Out of Darkness, Into the Marvelous Light

I was driving to the bookstore and in my head, I heard the theme song from a very popular movie. I looked up the tune on YouTube and started watching the video. The music was playing, but I had to cut it off halfway through. Something just wasn't right...

Then, these words flowed from my lips:

"Thank you for calling me out of darkness and into your marvelous light...

Thank you for calling me out of darkness and into your marvelous light...

Into your marvelous light..

Into your marvelous,

Into your marvelous,

Into your marvelous light..."

I kept singing it over and over until I reached the parking lot of the bookstore. I went inside, grabbed me a chai tea latte and began to write this blog post.

Music is a very powerful tool. It's one of the most beautiful expressions of art given to us by our Heavenly Father. But, in the wrong hands, it can become a weapon of mass destruction.

Lately, my ears have been very sensitive to music. It's like I have a new filter and my spirit can't (and won't) tolerate some things anymore. Even this past week, I've had to make some tough decisions, musically but obedience to God is more important to me.

Many of us who are big music fans have a tendency to get "lost" in the beat, often ignoring the lyrics. I'm guilty of this myself. In this movie's theme song, it wasn't necessarily the lyrics but the melody that didn't sit well with me.

Honestly, I shouldn't be surprised. My wife and I couldn't finish part 1 of this particular movie series because it was too weird. So we knew part 2 would be even worse.

What saddens me is that this song was written by some of our favorite artists. All of which who seem to be forging down an even darker path.

Matthew 15:11 says "It is not what enters the mouth that defiles the man, but what proceeds out of the mouth, this defiles a man."

If someone has a "dark heart," darkness comes out. The same is true for someone who's heart is full of light - light proceeds from him or her. It's like the other saying"You shall know a tree by the fruit it bears." (Matthew 7:16)

I believe those words "thank you for calling me out of darkness" were from my soul, reminding me of those days I wallowed in the night: my bouts of loneliness, depression, attempted suicide, identity and low self-esteem issues. But it began to rejoice in the goodness of the Lord by saying the latter "...and into your marvelous light" - finally being free to live and love without fear or condemnation.

The Real Love Project is a snapshot of my journey from darkness into light - chronicling my days of looking for love in all the wrong places and finally being awakened by the One who loved me first.

I can't wait for you to hear this record.

THAT'S MY JAM! - Love Songs

You know that feeling you get when hear your favorite song? Or better yet, your favorite song that you haven't heard in a long time? Yup...that one. 

I found my old cd case this week and one of the CDs was from one of my favorite male vocalists - Will Downing. He and Rachelle Ferrell recorded one of the best love songs of all time - "Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This." I played it this morning on the way to work and thought of some other love songs that I really enjoy.

They are as follows (but in no particular order):

1. Love Came Down - Kari Jobe

We sang this one for our Christmas program at church and it's still resonating with us.

2. 143 - Musiq Soulchild

Musiq is one of the most creative songwriters of our generation. I love the storytelling aspect of this song.

3. Wanted - Hunter Hayes

My wife actually put me on to Hunter Hayes' music and I've been a fan ever since. The lyrics...man...

4. The Power of Love - Huey Lewis & The News

This is an "oldie but goodie" that has recently piqued my interest. May even do an updated cover of it. ;)

5. I Love Your Presence - Bethel Church

I'm captivated from the first chord of this song and the bridge is from another familiar song. Do you know what it is?

6. Let's Stay Together - Al Green

My wife and I had our first dance to this song when we started dating. :) And who doesn't love some Al Green?!

7. Treasure - Bruno Mars

One of our favorite songs from one of the greatest performers of our time! (i.e. My wife is saved in my phone as Treasure, so that just tells ya right there...#jussayin)

8. Nothing Has Ever Felt Like This - Will Downing & Rachelle Farrell

In my opinion, this is one of the best duets of all time. I usually vibe to the groove first, but the lyrics got me. I've heard this song a million times and I guess I never really paid attention to what they were really saying. #grownfolksmusic

9. How He Loves Us - Jesus Culture arrangement

I've heard this song performed by many different artists, but there is something really special on this arrangement...

10. YOUR Love Song

Love songs mean different things to different people. What's YOUR favorite love song and why? Post the link or lyrics if possible! 

Why I Love Her So Much...

When reading through most of my social media posts, blogs, writings or discussions, I would say that 90% of my content involves a "my wife and I" statement. Won't you agree? :) And all the more reason to!

When we began our journey of becoming one, our thoughts, experiences, inside jokes and even tears became living expressions that have brought us closer and have helped to define/refine our perspective on life and love.

Music is my passion, and it's often a major way I express myself when I can't find the right words to say. I've been working on my first LP "The Real Love Project" for the past four years, and it has been one of the most challenging processes, emotionally and mentally. I knew that I wanted to write a love album but I didn't want it to be "cookie cutter." I wanted it to be real, authentic and relatable. All I can say is be careful what you ask for...you just might get it!

During this time frame, I've witnessed many (not all) of the experiences I'm writing and recording. And as of this date, I know now, more than ever, what it means to love someone and to experience the power of real love.

I love my wife not only because she's beautiful, HOT, attractive, smart, funny, exotic, creative, loves God, music, me, is having my baby! lol! I could go on and on. But I also love her because she is my living example of what real love looks like, feels like. It bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things...

Love... never... fails....

Another really cool way to experience love is to give love. And I want to do that by blessing a special couple with a unique Valentine's Day Basket filled with dinner tickets, a candle, sweets for your sweetheart and more!

Fellas, this is YOUR time to shine! All you have to do is write a story, in 150 words or less, entitled "Why I Love Her So Much..." Post your original story in the comments section below with a link to your personal Facebook or Twitter account, and we will select one winner based on originality, creativity and content. The winner will be notified on Wednesday, February 12, 2014. The contest is open from now, January 29th, 2014 until February 12, 2014.

I'm REALLY excited about this and look forward to reading your stories!

"Are You Afraid of the Dark?"

I was born in the 80‘s. Grew up in the 90’s.  I loved shows on Nickelodeon  like Doug, Rugrats and the scary storyteller show “Are You Afraid of the Dark.” 

Every Friday night, I looked forward to hearing the new scary stories they would come up with and tell around the campfire.  I had this strange fascination with scary movies.  My dad would scare the living daylights out of me and my younger sister with movies like Nightmare on Elm Street, Friday the 13th (We used to call them “Jason” movies. LOL!), and others.  

Are You Afraid of the Dark was on the lighter end of the scary spectrum. Their stories were more mysterious and didn’t involve much violence or seemingly haunting images.  

As I think back to my love/hate relationship with scary movies, it makes me think of how much I really was afraid of the dark.  

Most grown men probably won’t admit this, but I was literally afraid of the dark even up to my senior year of high school.  We always kept the hall light on at our home in Moss Point, Mississippi.  I couldn’t go to bed without my closet door being completely closed and I NEVER went to bed with my bedroom door closed.  I was literally afraid of the dark.  

I grew up, went to college, graduated, got my first job out of college, moved to a new city and had progressed greatly in life.  I “thought” I was over that.  Ain’t it funny how when you think you’re over something, it mysteriously shows back up?!  And at the most inopportune times?

Last year, I attended an awesome men’s retreat at a ranch in the Rocky Mountains in Colorado.  This was my first time there and we were staying in a great facility.  The log cabin was divided into different rooms and we even had bunk beds!  Cool!  LOL!  

I was having a great time, learning and sharing with the guys.  On my second night there after having a powerful session during the day, I woke up in the middle of the night and felt this overwhelming fear and anxiety come upon me.  I laid in bed, tried to go back to sleep but couldn’t.  My heart started to race.  Tears started to flow down my face.  All of a sudden and I kid you not, the room changed from the log cabin in the Rocky Mountains to my old bedroom in Moss Point. 

As a kid, I had a bunk bed that would face my window, and I promise there would be times where I thought there was a burglar or some guy standing outside my window waiting for me to go to sleep so he could break in and get me.  Well, this time in my “dream” or whatever it was, I saw myself as a little boy again, laying in bed, crying silently because I was afraid that something was either gonna jump out of the closet and get me or that “man outside my window” would break in and get me.  

There’s more to this story...

I was doubly afraid because this “nightmare/dream” phase always seemed to be too real.  There were times when I would be asleep but I would be in a dream, trying to wake myself up.  Then there were times where I would be awake and it seemed like something wasn’t right.  This time, I didn’t know which realm I was in.  

I eventually fell back “asleep” but woke up really groggy and was kinda introverted for most of the day.

On the last day of our retreat, we were in our last session and prepared to take communion.  It was really cool because our small group leaders were the ones that served us the communion.  After having some real heart-to-heart talks that weekend, all of us shared a common bond of true brotherhood.  The leaders served us communion one a time.  When it was my turn, one of our small group leaders turned to me and said “Kenny, you’re a good man.  You’re clean.  You’re forgiven.”  Those words opened up the floodgates of my soul and tears began to stream down my face.  I took the communion, sat back down in my chair and began to sob uncontrollably.  I’m normally a “crier” but I hadn’t been able to cry at all up to that point.  Guess I made up for lost time?! :)

Heading back home, I was able to really reflect on how I allowed the fear of the past and the fear of the unknown rule and dominate my life.  A major lesson learned from this experience is that when you expose fear to the light  aka the truth, it’s stronghold is broken.  Darkness must surrender to light. 

So I pose this question to you...

What are you so afraid of?

What’s in the “dark” that keeps waking you up at night?