Tag Archives James 1

0 Green (Live at Insomnia)

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Details

We haven’t had the chance to get a good full-length live recording in awhile, so here is a live single of my song, “Green” from my CD Don’t Look Back. This song was recorded live 5 years ago on this same day, July 31, 2010 at Insomnia Coffee. I was joined by two of my good friends who accompanied me during the concert: Nick Garrett-Powell on lead guitar (he’s playing an acoustic run through some effects pedals), and Tanner Johnson on violin. Fans of the Dave Matthews Band will recognize some influence in this song.

Lyrics

Green

Been flirting with disaster
Skirting little too close to the edge
Foolish things I’ve been chasing after
Have gone and placed the noose ’round my head
Thought they’d bring me pleasure
But I’ve found out to my discontent
That satisfaction comes in equal measure
With guilt and shame and death in the end

Grass is greener on the other side
So they say, so they say, but I don’t trust it
Maybe if you’re looking through green glass
But flowers pass, they fade away before you know it
The moments all just fly by so fast
And then they’re gone away

Been looking for some greener pasture
Like a wandering sheep, from your side I’ve strayed
But withered grass is poor cure
For this longing ache, your love I crave
Still my eyes are green with envy
For I’ve seen the riches of wicked men
Flourish like green trees in summer’s safety
Though they’ll perish come winter’s wind

No, the things of this world
Can’t take them with you, they won’t last
Just persevere under trial, stand fast
And you’ll wear a crown of life

James 1:9-15; Psalm 23; 37:1-13,35-36; 49:16-17; 119:37,176

Copyright © 1999 Dawson Cowals.

0 Just Say No

Like the famous Nike slogan that tells us to “Just Do It!”, the Word of God points in a different direction. Instead of giving into whatever our lusts and desires want we need to learn self-control and how to “Just Say No!”

For the grace of God has appeared that offers salvation to all people. It teaches us to say “No” to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age
—Titus 2:11-12

For as it says in James those things that tug and pull at us inside, trying to entice and lead us astray will ultimately lead to death.

but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.
—James 1:14-15

Sin might be pleasant for a season and promise fulfillment and satisfaction, but it is short lived and comes with shame and consequences that lead to emptiness and separation from God. Instead let’s learn to live lives of holiness as we are called to do and “Just Say No!”

Since everything will be destroyed in this way, what kind of people ought you to be? You ought to live holy and godly lives as you look forward to the day of God and speed its coming. So then, dear friends, since you are looking forward to this, make every effort to be found spotless, blameless and at peace with him.
—2 Peter 3:11-12a, 14

0 I Am With You

I Am With You

Inspiration & Overview

I wrote this song on November 3, 2012 after being inspired by Cliff Graham‘s amazing book, “Day of War,” which is a fictional account of the battles and life of David and his mighty men. They are currently working on turning his book into an epic movie, and the action filled sequences from the pre-visualization work they have done helped inspire the tone and theme for this song. My dad turned me on to the books as he spent several weeks this past summer at the YWAM base in Kona working on the engineering plans and building of the new studio where the movie for “Day of War” will be produced. David L. Cunningham, who also directed the movie “To End All Wars,” will be producing and directing, along with screenwriter John Fusco, who penned the script for “Hidalgo.” You can check out more about the books and movie here:

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