I saw this about a week ago and thought this video would be a good one to blog about.  This pastor obviously knows about the culture that his congregation is in.  He knows the type of things some of them may hear on a regular basis. Having this knowledge he tries to turn this negative word into something positive.  I see where he is coming from and I found his sermon very entertaining but.. do i agree with him using this phrase in church? I would have to say no. I am mainly concerned about the heart behind the words. People may take this as more of a joke and may not truly have a heart of forgiveness.  I'm sure there were people that were touched by his sermon and got a lot out of it but i would not agree with using the phrase "FU" in church or anywhere else for that matter.

Justin Nozuka - After Tonight - With Lyrics!

After tonight:

This is one of my favorite songs by one of my favorite artists, Justin Nozuka. I’ve seen Justin Nozuka play this song in interviews online, as well as in concert, so I know that when he sings this song, he is singing to a girl and it is about worldly love. In the interview I’ve seen he talks about how this song has to do with him "being the perfect situation for her and taking care of all of her wishes” so she can let go of all of her worries.  He writes, “I know that after tonight you don’t have to look up at the stars no.”  This line implies that she doesn’t have to look to some unknown being or to some far out ideals but can trust him right then and there.     

This is song is meaningful to me because while we as humans long for this worldly love, God is there loving us with the most pure, unselfish love there is. The focus of this song is love.  But God is the actual definition of love. God wants to be the one to cover us with his love and his security.  If we choose to trust him then he can take care of all of those things that weigh us down in this life. 

Lady Gaga recently released the lyrics to a new song that she is set to perform at the grammys next weekend.  The song is titled "Born This Way."

INTRO:
It doesn't matter if you love him, or capital H-I-M
Just put your paws up
'cause you were Born This Way, Baby

VERSE:
MY MAMA TOLD ME WHEN I WAS YOUNG
WE ARE ALL BORN SUPERSTARS

SHE ROLLED MY HAIR AND PUT MY LIPSTICK ON
IN THE GLASS OF HER BOUDOIR

"THERE'S NOTHIN WRONG WITH LOVIN WHO YOU ARE"
SHE SAID, "'CAUSE HE MADE YOU PERFECT, BABE"

"SO HOLD YOUR HEAD UP GIRL AND YOU'LL GO FAR,
LISTEN TO ME WHEN I SAY"


CHORUS:
I'M BEAUTIFUL IN MY WAY
'CAUSE GOD MAKES NO MISTAKES
I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN THIS WAY

DON'T HIDE YOURSELF IN REGRET
JUST LOVE YOURSELF AND YOU'RE SET
I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN THIS WAY

POST-CHORUS:
OOO THERE AIN'T NO OTHER WAY
BABY I WAS BORN THIS WAY
BABY I WAS BORN THIS WAY
OOO THERE AIN'T NO OTHER WAY
BABY I WAS BORN-
I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN THIS WAY

DON'T BE A DRAG -JUST BE A QUEEN
DON'T BE A DRAG -JUST BE A QUEEN
DON'T BE A DRAG -JUST BE A QUEEN
DON'T BE!

VERSE:
GIVE YOURSELF PRUDENCE
AND LOVE YOUR FRIENDS
SUBWAY KID, REJOICE YOUR TRUTH

IN THE RELIGION OF THE INSECURE
I MUST BE MYSELF, RESPECT MY YOUTH

A DIFFERENT LOVER IS NOT A SIN
BELIEVE CAPITAL H-I-M (HEY HEY HEY)
I LOVE MY LIFE I LOVE THIS RECORD AND
MI AMORE VOLE FE YAH (LOVE NEEDS FAITH)

REPEAT CHORUS + POST-CHORUS

BRIDGE:

DON'T BE A DRAG, JUST BE A QUEEN
WHETHER YOU'RE BROKE OR EVERGREEN
YOU'RE BLACK, WHITE, BEIGE, CHOLA DESCENT
YOU'RE LEBANESE, YOU'RE ORIENT
WHETHER LIFE'S DISABILITIES
LEFT YOU OUTCAST, BULLIED, OR TEASED
REJOICE AND LOVE YOURSELF TODAY
'CAUSE BABY YOU WERE BORN THIS WAY

NO MATTER GAY, STRAIGHT, OR BI,
LESBIAN, TRANSGENDERED LIFE
I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN TO SURVIVE
NO MATTER BLACK, WHITE OR BEIGE
CHOLA OR ORIENT MADE
I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN TO BE BRAVE

REPEAT CHORUS


OUTRO/REFRAIN:

I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!
I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!
I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!

I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!
I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!
I'M ON THE RIGHT TRACK BABY
I WAS BORN THIS WAY HEY!


This song is an anthem to all the outcasts and other people who have been brought down.  The song encourages them to embrace who they are because God made them that way and God makes no mistakes.  While her reference to God is one thing, the whole idea of the song is another thing.  The song is one of empowerment for those who feel outcasted.  This is a similar trend that many other pop stars have been following (Katy Perry: Firework/ Kesha: Superstar). It encourages people to embrace those things that others see as awkward and not to worry about what others think.  This is a positive message however, the song encourages people not to worry about the world's standards while it forgets about God's standards.  God is a loving God, but He has high standards for His people and the song makes it as if God is okay with homosexuality and people who are transgender.  I heard a friend say the other day that "awkward" has become the new "cool" and I agree with this statement.  In many areas of our culture, people who are different are looked up to, homosexuals are praised, and song artists who push limits are idolized.  Should these really be the people we aspire to be like?

Who Says...

John Mayer:

- musician

- singer/songwriter

- music producer

and

- one of my favorite artists 

This song by John Mayer is titled "Who Says" (not one of my favorites) and it was one of the first songs to be released off his newest album "Battle Studies."  I think this song says a lot about the culture and society we are living in today. 

Lyrics:

Who says I can't get stoned 
Plan a trip to Japan alone 
Doesn't matter if I even go 
Who says I can't get stoned

Throughout this song, and especially in these four short lines you really see this mentality of "I should be able to do whatever I want whenever I want and no one should be able to tell me otherwise."  

A lot of people in our society today have this same mentality.  I feel that this is why people are repelled away from Christianity. They think that if they become Christians they will suddenly not be able to go get that drink on the weekend or go to that party at a friend's and that turns then off to Christianity.  

One of the things I noticed in the music video for this song was that:

- he never seems happy, only content

This is what many people are settling for: contentment.  This is a sad but true fact. God has so much more for us then to simply be content.  God gives us free will which allows us the choice to do whatever we want; however if we are walking with Christ then it motivates us to choose to do things that bring God glory.