"Hero" - Skillet Saturday 7 - Written by Jasmyn Wright

Its been far too long since I've posted anything. And I hope ya'll can forgive me.  Life has been hard the last few months.  Its been a real struggle for me to want to write.  But I'm feeling more inspired these days and I can't wait for all the posts that will come in 2014! So bear with me!  In the meantime, I'd like to introduce you all to an amazing writer and dear friend of mine, Jasmyn Wright, who I asked to write a guest post for me.

Of course she is as Skillet crazy as I am since we met at the Road to Rise tour, so it seemed only fitting to have her write something for my blog.  Enjoy!

*****

"I'm just a step away...I'm a just a breath away...losin my faith today...Falling off the edge today. I'm not superhuman. I need a hero!"

 In life I believe everything has meaning. There's nothing in the universe that doesn't. Patterns and rhythms...we might think are just coincidence, but they're not. Just as it wasn't a coincidence for my friend, KayLeigh to have asked me to write something for her Skillet blog series on her blog, song of songs. I believe it was ment to happen. It is my chance to tell my story of how I've been delivered with the inspiring band Skillet. 

  My journey is long and weary, but thank God for a band who knows how to word my feelings exactly. (:

 The start of my journey was when I was a defenseless child_ sexually abused by a close family member who was supposed to be protecting me rather than hurting me. 

    "Someone save me from the hate." 

 But I believe that it was the devil just expressing his hate toward me because he knew the strong woman of God I was going to be. And I know this because that abuse only happened that one time. And never again.  

  But although it never happened again, it did leave me with a on and off battle to fight. A battle that I thought I was alone in, and I sadly continuously let the devil talk me into believing I was never going to win. I never once thought what happened was my fault, but I did believe that something was wrong with me. 

    

   "Just a step from the edge..."

 For years I struggled with self-hate and self-abuse. I never thought anything I did was good enough. Even though I had plenty of godly, loving family members around to talk to and confide in, I never did because I allowed the devil to speak louder to me than God; I decided to listen to his voice rather than my personal hero. Jesus. 

  As years past by, I started blaming myself and what happened to me for my many failures. But the truth was, I was never doing my best because I was scared to succeed and I thought I wasn't worthy of being truly happy. 

   

"I gotta fight today, to live another day."

   I was fourteen, If I'm correct, when I first heard Skillet. I was playing smack down Vs. Raw with my two brothers and one sister. And the song (Hero) played on the root menu. I immediately fell in love with Jen's voice, and I pictured John's voice of a tall, lumberjack type of guy. Lol. (which he kinda does look like one when he has his full beard.)

(Best pic I could find of John's beard lol and Jenn too)

  I remember asking my brother over and over to play that game just so I could hear that song- I also found out that Monster was on there as well. Another song I love. (: 

 So shortly after I started looking up the songs and found Skillet. Their music changed my life, and although I listened to other types of Godly music, theirs was different in how it made me feel. 

 But as much as I wish I could say that from that day, the self-abuse situation stopped. It didn't. It was a pit that I'd dug myself into for years; and climbing out wasn't a one day journey. I had to go through a lot of self-doubt to even get to the place where I would allow myself to hear God's voice over the devils. 

   "The countdown begins to destroy ourselves!"

 But I will never forget the day when I finally and clearly heard the precious voice of my hero. 

    It was the time when I was so done with trying to get free from this battle. Nothing seemed to work out. EVERYTHING seemed to be falling apart. I ran from God's voice and listened back to the voice of the person who's hated me from the beginning. Who's held me down for so long, just so I would think suicide was the only way out. 

"I need a Hero, to save my life!"

And there I was, knife to waist. Tears on cheeks. Heart beating fast. No one around. Or so I thought...

"Who's gonna fight for what's right,

Who's gonna help us survive,

We're in the fight of our lives!

And we're not ready to die!

Who's gonna fight for the weak,

Who's gonna make 'em believe,

I've got a Hero

Livin' in me!"

My hero was there and he whispered... 

    "DON'T GIVE UP ON ME."

"A Hero'll save me just in time!" 

And here I am today, almost nineteen years old. I only give God the glory for that. If it was up to the devil, I would have die at only the age of fourteen. I'm not all I should be. But thanks to my hero Jesus I'm now not how I used to be. I can't even remember the last time I caused harm to myself or even hated myself. I love myself and the people I surround myself with each day; they're encouraging. And when I finally told my parents the truth, I found out that the devil was wrong. They were they for me and always will be. I now know how much God loves me. He loves me so much he gave his own life so that I could have life. (:

"A Hero's not afraid to give His life,

A Hero's gonna save me just in time!"

John Chpt. 19  --- Story of Christ rescuing us. 

*****
"Hero"  - Skillet Official music video

"Hero" - Lyric video

*****
"Hero"  - Lyrics -  From CD Awake

I'm just a step away
I'm just a breath away
Losin' my faith today
(Fallin' off the edge today)

I am just a man
Not superhuman
(I'm not superhuman)
Someone save me from the hate

It's just another war
Just another family torn
(Falling from my faith today)
Just a step from the edge
Just another day in the world we live

[Chorus:]
I need a hero to save me now
I need a hero (save me now)
I need a hero to save my life
A hero'll save me (just in time)

I've gotta fight today
To live another day
Speakin' my mind today
(My voice will be heard today)

I've gotta make a stand
But I am just a man
(I'm not superhuman)
My voice will be heard today

It's just another war
Just another family torn
(My voice will be heard today)
It's just another kill
The countdown begins to destroy ourselves

[Chorus]

I need a hero to save my life
I need a hero just in time
Save me just in time
Save me just in time

Who's gonna fight for what's right
Who's gonna help us survive
We're in the fight of our lives
(And we're not ready to die)

Who's gonna fight for the weak
Who's gonna make 'em believe
I've got a hero (I've got a hero)
Livin' in me

I'm gonna fight for what's right
Today I'm speaking my mind
And if it kills me tonight
(I will be ready to die)

A hero's not afraid to give his life
A hero's gonna save me just in time

[Chorus]

I need a hero
Who's gonna fight for what's right
Who's gonna help us survive

I need a hero
Who's gonna fight for the weak
Who's gonna make 'em believe
I need a hero
I need a hero

A hero's gonna save me just in time

*****

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

6.  Cutting through the ( American Noise)
http://kayleighryder.blogspot.com/2013/09/cutting-through-american-noise-skillet.html

****

Thanks so much for reading and huge thanks to Jasmyn for being a guest writer! I hope you all have a Happy New Year and a Blessed 2014!!! 

P.S. Skillet Saturday will continue and finish the Rise CD in January 2014.  

~Love and Blessings, KayLeigh

"Good To Be Alive" - Skillet Saturday 3

"When all you got are broken dreams

Just need a second chance

And everything you want to be 

Gets taken from your hands"

Right after I graduated High School in 2011, my world was turned upside down.  My parents sat me and my younger brother down and told us what no kids want to hear from their parents. 

"We're getting divorced." 

"This life could almost kill ya

When you’re trying to survive"

So many tears were shed that night as my parents explained why.   All I kept thinking was this is a horrible dream. 

This Can't be happening. Not to me. Not my parents.  Other peoples parents get divorced.  Not mine.  My parents were gonna be together forever.  Forever.  Does anything last forever? Are any relationships forever? God, how could you let this happen?! 

I was so angry at God for allowing everything to happen.  I was mad at my parents for the choices they had made.  I still couldn't wrap my brain around the fact that this was actually happening. 

I called my best friend who was my boyfriend at the time and told him everything that had happened.  He couldn't believe it either.  He told me it was gonna be okay and that he loved me. 

"It’s good to be alive

I was lost and I was gone

I was almost dead inside

You and me against the world

It’s a beautiful night

It’s good to be alive"

Ironically, just days before my parents told me they were getting divorced, me and my best friend of over two years finally admitted to being in love with each other.  I was flying high on a cloud.  I was so happy. It felt so good to be alive and to be able to experience everything that I was feeling and thinking.  Not knowing that only days later I would be wishing I couldn't feel anything.

Late that fateful night my boyfriend came and got me and we just drove around in silence for a long time.  I thought if I could keep from talking about it out loud that maybe it wouldn't happen. 

Despite the happiness my boyfriend caused me in the months to come, I was still in extreme pain while my parents were working over details of the divorce.  I thought life was gonna keep going down hill from there. I questioned God on a daily basis. Asking him if true love existed. If two people could stay together even if the worst should happen. 

My family, close friends and boyfriend surrounded me, my brother and parents with open arms and shoulders to cry on. Offering up pillows as punching bags or ice-cream as a sweet treat. During that whole time, I was overwhelmed with love.  God showed me love is real and that it exists in all forms.  That life was good.  That there was a light at the end of the tunnel, if I just kept moving. 

"Driving down this highway

Soaking up the sun

Got miles to go before we get home

And the journey’s just begun

We hold onto each other

You are everything I need

You feel like forever

You’re a second chance for me"

 God showed up and was on my side the whole time.  I love that saying about walking with God in the sand, and when you ask God where he was when you look at the one set of footprints during the hardest moments of your life, God looks back at you and says that's where I carried you.  Looking back know, I see God placed so many people in my life during that time that just loved on me and my family. 

"It’s good to be alive

I was lost and I was gone

I was almost dead inside

You and me against the world

It’s a beautiful night

It’s good to be alive

It’s beautiful night

Yeah, it’s all right

It’s good to be alive"

I believe that God puts people in our lives when we need them the most. Or when they need us.  My grandmother told me, "Friends are like the ever changing seasons. In blooming one minute, gone the next winter due to frostbite. "   I always hated that.  I hated how so many of my friends of the last few years came and left for different reasons.  Sometimes to this day I still hate it.  But now that I'm somewhat older I'm glad its this way.  I'm a different person than I was a few years back. Hopefully I've changed for the better as I attempt to adjust to this so called life as an adult.

And the light at the end of the tunnel was that my parents stayed together. I Thank God that so many people were praying for my parents marriage that when they went to sign the papers there was a change in hearts.  

 As much as the whole situation sucked, I'm glad I went through it because now I can relate to so many others and give them the hope that was given to me when I was hopeless and forgetting how good it was to be alive. 

******

(Song video and lyrics listed below after the contest details)

******

Want to Win Skillet's new CD Rise? Enter my Instagram contest! 

How ya enter:

1. Snap a pic of what your sick of

Featured  Photo (above)  from Instagram contest:  User:  @memoriesnlockets / we have a shoe problem.   Sick of Dirty shoes everywhere lol  #skilletsaturday_sos84  #sos84_contest

2.  Tag me in it @Nxt_Left 

3. Hashtag it  --   #skilletsaturday_sos84 ,  #sos84_contest 

4. Share the contest and tell others to like your picture! (If your account is private the photos can't be viewed :(  )

*I'll be featuring some of my favorites every Saturday on my blog until the contest is over :) 

*This contest will end when I finish the Skillet Saturday Series.  The Winner will be picked randomly and if the contest goes well I'll pick more than one winner! So plenty of time to win! :D Spread the word, share it, like it,ect!  So excited to see your photos!!!! 


******

Skillet - "Good to be Alive" 2013  (With interlude to "Not Gonna Die" at the end. AHHHHHH!!!!! Can I just say next saturday is one of my favorite songs off the album! Love the interlude and the crazy rock n roll in "not gonna die".  focus lol.  Link Below)

http://youtu.be/xW2kWbuTb2E

"Good To Be Alive"  (Lyrics)

When all you got are broken dreams

Just need a second chance

And everything you want to be

Gets taken from your hands

We hold onto each other

All we have is all we need

Because one way or another

We always thank it’s you and me

This life could almost kill ya

When you’re trying to survive

It’s good to be here with ya

And it’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

I was lost and I was gone

I was almost dead inside

You and me against the world

It’s a beautiful night

It’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

Driving down this highway

Soaking up the sun

Got miles to go before we get home

And the journey’s just begun

We hold onto each other

You are everything I need

You feel like forever

You’re a second chance for me

This life could almost kill ya

When you’re trying to survive

It’s good to be here with ya

And it’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

I was lost and I was gone

I was almost dead inside

You and me against the world

It’s a beautiful night

It’s good to be alive

It’s beautiful night

Yeah, it’s all right

It’s good to be alive

This life could almost kill ya

When you’re trying to survive

It’s good to be here with ya

It’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

And it’s good to be alive

It’s good to be alive

I was lost and I was gone

I was almost dead inside

You and me against the world

It’s a beautiful night

It’s good to be alive

It’s beautiful night

Yeah, it’s all right

It’s good to be alive

******

Check out the first two posts in the Skillet Saturday Series! 

"Rise" - Skillet Saturday 1

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

"Sick Of It" - Skillet Saturday 2

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

See ya back here next Saturday with "Not Gonna Die" 

~KayLeigh

"Rise" - Skillet Saturday 1

 I first listened to Skillet's latest CD "Rise" at their Road to Rise tour in Nashville. After previewing the album with the band,  I knew I had to do a series based off their new CD. 

 Birthing this new series, "Skillet Saturdays"

Skillet's Music first starting changing my life for the better when I heard them for the first time at Winter Jam when they had recently released their album "Comatose".  From that moment on,  I was hooked on their awesome rock in roll music.  Their music was crazy loud! Electric guitars, drums, John Cooper's voice, the works! The song lyrics were amazing! I loved how every song spoke to me in a different way. How I could relate what I was going through in my life with their music.  I've been a faithful panhead ever since :) 

*******

The world that we live in today is becoming so corrupt. It makes me sick.  All the school shootings. Bombings. Threats.  Parents afraid of sending their children to school, kids afraid of being at school. 

 People feeling like there is no hope in their lives driving them to the point of suicide. Or feeling so unloved that they are willing to self-harm or sell their bodies. 

With everything going on today, you don't feel safe anymore. 

"Everyday you need a bulletproof vest

To save yourself from what you could never guess!

Am I safe today?

When I step outside in the wars we wage!

 Our future's here and now,

Here comes the countdown!

Sound it off, this is the call!

Rise in revolution!

It's our time to change it all,

Rise in revolution!

Unite and fight, to make a better life!

Everybody one for all,

Sound off, this is the call, tonight we rise!"

 We need to Rise up and start a revolution!

We can so much for others if we allow God to use us.

It could be as simple as going up and introducing yourself to the kid in your school who sits by themselves.  It could be smiling at the person in the checkout line. It could be paying it forward and paying for some strangers meal. Random acts of kindness.  Its all the little things that add up and can change someones entire life.  

The darkness will fade because we will be the light!  We have to stand up for what we believe and fight for those who can't fight for themselves.  

 I love the part in the song "Rise" where is says, "Sometimes it's crazy, to fight for what you believe!"

   I find myself in a daily battle fighting to save my heart and body for my future spouse.  Especially these days when people believe its  the norm to go with your hormones.  I tell people I've never kissed anyone and that I'm saving my first kiss until I'm married and people call me all sort of names and give me crazy looks. Whispers that I'll be a nun forever, ect. 

 In my heart, this is what I feel called to do.  I love how the lyrics continue to tell me not to give up, to keep fighting for what I love and believe. 

 "In a world gone mad,

In a place so sad!

Sometimes it's crazy

To fight for what you believe!

But you can't give up,

If you wanna keep what you love!

(Keep what you love)

Keep what you love

(Keep what you love)

Keep what you love

Never give up, no!!!

Rise.

Rise in revolution

Rise.

Rise in revolution

Everybody one for all,

Sound off, this is the call!"

So will you accept this challenge and Rise up with me?

***********

Skillet "Rise" Lyric Video - (It says it has lryics but it only has a few. Lyrics posted below link)

http://youtu.be/b3jQ0tFqG_0

 Skillet Rise Acoustic @ Road to Rise Nashville  (Link below - From @PeaceLoveSkillet - It was amazing having them perform for us in Nashville!!)

http://youtu.be/e-1iV5WFcwE 

"Rise"

All I see is shattered pieces
I can't keep it hidden like a secret
I can't look away!
From all this pain in a world we made!

Everyday you need a bulletproof vest
To save yourself from what you could never guess!
Am I safe today?
When I step outside in the wars we wage!

Our future's here and now,
Here comes the countdown!

Sound it off, this is the call!
Rise in revolution!
It's our time to change it all,
Rise in revolution!
Unite and fight, to make a better life!
Everybody one for all,
Sound off, this is the call, tonight we rise!

Rise.
Tonight we rise
Rise.
Tonight we rise!

Like a hand grenade thrown in a hurricane,
Spinning in chaos, trying to escape the flame,
Yesterday is gone!
Faster than the blast of a car bomb!

And when the scars heal, the pain passes,
As hope burns, we rise from the ashes!
Darkness fades away!
And the light shines on a brave new day!

Our future's here and now,
Here comes the countdown!

Sound it off, this is the call!
Rise in revolution!
It's our time to change it all,
Rise in revolution!
Unite and fight to make a better life!
Everybody one for all,
Sound off, this is the call, tonight we rise!

Rise.
Tonight we rise
Rise.
Tonight we rise!

In a world gone mad,
In a place so sad!
Sometimes it's crazy
To fight for what you believe!
But you can't give up,
If you wanna keep what you love!
(Keep what you love)
Keep what you love
(Keep what you love)
Keep what you love
Never give up, no!!!

Rise.
Rise in revolution
Rise.
Rise in revolution

Everybody one for all,
Sound off, this is the call!

Rise
Like we're alive
Tonight we rise
Rise
Make a better life
Tonight we rise!

Rise, rise, rise in revolution
Rise, rise, rise in revolution
Rise.

[phone rings]

[Operator:] 911?
[Woman:] There's a guy here with a gun!
[Operator:] Ma'am? Ma'am?
[Woman:] Kids, get under the table! Kids get under the table!!!

[News reporter:] We are getting new reports from all around the globe, showing the highest unemployment rates since the end of World War II. Many are losing their jobs, their homes, and in many cases, their hope.

[Dispatch:] [static police call] Domestic Disturbance in progress [more static]

[Upset parent:] You are such a failure! What is wrong with you? You're worthless! You can't do anything right! I wish you had never been born! 

*****************

Check back next Skillet Saturday for  "Sick Of It"

Hashtag  #skilletsaturday_sos84   on instagram @nxt_left

Follow the facebook page to stay updated!  

https://www.facebook.com/KayleighsBlogSongOfSongs84

Music Monday - When the Right One Comes Along

Being single can be amazing at times, while other times you can feel really lonely.

  While I was solving all the worlds problems with my elderly neighbor Mrs.Wanda the other day I was inspired for this post. We were talking about life,love, and boys.   I was telling her that I'm so tired of playing games with guys.  I'm tired of being a jerk magnet (or at least feeling like it lol) and attracting guys that only wanna bring me down or play with my heart. 

 Don't you wish guys came with a label saying I'm not the one.

 I miss being in a relationship. Having someone to share my dreams with and talk to all the time.  I feel lonely.  I tell people I'm content being single, because I know God has someone made just for me. But since I'm being honest, I'm tired of being single.  I know God is my lover. And I know when I can be truly satisfied with just loving God, that's when He'll bring someone into my life.  I don't want a relationship just to say I'm in one. 

  

I told her I don't see a guy fitting into my life anytime soon. Boyfriends are too much work I told her. Time and work I need to spend on other things.   She then gives me some amazing advice-- and this is why I love her so much! 

"The right one will come into your life when you least expect it. And I'll be here to see it happen.  He'll sweep you off your feet and glue a smile permanently to your face. He'll have the same strong beliefs and values that I have. He'll support me and spoil me.  He'll encourage me with my dreams and goals.  Our life dreams won't clash, but will mesh together beautifully. He'll come along when I'm living my life to fullest and I'm ready and willing to share the ride with someone else."

 From the moment I heard the song "When the Right One Comes Along" on the tv show Nashville I instantly fell in love with it.  Sam and Clare's voices are amazing.  (Too bad we can't do the whole little mermaid thing where we steal their voices haha cus I would totally steal her voice. Moving on.)  

 

Everyone is always telling me that when the right one comes along, that I'll know it. That I'll get this feeling that I've never had before.  He'll  just show up out of the blue and I'll be saying to him,  "where have you been my whole life??"   He'll probably look at me, smile and say, "I got lost darling."  I'll look back at him and say, "It's about time ya got here. Kept me waiting long enough. " LOL :)  

  ~Every single broken heart will lead you to the truth
you think you know what you’re lookin for
til what you’re lookin for finds you

One day all those broken pieces of our heart will be healed. And this one special person will help us see why it never worked out with anyone before. We think we know what we want, but we really don't.  Then one day, when the timing is right and when we're ready, the right one comes along. And they turn out better than we ever imagined they could be. 

It's just the waiting on them that is hard.    I'm not saying I'll have the perfect relationship-- since nobody is perfect that can't happen.  But it will be amazing and everything God said it would be.  I'll be blowing confetti and crowds (my family and closest friends) will be cheering for me.  

~ All that changes is only everything
when the right one comes along

 ******

 Nashville – Lyrics: When The Right One Comes Along

When The Right One Comes Along
Written by: Justin Davis, Georgia Middleman, and Sarah Zimmerman
Sung by: Clare Bowen (Scarlett) and Sam Palladio (Gunnar)
______________________________________________________

There’s no music, no confetti
Crowds don’t cheer, and bells don’t ring
but you’ll know it, I can guarantee
when the right one comes along

What they’re thinkin’, what you’re feelin,
You no longer have to guess
All those questions are finally put to rest
When the right one comes along

Every single broken heart will lead you to the truth
you think you know what you’re lookin for
til what you’re lookin for finds you

In a cold world, it’s a warm place
where you know you’re supposed to be
A million moments full of sweet relief
when the right one comes along

Every single broken heart will lead you to the truth
you think you know what you’re lookin’ for
til what you’re lookin’ for finds you

It’s so easy, nothin’ to it
though you may not believe me now
But I promise that you’ll find out
When the right one comes along

All that changes is only everything
when the right one comes along

******

Couldn't decide who's version to share since I love both their voices.  So here's the link below with lyrics to both.   promises

When the Right One Comes Along - Sam Palladio

http://youtu.be/Y82R9CTaDa4

When the Right One Comes Along- Clare Bowen & Sam Palladio

http://youtu.be/SFpw0vFCvWk

Love, KayLeigh <3
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