On the Third Day

So the third day of each month I shall be blogging about Third Day. Why? Because its the Gomer thing to do. Since there are only 24 more days until Revelation is released why don't I just cut and past my review? I know. Because I've already done that on here... but not on the third day! So for the ease of TIMEs sake ;) I shall waste a day of blog space in repeat. Next month I shall hold my thoughts inside until such a TIME as this!!

Third Day – Revelation

For everyone who wondered if they had seen the beginning of the end for Third Day, the band answers back with its best CD to date. From the opening track they proclaim "This is Who I Am."

"I’m the son of a good man, I’m the child of an angel," read the lyrics. "I’m the brother of a wild one, and I’m looking for direction, I’m the lover a beauty, I’m father of blessings, I’m the singer of a love song, but is that all I’m good for? This is who I am!"

The tune "Slow Down" reminds you, in case you forgot, that this is a rock band. Lead singer Mac Powell begins the song with words that make his intentions plain: "Alright," he says, "lets rock it." American Idol alum Chris Daughtry offer back-up vocals on the track. At one point, Powell delivers a strong lyrical play on words, "I can’t seam to work it out, so help me God!" that leaves no doubt they plan on delivering a rock CD from start to finish.

There are no "skip to the next" tracks on this CD. Even in the slower songs where you see the depth of pain that they have endured over the last couple of months: "What I thought was the best for me turn to be all the worst I could find. If I run to you will you hold me in your arms forevermore?"

The song "Run to You" gives a glimpse into the heart and soul of this band. Decisions made over the last couple of months were not callous, but rather had these men on their knees crying out for direction, as is evident on the CD’s title track: "Tell me should I stay here or do I need to move? Give me revelation, I’ve got nothing without you."

The band raises existing standards for Christian pop rock on "Otherside." The song may not find itself in heavy rotation for the family-friendly radio stations, but delivers the strongest punch of energy on the album. "Let Me Love You" is a tender love song for anyone struggling to find shelter in God’s arms through a tough season: "Give up on the other things, my love can bring you more...Come on let me love you now, Come on let me hold you through the storms, I will keep you safe and warm."

Bringing it back to the southern rock roots of the band is the song"I’ll always be true," whose lyrics read: "Everyday that I live, every breath that I breathe yes it was all for you... When you need a shoulder to cry on I’m here every time and when you need a hand to hold I’ll give you mine. I’ll always be true!"

Guest singer Lacey Mosley, of Flyleaf, adds a perfect compliment to Mac on "Born Again": "I have a feeling in my soul, and I pray that I’m not wrong. That the life I have now, it is only the beginning. It feels like I’m born again, it feels like I’m living, for the very first time."

Mac’s vocals on "Give Love" are the smoothest that he has ever laid down on any track. He effortlessly delivers what may be his best ballad ever: "Listen very closely as I sing this song, and please believe that I mean every word. When I say I love you I mean it with all my heart, let it be the best thing that you’ve ever heard"

"Caught Up in Yourself" and "Ready" bring more rock flavor to the CD, while "Take it All" slows back down: "Now I’m ready to let go, to give it away. Take it all because I can’t take it any longer. With all I have I can’t make it on my own."

This CD will have you ready to rock, and ready to fall in love with Third Day all over again. The CD drops into stores on July 29. Pre orders began on May 2 WHY DON'T YOU ALREADY HAVE IT ORDERED???

Music expresses that which cannot be put into words and that which cannot remain silent. - Victor Hugo

I think he's funny...

Probably the funniest Onion EVER!!!

when I climb down this mountain and get back to my life... I won't settle for ordinary things

I was talking to a very sweet person this weekend. He is a member of a band that I love. At the risk of sounding like a fan-addict I confessed that I will be attending 7 shows this year. He appeared amazed and stated something along the line of... I hope we can keep it interesting for you. I couldn't help but smile. Lo after all these years they still don't get it do they? I wonder if any band outside of Third Day understands the Gomers. (And sometimes I wonder if Third Day really gets it) I do not fly out to Texas just to see Third Day, or Jars of Clay, or the Music Builds tour. (I did fly there one time to see NeedToBreathe but there were other circumstances built around that HAHA) I, like all the others I know, plan our show travels around who else is going to be at a particular show. We've made friends online but we get together and bond those ties without the "60 second rule." We come from all sorts of backgrounds and various religions, yet when we get together all that matters is the lyrics of the song Creed. We believe in God the Father... I don't care if they're Baptist and they don't mind if I'm Assembly of God. It's like that old blog post that I did a year or so ago. We are one body. And from a medical view, our body (made primarily of water... some in the form of blood) has many different functioning systems. We have a liver and kidneys that both work as filters for the blood. Yet neither of them have the same output. They go about the process differently. They use different triggering agents. They look different, act different yet produce the same effect. If either of them fail both of them will.

We travel to shows because its a glimpse here of what there is going to be like. We've fallen in love with the fellowship of people who love the same God. We've even broken off into sub groups and still travel together. (Jars, Toby, Crowder, DecembeRadio, NeedToBreathe... the list goes on)

And on a not-so-spiritual-but-still-real where the rubber meets the road level... We travel to the shows because we get to wake up in a different city every night. We know how to order the hash browns at Waffle House without studying the menu. We live like rock stars for a few days of the week before heading back to the mediocrity of life. We know we've been a part of something larger than us and we come back a little more changed each time. We thank you bands for giving us a common ground to travel too. But seriously, its not about you ;)

..many lost still seek to find themselves in me...they ask me to revel the very thoughts they would conceal...Love rescue me

Some bands take the stage with theatrics. Some with grace and poise. Then there are bands like Jars that move about the stage in somewhat quirky, even awkward but purposeful movements. On a hot muggy, rain delayed night in central Florida the band did just that. There is a fluid in Jars music that rolls from the stage into very the blood and water that make up your existence. You feel Jars. You experience something larger than yourself, deeper than what you may want to explore in a crowd. Looking around I saw people who either didn’t want to, or were unable to, comprehend the flow of the music, the very spirit and essence of God showing up, making Himself known. I think as creatures we hide from God. Its our very nature to hide. We hide from ourselves. When Adam sinned in the garden he hid from God, he didn’t seek after God to seek His forgiveness. Jars reminds us that we are in fact hiding from a world that is dying, and we are slowly dying with it. I don’t know exactly when I stopped sleeping. When I starting sitting and staring into nothing. Trapped in this situation that wont go away. I don’t want it to completely go away. That would mean that Daddy was gone. And mom not far behind him. Is there anyone out there who is struggling with two parents in chemotherapy? Two strong Christians who honestly believe that nothing but the will of God can and will come in their lives. Yet mom calls me as I drive around town visiting patients that are too sick to be left alone, but are victims of the insurance business that says they’ve used up enough hospital time, “Janet, I need you to be strong for me now. Are you going to be OK? Because I really need you now. I can’t handle this (with Daddy) anymore. The doctors have said.....” “You’re a nurse so I know you know more than what your telling me, but can you please just help me thru this? I love you.” My patients have my cell number. I take their calls. They think I am the best nurse Baptist has. I know because they write letters. Letters that get read during staff meetings. All eyes on me. Yet no one sees. Sometimes, I really, truly, honestly wish I wasn’t so alone. That I had arms to fall into to cry. “Janet, I need you to be strong for me.” “Mamma, God has this, he has daddy. If, no when daddy goes, he’s just going to step from here to there. One home to another. We will see him again. One day is like a thousand so he probably won’t even have time to miss us!” She laughs....while I hold everything inside but the tear that slowly rolls down getting trapped in the rim of my sunglasses."I gotta go I'm in someones driveway and I need to go inside." "Thanks Jannie, I love you." "I love you too mom." She has made it through one more day with hope and encouragement from me. Thanks Jars for pouring out a little fluid last night to fill me back up.

Drifter

"Sometimes I think about the past, the road that I was on, the road that lead me home..."


I love it when I hear just what I need to hear just when I need to hear it. Thank you God for gently calling me... and DecembeRadio for already putting lyric to note that which would make me smile today.

No flood waring...still the waters rise...

The storm hits today.

I'm listening to Jars' Good Monsters (haven't we been here before?)

I'm watching the rain hit the lake. The wind is so strong it is appears as though there are white caps on the water.

It has taken a couple of days for it to get here but the storm has arrived. "There are storms coming that can't be prayed away."

Spent the day trying to drive with fluid vision. Wore sunglasses to the mandatory meeting to hide my eyes. No one even noticed.

Can you hear that?


Listen... there it is again. I think I'll open the back sliding glass wall and listen to the sound of the rain falling on the lake and the wind in the trees.

There it is again. That sound. The sound of quiet. Walking into a empty house alone at the end of the day. The sound of nothing greeting me at the door.

No one to call. No one to feed. No clothes to wash. No showers to remind of. I've looked forward to Chance going to camp. But only one evening alone, and I realize I am alone.

I hear the rumble of thunder in the distance. A storm is coming my way.

I hear you calling my name
in the echoes of the wind.
I see your spirit in the
shadows now and then...













Call My Name~ Third Day's Revelation... in stores July 29th. In my CD player NOW!

I got to spend the day at the beach today with my mom. I honestly don't think there is a sound in nature that sounds better than the waves crashing on the shore. I only wish that there were sunscreen strong enough to keep me from burning. Why do they call it sun kissed? I think its more like sun punched! But in a day or two it will fade. I'm glad the memory of mom and me at the beach (looking for sharks... because Jaws is out there!) will last as long as my memory, or this blog, exists! I sat and read back over some of the older stuff that I used to write. Some of it was pretty good. I read more back then, thats obvious.

Walking the line...

I actually had a wonderful day at work today. I was still at home in my PJ's at 10:30. I saw my 6 patients, no complications and back home by 3:30. I missed church tonight. I have no idea why I don't like going on Wednesday nights. Its not that I don't think I need it. God you know I do. Speaking of God lol. Something hit me today. As I was driving across the Buckman bridge. (I know.. of all places to get lost in thought right, right?) I am still having problems with my mouth. So God has shown me that I'm walking so close to the edge with some of the things say. So that when I stumble, I'm so close that I fall over... and not a good "Other side" either. When I say things like, "That is so freaking awesome!" I'm so close. Even though what I say isn't "wrong." It opens a door in my subconscious thought patterns, that when anger hits me, and knocks me for a loop. Oops there I go again. I know I'm probably the only one, who at the level of teaching/training that I've had still stumbles over something like that, but I'm praying that God now that you've shown me this, I can make a change. So help me God...

this is my life...

My twitter updates roll into my tumblr account which updates my facebook page. All I need now (is to breathe lol) is a pocket protector and I'd be set!

I have some potential interviews coming up in the future. I'll keep you posted. Right now I thing I'm actually going to go work out alone... as is much of my life! :(

I got up this morning to go into work early. Was going to get caught up. Only to find a voice mail indicating that my AM IV was to be moved to 2 pm~ I didn't even know I was doing an IV. And it was peak and trough labs. Great. Even if I got there early to draw the trough and start the gentamycin at one, by the time it finished infusing it would be 2. The peak should be drawn at 4. Labs close at 4. I'd have to drive them downtown to BMC main. So I changed around my other patients. Rearranged my day. Wasn't going to get upset. I should be accustomed to being screwed by BHHC right right? I've only been doing this for 2 years. Why would today be any different? I guess I just hoped against hope that one day I'd wake up and love being a nurse. I'd love going to work. So I go into work to find out who my patient was and the info on where to go. I took my supplies out to my car. Put my keys down in the trunk and then shut it. Great. Perfect. Now not only was I behind, I was 2 patients over in productivity, AND my keys were locked in the trunk of the car... So I sat at a desk and tried to move from my Left brain to my Right brain. Didn't work. Well it did for a little while. I pray that my son doesn't have to take a career for money. It really sucks. Oh if we could run away maybe we could change... get back on our feet again...finally make it home again..

Here I am ... again

Hi all. In case you haven't noticed I'm a contributing writer for inReview.net now. Don't worry I'm keeping my day job. Daddy has started back on his treatments and its so hard for me to see him weak. As an RN I want to do something, anything to help him but I can't. Not only am I not a chemo nurse (so my knowledge is limited)there really isn't a whole lot that can be done. I can pray and trust in my faith, believe what I know to be true and continue to praise. And when all else fails... cry. I will continue to lift my eyes... to the maker...of the mountains I can't climb... (God I thank you for the praises that you've given to others to share. Thank you that I can make them my own, and give them back to you!)

I NeedToBreathe!

I am sure that by now the men of NeedToBreathe are getting a little tired of the cliches that naturally surround their name. But after a week of non stop GMA it was a breath of fresh air to meet up in the parking lot of Chick-Fil-a in Houston, TX to catch a KSBJ’s Brown Bag special concert and watch a true southern gritty rock and roll band perform. Did I mention that it was Christian rock? The NeedToBreathe message is not as in-your-face Christian as some acts, but it is a much welcome change on the music scene. Its nice to rock out to music that is as good, if not better than the secular scene yet still able to raise your hands in worship(or shake it like you know you want to do ). NeedToBreathe is one of the rare bands that you can see in a club or a church and the music, the message, and the meaning still translate, all glorifying the God of the Universe. Reminding us that we can be in the world and not of it, constant in any season. If you have friends that are not Christian, love to rock and your trying to “reach” them, I’d recommend that you buy them a copy of NeedToBreathe’s CD “The Heat” AND take them to see these guys play. You won’t be disappointed by either.

The band took the stage with an unrecorded intro to Shine that had the crowd on their feet and shaking it. They rounded out the evening with More Time, Streets of Gold, Sweet Talking, Daylight, Haley, Washed by the Water, You can’t always get What You Want (Rolling Stones Cover) and Signature of Devine.

The bands sophomore CD, The Heat, 2007 Atlantic Records, is a cross over CD that holds it own in the secular arena as well as the Christian scene. The band was nominated for Dove awards for the Rock/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year and Rock/Contemporary Album of the Year. While the CD didn’t win with the voters it is a winner with the fans. The CD starts off with a simple question, can you Spare the Time? The drum intro to Restless kicks the CD off with a rocking start. There are very few CD’s that I can pop in and listen to the entire CD without skipping at least one of the tracks, but this CD is one of them. The latest radio single Washed By the Water is a moving story written by the bands lead singer Bear Reinhart about his fathers struggles as a pastor.

While much of this bands history is hard to uncover their future is wide open. Wide open is how I ended up playing much of this CD. Streets of Gold reminds us of what were struggling for, “it’s easy to say that there’s a reason for this, Much harder to know, That what we say is true” while Looks Like Love reminds us to enjoy the trip there, “Our hearts can only shake, When there’s risk that they could break”. I’d rate this CD a 10 out of 10. I’ve bought 3 copies to give away so far. I’d recommend that you buy at least one for yourself.

Janet Mattox
Resident Rocker JanetRN

Revelation

Third Day – Revelation

For everyone who wondered if they had seen the beginning of the end for Third Day, the band answers back with its best CD to date. From the opening track they proclaim "This is Who I Am."

"I’m the son of a good man, I’m the child of an angel," read the lyrics. "I’m the brother of a wild one, and I’m looking for direction, I’m the lover a beauty, I’m father of blessings, I’m the singer of a love song, but is that all I’m good for? This is who I am!"

The tune "Slow Down" reminds you, in case you forgot, that this is a rock band. Lead singer Mac Powell begins the song with words that make his intentions plain: "Alright," he says, "lets rock it." American Idol alum Chris Daughtry offer back-up vocals on the track. At one point, Powell delivers a strong lyrical play on words, "I can’t seam to work it out, so help me God!" that leaves no doubt they plan on delivering a rock CD from start to finish.

There are no "skip to the next" tracks on this CD. Even in the slower songs where you see the depth of pain that they have endured over the last couple of months: "What I thought was the best for me turn to be all the worst I could find. If I run to you will you hold me in your arms forevermore?"

The song "Run to You" gives a glimpse into the heart and soul of this band. Decisions made over the last couple of months were not callous, but rather had these men on their knees crying out for direction, as is evident on the CD’s title track: "Tell me should I stay here or do I need to move? Give me revelation, I’ve got nothing without you."

The band raises existing standards for Christian pop rock on "Otherside." The song may not find itself in heavy rotation for the family-friendly radio stations, but delivers the strongest punch of energy on the album. "Let Me Love You" is a tender love song for anyone struggling to find shelter in God’s arms through a tough season: "Give up on the other things, my love can bring you more...Come on let me love you now, Come on let me hold you through the storms, I will keep you safe and warm."

Bringing it back to the southern rock roots of the band is the song"I’ll always be true," whose lyrics read: "Everyday that I live, every breath that I breathe yes it was all for you... When you need a shoulder to cry on I’m here every time and when you need a hand to hold I’ll give you mine. I’ll always be true!"

Guest singer Lacey Mosley, of Flyleaf, adds a perfect compliment to Mac on "Born Again": "I have a feeling in my soul, and I pray that I’m not wrong. That the life I have now, it is only the beginning. It feels like I’m born again, it feels like I’m living, for the very first time."

Mac’s vocals on "Give Love" are the smoothest that he has ever laid down on any track. He effortlessly delivers what may be his best ballad ever: "Listen very closely as I sing this song, and please believe that I mean every word. When I say I love you I mean it with all my heart, let it be the best thing that you’ve ever heard"

"Caught Up in Yourself" and "Ready" bring more rock flavor to the CD, while "Take it All" slows back down: "Now I’m ready to let go, to give it away. Take it all because I can’t take it any longer. With all I have I can’t make it on my own."

This CD will have you ready to rock, and ready to fall in love with Third Day all over again. The CD drops into stores on July 29. Pre orders began on May 2.

A highway with no one on it...

God I want a relationship with you.

Not a one night one time experience. I want to know you for who you are. I want to know -"That way isn't right" because I know you well enough to know what you'd think about it. I want to know your thoughts towards me without having to continuously ask you.

Oh to be so hid that I'm found... in you.

Wouldn't it be lovely if the whole world or at least the whole church had knowing God in the forefront of their thoughts/desires/hopes/plans/dreams/aspirations/heart and soul...Sometimes it feels as if I'm on a highway with no one on it...A free way to a new way, with very little traffic.

All that is within me

Sometimes life isn't all its cracked up to be. Its a dream that sometimes becomes a reality. And the reality brings things that we aren't prepared to handle. Life has a way of happening in unpredictable ways with unpredictable outcomes. Sometimes we think were OK when in reality we don't even know what lies inside.
All that is within me... sometimes I wonder what is truely left inside of me. What is my heart truly made of. What is it that drives me. What is my prime objective and motivation behind my own actions. I've heard it said that you know exactly why you do things. Sometimes I'm not so sure that I even know who I am- let alone know my motives.

I am home from work again today. I got dressed to go in but they called and talked to me... and basically talked me out of going to work. With the exception of the breathing treatments I’m doing every 4 hours there is nothing I can’t do there that I’m not doing here right? (Well.. There is the napping...)

So they have told me that I have adult onset of Asthma. I still find that hard to believe and even harder to accept. I’m thinking that I have a bronchitis that I can’t kick. And I’m going to believe that God will heal me from this.

Mom’s second dose of her chemo didn’t go well. She had a reaction to the medications. Today (dose 3) dad is with her. I hate that I’m too sick to be around her. It feels as though when she needs me most I’m not there.

I’m reading the book of Isaiah. God I ask for your wisdom. Holy, holy,holy is the Lord of hosts; the whole earth is full of his glory.

Grace Can!

Hey everyone... what’s up? How have you been? I recently got finished watching Rock of Love re-runs and feel all the more stupid-er for it. I got to catch the last 3 episodes and the reunion special. :rolleyes: And yup you guessed it... no remote control for the tv (why else would I have watched it?)

So I'm reading in John and the verse catches my attention 1:16 "grace for grace." It's been rolling around in there for a couple of days. I have received grace for grace! Glory to God! He gives me the grace I need for grace! So that "All that the Father giveth me shall come to me!" And that of all which he has given me I should lose nothing!(6:37 & 39)

I’m so thankful that in this hard time He is still drawing me. That He hasn’t left me to myself and my own ways. I’ve had some problems with Chance lately. But God says that all he has given me... I should lose nothing!!! He also says that I can have my seed and my seeds seed so there is more to come! I’m thankful that others are there for me so that we can pull him thru this. My bestest friend assures me that he’s not the first teenager and I’m not the first single mom dealing with it! Hallelujah!!

Mom has started a new type of chemo. Her first dose went pretty smooth so maybe next time she won’t have to stay so long for the treatment. Now if daddy would just take care of himself! LOL.
It’s not a small world anymore. And I have a big year ahead. But I’m not viewing it as a “New” beginning with a clean slate like I heard others say. I’m tired of going around the same mountain over and over again. I’m moving along and pressing ahead and getting involved with what God gives. In spite of me and what I see it’s all because of calvary that GRACE CAN!

Blog update...

My brother, sister in law and I completely did the Thanksgiving dinner at mom & dads. She hasn’t been able to eat anything so she’s wasting away a little. (Lost about 15 lbs in 2 weeks) The rest of her hair fell out from everywhere so we were glad that she had already shaved it short and gotten a wig. She has had tattooed make-up for years so its not that noticeable that her eyebrows/lashes are gone. She was actually able to eat some that day and it made her feel better that she didn’t have to do anything. She’s a little weak. I’ve been “finding” things for her to do for me because she’s feeling useless d/t her weakness.



I put up her Christmas tree and Jeff Jr and I decorated it on thanksgiving day while she watched. It was overall a very good day.


There was an evangelist that works for the Daystar TV network that came and our pastor let him preach a service. At the end he said that he doesn’t usually pray for people but he felt lead to pray for some people in our congregation. ( I was operating a camera that day) He said that he had such a strong feeling that someone had an issue w/ their back and back pain that needed prayer. I RAN up front to have him pray for me. (This was two weeks ago) And I HAVE NOT HAD ANY BACK PAIN since then!! I know that God healed me that morning!! Its not good news to the lawyer who is handling my suit against the other driver but at this point I don’t care. I’ll take pain free over money ANYDAY!!