'til the end of the earth...

I give Glory to God today.  Milton Dunlap III (Tre) is finally home.  My 18 year old cousin was sitting in his house playing video games, texting his mother and girlfriend, goofing off.  That's what you do when you're 18.  He'd had a steady job for over two years, was enrolled college and due to start next month.  This particular day he noticed the Police swarming the neighborhood.  He even texted his girlfriend something to the effect "police are at my neighbor's house..."  After a while he tried to leave the neighborhood to put gas in his car.  The police had the streets blocked and he couldn't get out, so he went back home.  A few minutes later the police were demanding that he come out.  News footage shows him being ordered to walk backwards slowly toward the police.  He was then thrown to the ground.  They had this boy... no prior record.  No involvement with the police whatsoever...  up on 17 different felonies.
When he was finally released after 3 days in jail, he returned home a little different.  Gone is his trust in our police force.  Two weeks earlier they (the police) killed an unarmed black man who was trying to get help after a car accident.  I know my thoughts are rambling at this point.  I'm trying to stay on task here.  
I was asked to sing at Temple Church International for the Memorial Service for Jonathan Ferrell, the young accident victim who was murdered by the police.  As I ministered in song about the love of Jesus, I kept seeing the faces of pain in the audience.  They smiled because the anointing on the music brings joy.  But when the music stopped, they began to share their pain.  I heard account after account of mothers talking about their children being killed by police.  I heard them refer to the Charlotte Police Department as an organized gang with the ability to do whatever they want to - that they are beyond reproach.  The only thing that seems to scare them is the press getting involved. The possibility of the world knowing what they truly are. With the death of that unarmed FAMU student who was simply trying to get help after and accident, they didn't want the publicity of making ANOTHER mistake that destroys another young man's life.... 
I recalled running down the street as a teenager and shortly thereafter being on my knees surrounded by badges and guns because there had been a robbery.  I remember hearing one of the cops saying "I honestly believe this is the one" like I wasn't even human.  Like I was some lawless, violent creature roaming the planet.  Their job was catch or exterminate as many as they could.  As I think on it now, I could feel the presence of God even then.  The spirit drove one of the officers to call the dispatcher who gave the description.  I didn't match the description, I was just young and black and that was enough.  I won't dwell on the pain of the past.  I'm glad God protected Tre.  I give God glory because he is truly a gifted young man.  He's a light that the devil is trying to extinguish.  I cover him in prayer this night.  I speak to all the mothers and father's now... Lay your hands on your children and rebuke any attack on their lives.  Call forth the spirit of the most high God in Jesus' name to cover them for the rest of their lives.  It may seem silly.  Your kids may not want to hear that mess... do it anyway.  God says "I am with you alway even until the end of the earth..." He'll be with your children.    

Curt

Livin' this Dream!

ps. Check me on twitter :)  https://twitter.com/noizlevel  

Won't Back Down

The first release off of this Album is "Reign" and as I understand it, a few radio stations are already playing it.  (THANK GOD!  And Thank You!!!  LOL...) But the underground release is a track called "Won't Back Down".   Underground because I was initially advised that radio would NEVER play this is.  So we'll take to the internet with it and back it up with a video - currently in the works.  We'll see what they have to say then!

This song grew out of how much we as Christians compromise to fit in or to avoid confrontation or being challenged because of our faith.  Maybe we just don't want to make waves?  I do understand the concept of "go along so we can get along" I get that.  But this world is truly DYING to hear the truth.  All we see around us is hopelessness.  People live anyway they want to because they haven't truly been given a reason to do otherwise.  If we believe what world the says, nothing happens when you die.  You simply cease to exist.  There are no consequences.  There is no reward.  You do whatever and then you outta here.  But God placed in ALL of us a desire for something more than what meets our senses.  That's why we want the better house, the better car, more money for the better life.  We spend years in school trying to reach that intellectual peak and all the while... all we are searching for are the things that can only be found in the presence of God.  The protection, the PURE love, the warmth, the closeness, that acceptance that being a child of God affords us. The world longs for something to take their attention away from all of the dismal tidings that surround us - so we turn to the nearest hero we can find... Athletes, entertainers, Actors - anyone who is seemingly greater than us to give us that experience we seek - if only for a moment.

Its time we stopped judging people for their failings and simply told them the truth.  Its their choice to take it or leave it.  They may not take it, but we have to start telling the truth - and living the truth.  The Bible says if the gospel is hidden, it is hidden from those that are lost.  Stop backing down from what's real.

The Bible says the kingdom of heaven suffereth violence 

And the violent taketh by force

That doesn't mean that the kingdom of heaven is under attack

"Suffers" in this case means "to allow"

Means to allow for YOU to get violent -

Get violent in your faith

Get violent in your worship

Get violent in your praise

This is how we get violent

Not here to judge you condemn you

Do yo' thang

Just know that you're the one who's gotta answer

to God someday

His love, his grace

His mercy has no end

So take care that you're not

Rejecting God and choosing sin

This world is changing 

But God remains the same

The only way we can survive this 

Is through his word in Jesus' name

Not telling you this 

Because I have some beef with you

But Jesus is Lord 

And I won't back down from the truth

Understand the spirit of the living God is in me (and)

I ain't gonna back down, back down

The Blood of Jesus has cleansed me and I'm bold as can be (and)

I ain't gonna back down, back down

Don't worry I'm not here to judge you no-no that ain't my place

I ain't gonna back down, back down

Just know that God has made me righteous and I don't run away now

I ain't gonna back down, back down

Get this straight, please hear this

This is not an attack on you

I'm telling you this in love

But I'm only telling you the truth

Some of us are afraid to stand up

of offending sensibilities

But the Bibles says tell the truth

And the truth will make them free

Understand the spirit of the living God is in me (and)

I ain't gonna back down, back down

The Blood of Jesus has cleansed me and I'm bold as can be (and)

I ain't gonna back down, back down

Don't worry I'm not here to judge you no-no that ain't my place

I ain't gonna back down, back down

Just know that God has made me righteous and I don't run away now

I ain't gonna back down, back down

If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus Christ

Believe with you heart that he gave his life

God raise him from the dead early on the third day

The Bible says no doubt that you will be saved

Let me tell you about the savior, Son of God, Jesus Christ

The one who hung, bled and died for you and I - gave his life

So that we could live abundantly, tell the world God made me free

The Blood of Jesus made me sound I'm righteous now not backing down

Understand the spirit of the living God is in me (and)

I ain't gonna back down, back down

The Blood of Jesus has cleansed me and I'm bold as can be (and)

I ain't gonna back down, back down

Don't worry I'm not here to judge you no-no that ain't my place

I ain't gonna back down, back down

Just know that God has made me righteous and I don't run away now

I ain't gonna back down, back down

I ain't gonna back down, back down

I know we're gonna ruffle a few feathers with this.  I honestly don't mean to attack or offend anyone.  But I am telling you this in love... only telling the truth.  The truth releases people from the lies of bondage.  Its time we all got free.

Curt

Livin' this Dream!

ps. Check me on twitter :)  https://twitter.com/noizlevel

What If

The song "What If' grew out of the Bible's greatest two commandments.  "And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these..." What would life be like if we truly chose to consider others more than we did ourselves?  What would happen if we loved each other the way that Jesus loved us? 

I thought about Christmas mainly... that time of year when are supposed to gather close to one another, reflect on the gift God gave us and remember the love we share with friends and family.  There are those who spend that time completely alone, feeling like no one ever cared.  When I finished the words, different images started coming to mind.  I thought about what would happen on this earth if the Love of God was absent.   What happens to marriages when love is there or when it isn't?  What happens in confrontations between people when love is there, or when it isn't.  What happens when tragedy strikes and we haven't received God.  The thing that makes us real is love.  And I don't mean emotional love... I mean the choice to value others above ourselves.  That is what Jesus did.  That's the love he had for us, that he would choose a horrific death rather than allow us to have the punishment we deserve.

 What if we was cool

 What if we was down

you got my back I got yours

 spreading God's love around

What if we was chill

covered each other in prayer

giving God glory when you got yours

knowing mine would soon be there

Instead we hatin' straight up jealous

tearing  each other down like ain't no God around

Instead we angry, straight up cold

better check yo' flow, what kind of love are you showing

 

What if we was cool.  Lovin' like we 'sposed to

thinkin' 'bout you more than I do me

That Jesus kinda love (like it was meant to be)

What if we was cool, Lovin' like we 'sposed to

Prayin' 'bout you more than I do me

That Jesus kinda love

What if we was smooth, showin' God's love is real

Not by the words we speak, but by the way we live

What if we was chill, walkin' in the love of God

Not because we have to, but 'cause its in our hearts

 

Instead we hatin' straight up jealous

tearing  each other down like ain't no God around

Instead we angry, straight up cold

better check yo' flow, what kind of love are you showin'

 

Understand that we're supposed to love each other with the Love of God

 lovin' you like I do myself

Then nobody feels like they're all alone when the times are hard

Like they got nobody else

If you love me like you love you and I'm lovin' you the same

Then we can finally see how love was meant to be

Glory to his name

What if we was cool.  Lovin' like we 'sposed to

thinkin' 'bout you more than I do me

That Jesus kinda love (like it was meant to be)

What if we was cool, Lovin' like we 'sposed to

Prayin' 'bout you more than I do me

That Jesus kinda love

 

Back to the grind as we try to secure radio airplay for the first release "Reign".  Still working the phones and sending the song to everybody. I know the DJays are tired of hearing from me, but I won't give up.  I know that this is my time.  I KNOW that God has the path laid out for me.  I just have to follow his lead. We'll keep at this.

Curt

Livin' this Dream!

ps. Check me on twitter :)  https://twitter.com/noizlevel

AnyWay

Not sure if what I was trying to say at the beginning of this came through clearly.  When I watch it, it makes sense to me because I know what was in my head when I was talking.  But with computers recording and camera's rolling, I'm still not sure if it came out of my mouth the right way.  So here goes...

I wanted a particular sound or "feeling" for a song.  I prayed about what I wanted and I expected to get a melody or some words from God.  What he showed me was a quick flash of an image in my spirit one day - a left arm with a nail sticking of the hand.  It was so fast that I didn't really pay attention to it, but it wouldn't leave my mind.  One day, I got quiet and I realized that this was the crucifixion - but from Christ's point of view as he was hanging on that cross... dying.  At that point I stopped thinking about everything and just allowed the imagery to flow through my mind.

What I saw was the soldiers picking the cross up after they had nailed him to it and dropping it in a hole so that it would stand up.  The cross hit the bottom of the hole hard and when it did, his body jerked against those nails - making him close his eyes in agony.  When he opened his eyes again, he saw all of the rage and hatred and disdain that the people gazed upon him with.

What welled up in his heart was the love he had for all of us...  the pity because he knew we didn't understand what we were doing.

One of the things that exploded in my spirit at the end of all of this was that if Christ HAD to die twice to save us, he would have.  He did all of what he had to do.  He was abandoned, beaten, humiliated and cloaked in sin and death - just so we wouldn't have to be.  He took on ALL the requirements of salvation for us.  And if that meant going through that more than once... he would have done that too.  And even though there are many who would never accept his sacrifice, he died for them as well just so that they would have the chance of eternal life with God.  He died for them Anyway...

Your hate, your rage

your disdain for me

Cannot deter why I came you see

Rejection loud and clear, 

you do not want me here

But I came to die for you 

Anyway

This Cross.  These nails

These thorns upon my head

Cold eyes. Cruel hearts

Inside? Bones of the dead

Rejection loud and clear, 

you do not want me here

But I came to die for you 

Anyway

I know there are some 

Who will never accept me

Their frozen hearts 

Will never see the truth

Their souls swim in lies 

So they reject me

But I came to give my life

For them too

They taunt.  They tease

Angry eyes so cruel

Father forgive them

For they know not what they do

This hurt.  This pain

And all that I've been through

I'd do it all again

If I had to

Hard to do this song without blubbering like a child, but I see this so clearly every time I sing it.  Its like I'm standing there watching him suffer.  Its hard to experience each time. The director (Donald Wilson) cut out the parts where I lost it.  But its just real to me. God is good... all the time.

Curt

Livin' this dream!

ps. Check me on twitter :)  https://twitter.com/noizlevel

Reign

It was suggested that I take the time to explain the music on the new record.  So from time to time I will pick out a piece and talk about how it came to be.  So I will start with the CD's first release "Reign".  

I wrote some lyrics to the music when I first heard it - right on the spot.  As I began to meditate on the words I wrote, I realized that I liked them but they didn't truly speak to me.  Later that evening, I prayed and got into my quiet place and wrote new words.  The new words that I got from God moved me.  

A lot of people believe that their present position in life, their "spiritual pedigree", simply being nice or spending a lot of time in Church is the extent of what you need to be successful as a Christian.  Those are wonderful things, but they won't get you to where you are truly seeking to be.  We are all seeking the peace of God.  That only comes from drawing close to him and allowing him to fill you with his Love.  When we finally accept and truly believe that God loves us, we start to see things differently. We realize that God is bigger and more powerful than ANYTHING that we could ever face - and he truly LOVES us.  Issues don't have the power that they used to have over us.  The most powerful being in existence loves you and calls you his child.  His love validates.  His love molds us, shapes us... makes us real.  

The Holy spirit of God living in us changes us into something more than we could even imagine we could ever be.  When we let the Holy Spirit rule or "reign" in us, we operate on earth in the total power of God.  That concept is what created this song.  

It doesn't matter where you come from, 

or even where you are

There's a place in your heart 

that only God can fill

It doesn't matter how nice you

Or even if you go to church real hard

You gotta have the love of God 

And only love makes you real, makes you real

Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit

Let your presence Reign in me, through me

Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit

Let your presence Reign, Reign

Father I pray that this

Word reaches your children

Even those of us 

Who still don't yet believe

Its your love on us

That makes us whole and keeps us

Only in your presence Lord

Can we truly be free, be free  

Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit

Let your presence Reign in me, through me

Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit

Let your presence Reign, Reign

Holy Spirit Reign

Let your spirit Reign in me

Holy Spirit Reign

Let your spirit Reign in me, in me

Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit

Let your presence Reign in me, through me

Holy Spirit, Holy Spirit

Let your presence Reign, Reign

This will be out in the next 8 - 10 days.  I'll be sure to let everyone know when.  Take these words into your spirit.  Let the presence of God rule in your heart.  Stay prayed up.  Keep praying for me. 

Curt

Livin' this dream!

ps. Check me on twitter :)  https://twitter.com/noizlevel

Finished

Okay the music is finished.  No more recording.  No more worrying about whether or I have something to say.  Its done.  All that's left to do is the artwork for the cover - making sure everyone who participated gets a shout out in the credits.  The "real work" begins now.  All of the "business" starts now and we get to shake hands with all of the people who make you want to shower after speaking to them for more than two minutes. But it is what is.  Its what needs to be done in order to spread the message that God has given me.  Some of the music you've heard before... some of it you haven't.  Some of it is a little different.  Some of it will blow your head up.  All I know is that we takin' this to the world.  In the next 16 months we will hit every country that will allow a brother to come in an praise God!
I keep hearing that I have to conform and that I can't reinvent the wheel.  My music must sound like what's out there or people will freak out.  I have NEVER accepted that.  I listen patiently and I imagine myself quietly walking up to that door... and setting it on fire with a smile on my face.  The Bible says in Psalm 96:1 O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth.  Where does it say "and make you sound EXACTLY like everyone else or that isn't gospel?  Sorry... I know I need to chill.   I guess we'll see when I get out there... is the Bible right, or is the music industry right?  Pray for me.

Curt

Livin' this dream!

ps. Check me on twitter :)  https://twitter.com/noizlevel

Time To Let Go

I wrote this song (Let it Go) that's not on the studio Album.  We'll do it at the concerts and it will be on the live album because I feel like its an important work.  When I sing it now, I can see an audience of people with their hands in the air, I can see the tears flowing, I can see the burdens being released.  I know, I know... I'm out there, but I've always been.  This isn't new.  It's just that now its public.  Anyhoo....

Luke 9: 62 states  "And Jesus said unto him, No man, having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God."

A lot of us are still dealing with issues and events of the past.  Past mistakes, past wrongs, past hurts.  Carrying around all of these weights that are actually keeping us frozen to same spot.  You aren't fit for anyone - including yourself - if you are tightly hanging on to past injuries.  A lot of time we tell ourselves that we've moved on from that individual or that thing, but we judge every new situation or relationship according the past.  Even the Bible says that you're not fit for the kingdom of God if you are trying to operate your future by looking through your past.  Think of it this way... you told yourself that you've moved on.  But if you're holding onto your past, the thing that you've "moved on" from - STILL has you prisoner.  That individual or situation still OWNS you. Whatever it was - even if it was you who did the wrong.  Let it go.  Forgive them. Let it go. Forgive yourself.  let it go.  Turn your heart and your attention to God the father and let him wash all that away.  Its time to release all that you've be carrying around all this time.  God sees you as perfected by the blood of Jesus.  See yourself through his eyes.  Time to move on.  Time to let go.    


Livin' this dream


Check me on twitter :)  https://twitter.com/noizlevel

Big Boy Pants

I realize that others are reading these posts, but most of this is directed at me.  I got this revelation a week ago, and now its hitting me in the eyes again.  And since this seems to be such a spiritual "slap upside the head"... I figured I'd write it down.

I was reading Hebrews and these verses jumped off the page at me for the second time in as many weeks.  Chapter 5:12-14

"For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil."

I'm supposed to be much stronger in my faith and in my walk with Christ than I am now.  Rather than being that powerhouse that he made me to be, I sometimes have to have basic principles drilled into my head again - that God loves me.  That God will NEVER leave me.  That God looks at me and sees his beloved son.  When I lose sight of any of this is when I get frustrated and start drifting into things that I know have no place in my life.  Somebody has to treat me like a baby and show me how to walk again - as opposed to me teaching others to stand and fight.  

I truly am tired of being a liability to the Gospel and I strive to be an asset now.  The message that I get from the above passage is simple:  you are the chosen of God.  Put on your big boy pants and go be what you're supposed to be!  


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Livin' this Dream!

AnyWay (Live. Intimate. Acoustic.)

                    This is the second video that teamed with cinematic genius Donald Wilson.  We found a room at UNCC... put a mic on the piano and on me and put it down.  For some reason this awakened something I hadn't felt in years - simple intimacy in music.  That gets lost so easily when we spend most of the time on computers.  There truly comes a time to put the electronics away and play from your spirit...

Check us out on twitter :) https://twitter.com/noizlevel

Livin' This Dream!

Step One

Nearly done now...

I finished the last song on the "Resist" record today.  Up-tempo "Banga" track called "won't back down".  This will be my first "official" CD (actually my second), and it goes to the presses sometime after the final mixdown session tomorrow.  I've been working with uncover record industry mogul Chris Clay throughout this journey.  He has guided me, encouraged me, pushed me, led me, kicked me (figuratively) to get me to this point.  He has challenged my faith, my belief in my abilities... my manhood at times, all to get me to see the truth about whether or not I truly want this and if I can do it.  At one point I started wondering if I could really do an album.  Then somewhere along the lines it dawned on me - you HAVE done this.   This is actually your sophomore CD. Duhhh?  
I realized that I had to go back to step one.  Why was I actually doing this?  The answer came from deep inside my spirit, like a childhood memory conjures the voice of a loved one - long gone from us.  

Psalm 40:3 "And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God: many shall see it, and fear, and shall trust in the LORD." 

I do this because its the mandate and mantle that God placed upon my life.  That's step one... finding out what God wants of your abilities.  Why did he put your gifts in you?  What are you to do with those gifts to give him Glory?  I don't sound like anyone else.  I don't fit the molds of the industry as the "suits" dictate that I should.  What I can do is give God glory in a way that they haven't seen before.  I can give REAL Unapologetic praise and worship the way God gives it to me.   All I can do is be me. There is a real anointing on the music God has given me.  So here we go.  


Curt

Check us out on twitter :) https://twitter.com/noizlevel

Livin' This Dream!