Lyrics for our new EP Soteria

Hey guys! We've had a lot of requests for the lyrics off our new EP Soteria, so I thought I would post them here! We hope you find encouragement through them :D

Solace

secrets trapped inside a wounded heart
searching for the light amidst all the dark
but hiding under your covers as you quiver with fear
won't make the monsters disappear, but

You don't have to hide anymore
you don't have to run away
(and face it all alone)
there is no fear here
(safe in love)
He is all you need
He is everything

I know that you're afraid to reveal your imperfections
but the way to freedom is through confession
so lay it down right now and let Him intercede
cause only through truth will you be free
and see that He is all you need

Just let go
I wanna know I'm alive
I wanna live in the light
very soon you'll see that it doesn't belong
I cannot live this way
I wanna see You again

take what You want I have nothing left to fear
so much time wasted on my selfish heart
but I see now it was You all along
even in my darkest moments You name me lovely


Ghosts

I had plans to die today
I trusted this bottle to take it all away
and leave me cold
I had plans to die today
to fall asleep with nothing left to say
cause no one cares anyway
and as I'm staring at my reflection now
it's screaming words at me
that I'm not worthy
so I took my life, took it in my hands
I decided I'm not worth a chance

Why am I so dark inside?
these thoughts I cannot hide
I'll let go of my life
lay down my guard tonight
I destroy everything I touch
It'll be so easy to give up
these ghosts wrap me in their lies
nothing left to satisfy

I had plans to die today
but woke up to nurses all around
dressed in a gown
I had plans to die today
but someone else had a different frame
on my distorted view of reality
and as I laid there in my selfish state
say between the walls of my fate
I felt a hope creep in instead
and Truth re-wrote the words in my head

wide eyed disbelief takes me back
the world only sees a selfish act
but I swear I wanted to fight
I didn't want to give up tonight

I'm running blindly from death
but I see a light up ahead
I know that You hear me
I know You're listening

cause Truth has rescued me
and I'll see daylight again
I want to understand
that all You have for me
is all I'll ever need
cause Truth has rescued me
and I'll see daylight again
and You came back for me when no one else believed
I wanna understand
that all You have for me
is all I'll ever need
cause I'm alive


Plastic

I look so pretty in my box
placed in line upon the shelf
all my lining is in tact
and all the binding is in place
If i step outside
it could be dangerous
cause people always look down
at the rebellious

but when I look inside of me
I start to see these parts of me
and I'm beginning to notice
that I don't believe anything I see
and I just want to be free

but I will break all these plastic parts of me
until there's nothing fake that I can see
oh I never knew deceit could hide behind a simple smile
but I know all I wanna do is give in
to the art of being real

the veil has been removed and I can finally see the truth
I'll scream it out, until you can see it too
looking at where I used to be seeing you're still stuck where I was
and you're showing off that mask you wear
while you hide behind that fake stare

but the problem with perfection
is that no one knows who you really are and
while you're trying to be perfect
the rest of us are all fine

let the fire burn it all
watch the fire burn it all
send Your fire burn it all


Embers

The ember flicker in the distance
as children play unaware
the silent enemies watch and listen quietly
to prepare the way for more despair

one more time down the slide
one more jump off the swings
I swear I won't let it take me
I swear I'll try to stay me

but the fire is falling fast
as my town turns to ash
outside this chain link fence I've built
to preserve myself
I see the embers flash
as my city turns to ash
we can't escape this mess we've made
by running away

no one saw it as it came this way
it crept in and began to decay
in this city that has lost itself
and abandoned Your name
and succumbed to the flames

I lift my eyes up
where does my help come from?
my help comes from the Lord
the maker of heaven and earth

I see the light bursting through the night
and I know that my help is on the way
I see the sky open up and I
and I know that my hope is on the way
my help is on the way
my hope is on the way
You are on Your way
You will save the day
You will save me


Gilded

I sit alone in a crowded room
wanting nothing more than to be removed
we play these people like they're a game
who has the most in the end wins

how are we so blind? have I always been this blind?
I stared at gilded walls, but I never felt the fall

lead me into Your arms
I'm afraid anywhere else
might break my heart

I'm never satisfied
we're never satisfied
we operate under this false illusion
that we deserve anything at all

You're breaking down my walls
I've had for so long
now I want nothing more
I want nothing more
all for my personal gain
to satisfy my vanity
I want nothing more
now I want nothing more


You can purchase physical copies on our website drivethrusocietyband.com or pick up a digital copy at these online sites

iTunes- https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/soteria-ep/id1173365624
Google play- https://play.google.com/store/music/album/Drive_Thru_Society_Soteria?id=Bmm2xlyjq2egwht7bryofziqeai
Amazon - https://www.amazon.com/Soteria-Drive-Thru-Society/dp/B01N3OAUVW/ref=sr_1_7?ie=UTF8&qid=1479053120&sr=8-7&keywords=drive+thru+society

*Meg

The story behind 'Downstream'

In the fall of 2009, I was a sophomore in college and was deeply involved with my college's BSM on campus. I was 19, eager to continue my independence as a college student and expectant for the things my second year would bring. Although on the outside I was springing with life and joy, I had just come through (and was still very much getting over) some very deeply hurtful things. My parents and I had been in quite the power struggle, my boyfriend at the time and I had just ended things, I was having serious relational problems with people I thought were my friends, and I was so confused on how things would ever be right again. I watched my friends at the BSM come to our Thursday night gatherings and talk about how great things were lining up for them, how God had opened doors with jobs, how people were getting engaged, how great their family and friends were, and some even having children. I outwardly praised each and every one with congratulations and encouragement towards the future, but deep down inside I longed for the blessings they were given. This went on for weeks (which doesn't seem like that long now, but at the time it was agonizing) and I began to wonder if things were ever going to look up for me.

I remember one day I was at a friends house for a prayer meeting. I saw a picture on my friends dresser of her and her fiancé and thought to myself....God, why does it seem to work out for everyone else except me? At the time I couldn't see how selfish I really was, but looking back I know that God was still able to speak to me, despite my pride and envy of others. All I could think about was I give up, I'm throwing in the towel. All my efforts don't seem to get me anywhere. Looking back, I know that's exactly where God wanted me to be, and I'm so thankful for His grace in those moments.

A few days later I was playing my guitar as I did frequently and the first line of the song came to my head...

"Is it always this lonely when we turn in the towel? watching others succeed and carry on without a doubt"

I knew then I was onto something and the song kept flowing from there.

"You say You have a greater plan for me, I wanna believe.

so close my eyes to the world so I cannot see."

It became evident in that moment that I was looking at what everyone else had, and I was failing to recognize what God had already blessed me with. It became my prayer to close my eyes to what others had so that I couldn't be distracted to covet what they had.

When I was younger my family always went on vacation and one of the activities we did often was white water rafting. Being an experienced rafter (definitely no expert) I was familiar with river terms and what different things meant. The song began to form a picture in my head of someone sitting on a raft looking downstream, but not being able to see around the next corner, therefore the person would have no clue what to expect. In white water, there are these pools of water called 'eddies'. They spin the raft or boat in circles and the rafter becomes idle and immobile off to the side of the river. In my aha moment of God revealing these things through the writing process I knew I wanted to relate my situation to rafting or moving downstream, so the next line was written metaphorically to the eddies of life.

"The eddies are pulling me to idle in their tides. But Your current is much stronger I won't waste by the side"

At this point I'm understanding that God wants us to move forward despite our circumstances and regardless of whether we can see around the next corner. In most of my experiences it's very rare that the path is completely mapped out, but instead God asks us for our faith and He will work out the rest (sometimes a difficult lesson to learn for a planner like myself). I knew that there were many things at that point in time that were pulling me to wait on the sidelines, telling me to just stop and not press on, and that there was no hope for the future. I'm grateful that God's word says otherwise...

"cause I wanna go

Downstream, Downstream

what's waiting for me, show me past where the willows

cry into the sea

Downstream, Downstream

I wanna flow on every rapid, moving forward never looking back

at the waters that once held me captive"

The second verse is addressing the issue of continuing to move forward despite not knowing what's around the next corner. Trusting God in these moments is extremely scary, but in most cases it's literally the only option. This is as far as I got with the song until 2014, when I re-wrote the bridge with the band. Greg played around with the chords and added some instrumental breakdowns that I was able to sing over. We confront many issues that wrestle with negative undertones in our music, but we never want to leave ourselves or the listener without hope and encouragement, which is exactly what the bridge is supposed to accomplish.

"and when I feel alone out here in this boat, I find my hope that, I'm not alone

freedom's in the sky, I finally feel alive, I know it deep inside that, I'm not alone"

You are never alone! Even when you feel your mapping it out on your own, find hope that the Lord is with you and even when you don't know it, He is guiding your path.

It's been amazing to see people's reception to this song and how it has impacted their lives. Many responses have said it helped them overcome their adversity they were facing in the workplace, in their homes and with their families. Please be encouraged that no matter the situation, you are not alone! I'd love to hear how this song has impacted you, because even though it's 6 years old, it still speaks to me to never let my past hold me back and keep pressing forward despite my circumstances.

*meg

You can find the song on iTunes, Google play, Amazon MP3, and Spotify, or watch our lyric video here

You can also call and request it at your local Christian Rock station.

words I write

Many people have asked if the lyrics to our songs are online somewhere so they can read them. I've been wanting to post them for quite some time, but I've been swamped with working, sewing, writing new music, and maintaining my other life obligations such as laundry. Finally I found some time this afternoon and I will be posting all the lyrics to our EP - Shadows Within, PLUS lyrics to the other songs that we play live and are not recorded yet. I hope these words impact you as much as they have impacted me.

Alabaster Jar

words and music by Meg Hudson

Outside I pray for strength

but how would even God hear me?

the lights are glowing from the triclinium

as my feet begin moving, to fix all that I have done wrong

I hear their comments fly

whispers race behind my back

but His eyes meet mine

step on, I step on

and at His feet I fall

tears flowing easily now

and silence falls

the air is thick with tension

but I pour out perfume on His feet

and apologize when my tears dilute

this anointing

So I'll take this alabaster jar

all I have at Your feet

holding nothing back

my sin exposed and my hair let down

praising You with this

alabaster jar

my hair I let down

like so many times before

each time a wound

another scar on my soul

my tears wet His feet

it's different than before

He doesn't turn away

so still I have hope

Lord forgive me,

You're faith has saved you

Lord forgive me

Go in peace

Downstream

words and music by Meg Hudson

Is it always this lonely when we turn in the towel?

watching others succeed and carry on, without a doubt

You say You have a greater plan for me, I wanna believe

so close my eyes to the world so I cannot see

the eddies are pulling me to idle in their tides

but Your current is much stronger I won't waste by the side

cause I wanna go

Downstream, Downstream

what's waiting for me

show me past where the willows cry into the sea

Downstream, Downstream

wanna flow on every rapid

moving forward never looking back

at the waters that once held me captive ya

It's hard to trust what lies just around the bend

but I'll keep searching cause I know it's in Your hands

patience beckons with every turn and still no sign

I have no other choice but to wait until it's time

and when I feel alone out here in this boat

I find my hope that I'm not alone

freedom's in the sky I finally feel alive

I know it deep inside that, I'm not alone

Reign in Me

words and music by Meg Hudson

can You see beyond these walls?

the one's I've put up to hide my scars

would You recognize me tonight

the tears in my eyes are my disguise

can You hear me?

would You listen please?

I'm crying, crying, crying

for You to come reign in me

can You hear me?

I have a desperate plea

I am in need

for You to come reign in me

I sometime's wonder how could I be blessed

with a past that is such a mess

but You've promised me

life for eternity

when I lose myself, come and follow You

so would You reach through the clouds tonight

reach down and change my life

I am restless without Your hands

guiding everything the way You've planned

so let Your will be played through my life

as Your child is broken in Your arms

Amnesty

words and music by Meg and Greg Hudson

I dream of things most people are frightened of

they tend to dwell here

an asphyxiating disease

it's been so long since I've seen this ground

what right do I have to be here at all

but in this fight for my life

there's no where else I'd rather have fallen

Amnesty

just pardon for my wrongs

but it doesn't change what I've done

they suffocate my air supply

threatening to take the vessel down

(take the whole thing down)

I'm terrified to be defined this way

can words bring healing rain

or am I subject to blind dismay

Amnesty

just pardon for my wrongs

but it doesn't change what I've done

Amnesty

I'm guilty where I stand

but I do know a man who'll save me

It's temporary but it feels eternal

I have nothing left to gain here

(there is nothing left for me)

deep in the heart of bitterness

I'll rip the root out soak in cleansing

(cleanse me Lord)

This fire seems overwhelming

I offer up my soul

(take my soul)

You outstretch Your arms

death that was meant for me

You taught me

--------

These next few are songs we've played live, but have not released the recording of

Eradicate

words and music by Meg and Greg Hudson and Drew Hall

I'm wicked and iniquity tends to surround my heart

It's time to come clean of everything in between You and I

what belongs to You I've been holding on to

claiming it as mine, but

It's all Yours

It's all Your

every heartbeat

every breath inside my lungs

it's all Yours

it's all Yours

take this pride within me

and set me free

dirt dirt, it seems it's always on my mind

but now it's mud cause my sweat and tears is all it seems to find

but as I step through it, you know my feet are getting slower

as I fret about it, you mentioned it I'm growing colder

I'm free to run from but is that what You call freedom?

You can't pick up your feet how do you define to run

they say the grass is greener on the other side

but if you run with my Lord the grass stays green through the wintertime

I'm casting aside the things obstructing You and I

such things as these, anger, malice and deceit

I wanna walk in the light

on the battlefield I'm gunna bring my shield

cause You're the only one who'll get me through this fight

pick up your feet soldier, beauty's in the eye of beholder

and these are your eyes, so look through lines of the scolder

so many chains have been attached to a pretty picture

but let's take chains of free will to righteousness through scripture

to see a true beauty, a lovers duty, a God who's just

the price of sin is death that's why we earn to return to the dust

can't afford lifes spiritual welfare

the second I believed I needed spiritual healthcare

cause my eyes adjusted now to see my state of being

now my dirt attacks me quickly as I'm ever fleeing

waiting for deliverance father God you'll find me on my knees

from You comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly

Oh oh, here it comes the perfect storm

to prove to me that I was always very wrong

and I violate the fabrication of your way to life

no more inhibition, false religion

will shroud my vision of Your truth

I stand alone screaming for justice

but inside they slowly die

with no chance of hope for their life

for their life

I'm sick of lying eyes

and 'hello' 'goodbyes'

that never satisfy the very dying cries

of our world that screams someone rescue me

Solace

words by Meg Hudson / music by Greg Hudson

secrets trapped inside a wounded heart

searching for the light amidst all the dark

but hiding under your covers as you quiver with fear

won't make the monsters disappear, but

you don't have to hide, anymore

you don't have to run away, and face it all alone

there is no fear here, safe in love

He is all you need, He is everything

seek Him now, watch it rain down

you will see that He is all you need

I know that you're afraid to reveal your imperfections

the way to freedom is through confession

so lay it down right now and let Him intercede

cause only through truth will you be free

just let go of the things you think you know

for very soon you'll see that it does not belong

take what you want I have nothing left to fear here

so much time wasted on my selfish heart

I see now it was You all along

even in my darkest moments

You name me lovely

Embers

words by Meg Hudson / music by Greg Hudson

the embers flicker in the distance

as children play unaware

silent enemies watch and listen

to prepare the way for more despair

what better way to spread corruption

than through that which is innocent

to twist the value of what is good

to serve a purpose so misunderstood

one more time down the slide

one more jump of the swings

i swear I won't let it take me

I swear I'll try hard to stay me

but the fire is falling fast

as my town turns to ash

outside this chain link fence I've built

to preserve myself

we all start out with good intentions

but our short cuts lead us away

we let pride take over and wield the reigns

saying this is the way

no one saw it as it came this way

crept in and began to decay

in this city that has lost itself

and succumbed to the flames

but the fire is falling fast

as my town turns to ash

outside this chain link fence I've built

to preserve myself

I see the embers flash

as my city turns to ash

we can't escape this mess we've made

but running away

I lift my eyes up

where does my help come from?

my help comes from the Lord

maker of heaven and earth

I see the light bursting through the night

and I know, my help is on the way

I see the sky open up and I

and I know, my hope is on the way

my help is on the way, my hope is on the way

You are on Your way, You will save the day

You will save me

Plastic

words by Meg Hudson / music by Greg Hudson

I look so pretty in my box

placed in line upon the shelf

all my lining is in tact

and all the binding is in place

if i step outside, it could be dangerous

people always look down at the rebellious

yet I've started to notice a change in me

that these pieces aren't what I really believe

I will break all these plastic parts of me

til there's nothing fake that I can see

oh I never knew deceit could hide behind a simple smile

but I know all I wanna do is give in

to the art of being real

the art of being real

the veil has been removed

and I can finally see the truth

I'll scream it out until you can see it too

looking in on where I was seeing you're still bound there

trapped behind a blank cold stare

but the problem with perfection

is it puts you in a bind

it tears apart your dreams and makes you wanna give up

let the fire burn it all

watch the fire burn it all

send Your fire burn it all

© 2014 Meg and Greg Hudson

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the artist, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

Think for yourself

I had this awful habit growing up where I would take what someone said and automatically assume that it was truth and adapt it as my own belief. I would then use it in later circumstances without fully realizing what I was supporting and then in turn feel stupid when the other person could talk circles around me. It took me years to realize that I was doing this and when I finally did I realized I had to find the root and move from there. The fact was...I didn't really have a firm grasp on what I believed.

I grew up in a Christian home where Jesus's love was evident and shared daily. My family always pointed me to the truth and when they didn't have the answers, I searched until I found a decent answer. The problem with this was that I didn't always look to God's word for the answer, I looked for other people to validate my personal opinion on the issue, rather than deal with some of the hard truths in scripture about certain things. Through this process I learned a few things.

1. I had no idea what side I stood on for certain issues

-Is cussing a sin? How does God feel about drinking? Smoking isn't illegal, but it's bad for you and isn't my body a temple? Doesn't that mean I shouldn't eat a cheeseburger either? Why do people condemn homosexuals more than heterosexuals engaging in pre-marital sex? And isn't pride a sin just as well? What are my opinions on sperm/egg donations? What exactly constitutes salvation? Is predestination a thing? Because wouldn't that mean Jesus didn't die for everyone? --- These questions are tough, and finding my standpoint on them was a rough road. There are still a few (and some not listed here) that I'm struggling to find my completed stance. Growing up I didn't have a firm belief backed by scripture, so whichever opinion of the week I liked, I adopted. This is dangerous ground for a Christian not to know where you stand on big issues, because we will be questioned and looked at in a different light. Because we represent Christ (and do so poorly a lot of the time) we will also be persecuted for our answers, so we might as well give the truth. I am in no way saying we need to have all the answers, BUT on issues that do have room for solidity, we need to at least attempt to figure it out.

2. It's not wrong to seek counsel from older people and/or people who have been through this and have a better understanding of the bible than you. 

-BUT in doing this, make sure that they are seeking the Lord and aren't going to give you the answer you want to hear, but give you truth, out of love. It does them (or you) no good to throw answers, or call you out when you're wrong if there is no love or encouragement towards truth. These people may challenge you, but it needs to be gracious and uplifting. Otherwise the person looking for advice will be unsettled and feel stupid for asking questions in the first place.

3. God's word cannot be added to or taken away from. 

-This means read God's word for what it says, don't try to add to it or take away the context of the scripture. This is where seeking wisdom from the Holy Spirit comes in to ask for discernment. There are some things in the Bible that are unsettling to new and seasoned Christians, but that doesn't mean we can skip those parts. If you have trouble understanding or grasping, see point 2.

4. It is okay to question pastors and teachers. 

-I know this may interfere with point number 2 but hear me out. A good pastor should always ask you to take what he says and refer back to scripture and never take what he says as absolute truth. Although they are seeking the wisdom from the Lord to teach you, they are not always correct. Make sure they are backing their teaching up with sound scripture and focusing on the GOSPEL (Jesus's life and mission) and preach Grace. I can't tell you how many times I've seen pastors teach about truth and God's wrath and completely miss grace and mercy. You need both, because God is both.

5. Try not to let the job of questioning everything turn you into a cynic or critic. 

-It seems that all anyone is this day is outspoken, quick to respond (most of the time without thinking) and cynical. The cynical side of things then quickly turns into apathy because people just don't want to deal with it, or they become so opinionated (i'm sorry "knowledgable") that they leave no room for the Holy Spirit to convict or teach because they have already formulated opinions and that's that. (I speak mainly to Christians here because I cannot expect those who have not submitted to the same authority I have to operate under these principles we are called to). This may be hard, but I believe it is so true:

It's easy to sit in a church service and tear apart every aspect that does that work for you specifically. I struggled through this a few years ago when I was 20 because I felt I had been enlightened to the true aspect of "church" and America had it all wrong. It was similar across the south (I grew up in the bible belt so I do not profess to have mass amounts of experience across the world), you show up to church, get your bulletin with the upcoming events. Music starts, sing three songs (1st-fast song, get the congregation going!! 2nd-medium speed, engage the congregation more towards Jesus. 3rd-super slow and reflective to really bring it home), Pastor teaches for about 30 minutes and makes comments about how he won't keep you from the football game (or lunch) this afternoon, sing a closing song after the offering and then you're dismissed. The church I had read about in ACTS definitely didn't sound like American church. Yet in my angst and 20 year old mindset to 'fix the church' one pulpit at a time, I felt this overwhelming conviction against the way I viewed the church in the first place. I had become an awful critic because church didn't fit MY idea of what it was supposed to look like. God revealed that the church is not about pleasing me or fitting into my mold of what church was. The church is meant to edify, encourage, challenge and worship God through multiple facets of service. Changing my lens, I was able to see how even though we may not have all the answers, God works despite us and still moves to accomplish the things He intends to. I say this so that in your quest to think for yourself and understand what you really believe in, don't let it consume you to the point that you are critical of everything and become hard to any teaching at all.

6. Pray for wisdom and discernment. (James 1:5-8)

-I cannot express enough how much this matters. We do live in a world where deceit and grey lines are everywhere and it's easy to be fooled. In the quest to think for yourself and discover what the Bible really says about certain issues, please remember that you are not wise apart from the Lord and what He wants you to understand. Some things will never make sense, but because He has shown us time and time again that He has our best in mind (Jer 29:11/Rom. 8:28) I feel it makes more sense to trust that He has my back, than beg Him to explain things. In this I continually ask for discernment and maybe I do pray for answers but when He is silent or when I cannot understand why something has happened, that is when I must have faith (Hew 11:1). This may not be good enough for some people because they can't accept that God should keep anything from us, "but that is why we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but what is unseen" (2 cor. 4:18).

I say all this to make you think. Don't make the mistake of reading anything online, in a book (apart from the bible), listen to a sermon or talk with a friend and take their knowledge or opinion and automatically deem it as truth BEFORE you take it to God's word and challenge it. And like James says "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask for it" (Jam 1:5). Start using your brain God gave you, and ask Him what is right and what needs to be revisited. Start thinking for yourself

*meg

Mean What You Say - Sent By Ravens

Our Graceful Words

Being complete immersed in media and the advertisements we are subjected to daily are always going to influence our way of thinking. It's amazing how much more clearly we think when we take time to ourselves and just turn off the electronic world. This seems kinda contradictory due to the fact that I'm writing this on a computer and will soon post it to a social media site, but I was burning to share my thoughts. And since everyone is probably on social media at some point, maybe you could waste 5 minutes of surfing to read something that may or may not be beneficial.

Wednesday evening we had the pleasure of playing for a church in Granbury, TX. We have had this planned for months because it is where Greg is from and it is the church he grew up in. Ironically Granbury was hit by a tornado the week before and the church and city was in full swing for recovery so it was neat not only to see the kids we were playing for, but the adults rally together in this time of need. It is my nature to be relational so naturally I love to talk and hear peoples hearts. After our worship time it brought me great joy to mingle with students and encourage them to keep following the right path even though it's hard because it is always the most rewarding. It just seems so right that we (greg and I) pursue this full time...and hopefully one day the Lord will allow that

I recently bought the album Our Graceful Words by a band called Sent By Ravens. The music community mourns because they are no longer together but the music they produced definitely is still influential. It is an earlier album of theirs coming out in 2010, but I enjoyed it all the same. There is a song called Salt & the Light, and it begins with this line

"and all our graceful words, without love, they're just a burden from our tongues."

beautiful...it nails our culture (even church culture) right on the head. We are so quick to say things that people want to hear, or to fill the air when we are just passing in transition. How many of us have experienced the "how are you?" "good" conversation everyday? if not multiple times a day? because let's be honest who really has the time to stop and say what's really going on? good has become a word I detest and every implication that comes with it. These are filler words with no love or genuineness behind it. I wrote a song called Eradicate and in the bridge I harped on this idea of our words never satisfying what's deep in our souls with the lines-

"but inside they slowly die with no chance of hope for their life

I'm sick of lying eyes and 'hello' 'goodbyes' that never satisfy the very dying cries

of our world that screams someone rescue me!"

Christians listen to me - if we want to see a change in this world....IT STARTS WITH US

we cannot expect the world to change if we ourselves look no different from it. I expect the cashier at the grocery store to give me some half-hearted smile and and a simple thank you. But I am just a burden to her/him if I speak eloquently to them and never express a genuine heart. The problem I have is most of these pathetic exchanges of words I see is at church...people are too focused on getting to the restaurant before everyone else, or getting home to see the game, or picking up their children from the childcare center (cause oh forbid they are gone for more than an hour without you-helicopter parents), that we don't take the time to honestly invest in a conversation that may take a bit more effort than two words.

Now I have been named by my lovely sister-in-law a 'linger-longer'. This means that after events I like to linger and speak with people and just be around til the very end. I would 100% agree that this is me because ever since I was about 11 I've always been the last one out of church, last one out of concerts or other school events, and pretty much anything else I attend. I do understand that not everyone is like this and therefore I cannot judge their actions for not doing so. Please don't misunderstand me and think that is what I am doing. Let's take this scenario...

Our culture LOVES to post anything and everything they can on facebook, twitter, instagram (this one is my personal favorite) and now this newer one vine. I admit I enjoy it as well, it's nice to be able to share your life with people whom you don't get to see very often and keep up with friends who live far away. So as christians we love to post 'prayer requests' and 'scripture' and to some I believe it is from a genuine spirit, but for a lot, I think it's a show, and i say that with confidence because we will know them by their fruit and their fruit outside of those "graceful words" is nothing - that's biblical.

So when we tell our friends or comment on their 'status' that we are praying for them and then never give a second thought about their grief or sorrow? we ourselves become a BURDEN on them. second line from the song

'the taste remains, but without faith, we're still an arms length away'

the taste of our words remains with them, they are expecting us to pray for them, they are counting on our support. yet when we don't actually do it, when we just say words and have no action to back it up, we are still an arms length away from really knowing that person. Even in crowded areas, Jesus was so aware of everyone and everything around Him. He was surrounded by people yet knew when someone barely touched His robe. He stopped what He was doing and sought out the woman who had faith and spent maybe one minute with her, but she had ALL of His attention and devotion even for a moment, and she was forever changed.

how many people can we change if we even took one minute to be genuine with them? when we are approached with the awful phrase "how are you doing?" we respond with something more real than the word 'good' and carry on. That we stop, even if we are nervous because trust me breaking this habit is not an easy one, and give them something real. I've been trying this for about two years now and I've been distinguished by people I come into contact with. I've developed a relationship with the girl at the kroger down the street because I decided one day I was going to be real and not selfish. Her name is Kris and I actually pray for her and I don't even know if she is a believer or not, but I am intentional in my time with her, and genuine in my conversation with her because I care about her. 

Christians be intentional, be genuine, and be caring.

I would suggest starting at church with people that already know Jesus, then start to carry that out into the world. Your story is your testimony and if you don't share it with people you hide the part that God loves the most. His redemption of you from your bad choices.

The song end with hope and redemptive qualities...if you're interested in the song you can listen to it here - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PxHIKiczutE

I would ask you to join with me in praying for Greg and I as we continue to seek the Lord's direction for our music and our lives. We know we have a story to tell many people and we are dying to share it with everyone who will listen.

*meg

"your faith is only as strong as the words you speak
so speak, speak, SPEAK!"

Prodigal Son, run, run, run...

I never wanted to work with children. When I set out for college in 2008 my "plan" was, bachelor of arts in Psychology then we'll discuss the potential for grad school and ultimately I'll be a marriage counselor. I knew by the time I was 17 that the Lord had called me into ministry, but I was unsure of what that would look like. So I studied hard and graduated in 3 1/2 years with a major in Psychology and a minor in Development and Family Studies.

why the history lesson? because I currently am working two jobs and they both happen to be with children. :/ My first job started my last semester of college and my first few months of marriage, with an after school program called Communities in Schools. I teach 3rd grade for 3 hours after these kid have been at school and are literally ready to go home. But it was a huge blessing at the time I received the job and it worked with my school schedule quite nicely. I applied for "big girl" job after "big girl" job and for some reason the doors just weren't opening. August 1st of this year I went to the church to bring Greg lunch and was talking about my current job situation and how I didn't understand why I was still not getting a full time job. I feel at this point God was just laughing and saying "oh Meg, if you could see what I see." About that time a nice woman walks up who knows Greg and asks me if I want a job. I say I would but only if it was in the mornings cause I have the after school job. So I fill out an application as a preschool teacher for the Child Development Center, have an interview, and am hired on the spot. What a blessing! Yet, here I am with kids and this was definitely not in my plans.

I give this background because I doubted my abilities to work with children, yet God kept placing me in these roles for a reason. I have learned so much about being a parent, from discipline to allowing a child to feel safe and able to be creative. So many childcare providers I feel snuff out the creativity of children and I can't help but encourage that. Maybe it's because I myself still feel like a child in some ways and can't help but pretend I'm batgirl and can save the day. I have learned and I know that God put me here so that I can continue to learn.

Now to the more serious side of things. As I've grown up (and I am still young) I feel as though my roles are starting to flip...the transition is upon me and I'm starting to see things differently. About a year ago Greg and I met this wonderful family and became very close with them even though they are old enough to be our parents :) we love and respect them as peers (which is the transition part) rather than elders. I received word from them last week that their middle child had just turned 18 and was moving out despite still being a senior in high school. The conflict between this child and parents is nothing new, but has been going on since we have known them, but to know that it had come to this was very upsetting to hear. Today I saw that family and although it has only been a week, I couldn't help but empathize with the mom when she began to cry. This transition time in my life is allowing me to relate and understand more with adults and parents than with children. I knew that eventually this day would come, but I never knew the extent that I would truly feel it.

I know because I used to be the child. When I was 17 I waited expectantly for the day I turned 18 so I could move out and be on my own away from my parents. They didn't understand me and they refused to listen so when I became an "adult" I would show them who's boss! In my anger and frustration I was able to justify every single action that I made against them. I was right and they were wrong and no one could level me out...There were two instances in my life when this happened and the instance when I was 17 resolved itself before my senior year which was a blessing from the Lord. My family and I were on good terms, I wasn't angry with my parents. Things were back to normal. So I went to college and accepted my freedom and didn't take my parents blessings for granted, and then it happened again. the summer after my freshman year in college was another quarrel. It wasn't so much on their part, but on mine. They lived in Colorado and so again I went about justifying my actions and making them out to be the bad guy. No one could level me out...

but then someone did

at this point in my life I'm 19 an legally an adult, but still a child in my thought process. I was working at my church in Houston and one of the dad's of the youth and I got to talking one week at camp and gave me TRUTH. no sugar coating, no enabling words, definitely not what I wanted to hear, but it was exactly what I needed to hear. 1 John 1:5-8 says "God is light; in him there is no darkness at all. If we claim to have fellowship with him and yet walk in the darkness, we lie and do not live out the truth. but if we walk in the light as he is in the light we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus his Son purifies us from all son. If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not is us."I knew that despite the overwhelming pride I had on being right, that I needed to mend things with my family and not hold their offenses against them. I made a very difficult choice, but after making it I knew it was the right one. Now my family and I are fabulous and I wouldn't trade one moment of our time together. I hate my stupidity and irrationality as a teenager but I know it was necessary because it shaped me from being a girl to a woman. This story did not happen so that I could sit on it and watch the same thing happen to other "adult" teenagers. So, family friend if you're reading, my point is this.

Just because you are 18 does not make you an independent adult. Legally you may be, but there are things you have yet to experience beyond the four walls of your home that you will want some back-up for. Although you may think your environment is suffocating, God placed your parents in your life to guide and protect you, and their suffocating may be protecting you from dangers you are oblivious to. You are creating a void in your heart that only your real family can fulfill and cannot be completely healed until you and your family are reconciled. Psalms talks about about we can commit sins without even knowing it. I pray that you examine your heart and ask forgiveness for sins you do commit and those that pass without you being aware. The world is not going to be your friend. The enemy hates you and he thrives in the world outside the loving shelter of community and self sacrificing love (which is given from your family). Take all the time you need, but know that void inside you and your relationship with God will grow more distant the longer you avoid this situation. You cannot run away because any other relationship with only patch things up momentarily, it will not be a permanent fix. You are not independent. You are still relying on other people to take care of you even if it's not your parents. I say this because I went there...through my testimony above you can catch a glimpse of my understanding where you are.

I say all this because God is love and grace, but He is truth and justice, and I might never have seen the Truth and Justice side if someone had not been bold enough to tell me like it is. So this is me being bold, and telling you like it is. After working with children, I feel the pain in a mothers heart, and I cannot being to tell you how deep it is. I saw it with my own mother, and now I'm seeing it in yours. I say this out of great love and hope that the Lord is all His graciousness allow you to see.

*meg

This is an acoustic version of a song called Prodigal Son that my band Soma wrote. It is my prayer for you and the lost ones

Prodigal Son - Soma

how are you? 'good! you?' good....

Drew is in town! that means recording :) happy day. I've been wanting to blog for awhile about a various number of things that are currently clouding my brain and trying very ardently to break out. BUT first thing's first, recording

Drew's "roommate" (since he technically doesn't live here but like 1 day a month) Joe is a fabulous musician and has been recording Drew's mix tape (a mixture of other peoples songs with original music  usually found in rap music and is free). He has about 9 songs so far and he wanted to put one that we have written together on there. I started writing it about two summers ago and Drew starting writing a rap part that fits nicely into the mold. As a musician I'm always fascinated by lyrics, why people wrote things they do, and their story behind it. So here's mine

Two summers ago when I worked at Camp Copass in Denton, TX I was very angry with one of coworkers and I evaluated myself and realized the disgustingness of sin that is constantly surrounding my heart waiting for a moment of weakness to come in and set up shop. So I picked up my guitar and began my best form of confession, writing a song. Here is that confession

Eradicate - Soma

I'm wicked and iniquity tends to surround my heart
It's time to come clean, of everything in between You and I
what belongs to You, I've been holding onto
claiming it as mine, but

(chorus)
It's all Yours, it's all Yours
every heartbeat, every breath inside my lungs
it's all Yours, it's all Yours
take this pride within me and set me free

(drew)
dirt, dirt, it seems it's always on my mind
but now it's mud cause my sweat and tears is all it seems to find
but as I step through it you know my feet are getting slower
as I fret about it you mentioned it i'm growing colder
i'm free to run from but is that what you call freedom
you cant pick up your feet how do you define to run
they say the grass in greener on the other side
but if you run with my Lord the grass stays green through the winter time

I'm casting aside the things obstructing You and I
such things as these, anger, malice and deceit
i wanna walk in the light
on the battlefield, I'm gunna bring my shield
cause You're the only one who'll get me through this fight

(chorus)
It's all Yours, it's all Yours
every heartbeat, every breath inside my lungs
it's all Yours, it's all Yours
take this pride within me and set me free

(drew)
pick up your feet soldier beauty's in the eye of the beholder
and these are your eyes so look through lies of the scolder
so many chains have been attached to a pretty picture
lets take chains of free will through righteousness through scripture
to see the true beauty, a lovers beauty, a God who's just
the price of sin of death that's why we earn to return to the dust
can't afford life's spiritual welfare
the second I believed I needed spiritual healthcare
cause my eyes adjusted now to see my state of being
now my dirt attacks me quickly, as I'm ever fleeing
waiting for deliverance father God you'll find me on my knees
from You comes the theme of my praise in the great assembly

(bridge- Meg)
Oh here it comes, the perfect storm
to prove to me that I was always very wrong
and I violate the fabrication of Your way to life
no more inhibition, false religion
will shroud my vision of Your truth
I scream for justice in a world of falsehoods
but inside, they slowly die
with no chance of hope for their lives
I'm sick of lying eyes, and hello, goodbyes
that never satisfy the very dying cries
of our world that screams someone rescue me

Chorus

-This song has been a long project. Started two years ago and I finished up the bridge part today. I'll break it down - Through the song I've been expressing my selfishness in pride, and other things that prevent me from relationship with God and by the time I get to the bridge, God's perfect storm is coming not as punishment but as refinement and to show me that the sin I'm confessing should no longer reign in me. To reveal to me that the way I do life is not at all how God intended. Then it transitions into looking at the world and how they "do christianity" and how again it's not how the Lord intended it to be. I get fed up by the end of people who give complimentary hello's and goodbyes and 'how are you? oh i'm good' when we're not all GOOD all the time. Those answers do absolutely NOTHING to satisfy the hunger of people for Jesus. Then turning my frustration into reality by giving it back to God in the chorus so that I can avoid becoming the very thing I sing against.


which brings me to another thing floating around in my head lately. the state of the world...oh ya
Of course everyone has all of a sudden become a brilliant scholar on everything that is currently happening and doesn't realize that every form of media they read, listen to, watch, ABSORB is going to be somewhat bias no matter what. This being said I'll start

I don't believe in using social media as a battleground for political and spiritual issues. Let me explain. When Dan Cathy responded to a question asked to him about his views, social media had a FIELD day and attacked him in every way possible. Of course they took it out of context completely and in my personal opinion started crossing lines that had no business being crossed. A lot of people chose to use Facebook in order to share their personal/political/moral opinions about his statement and the company that is chick-fil-a. A lot of Christian's used this opportunity to fight for him, stand up and agree with his statement. I believe it happened at just the right time, but I'm not going to post opinions about it because then my FB status becomes ground for an argument with someone that already has a hardened heart towards the situation. My words fall on deaf ears, and Greg read this scripture that says "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, or you yourself will be just like him." -Proverbs 26:4. If their hearts are already calloused then nothing you say will penetrate them so don't allow it to escalate into useless argument. Pray for softening of hearts instead

I believe if a man started his company on Christian principles then he has the right to run his company however he likes. Granted I am not knowledgeable of government and how all those things fit into a company but really? We claim this country was founded on God yet we crucify a man that chooses to run his company in a Godly way? Did he ever refuse service to someone that wasn't a Christian? No, because that's not what Christians do. If he gives money and supports foundations that you don't agree with, well so does almost every other company in America and I don't see you tearing them to the ground. The point is, it's not because he doesn't support gay marriage, it's because he's a Christian. Period.

So you ask, why are you blogging about it if you don't agree with social media being a medium for these types of issues? When you post something on Facebook, it shows up on everyone's news feed and they have no choice but to hear your opinions and it with a simple click they can 'like' it and then move on to the next important thing. A blog is VOLUNTARY reading. You may see that I posted a blog, but you don't know what's in it unless you take the time to read the WHOLE story. Which I think is our problem as Americans. We want simple, easy, access to information we like and we can disregard the parts we don't like.

Onto thought number two which kinda ties into the previous one. It's so easy to fight behind a computer screen and not actually do anything about it. Another reason why I don't post opinions and stuff on FB. Was I at chick-fil-a on aug 1st supporting it? Yes I was. I got in my car, waited in line, and supported the company that I believe is doing a good thing for the Kingdom. It would be easy for me to sit behind my computer (much like I am doing now) and say all these negative things but then that's the end. I refuse to give in to trend of posting my life in 120 characters and expect all these responses to make me feel valuable. It's hard for me even to post bible verses because I know so many people that post them just to maintain their "outward appearance" of being a Christian yet their heart and actions don't even come close to reflecting that. So if I do post things it's usually song lyrics, or quotes that I find meaningful in order to make people think. I'd much rather use my FB status to further God's kingdom than to get attention.

Call me unforgiving and harsh but it's about time that we get fed up with the way other Christians are acting and stand up for what's true. Of course we will do it out of love and someone that doesn't believe in God reading this may be turned away, but please hear me out. I love everyone, whether we have the same opinions or not because I'm called to, and because Jesus lives in me, He allows me to have a heart to love you. But we cannot claim to be ignorant any longer or say that all these people are 'intolerant', because ya know what? When you stand before God, He will NOT be tolerant. His tolerance is right now, while we are here on earth. So please, please at least attempt to get your facts about Christians from someone who shows love, not contempt.

The other day I had a friend ask me the longest running question against Christians...If God loves me and He is so good then why does He send people to hell?

God is love, mercy, forgiveness, but He is also justice, and truth. In the beginning we were given a choice, we chose wrong. Because of that there is a divide between us and God. In order to fill that gap, God sent Jesus to intercede on our behalf. Now the choice has been made easier. Love the Lord, who in all His greatness created a way for us to be with Him, or don't. Hell is a very real place that probably what any of us can comprehend because it's literally just separation from God. We have no knowledge of that because God is everywhere. He made all creation and there is evidence of Him everywhere. But if we do not chose God, then He has no other choice but to separate us from Himself because he cannot look on sin (and the only way to be free from sin is through Jesus). God cannot contradict Himself and allow you to be in His presence if you have not received who He is. simple as that, so He doesn't send anyone to Hell, they ultimately choose Hell by not choosing Christ.

I hope this helps because I've been wanting to write all this for a long time lol. I know sometimes I don't explain myself completely and things can be unclear, but I write here because I honestly don't feel like many people read it so I can pretty much write about whatever. BUT for those few that have stuck it out this long to read this SUPER LONG THING if you don't understand any of it, please feel free to message me via Facebook (please don't write on my wall lol) or email: meganhudson11@gmail.com
I'm always willing to talk and I can take criticism if you want to dish it. For those friends of mine that I know ultimately reject God and find every way to disprove Him, know that I pray for you specifically. I pray that you are no longer blind nor have deaf ears to the truth that I admit is sometimes difficult to sort from the lies. You are still loved...till later

*meg