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The project I actually did was renovating a playground at a school. When I set up for the project I decided that some music would be great for them all to listen to as we worked.
I went through my MASSIVE cd collection and could only find ONE CD that I could in good conscience let play while we worked. That CD was 'Astro Lounge' by the band 'Smash Mouth'.
This was very disturbing for me, to realize that I did not feel comfortable playing my personal collection of music to the ears of anyone but myself. The truth is - that the music I had really would have been bad form - in a setting with others, unless I was alone. I cannot remember all the music that I had at the time, but as an example I used to listen heavily to Insane Clown Posse (ICP) and Eminem (Slim Shady or That white rapper guy) .
This was an odd time in my life because I recently felt the conviction of the holy spirit in my life for the first time and I did not really know what to make of it so I fought with everything I had, knowing that losing was the only real way to win (sort of knew).
Later on (WAY LATER - Almost 10 years) I learned that a few of my friends were dealing with this same issue - and chose to destroy the CDs that they felt needed to be rid of. I was not this strong - I gave my entire collection to my brother. My thought at the time was that I was giving them up, but in truth I was hoping I would still be able to listen to them because they were close. I told myself that the largest reason I did it this way was because I did not want to be wasting my parents money - and that may have been good that I did it that way (I have no idea).
With those evil CDs finally out of my life I could focus on the pure and holy music that I should be listening to! I actually was a better person because of this! My attitude was better - my focus on living life with a hope and a purpose was easier. I still messed up, but my mind could think on a clearer level. I am not trying to get you to change your listening habits, you will see that in a minute, but just being truthful in the message here that it WAS WHAT I NEEDED!
Even Smash Mouth's Astro Lounge got the axe (not literally - it is still likely in my brothers collection somewhere) I work better on cold turkey than the slow and steady method of 'quiting'.
On the other hand - I am more of a slow and steady on the road of healing. When I felt the conviction to stop watching pornography I got rid of my computer (still had one, just did not use it). The slow road was about getting the computer set up again - then after about a year and a half I hooked it to the Internet again. Cold Turkey works for me - it gets me back on track, with an ability to be in a place that I once was overtly tempted, but instead use it for a purpose of Christ - hence this blog. And much like John Bunyan wrote in the apology for his book "The Pilgrim's Progress":
source
My healing in music was in two words: "Lemonade" and "Mouth". I have a daughter who is 6 and a son who is 3, so I
I was not disappointed either, because it was actually BETTER than I thought it would be. The movie is all about not being afraid to do what you dream... to move forward and the revolution that can follow when you do - though a bit unrealistically fast.
The music that Lemonade Mouth played in the movie was uplifting and encouraging - this is a good thing! Of course you have the other band full of the 'bad guys' that have songs that are egotistical and so uplifting of the Id that it was almost gross. Put it to a rocking awesome beat
and it is a good song anyway ... I think not.
Alright, so let me ask you this
if it had the tightest hook
the hottest beat ....
if it had all that, but old buddy
was rapping about raping your mother
would you still turn the bass up,
crank the volume
put your windows down
and and and like have that stuff
blaring out your windows to the neighborhood?
Said nicely on the Semper Reformanda Volume 1(part 2) in the intro for "What You Bang Intro" (I did the best I could quoting it listening to the song and the site I got this from seems to be down - ThePlumblineCollective.com):
So - to move back to the prime purpose - I wanted the soundtrack to Lemonade Mouth. I knew I would get it, I would own it. The lie here would be that I wanted it because my daughter enjoyed it so much, but that being true as well; it was not my driving purpose. The music brought to life again that desire to pursue the dream, to get in the grid and do the work that I just was putting off. I had to thank it, and relive it in the future, by purchasing the album!
The problem? My music was separated into Secular and Christian with the Christian folder being the only one being played at all. The Secular was a few songs that I could not put down, for various reasons ... those songs:
- The Monkees (album)
- American Tribute To Heroes - Bon Jovi
- Dueling Banjos
- Me First and the Gimme Gimmes - One Tin Soldier
- Train of Consequences - Megadeth
- Blood of Heroes - Megadeth
- Can't Stop Loving You - Van Halen
- Who's On First - You know who :) (not a song - just happens to be there)
I had to make a decision in order to keep my organization the way I liked it. Seems like a small thing, but it has changed the way I 'look' at music forever ... again. Now the Christian folder does not exist ... it is just 'dErK's Music' and a secular folder is inside of it.
In taking in this 'Lemonade Mouth' music I had to look at my thoughts on 'finding' music to listen to. I am still more geared to get music that is blatantly about Christ, and Christian living - though I am now more willing to accept the uplifting 'secular' that is out there.
Still no ICP or Eminem and I seriously doubt they will ever be in my play-lists again - as the healing process is not about getting back into the trash you once were - it is about breaking the stronghold you were in - and turning what used to bring you down into something that builds you up!
So now understanding my journey from Smash Mouth to Lemonade Mouth I encourage you to take heed to the convictions of your heart, learn from them and move in the healing process, forward... onward... and with your head held high!
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