.  I have to admit to peeking on my Facebook app.  However, my time on social sites is practically zero.  So what does all this have to do with Skillet and the song American Noise?

"No matter who you are you've got a voice
Why don’t you use it
Sing your own song take all the noise
And make it into music"

Every day we are bombarded by social media, TV and the latest craze.  We no longer need the use of a lap top or desktop because we have the entire social media sphere at our finger tips with our phones.  I am in no way saying we need to ditch technology and I am not even advocating limits of usage or some legalism type system for me or you.  Rules and legalistic rituals are very far from God's heart and love.  What I am saying is this, God loves you and is wanting to converse with you.  The only One who truly knows what you are going through and truly desires your best interest is speaking and you have a choice.  Allow God to cut through all of the 'American Noise' and speak to you or continue to ignore the true lover of your soul, and miss out on the life only Jesus can give you.   Jesus said, “come to me all who labor and are heavy labored and I will give you rest”.  Are you struggling with life?  Are you seeking an answer for the pain you relieve day in and day out?  Have you ever felt true love?  A love that you never have to work for or try to earn but is right in front of you?  Don't allow the 'American Noise' silence God's voice.  Don't allow the 'American Noise' to keep you from God's gift.  All it takes are 4 simple words.  Jesus Please Save Me.  Open your heart to Him and you will never be disappointed.  I chose to cut through the 'American Noise', and my prayer is you do as well.  Thank you for your time and a very special thanks to KayLeigh for her inspiration and allowing God to use her in an amazing way.  Keep up the awesome work my fellow Pan Head!!  Now, it's time to RISE!!

If after reading this you would like more info or you would like to ask me any questions I will be more than happy to help you.

Coming soon a new series on Faith and Love.  Please stay tuned to Hope Distribution Studios at www.hopedistributionstudios.com

******

Lyric Video for "American Noise" (Above)

"American Noise"

Angry words and honking cars
Satellites and falling stars
Distant dark blue radios that whisper down my boulevards
Ghosts and chains rattle in the attic
Broken headphones filled with static
Lonely room you’ve got nowhere to run

3, 2, 1 for all and all for 1

Times will be bad, times will be good
Things I wish I hadn’t done and some I wish I would
Cutting through the American noise
You’ve got a voice and a song to sing (and a song to sing)
Drink deep in the morning
Drink deep in the morning
See what the day will bring

La da da da
Lift up your voice
Let love cut through the American noise
La da da da
Lift up your voice
Let love cut through the American noise

Slamming doors and cell phone rings
Hurricane force of silent screams
Don’t know what to believe
Bend the rule just to break it
You're so tired 'cause you're gotta fake it
But you just wanna be someone

3, 2, 1 for all and all for 1

Times will be bad, times will be good
Things I wish I hadn’t done and some I wish I would
Cutting through the American noise
You’ve got a voice and a song to sing (and a song to sing)
Drink deep in the morning
Drink deep in the morning
See what the day will bring

La da da da
Lift up your voice
Let love cut through the American noise
La da da da
Lift up your voice
Let love cut through the American noise

No matter who you are you’ve got a voice
Why don’t you use it
Sing your own song take all the noise
And make it into music

La da da da
La da da da
La da da daaaa
La da da da
La da da da
La da da daaaaaaa

La da da da lift up your voice
Let love cut through the American noise
La da da da you have a choice
Let love cut through the American noise
You’ve got a voice
Let love cut through the American noise

*****

Catch up on the other Skillet Saturdays:

1. Rise
http://kayleighryder.blogspot.com/2013/07/rise-skillet-saturday-1.html

2. Sick of It

http://kayleighryder.blogspot.com/2013/08/sick-of-it-skillet-saturday-2.html

3. Good to Be Alive
http://kayleighryder.blogspot.com/2013/08/good-to-be-alive-skillet-saturday-3.html

4.  Salvation
http://kayleighryder.blogspot.com/2013/08/salvation-skillet-saturday-4.html

5. Hard to Find
http://kayleighryder.blogspot.com/2013/08/hard-to-find-skillet-saturday-5.html

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Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) - Worship Wednesday

This worship Wednesday fits good with this upcoming Saturdays post.  Hope ya enjoy :)

Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) Hillsong cover by Sarah Reeves (Link Below)

http://youtu.be/Jhf6XHvMHqE

*****
We've been singing this song "Oceans (Where Feet May Fail) - by Hillsong at church for several weeks now.  The more I hear it, and the more I listen to the lyrics, the more they become my prayer.

We all want that amazing faith based relationship with God, yet there's not many of us that actually go after it.  When He tells us to jump off the cliff into the deep dark swirling waters, we often hesitate. We look down too long and end up freaking ourselves out.  The voices in our head are shouting don't jump! Look how far down that is! DO you know how cold that water is? Its so dark.  What If I don't resurface? What if I drown because I'm fighting to hard against the current? What if?

We all have times in our lives where like Jonah from the bible (Jonah and the whale/fish, you've probably heard of him if you've spent any time in church.) we try and run from God.  We run  from places we're supposed to go, we put off events we're supposed  to do, we push away people that are supposed to be in our lives.   Jonah didn't trust God enough to go to Ninevah and preach the gospel, he didn't trust that God knew what he was doing.  Are you sure you want me to go there God? I think those crazy people in Ninevah are kinda a lost cause.  #justsaying

"You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand"

Two years ago I started teaching a group of middle school aged girls on Wednesday nights, (which I still teach today).  When my youth pastor asked me to teach them, I told him he was crazy.  I wasn't and I'm still not the best christian or godly person around.  I said I wasn't the best person for the job.  But he told me I had a big caring heart and I loved God.  He said that's all you need.  God will give you the words to say, if you just let him use you.

 And like Jonah, I put off teaching for awhile, even though I knew that's what God wanted me to do.  I didn't want to be a leader. What If  I lead them the wrong way, or couldn't answer their tough questions.

I remember my time in the belly of the whale, it wasn't fun.  We all have those icky moments in between running from God and having a brick wall thrown in front of us. The God prompts.   I remember the moment inside my whale where I finally told God I would let him use me to teach and love this group of girls.

"And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine"

Someone told me God doesn't call the equipped, He calls those who are unequipped so that they have to rely on Him.  And its so true.  I love all my girls. I can't picture myself not being their leader and friend. Watching them grow the last two years, and me growing right along with them.  There have definitely been periods of time where I wanted to pull my hair out and wonder what the heck I was even doing. Especially when I was asked hard questions that I didn't have good answers to.  Times where I was extremely selfish (more recently the last few months) and wanted to leave and move on (Like Jonah).  I have often felt way to inexperienced to be their leader.  But God is still working on me.  God has shown me recently that I'm just what they need.  They need someone who shows them on a daily basis that I'm far from perfect but that I still strive to be a good Godly person.  They need someone to listen to them pour their hearts out, and someone to love them. In a million years I wouldn't have picked myself to teach them, But I'm glad God and many others saw what I didn't see in myself at the time.  I'm so glad God loves them 1000 times more than I ever could...

"Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now"

*****
And this is my prayer....

"Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior"

My Beautiful Girls <3


God, Thank you for everything you have been showing me lately.  (Especially the things I didn't appreciate at first.)  Be with all my beautiful girls and help me continue to lead them onto your path.  My faith is being made stronger the more I teach them.  Thank you Jesus for being our Savior.  For saving me. I love you. And I love those girls. 

When you pray prayers like that, that's when the Devil throws crap at you to slow you down.  And I'm sorry to say I've been slowed down. That I've felt defeated lately.  So keep me and my girls in your prayers.  I would greatly appreciate it.  

~KayLeigh
P.s. Check out Jonahs story in : Jonah Chpt. 1. starting in verse 1 - 

"Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)"

You call me out upon the waters
The great unknown where feet may fail
And there I find You in the mystery
In oceans deep
My faith will stand

And I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Your grace abounds in deepest waters
Your sovereign hand
Will be my guide
Where feet may fail and fear surrounds me
You've never failed and You won't start now

So I will call upon Your name
And keep my eyes above the waves
When oceans rise
My soul will rest in Your embrace
For I am Yours and You are mine

Spirit lead me where my trust is without borders
Let me walk upon the waters
Wherever You would call me
Take me deeper than my feet could ever wander
And my faith will be made stronger
In the presence of my Savior
[x6]

I will call upon Your Name
Keep my eyes above the waves
My soul will rest in Your embrace
I am Yours and You are mine

*****
If you like this post you may want to check out my first "Worship Wednesday" 

http://kayleighryder.blogspot.com/2012/08/lift-me-up-aftersworship-wednesday1.html