Week 6 - Fall for you

Hey friends, I hope you all are doing well wherever you are. To the new readers this week, I have been posting new threads every tuesday which include music from my collection accompanied by my thoughts and feelings about God, Life, Love and inspiration. I want to share my thoughts on life as well as share the amazing amount of music that I have gathered over the years. All you have to do is click on the links beneath each song and you can listen to the song and find out a little about the artists. Please enjoy and be inspired =)

This week I wanted to share some "falling in love" songs. I cant say I have personally experienced this in quite a few years but it happens to people around us all the time, and when it is the right timing, its one of the most amazing feelings in the world. These songs express some of the emotions which are felt.


1. Secondhand Serenade - Fall for you http://www.purevolume.com/secondhandserenade
Currently my favorite song, this song expresses raw emotion of falling in love with someone over again and the realization that although the world is huge, certain people can not be replaced or found somewhere else. I want to dedicated this song to two of my friends who this song reminds me of. I wish them the best in their relationship and their futures.

2. Ronnie Day - Falling for you http://www.purevolume.com/ronnieday
This song, which my good friend, Jordan F. can vouche for, is an amazing expression of the tensions of falling in love between a guy and a girl. "Im holding out, Im strong and Im proud"

3. Kate Nash - Nicest thing (only on itunes)
This song reminds me of a good friend of mine and her distant crush. Although this song is slightly depressing, it expresses an utterly incredible admiration and care.

4. TJ McCloud - Out of my league http://www.purevolume.com/tjmccloud
The lead singer of stephen speaks, TJ M, sings this great song about how he feels head over heels for a girl and how she is everything to him. He says "she is out of my league" which expresses the humility of being in love.

5. Graham Colton - On your side (only on Itunes)
This song describes true love as the utmost form of friendship and devotion. "You should know Im always on your side," expresses that no matter what, he just wants the best for her.
In this song, he is pleading not for forever, but for a bit of her time, a chance, a shot at love...........
(not like that hideous tila tequila...........kill me if I ever see her again on TV).

6. Tyrone Wells - Falling http://www.myspace.com/tyronewells
This is a great song about the feelings associated with falling love.

7. Howie Day - Collide http://www.myspace.com/howieday
This song is a classic from my collection, Listen to it, its greatness speaks for itself....


FYI------The NEW Augustana Album comes out today, go get it!!!!!!

I hope you enjoy my music and my thoughts.

Until Next time,

God Bless

Nick






Dedicated to the one, I know you are out there

Guest blogger, week 6

Hey friends,
I have had a busy day. I drove back to NC for a job interview and I have two tests this week so this blog will probably be a little shorter than usual. This week I am featuring my apprentice and younger sister, Annemarie Rose(ARM ;) ) as the guest blogger. This is what she wanted to focus on this week:

"I would like to write about the struggles and trials of our lives and how God, by becoming man and dying for the world, can offer us perfect understanding and companionship. God suffered so that every man and woman who has ever or will ever undergo hardship and sorrow can relate to His passion and feel his compassion when they are alone. Select song that show humans' struggle and endurance when faced with betrayal, loss, or the truth."
-ARM-

Its such an amazing day outside here in Greenville, wish all of you could experience it while listening to these great songs =)


1. Our Hearts Hero - Every Breath http://www.myspace.com/ourheartshero888

OHH is an awesome new Christian rock band whom I found in the Christian bookstore back home. Check them out.

2. Matt Brouwer - All I want http://www.myspace.com/mattbrouwermusic

Matt Brouwer is a really chill Christian artist, reminds me of Paul Wright, and Shawn Mcdonald.


3. Brandon Heath - Red Sky http://www.myspace.com/brandonheath


4. July for Kings - Float Away http://www.myspace.com/julyforkings


5. This beautiful republic - right now http://www.myspace.com/thisbeautifulrepublic



Other Inspirational songs:

1. The new frontiers - The day you fell apart http://www.myspace.com/thenewfrontiers

2. Until June - What Ive done http://www.myspace.com/untiljune

3. National Product - love me http://www.myspace.com/nationalproduct


Sorry I dont have time to write more, but check these songs out I think you will love them!

God Bless
Nick

Virtues - Week 4

Hello my friends, this week after talking to some of my friends, I decided I wanted to discuss some songs and their relation to the virtues, namely the 7 heavenly ones.

The Seven Heavenly Virtues include faith, hope, charity, fortitude, justice, temperance, and prudence.These combine the four Cardinal Virtues: prudence, temperance, fortitude and justice, and the theological virtues: faith, hope, and charity.

Thus I have selected one amazing song from my collection which will accompany each virtue. While you are reading this, I would ask that you listen to the (hopefully inspiring) song and examine/contemplate each virtue and how you may implement it in your daily life.

Check out this website as well for more info:
http://www.deadlysins.com/virtue.htm



1. Faith- Having trust, belief and steadfastness in the presence of God.

Chasen - Here I am http://www.myspace.com/chasen

I want the satisfactionOf knowing that my heart beats after YouBurning with devotionTo give it up in all I doI want to take the notionWhen regret is all I findAnd even if it breaks meTo leave it all behindFor YouHere I am, againThis is the last place that I thought You’d take meAll I see is fallingIn a world where everythingIs striving for attentionWhat you wear is what you’ll beThere’s such a lack of compassionWith the time we throw aroundFile under lack of actionWith our face straight to the groundFor YouHere I am, again

2. Hope - Having a reliance and sureness that God will provide for one's best interest and needs.

Anthony evans - Letting go http://www.myspace.com/anthonyevansmusic

He knows where you are, He's been there too When you can't go on Hell carry you through When your loosing hope He's still in control He's never letting go So the damage is done You try to move onStill your empty handedBut this isn't your homeI want you to knowYou don't walk aloneOf your situationIn the face of the unknownHe's right thereLook deep into your heartFor his reflection andDon't let go please don't let go

3. Charity(love) -The inclination of the human will to cherish God and fellow man, for God's sake.

Leeland - Yes you have http://www.myspace.com/leelandmusic

You’ve stolen my heart Yes, You have! You’ve stolen my heart Yes, You have! You’ve wiped away the stains And broke away the chains Yes, You have!! With Your love You set me free Three nails gave me liberty So I’ll sing Your praise My God, I’ll sing Your praise Oh, with Your love You forgave my sin Forgot my past And brought me back again So I’ll sing Your praise I’ll sing Your praise, yeah

4. Fortitude - Having strength, courage and endurance to pursue righteousness and God's will.

Mat Kearney - Won't back down http://www.myspace.com/matkearney

"These days, a little bit longer than the lastAnd all of your ways, a little bit stronger than the pastAnd your light, found my bottle in the nightKept me in this fight, gave me second lifeAnd I won't back down I won't turn around and aroundAnd I won't back downDoesn't matter what comes crashing downI'm still gonna stand my solid ground"


5. Justice -The inclination to seek fairness, equity and proper consequence for all actions for God.

Brett Dennen - Aint No reason http://www.myspace.com/brettdennen

There ain't no reason things are this wayIt's how they always been and they intend to stayI don’t know why I say the things that I say,But I say them anywayBut love will come set me freeLove will come set me free, I do believeLove will come set me free, I know it willLove will come set my free, yes.

6. Temperance - The virtue of living in moderation, sobriety while focusing on God's truths and purpose.

Starting Tuesday - Satisfied (Available only on Itunes)

Open up your eyes and take a look aroundSee if what you sought was more than what you've foundHave you given up all of your dreams?Have you left them for wasted means of deliverance?Are you satisfied?Are you sastified?Do you feel alive?Are you satisfiedWith your life?The grass is always greener on the other sideBut once you jump across the greener grass has diedHave you given up all of your dreams?Have you left them for wasted means of deliverance?

7. Prudence - Having wisdom, discretion and carefulness to guide one's decisions and actions.

Amanda Vernon - With this ring www.Amandavernon.com
I found out about this artist from Next Wave Live, which is a Catholic radio show here in Greenville.
I am not sure if you are gonna be able to hear this song, but listen to the rest of her music and if you like it, buy her new album =). I have spoken to her about this song and it has an incredibly positive message about prudence, dedication and patience.

Other songs for your Pleasure: (THESE are PHENOMENAL please LISTEN)

1. Keane - The way you want it http://www.myspace.com/keane130
-Chill single out by this sweet indie band.

2. Eric James and the New century - Trust (just on Itunes)
Thanks to Meredith D. who suggested this awesome upbeat song.

3. Chasen - Drown http://www.myspace.com/chasen Chasen's Debut album comes out on Tax day(today) featuring this incredible song that will soon be one of my favorites im sure.

4. Matthew West - you are everything http://www.myspace.com/matthewwestmusic Uplifting Christian song by this great artist.

Listen to these songs or at least the previews on itunes at least, and please enjoy.

Until next week...............

God Bless and be virtuous!

Nick

Concert Writeup for Lifehouse and Matt Nathanson

I went to go see lifehouse and Matt Nathanson yesterday at Amos Southend in Charlotte.
I took my sister, Annemarie and my brother, Joseph and I think they really enjoyed it.
A couple people from Belmont Abbey and one of my friends from Winthrop were there as well.

The opening band, called honeyhoney was pretty bad in my opinion. They had a cool violin which the lead singer played but the lyrics and stage dialogue were very trashy.

Matt Nathanson then came on with his typical cocky attitude, clever wit, tight tshirt and spiked up hair.....You would think he was 22 if you didnt know otherwise. He was terrific both in personality and song selection. My siblings and friends were quite impressed with him. He called out this drunk redneck moron who was flicking him off for no reason along with his wife and two (apparent) daughters. Matt said "its not your fault your parents raised you to be a complete tool, no one in the world cares about you.....we can hang out in the parking lot after the show if you would like.... =)

Lifehouse came on and played after Matt and they had a completely different stage presence. They selected random songs from all four of their albums and although a few of them sucked, overall it was a great musical performance.
During the show the same drunk redneck, lets call him Mr. Tool, pushed his way to the front middle, right in front of us and started being belligerent....At one point he had 6 beers in his hand LOL. He then proceeded to whip out a cig and was waving it up and flicking it to the drums on the people in front of him while he was grinding on his repulsive wife like we were at a rap concert. I was quite disheartened to say the least and decided i had to take action =)
I left in the middle of the conert and found these two giant bouncers...one was probable 6-2 270
and the other guy was probably 6-5 280 and these monsters quickly proceeded to escort mr tool out of the concert. Im not gonna lie, I partook in a little fist pumping and I felt quite good. haha

Anyways the moral of the story is go see good concerts, but dont be a drunk tool. If you see one, get their repulsive tails thrown out of the place so they dont ruin it for everyone =)

I hope you enjoyed my story

God Bless
Nick

Rockin at the belltower, with a dose of Hope- week 4

Hey my friends, I hope you are doing well.

It is 1 am here in Greenville and I am not tired, not one bit. It is a gorgeous night out with barely any wind, about 60 degrees. I am going to Charlotte tomorrow to see Lifehouse and Matt Nathanson so I figured I would blog tonight since I will be too busy tomorrow.
Anyways, I have a really cool wireless internet card, so I actually jogged out to the Furman Belltower with my laptop and I am sitting here on one of the benches, staring out over the lake and at the stars, listening to some amazing music. Jack's Mannequin's Dark blue is playing in the background as I am sitting here thinking about what to write about, but more importantly what God wants of me in my life. I am praying he will open some doors and lead me to where I am supposed to go to serve.

"This nights a perfect shade of dark blue, dark blue, have you ever been alone in a crowded room? Well im here with you, i see the world could be burning, dark blue...."

So this week I chose a few songs about hope.....Hope for a brighter day, a new tomorrow, an awesome future. I hope you can connect these songs to this theme and relate them to your own lives. No matter how difficult life gets, we must have hope that God will provide for us and we will have a wonderful and blessed future, wherever we end up =) Christ will guide us home, inspire us and fix us........we are his and will always be.

"Lights will guide you home and ignite your bones, and I will Fix you" - Coldplay


1. James Morrison - Wonderful World

"I know its a wonderful world"

http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?artist=2380946&vid=150343

2. Michael Tolcher - Kings in Castles and Sooner or Later

"We'll be kings in castles by then"

http://www.myspace.com/michaeltolcher

3. Dashboard Confessional - Dont Wait

http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?vid=91662&artist=1165823

"The sky glows I see it shining when my eyes closeI hear your warnings but we both knowI'm gonna look at it again"

4. Five for fighting - The world

http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?id=1541390&vid=122809

"Lets build a masterpiece, history starts now"

5. July for kings - Normal life and Float Away

http://www.myspace.com/julyforkings

6. Mat Kearney - wait

"Ill wait for you, Ill wait for you alone"

http://www.myspace.com/matkearney



Other Great artists and songs for your fine ears:
(My apologies if you cannot find these songs on these links, go to Itunes!!)

1. Dave Barnes - When a heart Breaks

http://www.myspace.com/davebarnes

2. Stephen Kellogg - Flower in the Rain

http://www.myspace.com/sk6ers

3. Benton Paul- Where are you

http://profile.myspace.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=user.viewprofile&friendID=20200981

4. Casting Crowns - While you were sleeping

http://www.myspace.com/castingcrowns

5. Dan Wilson - Easy Silence

http://www.myspace.com/danwilson

6. Ever stays red - Brink of it all

http://www.myspace.com/everstaysred

7. Greg Laswell - what a day

http://www.myspace.com/greglaswell

8. Onerepublic - come home

http://www.myspace.com/onerepublic


I hope you Enjoy

Until next week.....

God Bless
Nick

Sweet and Low Music video released

WOW, I mean check out this music video by Augustana's - Sweet and Low !!!!!

http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?id=1579090&vid=219019&source=mp_carousel

Friendship and humanity-Week 3

Hey friends, I have been writing a lot about romance and love recently so I wanted to talk a little about the other type of positive relationships, friendship. Our human nature inherently desires to be cared for, accepted and wanted. Thus we try to seek out meaningful relationships with other people who we can relate to on a real level. I am not talking about fairwheather friends who we hang out with because they are in our classes or are in the same social network, I am talking about the real meaningful friendships that we build with people who have similar beliefs, goals and values, people who see the world in a similar fashion as us. These friendships last lifetimes and often these friends are the ones who will be at our weddings, reunions and funerals -----that is reliability and loyalty.
The music I have selected this week talks about the struggles, joy and essence of friendship......

1. Thousand Foot Crutch - What do we know
http://www.myspace.com/thousandfootkrutch

TFC is a alternative Christian band who just recently released their 2nd album on which the song is. This song just discusses the harships of life and the need of reliable friends who we can count on in times of need.

We all try to be somebody, but the world around us makes it so cloudy, when, we are trust,where we're supposed to, but the blood on their hands says we're not close to the answer yet.but maybe if we pulled together, we could change a million live for the better, and maybe, ifwe prayed a little more, we would stop, living in fear from the story, and everyone sings[Chorus]Every part is you, every part if me, raise your hands, and sing, tell them we can be, showthem who you are, show them you can see, raise your hands and sing, tell them we are free


2. The Fray - How to save a Life
http://www.vh1.com/video/play.jhtml?vid=107067&artist=1946832

This song is about losing a close friend and how to maintain a struggling friendship. The lyrics convey this situation very well and this video is very good. How to save a life also adresses the need to pray to God about friendships and relationships.
Step one you say we need to talkHe walks you say sit down it's just a talkHe smiles politely back at youYou stare politely right on throughSome sort of window to your rightAs he goes left and you stay rightBetween the lines of fear and blameAnd you begin to wonder why you cameWhere did I go wrong, I lost a friendSomewhere along in the bitternessAnd I would have stayed up with you all nightHad I known how to save a lifeLet him know that you know bestCause after all you do know bestTry to slip past his defenseWithout granting innocenceLay down a list of what is wrongThe things you've told him all alongAnd pray to God he hears youAnd pray to God he hears you


3. The perishers - Best friends
http://www.theperishersmusic.com/

This song although the verses deal with a romantic friendship, I interpret this song to be applicable to friendships as well. This song embodies the ideals of companionship and loyalty.

I remember your hands,I heard them clap for my own chordFelt them pull me back,As I tried to break looseAnd I remember your eyes, How they saw right through meAnd how that made me feel..so sick and bored with myself.We were best friends, more than best friendsThat's too little againWe were best friends, more than best friendsthats too little again,

4. Jon Mclaughlin - Human
http://www.myspace.com/jonmclaughlin

This song is about the emotional and mental swings of life and how we need friends to relate to.
"we all need someplace we can hide inside" expresses this idea.

Can you tell me how we got in this situationI can't seem to get you off my mindAll these ups and downsThey trip up our good intentionsNobody said this was easy an ride.After all, we're only humanAlways fighting what we're feelingHurting, instead of healingAfter all, we're only humanIs there any other reason why weStay instead of leaving, after all?Can we get back to the point of this conversationWhen we saw things through each other's eyes'Cause now all I see is ruin and devastationWe all need someplace we can hide inside

5. Jimmy eat world - hear you me
http://www.jimmyeatworld.com/

"Hear you me my friends" this great song is a about reminiscing and looking back on life and the person and character you have become. This song is one of my all time favorite chill songs.

There's no one in town I knowYou gave us some place to go.I never said thank you for that.I thought I might get one more chance.What would you think of me now,so lucky, so strong, so proud?I never said thank you for that,now I'll never have a chance.May angels lead you in.Hear you me my friends.On sleepless roads the sleepless go.May angels lead you in.So what would you think of me now,so lucky, so strong, so proud?I never said thank you for that,now I'll never have a chance.May angels lead you in. Hear you me my friends.On sleepless roads the sleepless go.May angels lead you in.

Other excellent songs for your ears:

6. Better than Ezra - our last night
http://www.myspace.com/beforetherobots


7. Lostprophets - All ways, always
http://www.myspace.com/lostprophets

8. Emerson Hart - When she loves you
http://www.myspace.com/emersonhart

9. Matt Nathanson - The beat of our noisy hearts http://www.myspace.com/mattnathanson

10. Daughtry - used to
http://www.myspace.com/daughtry

11. Jason Mraz - Im yours
http://www.myspace.com/jasonmraz

I hope you Enjoy these songs, if you can not find them on myspace or Vh1, you can find them on itunes and at least preview them and you can buy the song for .99 cents if you like it =)

Until Next week.......


God Bless
Nick