So we have the money, now comes the hard part

I'm not sure how many times is too many to say, Thank you.

But...

Thank you.

One of my fears was that after starting up this GoFundMe page, I'd get stuck on something like $80 for months. Well, I am truly humbled and grateful for the support and words of encouragement you have given over the past few weeks.

Now that we've reached our budget goal, the next steps in my mind is to actually record the song, create a website for this project, and get a whole lot of music business stuff in order.

Before, it was always just a dream or something to think about doing...but now that we have the money, it's kind of funny cause I have to go ahead and do something with it. No excuses. I'm excited...and nervous...but mostly excited.

But most of all, I'm thankful and grateful for family and friends to share this journey.

Almost There

Hey everyone,

Ten days ago, I started a campaign to raise $2000 to record and distribute a song I wrote. Today we have almost reached that goal.

$1469

Couldn't have done this without you. 

So, thank you. Thank you so much.

Please continue to share this link...

www.gofundme.com/jaredsrecording

...however and with whoever you can.

For ramblings on other topics, you can connect with me on...
Facebook
Twitter
& Instagram

That's all for now.

(It's OK to) Give Small, Pass It On

Well, 2 days have past since we started the GoFundMe page. In that time, we've nearly raised $1000! Almost halfway to our $2000 goal.

As I check the page from time to time or am updated by an email from GoFundMe, I am blessed, thankful, and in awe of the support and generosity shown by all of you. Up to this point most of the contributions have been pretty big (or what I would consider big), like $100 - $200. To you friends, thank you. 

For you others, I know if it were me, might feel pressure to give that way too...but might not be able to...so here's another way...hence the blog title "Give Small, Pass It On".

The short explanation is if you would like to give to the project, $10 is a good number...even $5 is good. But after you donate, pass it on. Here's one way to do that on FB or Twitter...

1. Copy and Paste the GoFundMe link on your Facebook and/or Twitter page:

www.gofundme.com/jaredsrecording

2. If you want, add a short note about why you're supporting this project. Example: Jared is nice and I like his song. That's why I'm supporting this project! 

3. If you really want to, add #PassItOn to the end of your post along with #JaredsRecording

The "Pass It On" part comes from my elementary days. Maybe you're old enough...I mean, maybe we went to elementary school around the same time...or...ummm...anyway, back to my story. As lunch would finish up, before we could go to recess, we'd have to be dismissed by a teacher. When a few kids noticed that a table had gotten dismissed, you would always hear them telling the others to be quiet and "be good" so the teacher would dismiss our table. Now if you remember, cafeteria tables were long and rectangular so most times you would hear the signal, which would be whispered (usually) starting from the aisle and ending at the wall, "Be quiet...pass it on." 

 So friends, consider this our aisle...

www.gofundme.com/jaredsrecording #PassItOn #JaredsRecording #100isGreatBut10isGoodToo

If you aren't able to part w/ a few bucks at this time, I totally understand. But you could like my music page. That's free...

Help this Kid...

Hey friends,

So I've decided to go ahead and try to record a single. If you'd like to support this project, click here and you'll be taken to my GoFundMe page.

I'm looking to raise money to record a worship song I wrote entitled, For You So Loved. Money raised will go toward...
- studio recording, mixing and mastering,
- distribution via CD Baby, iTunes, Google Play and other digital outlets,
- website development, and
- promotion of song via website and social media.

Hoping to raise enough funds by the end of March 2016.

A little bit about this project...and myself. To be honest, I've been back and forth about doing something like this for a while. Basically, what it boils down to is the excitement of creating and producing something of my very own, versus the fear of complete and total failure.  The latter has won most days. Recently, a few friends have asked me about some of my songs and it got me thinking, that although trying to do something like this could end up being a huge fail...what if it doesn't?

If we can make this happen, it will be incredible. Any amount of donation is appreciated. If you can't donate to the project, a share on FB, Twitter, or any social media platform is just as good. If you can do both, that would be amazing!

If the response to this project is good, I hope to record more songs in the future.

Thanks again for stopping by.

Also, that is me pictured above...way way way back in the day.
(Picture credit: My mom)

I Realize

Wrote this song a while ago. Changed the chords and here's what happened.

I messed up right at the beginning!

Oh well.

Thanks for listening

Jared

Gungor - I Am Mountain

We should all probably get this album.

Yeah.

See you at the record store!

Hosanna by Cara Reddy

This is my friend Cara Reddy.  And this is a great song she wrote.  I'd explain it myself, except she explains it better.  So I'll let her do it.  But I will say this... the contrast of praise and sorrow in this song moves me. Hopefully for more than just this moment as I type. Hopefully for more than this week or month or year.  Actually I just pray that I would allow God's Spirit to continue to move.

So here's her song.
Hosanna by Cara Reddy (check her out on facebook, here.)


This past Sunday was Palm Sunday. It is a day celebrated by Christians remembering the order of the events leading up to the death (Good Friday, March 29) and resurrection of Christ (Easter Sunday, March 31).

Sunday morning I was standing in church listening to the appropriately themed music and watching the kid’s walk down the aisle with their palm fronds waving in the air and wondering, “Why is this part of the story so important?” Of course the events of that day were part of the story of the Cross (John 12:12-16) and in that sense remembering them is important. It was also mentioned that this event gives us an opportunity to see Jesus being hailed “as a king” and he truly is the King of All. I stood there and kept listening.

And as I listened to the songs that recounted that day in history and watched the kids march proudly with their palm branches my eyes began to fill with tears. I began to wonder if part of the awesomeness of these events was that in the midst of all that excitement, all the joyful emotions, at the height of popularity, and in all the hype...not even for a moment did Jesus buy into it all because there was greater Kingdom he had come to establish. One that included all nations and lasted for all of Eternity.

Did he receive the genuine proclamations of faith from the small few who genuinely believed he was the Son of God, the Messiah? Of course He did, but He knew in the midst of it all that most of the crowds opinion of Him would change when their expectations began to be dashed -- when their “so called King” drug a splintered cross up a criminals hill, bloodied, beaten and defeated. They wouldn’t get it, not yet, and many would turn away.

I was thinking about the contrast of the outward joyous circumstances of that day to the possible inward struggle of Christ. I wonder if perhaps in those moments He was really just longing for a ”true sacrifice of praise” (Hebrews 13:15) from even just one individual instead of the clamor of the misinterpreting masses?

I was overwhelmed with gratitude that I was able stand with a community of believers and sing out these same words “Hosanna, in the Highest!” with the understanding of how Christ made His Kingdom come to this earth through His sacrificial death and resurrection from the dead. I felt so grateful that could proclaim His Kingship with my whole heart because He chose to plant a seed of faith in me that has grown since I was a child.

And so I sat down on Monday morning and wrote this song. Perhaps you are not a believer. Perhaps you have celebrated many, many Easter’s as a Christian. Maybe the true magnitude of the meaning of this day has yet to reach your heart in a way that is very memorable. Well, here is it, another Good Friday, another Easter Sunday. Make an effort, call a friend, go to church and simply ask the Lord to reveal Himself...His Gospel...His Great Love to you. He is faithful and He is Risen indeed! Happy Easter.

--------------------------------------------
hosanna (3/25/13)

have you ever held the world upon your shoulders?
have you ever heard the people shout your name?
have you ever known the end before it’s over?
known that everyone’s emotions would soon change?
well, I did

as they shouted hosanna
with their hands raised in the air
and in all the noise
and cries of joy
a silence lingered there
as they screamed out hosanna
Israel’s King has finally come!
I knew their expectations
would soon become undone

have the people ever loved you for your miracles?
have they only come and listened for the food?
have you ever been so filled with God’s compassion
as your whole life’s work was being misconstrued?
Like I was.

and as they shouted hosanna
with their hands raised in the air
in all the noise
and cries of joy
a silence lingered there
as they screamed out hosanna
Israel’s King is finally here!
I knew they’d feel unsatisfied
as the cross was drawing nearer

and in that moment my heart was breaking
in the depth of my soul I was aching
for the cross on which I’d die
when after three days I would rise
when to glory I’d return
and my people would discern
my Spirit coming down
to dwell inside them now
with the Gospel shining through
they’d worship me in Truth

for one hosanna
from a grace-fill, thankful heart
to hear your worship
I’d embrace a shameful cross

have you ever witnessed all the realms of glory?
have your every traded Heaven for a womb?
endured because of joy that’s set before you
leaving sin and death defeated and Satan’s power entombed?
I did. Oh, I did.

so shout hosanna
with your hands raised in the air
and worship me
the One True King
with grateful hearts declare
sing out hosanna
the time has finally come
I payed the price
through sacrifice
my kingdom’s finally come

Thanks, Cara.

FREE MUSIC from Andy Mineo

Here is an artist that I'm currently enjoying.



Here's couple songs where Andy is featured showing off his vocal skill.  Super talented.

Lecrae - Background (ft. Andy Mineo)



PRo - In His Image (ft. Andy Mineo)



(As of this writing 1/4/13...) You can get the album (Formerly Known) right here for FREE.  Hope you love it.

Paula Fuga & Mike Love - Misery's End

Really like the feel and groove of this song.  Just thought I'd share.  Enjoy!

FREE Jesus Culture Song

This song is free for a few more days before the album releases next week some time.  You can sample it before you download.  I got it.  The song is good.  (Very appropriate for where I am in my journey with God.)   Hope you like it too.

Song Time - Tell The World

Here is the latest...not necessarily the greatest...song from yours truly. 

Possibly the most upbeat song I've written.  Song is about telling people of our Savior.  The main part of this song (for me) is the pre-chorus based on Matthew 5:14.  That we would let God shine His light, his love through us.  Then the second half of that comes out of Matthew 28:19 where Jesus is says to go and make disciples.  Most of the songs I write are just prayers.  I hope that even without music, if you just read the words, they would make sense and would be something you could imagine yourself saying to God.  Anyways, if you have any questions about the songs or whatevers, just comment below.  Thanks for stopping by and for listening.

And with out further ado...




Tell the World
You are the truth, the life, the way
Our hope is found in You
We will declare
We will proclaim
Our hope is found in You

    Make us shine like a city on a hill
    Let Your light shine
    God let Your light shine
    Send us out so the world may hear
    For God You so loved the world
    That you came for us

    You came to seek and save what was lost
    You came to save the day
    Rescue us from the grave into life everlasting
    Joy, You are the hope of the world
    Lover of our soul
    We will tell the world
    We will tell the world

You are the light shining in the darkness
Our hope is found in You
You are the peace that comforts in the storm
Our hope is found in You

When we were lost and far away
You came for us
When we were broken and in pain
You came for us

Now we will testify of Your love in our lives
Of all You've done and all that You are
God be lifted high

Song Time - Be Lifted High

This song came together in about 4 days.

It's a simple song that aims to exalt the Lord.  Hope you love it.



Be lifted high, God almighty
Be lifted high, Savior of the world
Be lifted high, God almighty
Be lifted high, Savior of the world
Be lifted high

No eye has ever seen
No ear has ever heard
No mind can concieve
All the wonders of Your love

Glory to the Lord almighty
To the one who was and is and yet to come
Joining with all of the heavens
and all of creation
"Holy is the Lord"

Here's some song notes that hopefully help deciphering what I've written here:
- The middle section references 1 Corinthians 2:9-10.  In it I'm trying to communicate the greatness of God's love.  That however great or incredible we have seen, heard, or understand God's love to be, it cannot compare to what God's love really is.

- A lot of times I sing songs that I have no idea what it means.  I just sing it cause it sounds nice.  So the part "to the One who was and is and yet to come"...yeah.  I didn't really understand that.  So I did a little researching and God is known as the Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end.  He was there when the world began, he came to us as Jesus, and will come again for us one day.  It's kinda funny that I need to research the meaning to my own songs. Anyway, just being real with you.

- I did have an issue with the "all of the heavenS" line.  I thought about changing it to angels or something like that, but Psalm 19 says "The heavenS declare the glory of God..." So if it's in the bible, it can be in my song.  In that line though, I just wanted to encompass all things we think of as heavenly: angels, heroes of the faith (like Moses, David, Noah, etc), all of those who have past on...that we join with them in our praise.

Bethel Church - The Loft Sessions

In my quest for music and also not having to pay too much money for it, I have most recently come across this album:  Bethel Church - The Loft Sessions

It came out on iTunes, January of this year.  But I just picked up the CD/DVD combo at Logos Bookstore for $11.99 plus tax! (Cheaper & better than iTunes! My kind of deal.)  Logos Bookstore can be found right here.  Check them out if you can and support your local businesses.

Here is a great song off of that album called "Come to Me" featuring Jenn Johnson.



Also, here's a little trailer for the album.  These are always fun to watch.  Kind of a "behind the scenes" thing! (More videos can be found on their YouTube Page)



For chord sheets and other cool stuff check out the Bethel website, here!

Hope you pick up the album and hope you love it.

Fall Apart by the PAWNSHOP kINGS

Currently loving this song...

FALL APART by the PAWNSHOP KINGS from John Moessner on Vimeo.

One Sonic Society

I just recently discovered this worship band: One Sonic Society.  I know I'm late to the party, but even so, just wanted to pass the good word along.  They are worth listening to.  To be honest, the only reason I checked them out was because I recognized Jason Ingram's name who has a few songs on a couple of Hillsong albums (of which I am a huge fan).  So I was so pleased to find, see, and hear a few of their songs.  This one is called Light Shine In.

Hope you love them.



What are you listening to? I'd love to know.

Poems & Dust - "Dirty Words" JAPAN EDITION

I tweeted about this and posted on Facebook, but here's another notice.  If you like great lyrics put to killer beats, I would recommend PND's "Dirty Words". The album is only $5 here.

This is one of my favorite tracks on the album.



You can actually sample the whole thing at their bandcamp page and then purchase it there too.

Who are you listening to that I should know about?  Lemme know.

Love supporting talented independent artist.

Thanks for stopping by.

All For Love (DEMO)

So here's the newest song I have.  I really tried to write a song that convicts the heart...BUT it somehow ended up very happy and singsongy at the end.  I guess that's just the kind of person I am.  Also, I really need help/tips on recording...cause this is just...not good.  Or if I could find someone to sing my songs!!!???!?!?! That'd be good, too. I think really it's just that I need a church/congregation.  I really am uncomfortable singing by myself.  Anyway, to God be the glory.  

All For Love

Broken for me
The crown of thorns & nails in Your feet
& hands flow blood
All for love


You took my place upon the cross
You died the death that I deserve
You paid the ransom for me
Once and for all
for love
All for love


So I will sing
& I will praise You
& so I will worship You
with all my heart
And I will live
Giving You everything
for You gave everything
& You held nothing back
for love 

Something about worship & anointing

This past Sunday we went to church at SRM Kona. If you're in Kona on a Sunday, go check them out for sure.  But it was a good day.  God showed me stuff about worship and I guess wanted me to see/understand/experience something about anointing.

Now for me, anointing is a funny word.  I understand/understood it to be when God's blessing or God's hand is on someone for a certain task.  But it kinda always meant: skillful.  I though that was the church word for skillful:  Anointed.

Oh, that person was an anointed speaker...means that person gave a great message.

Just fill in the blank for ministry...worship leader, guitar player, singer, children's worker, etc.

But last Sunday during worship at SRM, there was an anointing I believe.  Not necessarily on the whole team, I would say...but at least one, for sure.  My father-in-law.  It was weird because I have been to this church so many times before and have experienced their worship and church and only once have I ever felt something similar.  The one time before was when Jimmy Bohol lead a song.  Kind of a husky bigger guy, broad shoulders, dark skin, hair slicked back, huge smile.  Didn't really have the best voice but he had a nice voice.  The thing about it was he had cancer.  He was dying.  Yet he lead on stage with passion and praised the Lord with all that he had.  You would never know he had cancer or that he would die soon by watching him praise the LORD.

I thought to myself, "Wow, that is worship."

...I cried a little that day because I saw a man who loved the Lord so much and I saw myself who needs to love so much more.

So this past Sunday, nearly the same thing.

My father in law was just doing his thing...playing bass.  But every time I turned my eyes to him, something between my heart and throat started to well up. So I would turn away...and it would go away.  Till finally, I just locked in on him...and just like that, tears started to flow.  It wasn't that I was blown away with his musicianship (which I was cause he's really really good), it wasn't that I was suddenly convicted of some major sin in my life (which I probably should have been), the song that they were playing has been played many times before, but it was more that he was just "in his own world", giving glory to God.

That is what my eyes saw.  That is what my heart felt.

Anointing, I don't believe is just so we can say, "Wow, that person is really great or anointed at what they do," or "Look how God anointed them!"

It's has to be about, that person really loves God. Then somehow when God infuses them with his spirit for that time or season...something happens...something affects us...deep in our soul and somehow we are closer to God.

To God be the glory.

What does anointed mean to you?

Song time - Oh My Soul (the rewrite)

I've heard it preached/taught before that David was commanding his soul to praise God (in Psalm 103:1NASB).  That despite the hardships and difficulties we encounter (or bring upon ourselves), God is worthy to be praised and we need to remind ourselves of that...we need to sometimes command our soul to praise the Lord.

So here is the 3rd re-write of this song.  I think it is finished...
(Also I kinda messed up while singing it, but I'm too lazy to fix it up...and it doesn't sound THAT bad.)

Anyways...here we go again.

Oh My Soul

Oh my soul

Oh my soul

Oh my soul

Praise the Lord

He is good, He is good

and His love forever endures

He is peace, He is peace

Comfort for all who are in need

He is hope, He is hope

Like the dawn comes our Savior

He is God, He is God

Glorious, Sing my soul

sing now

Holy is the Lord

Holy is the Lord

Let everything within me

respond to all my eyes see

through the veil of faith and the living Word

Holy Spirit come let me see the hope

That I have in You

You alone are worthy to be praised

Forevermore

Hallelujah Hallelujah

Song Time - Oh My Soul

This is kinda a four part song. It goes from part 1 to part 4 and then back to part 1 again.  The main theme is commanding our soul to worship the Lord in any and all circumstances (but especially in the bad times).  I was looking for a reference and the closest thing I could find was Psalm 103:1 Praise the Lord my soul, all my inmost being, praise his holy name (NIV) 

I think this is the final product, but we'll see.  Thanks for stopping by. - Jared

Oh my soul

Oh my soul

Oh my soul

Praise the Lord

Holy, Holy, Holy

Sing my soul

Holy is the Lord

Holy is the Lord

Let everything within me

respond to all my eyes see

through the veil of faith and the living Word

Holy Spirit come let me see the hope

That I have in You

You alone are worthy to be praised

Forevermore

Hallelujah Hallelujah