Interview with artist, Brooks Paschal

This month I’m digging out one of my favorite interviews to share with you guys that my friends and I did on our e-zine, The Waking! Artist, Brooks Daniel Paschal, was kind enough to do an interview with us last year. His former band, Sullivan, was one of our favorite bands (“The Process” is still one of my favorite songs!) , and now we are crazy over his solo music. He’s also got another band he’s in called The Afterlife Kids, be sure to check ‘em out! But for now enjoy this interview! :)

 

 TW: As many people know, you were the lead singer for the band, Sullivan. When Sullivan decided to call it a day in 2007, did you still think you'd be involved with music in some way? Did you plan on doing the solo thing?

BP: I didn't plan on it at all, I knew I would be producing and writing for others, that was a given. A good or bad day for me is simply determined by one thing. "Did I make music today?" If the answer is no, then get out of my way, I'm probably gonna be in a rage. If yes, then life is as it should be.

 TW: Can you tell us the story of how you got into music and what drove you to choose music?

BP: My parents, both musicians, my mom was a writer and a phenomenal singer, it was a given. That was gonna be my calling.

 TW: You have quite a few songs you've written under the name "Surprises", which was featured as one of Purevolume's Top 21 Unsigned Artists Of 2008. Can you talk about the writing of these songs?

BP: Surprises songs are unique for me, cause there are NO rules, today I'm a sad pile of garbage, so that's what comes out, last week I listened to The Starting Line for 4 hours a day (don't tell my friends), so that comes out. There is no, "Bro! we gotta get signed, or make our label happy" It's just fun. Josh at Purevolume is a saint, I practically begged him to NOT give me such an honor cause the truth is I don't play shows, or try that hard. There are kids out there busting it just to get 5 people to watch them play at an Eagles Lodge. THEY deserve it.

TW: But as of now, you have a new project called, "Out With The Dish Water", which you have said you were doing for your parents. We would love to know more about this project and what we can expect to hear.

BP: Well the writing hasn't been slow, but actually recording it has been. The truth is, I work 15 hours a day with other artists,and while I'm always brainstorming on the inside, sometimes at the end of the day, I just don't have the energy to start recording myself. Out With The Dishwater is my best attempt to be an adult and write something that my parents would be proud of, ironically all of the songs are about my childhood. So a lot of the material isn't so cheerful.

TW: You're a producer/engineer at The Fort Studio. Could you tell us about the work you do at the studio and the process of working with the artists?

BP: Well my day job is "producer" and the truth is I'm sooo lucky. I have done some pretty remarkable records and I'm still a rookie. The process is different for every band/artist. But they typically live here, and we end up becoming life long friends. When you make music with someone it creates a pretty remarkable bond, and I'm a lunatic, so they cant help but to love me!

TW: The lyrics in "The Mistress And Her Heart" are very honest and straight forward. What's the story behind this song?

BP: It's sort of my "farewell to youth" song. It's all about the great and ridiculous things you do/think as a young one. Every song I write goes back to something or someone that's super close to me at the moment, but the truth is I don't really share that stuff. I'm in love with the fear that THE person could hear that song, and see right through it. Then I would be had. That's a beautiful thing.

 TW: "Magnolia Tree" is one of our favorite songs, what inspired you to write it?

BP: It will def be an Out With The Dishwater song, it's too pathetic! The day Sullivan broke up, I went to the field out back with my guitar and a really cheap plastic patio chair and I just kinda wanted to see what would happen. It was the first moment I was gonna sit down and write and IT NOT be for Sullivan, or ANYTHING. That's a scary venture. There is a lone magnolia tree in the field and the literal meaning is that is the place the "character" commits suicide. It's not a happy song at all, but something about it makes me feel incredible inside. People always ask about that song because it is sooooo lyrically heavy. All I can really say is, it's a true story.

TW: We would love to know your thoughts about the creative process of making music and what inspires you to write.

BP: Everything inspires me, that's why you have to read and watch movies and go downtown and get in trouble, and sleep until 4 pm and hate your life and love your friends and make bad decisions and work harder than you have ever worked in your life for just 3 minutes to sell a concept that belongs to you, but you want to get rid of. The greatest gift I was given as a writer, is that I'm a HORRIBLE singer, so everything is coming from inside, cause I can't sell it with my voice. As far as themes, it always changes. It also goes in phases. Cover Your Eyes was all about the dark half of people, that is AWESOME, but not so fun to talk about. I went through a phase where I just wrote songs about crashing my ex girlfriend's wedding. HAHA, love songs are few and far between but they can be remarkable accomplishments, cause they are never about another person, but rather how jealous you are that you have realized you can't accomplish something that is in reality IMPOSSIBLE.

TW: How, if at all, does your faith play into your music?

BP: It plays a part in everything, it has to, or you are a fake. Music is faith. No one could like it. No one could care. No one will hear the 38 piece symphony in your head that plays every time you hit the last chorus. You are just hoping that it's real enough to get noticed. It's pretty intense.

TW: What are your thoughts on Jesus Christ?

BP: Jesus is the best friend that you walk all over everyday. You never call him back. You never thank him for all the favors he gives you, but you are always asking for one. However, in one moment of openness you will realize that he doesn't care, and that he loves you anyways. I always feel churchy when I say "Jesus loves you" and I'm not a huge fan of the Church or it's employees, but the truth is, he DOES. I don't want to hear bible verses or quotes about Jesus. The bible has been on the best sellers list for 100 years, I think it's gotten the exposure it needs. READ IT and then apply. Jesus and most people didn't want you to repeat what they said, they wanted you to DO what they said. It's time to give your good friend a ring.

TW: How do you approach life, what is your philosophy on life?

BP: DO IT ALL. I'm at the point in my life where I realize that I'm not gonna be young very much longer, but I am still there. Thanks to my parents, I still look 19 when I shave. Regardless, you have to act NOW. Don't admire your position, it's already changed, don't stress about what's coming cause the truth is, you are determining it by just being alive and you can't change it cause you are you. Most interesting people in the world are the ones that don't care about anything but what opens the door to the experience.

TW: What advice would you give to aspiring artists?

BP: That's tough, cause it's all about what kind of success you want. If it's guitar, then play 20 hrs a day, if it's writing, then do the same. If you just love to make loud music, then maybe 2 hours, give your neighbors a break!

TW: What are your thoughts on the Christian and mainstream music industry?

BP: They are basically the same now, but Christian music has always been a weird one for me, cause it was always like, "are those just preachers playing pop punk?" Everyone in love with music is doing it whole heartedly. The themes change, but the soul behind it is always the same. I would say listen to AL GREEN- LETS STAY TOGETHER. To me, there isn't a more honest song on the planet.

TW: What music or books have you been into lately?

BP: NONE! I hate that too. I used to read a lot.

TW: (Bonus) And last but not least, If we bake you 5 dozen cupcakes will you come to TX and play a show for us sometime? ;)

BP: I HAVE VOWED TO NEVER PLAY A SHOW AGAIN, but make it 6 dozen and we'll talk.

For more info on Brooks Paschal and his latest projects go to: www.myspace.com/outwiththedishwater  
www.myspace.com/weneedsurprises

http://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Afterlife-Kids/120843367930490

We’ll Give Thanks To You With Gratitude

It’s funny, sometimes it seems life moves so quickly that rarely do we ever stop to realize just how blessed we truly are. In fact most of the time it’s a lot easier to focus on what we don’t have and what we wish we did have. But every now and again, you see past the veil of discontentment and actually see the bigger picture…

The other night as I was climbing into bed, I started thinking about how much God has blessed me. I hesitate to even describe to you what I was thinking because it just sounds so simplistic. But there I was, laying down in my cozy bed, in sheets and a warm blanket that smelled so fresh and clean; in my pretty room filled with my favorite things… with all my favorite cds and books, photos of people I love, instruments, notebooks and journals, jewelry that my grandma gave me, roses my dad gave me for my birthday in a vase sitting on my vanity.

I started thinking about how I have parents and a younger sister who are healthy and happy, whom are my very best friends in the entire world. We have a roof over our heads, clothes on our backs, and food on our table. We laugh and we have great conversations. We have God in our lives to love, protect, and provide for us.

I was thinking of all these things and I just couldn’t help but think….I’m blessed.

Sure, we’ve had and still have our fair share of struggles, but I just feel an overwhelming thankfulness in my heart when I think of all God has given us, as well as all he’s kept us from. The hurt we’ve been saved from and spared from. I could be so many places tonight….but by the grace of God…and only by the grace of God, I’m home- safe, sound, healthy, and happy. And please don’t think I’m saying any of this to brag…I just simply feel blessed.

There’s so much pain in this world, so much hurt…and yet I’m safe. And it’s all because of Jesus….  I’ve had dark times and walked through them with people I love. I have been through things, and have seen the people I love go through things, that have completely ripped my heart out and left me different…and hopefully for the better. I feel that maybe I have more compassion than I used to. A better understanding of what it means to love. A better understanding of what it means to hope, heal, and trust in a God who has more grace than I can even begin to comprehend.

I think because of those things I’m at that place where the concept of redemption has never felt so real to me. I truly believe with all my heart that no one is beyond the enormous love of God. There’s no one who’s too far gone. If there’s air in your lungs you still have a chance, you still have hope. No one is ever out of reach of God’s love and his hand of healing. 

And I feel blessed to know this tonight. I feel blessed that even when I can’t see the bigger picture, I am able to see God’s fingerprints in my life. I feel blessed to wake up tomorrow to the Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade and the smell of turkey making it’s way into my room. I feel blessed to sit down to a meal with my parents and sister tomorrow…a meal we worked so hard and had so much fun preparing today. I feel blessed to have things to be thankful for not only tomorrow but everyday. Happy Thanksgiving! :)

Below are lyrics to a song by Nichole Nordeman called “Gratitude”. A beautiful song that really fits the season. :)

Gratitude by Nichole Nordeman

Send some rain, would You send some rain?
'Cause the earth is dry and needs to drink again
And the sun is high and we are sinking in the shade
Would You send a cloud, thunder long and loud?
Let the sky grow black and send some mercy down
Surely You can see that we are thirsty and afraid
But maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .

(Chorus)

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to thirst for You
How to bless the very sun that warms our face
If You never send us rain

Daily bread, give us daily bread
Bless our bodies, keep our children fed
Fill our cups, then fill them up again tonight
Wrap us up and warm us through
Tucked away beneath our sturdy roofs
Let us slumber safe from danger's view this time
Or maybe not, not today
Maybe You'll provide in other ways
And if that's the case . . .

(Chorus)

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
A lesson learned to hunger after You
That a starry sky offers a better view if no roof is overhead And if we never taste that bread

Oh, the differences that often are between
What we want and what we really need

So grant us peace, Jesus, grant us peace
Move our hearts to hear a single beat
Between alibis and enemies tonight
Or maybe not, not today
Peace might be another world away
And if that's the case . . .

(Chorus)

We'll give thanks to You
With gratitude
For lessons learned in how to trust in You
That we are blessed beyond what we could ever dream
In abundance or in need
And if You never grant us peace

But Jesus, would You please . . .

Fall Fun ~ Music/Books/Recipes!

There is a feeling to Fall .... it feels whimsical, happy, and a bit mysterious. It has always been my favorite season! It's so close to the holidays and not to mention my birthday (which just past) is in the Fall! And after a long and hot Texas summer just the mere breeze of cooler weather is like heaven! When this time of year hits all of the sudden I want to listen to different music, read a fun & whimsy book, as well as bake different things...things that fit the mood of the season. It’s hard to believe we’re already in the middle of November! It feels like it’s going so fast. So since we are quickly waving bye to Fall and will soon be saying hello to Winter (and Christmas! Woot!) … below is a list of music, books, & recipes that have been making my Fall feel a little bit more warm and cozy! Hope you enjoy the rest of Fall and enjoy reading! :)

My Fall Soundtrack ~

These are songs that either feel like Fall to me or simply remind me of the season! Hope you check some of these songs out and listen along with me! :)

1. We Mapped The World by Joy Williams
2. Just For Now by Imogen Heap
3. Moon Is A Magnet by Jon Foreman
4. Bitter Heart by Zee Avi
5. Dance Me to the End of Love by Madeleine Peyroux
6. Mushaboom by Feist
7. Soul Meets Body by Death Cab For Cutie
8. Rewind by Deas Vail
9. Southbound Train by Jon Foreman
10. Faithful by Brooke Fraser
11. Turn by Sarah Brendel
12. Forgiven by Relient K
13. Opposite Way by Leeland
14. Add To The Beauty by Sara Groves
15. Lover, Find Your Cover by Joy Williams
16. I've Got A Feeling by Ivy
17. All The Stars and Boulevards by Augustana
18. November by Tristan Prettyman
19. Where The Colors Don't Go by Sam Phillips
20. Smile by Grant Lee Phillips

 Subjects by Judd & Maggie ~

 

"Subjects" by Judd & Maggie is an album that totally fits a mellow Fall day. Though it released in 2005 I just recently picked it up at my local Christian bookstore. I had heard a song or two by this brother and sister duo but had never purchased any of their music, but I'm glad I finally did. Their sound is just what the season calls for! My sister even stole this cd from me almost right away and fell in love with it! "Subjects" is full of honest, heartfelt songwriting set to laid back acoustic/folk music, as well as Judd and Maggie's warm and inviting vocals. Songs like "One Year Past 20", "Perfectly", and "Used To Love" are highlights. The beautiful acoustic/folk styling's of Judd & Maggie feel like the perfect backdrop for a pretty Fall day.

“Boo” by Rene Gutteridge ~

Even though I would recommend reading this book more around Halloween I still had to put it on the list! This quirky and funny novel is one of my favorites and is such a great read for any time of the year really, but especially Fall! Set in the fictional town of  Skary, Indiana, "Boo" is the story of Wolfe Boone (or Boo as he's often referred to), a  horror novelist who made his tiny town famous with his scary stories. Even the local restaurant aptly named,  the Haunted Mansion, becomes a tourist trap serving up "bloody fingers" (fries splattered with ketchup). But when Boo finds God and stops writing the scary stories he's best known for  chaos ensues. The towns people revolt and scheme to get him out of the church and back to writing horror stories once again. This book had me laughing out loud it's just that funny! You'll love the humor and wit of all the quirky and quite odd characters. Author, Rene Gutteridge, is so good at creating characters as well as a setting that transports you into that world. You feel Skary, Indiana is your town...and if you really are from a small town, like I am, you'll find yourself relating that much more. "Boo" is the first book in this series, be sure to also check out; "Boo Who", "Boo Hiss", and the Christmas edition - "Boo Humbug".  "Boo" is a funny and entertaining novel that us sure to warm up your season! 

 Pumpkin Cake Roll ~

Ah, Pumpkin Roll, the dessert that signifies the start of the holiday season for me. It’s kind of become a yearly tradition to bake a Pumpkin Roll around Thanksgiving. Not only do I make them for my family and I to enjoy; but it’s also become a tradition to make them for extended family and friends who always ask me to make one for them at this time of year. In fact I will be making 5 next week…and I’m looking forward to it! I love to put on some Christmas music (Relient K’s “Let It Snow Baby Let It Reindeer” ;) and make a Pumpkin Roll…it just feels like the holidays. I always say that the first Pumpkin Roll of the season is lucky… um I really don’t know why actually… but it just makes me happy! :) Pumpkin cake with warm flavors of cinnamon and nutmeg, fluffy cream cheese filling, and powdered sugar on top, it really makes a great holiday dessert!

Ingredients:

3 eggs

1 cup sugar

2/3 cup pumpkin

1 tsp. lemon juice

3/4 cup flour

1 tsp. baking powder

1/2 tsp. nutmeg

1/2 tsp. salt

2 tsp. cinnamon

Directions:

Pre-heat oven to 350. In a small bowl stir together flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, and cinnamon, set aside. In a large bowl beat eggs till foamy, gradually add in sugar and beat till fluffy. Stir in pumpkin and lemon juice. Fold in the flour mixture. 

Grease cookie sheet and line with wax paper. Pour batter into pan and bake for 15 minutes. When cake comes out of the oven, turn it out onto a dish towel that has been sprinkled with powdered sugar. Roll length wise while cake is still hot, then let it cool.

Cream Cheese Filling:

4 tbls. butter

1 8 oz. cream cheese (softened)

1 cup powered sugar

1 small Cool Whip

1 tsp. vanilla

Directions:

Cream together butter and cream cheese. Stir in powered sugar. Fold in Cool Whip and then add in vanilla.

Unroll cooled cake and spread on the cream cheese filling. Roll it back up length wise and sprinkle with powered sugar. Serve and devour!

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups ~

(Recipe found @ www.tasteofhome.com)

 

This is a recipe that my sister and I tried out for Halloween this year and loved ‘em! These Homemade Peanut Butter Cups are so quick & easy whip up, and trust me, they are way better than store bought.  The peanut butter in the middle is so rich and creamy, and the thickness of the chocolate compliments it perfectly. They are rather sweet so next time we make them we want to use mini candy cups, because a little bite of these go a long way. We also decorated ours with pretty Fall sprinkles! Try these Homemade Peanut Butter cups and you'll be telling the store bought ones bye bye!

Ingredients:
1 cup creamy peanut butter, divided
4-1/2 teaspoons butter, softened
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 cups (12 ounces) semisweet chocolate chips
4 milk chocolate candy bars (1.55 ounces each), coarsely chopped
Colored sprinkles, optional

Directions:
In a small bowl, combine 1/2 cup peanut butter, butter, confectioners' sugar and salt until smooth; set aside.
In a microwave, melt the chocolate chips, candy bars and remaining peanut butter; stir until smooth.

Drop teaspoonfuls of chocolate mixture into paper-lined miniature muffin cups. Top each with a scant teaspoonful of peanut butter mixture; top with another teaspoonful of chocolate mixture. Decorate with sprinkles if desired. Refrigerate until set. Store in an airtight container. Yield: 3 dozen.

Apple Dumplings ~

(Recipe & photo found @ www.tasteofhome.com)

The classic Fall combo of apples and cinnamon make these dumplings so delectable! My mom started making these Apple Dumplings a couple years ago and my sister and I were so crazy about them that I think we made them a bit too much .... we actually ended up getting tired of them! lol But now of course, we're craving them once again. You'll love the buttery pastry, sweet apples and warm taste of the cinnamon, and a brown sugar sauce on top. These Apple Dumplings feel like comfort food and are perfect for those cold (or  if you're in Tx like me, semi-cool) Fall nights!

Ingredients:
3 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. salt
1 cup shortening
1/3 cup cold water
8 medium tart apples, peeled and cored
8 tsp. butter
9 tsp. cinnamon sugar, divided

Sauce:
1-1/2 cups brown sugar
1 cup water
1/2 cup butter, cubed

Directions:
In a large bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in shortening until crumbly. Gradually add water, tossing with a fork until  dough forms a ball. Divide into eight portions. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes or until easy to handle.

Roll each portion of dough between two lightly floured sheets of waxed paper into a 7-in. square. Place an apple on each square. Place 1 tsp. butter and 1 tsp. cinnamon-sugar in the center of each apple. Gently bring up corners of pastry to each other ; pinch edges to seal. If desired, cut out apple leaves and stems from dough scraps; attach to dumplings with water. Place in a greased 13-in. x 9-in. x 2-in. baking dish. Sprinkle with remaining cinnamon-sugar.

In a large saucepan, combine sauce ingredients. Bring just to a boil, stirring until blended. Pour over apples. Bake at 35o for 50-55 minutes or until apples are tender and pastry is golden brown, basting occasionally with sauce. Serve warm. Yeilds 8 servings

Pumpkin Gingersnap Parfaits ~

(Recipe & photo found @ http://www.foodbuzz.com/recipes/2739693-pumpkin-gingersnap-parfaits)

I recently made these Parfaits for dessert and they were not only really yummy but also such a cinch to whip up! Plus they look so pretty layered in parfait glasses! Pumpkin spiced up with cinnamon and nutmeg, homemade whipped cream, and crispy, almost spicy gingersnap cookies (Never realized how good these cookies are!) make these parfaits taste like the season. Though I must say while delish they were also a bit too Pumpkiny for my taste. Next time I make them I plan on making a Pumpkin Mousse and layering that instead of the puree. So if you're like me and you like Pumpkin but aren't a total pumpkin lover, you might want to go that route too. Side note, the parfaits also taste really good just spooned onto a gingersnap cookie hehe. These creamy Pumpkin Gingersnap Parfaits are the perfect Fall dessert!

Ingredients:
1 15-ounce can Pure Pumpkin
4 ounces Cream Cheese, softened
2 Tbsp Brown Sugar
1 tsp Cinnamon
1/8 tsp Ginger
1/8 tsp Nutmeg
1 cup Heavy Cream
2 Tbsp Sugar
12 Gingersnap Cookies

Directions:
Crush 8 of the gingersnap cookies. Beat together the pumpkin, cream cheese, brown sugar, and spices until evenly combined. In a separate bowl, beat together the heavy cream and sugar until thickened.

To assemble the parfaits, divide half of the pumpkin mixture into four cups. Sprinkle half of the gingersnap crumbs over the pumpkin. Spoon about half of the whipped cream over the gingersnaps in the four cups. Sprinkle with the remaining gingersnap crumbs. Spoon the remaining pumpkin over the gingersnap crumbs. Top with the remaining whipped cream. Garnish each parfait with a gingersnap cookie. Serves 4.

 

A Place of Healing...

This is a little something I wrote a few months back when I was going through a hard time and just needed to believe that healing was possible. I needed to remember the only place that healing can come from is in the arms of Jesus. And no matter how long it takes I’m determined to wait till I see healing and hope come to life in me and in those around me.

I need your healing balm for my cracked and broken soul. Need a safe haven of rest. Need to know you’re covering me with your wings, your umbrella of hope.

Your love is a refuge, a feather bed …

and I’ve been told I can breathe again in this place.

I can let go.

All the answers to my questions, I no longer need to know…

they don’t matter anymore.

I’m gonna wait till I see it with my eyes.

Wait till I feel it in my heart.

Wait to leap for joy with my legs.

You are the fire that’s gonna burn up this place.

 

© Krystal Celeste

Review for "Finger Painting" EP by The Ember Days

Rock/worship band, The Ember Days, recently released their 5 song Ep,"Finger Painting", on Come&Live!. I first discovered this band, who hails from New Zealand, when they were opening for Showbread in the summer of 2008. Standing in the front row of Fuel Cafe in Humble,Tx, I was so taken by their music. The way they fused the rock element with worshipful lyrics, their often ethereal sound (somewhat reminiscent of Eisley), and the beautiful voice of singer/keyboardist, Janell Belcher. Needless to say, I've been hooked ever since. I purchased the "Finger Painting" EP a couple weeks ago and was surprised to find that it's primarily an instrumental, with only two songs containing vocals. But it turned out to be a very pleasant surprise. Their live show features a lot instrumental parts so this seems like an extension of that. I read somewhere that they recorded this EP with the idea of it being used in people's prayer and worship time with God. And it feels perfect for that!

It opens with the instrumental entitled, "Hope". The song starts with a soft guitar riff, the tempo picks up with a pounding drum in the background. The dynamic sound of this song is a perfect way to start this EP, it makes you feel that something special is happening here. In the song "It Is Well", we get to hear some of Janell's lovely vocals, as well as Jason Belcher's soft background vocals. At first I thought this was a remake of the old hymn "It Is Well With My Soul", but it's actually an original, just using the words "It is well with my soul" in the chorus. This song has a very worshipful feel to it. "Rest" is another beautiful instrumental. Ethereal and flowing in sound, it's one of the most peaceful songs on the EP. I loved the addition of Janell's voice in the background softly singing/humming.

Title track,"Finger Painting", starts with a soft acoustic guitar. This instrumental is almost 11 minutes in length, but is too pretty to get tired of, so it works. The instrumentation in this song sounds very rich and layered. Acoustic guitar, piano, pounding percussion, and what sounds like the cello in the background. This one feels epic to me and truly held my attention the whole way through. The EP closes with "Simple Song". The name fits the simplistic lyric of this song of praise, "Simple song. Singing hallelujah. Simple song. Grace to the one who loves us". A group vocal towards the end compliments it well with the worshipful lyrics, "Hallelujah/we praise you/hallelujah". It's a simple yet beautiful worship song, what better way to end this EP?

The Ember Days, which is made up of; Jason Belcher (vocals/guitar), Janell Belcher (vocals/keys), Jordan MacKenzie (drums), Logan MacKenzie (guitar) and Jedediah Lachman (bass), are a rare find in the way they are fusing creative rock music and passionate worship, and are doing it so well. But even more than that, they have a heart to see people worship God, a heart to see people have an encounter with God. And that truly comes through in their music. "Finger Painting" released on the somewhat new artist community called, Come&Live!, which gives fans the option of purchasing the EP or downloading it for free. So be sure to not miss out on these great songs!

For more info on The Ember Days go to: http://www.myspace.com/theemberdays

To purchase "Finger Painting" EP, or to download for free, Click Here

Second Hand Dream

This is a lyric about ignoring the truth and settling for way less than we deserve. We so often forfeit God’s perfect will in favor of our own way. In essence we’re making ourselves the God of our lives when we do this. It prevents Him from working in our lives and giving us the beautiful blessings he has for us. I wrote this about someone very dear to me. It has been heartbreaking for me to have to stand on the sidelines while this person has slowly drifted away from the truth, and has lost who they really are in the process…someone they wouldn’t even recognize if they were thinking clearly. This person has value and worth and should respect themselves more. So I wrote this about how God’s perfect will is the best place to live…anything and everything else is only an imposter of the best, only second best.

Second Hand Dream

You know the truth but are not wanting to face it. Instead of owning up you'd rather close your eyes and embrace it. Robbed blind by bittersweet kisses and little white lies. Now you're way past walking the line.

{Chorus}
Oh you've been here before, said goodbye once, now you've gone back for more. Desperately trying to hold onto both worlds but you're losing your grip. You're smarter than this. It isn't what it may seem. So sick of waiting that you end up settling for a second hand dream. Second hand dream.

Falling head first into the same mistake. Expecting different results for these choices you make. Changed so much, not the same person you used to be. It's like I don't even know you, and you don't know me. So disconnected from the truth, you've lost so much, you've lost you.

{Repeat Chorus}

With your head stuck in the clouds you can't see this is less than what you wanted, less than what you need. Threw yourself in the dirt to search for your destiny. But is it you or God who's writing your story?

{Repeat Chorus 2x}

(C) Krystal Celeste

 

"Then you will know that I, the LORD, am your Savior, your Redeemer, the Mighty One of Jacob. Instead of bronze I will bring you gold, and silver in place of iron. Instead of wood I will bring you bronze, and iron in place of stones. I will make peace your governor and well-being your ruler." - Isaiah 60:16-17 (New International Version)