SUCH A TIME AS THIS

SUCH A TIME AS THIS

During my teen years in the 70’s/80’s, I felt like I was born out of time and out of place. In High School, it seemed like we missed out on all of the fun stuff, like bellbottoms and the hippie movement. We had some great music though that spilled over onto us from that movement and is still popular. Some of those lyrics are timeless. It’s one of the reasons I wear bellbottoms now when I perform. I take something from the old and add the new to it. The computer revolution was just starting, having one job/career for life was fading away, and just a lot of other changes. Some of what we were being told, by well-meaning people was becoming obsolete and wasn’t going to help us in our future. There are nuggets of wisdom to take forward, and some to toss in every generation.

I went into the Air Force for electronics, very briefly, with a medical discharge from Lackland Air Force Base in 1980. I came back and continued working for HEB. Then I tried all kinds of other things trying to find my place, oil field, air conditioning, building, sales, etc. It just seemed like I couldn’t find a steady foundation to get my footing. Things were shifting, not chaos, but TRANSITION, just like now!

It reminds me of a clip in the Superman movie when Clark took the crystal and threw it. The earth erupted as his new fortress came about. That’s the type of TRANSITION I’m talking about. There was a whole lot of shaking and movement to create the new. The old had to move out of the way for the new. Like separation in a rocket going into space. It served its purpose but became a hindrance to the new.

Little did I know that all of these job experiences would give me the necessary skills and knowledge to help me do what I do today. I was a jack of all trades and master of none to hear others tell it. That really hurt because it was spoken in a negative way. I tell young people today not to worry about what they are going to do with their life, especially by the time they are 18. Take each day at a time and treat it as an adventure. The Lord has His wonderful plans for us, Psalm 139, if we’ll just ask Him everyday. It doesn’t mean we can’t make long term plans, it just means that we need to be open to change along the way, TRANSITION. In fact, He knows all of the changes that will take place, so if we’re walking with Him daily, we’ll be ready for the change.

SUCH A TIME AS THIS | Chaos Or Transition?


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STORMS COME | HURRICANE BERYL | TEXAS

STORMS COME, USING OUR AUTHORITY

Sometimes storms come. It rains on the righteous and the evil. In some churches, when a bad thing happens to a person or family, the first question asked is, “What did they do wrong? Who sinned?” It’s a valid point because that does happen and the disciples even asked Jesus the same question about the man who was born blind. John 9:2, “…who sinned, this man or his parents?”

I heard a message yesterday about a passage of scripture that I knew but hadn’t seen in this particular viewpoint. John was thrown into prison awaiting execution and yet he didn’t do anything wrong. In fact, he did everything right. Jesus and his disciples were crossing the sea when a storm blew up. No one did anything wrong that we can tell. Jesus used the storm to show that He had authority even over the weather and He gave that same authority to us. We use it when we need to do so and have many times in our travels, especially.

One time, some years back, we were in North Dallas at a Best Buy. Dark, ominous clouds came over us as we were in the parking lot. We looked up to see a tornado above us. It was spinning in a large circle and coming down. His authority rose up in me and I pointed to it and commanded it to go back up and go away. It did! We walked into the store, got what we needed, and then left.

People perish for lack of knowledge. Even those who read the Bible over and over again suffer things unnecessarily because they don’t do what it says. Some think some things have passed away, so they walk through life not using the full armor that is available to them. It’s so sad, but don’t dare tell them anything or you might lose your head, so to speak. They’re not safe to be around.

Me, I want what all He has for us. We’ve been in numerous hail storms where we’ve prayed and it stops. Conversely, we’ve been in situations where nothing changed. The Lord reserves the right to override us when He has a certain purpose for it. Some storms are bad, but they are allowed in order to bring change. Some are demonically influenced and the severity can be tempered through the words of Jesus, “Peace Be Still!” It works because He gave us that same authority. Sometimes, the Lord in His goodness allows us to lose something in order to give us His best. Eagles start tearing apart the nest when it is time for the young eagles to fly. Ready or not, they’ll either fall or fly. Ready or not, we’ll either fall or fly. It’s the way of life. Some people will die in their comfort zone, like a frog in a slowly heated pot of water. They can’t see that danger is all around if they don’t change. Some people give up on life in their teens and their bodies slowly deteriorate over the years until they finally die physically, never having  really lived. I call this an “Existing or Living Suicide.” What we do with the storm aftermath is another choice to make. Go on or not. The storm forces the change and hopefully, we make a good choice in it so we can really live.

As I write, there is a storm outside heading our way. The eye of Hurricane Beryl is only about 40 miles away with 75 mph winds right now. The heavy rain is blowing against the windows.

This is a song I wrote after facing death in a medical storm regarding a seizure and aneurysm on March 8, 2024. There is more info in the music video about the journey.

As I was writing this post, the power went out and so I had to stop with the above section. That was Monday, July 8, 2024 and today is Saturday, July 13. Our power went out and I had no internet. The cell phone tower was down as well. I couldn’t do a Google Search, or get anything to load on the internet until our power came back on and evidently, the cell tower too. We were blind. The only people I could communicate with were my phone contacts and email, and I did. It was scary being in a dark hotel. Thankfully, the window in our room had a window we could open. It was hot! We had been in a physical storm, but now we were also in a mental storm with serious choices to make. Would we survive? What was going to happen in the aftermath and cleanup?
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TOUCHING HEARTS, CHANGING LIVES

TOUCHING HEARTS, CHANGING LIVES

Yesterday, as I was driving for Lyft here in The Woodlands and Conroe, I had the privilege of giving three college ladies a ride. I was taking them to a wedding which was a good distance away. We had some great conversations and laughs, and here is one convo I want to share with you. We were talking about Christianity and how it is perceived by others. We had a lot of fun even though some of the subjects were really deep and serious. One lives in Ft. Worth, one in Dallas, and the other in San Diego.

We were talking about touching hearts and how some Christians, (religious folks), tell people what they should be doing and sometimes they just plain judge them out loud causing even more pain to the individual. That’s just plain being the devil’s advocate and it can crush their spirit even more. That’s what he does to them all the time already. Are we going to add to the pain? They really need to know they are loved and need hope in that moment. Unless they ask for advice, it might be better to keep it inside until the opportunity arises, if and when it does. Perhaps we need a better relationship established before they let us in, if not, it could be like water running off of a duck’s back. It could also push them away from the One who created them and really loves them, giving them a false idea of Who He really is.

Do we remember where we were and how we were doing before giving our hearts to Jesus, Him filling us with His love, and changing us? Or, were we pushed at Jesus that same way in fear of judgment? I remember hearing a lot of hell, fire, and damnation and it took me a long time to get over the fear it instilled inside of me. I was afraid to come near Him for a long time and it took a lot to get past it. It is His kindness and love that leads us to Him and helps us to want to change our ways. It is His kindness that helps us know that He’s not going to smack us, but rather, that His loving arms are open towards us and His are the greatest hugs we’ll ever get no matter how far we’ve run from Him or what we’ve done. I wrote the song STILL from my own journey.

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BROKEN TO WHOLE

BROKEN TO WHOLE

There’s that SUPER DREADED word again, BROKEN! I hate it with a passion and I see so many others there and just want to heal them instantly. Just about the time we get things sewn together, someone else comes along and rips a greater hole, it seems. It’s like that graphic song that came out a while back, STITCHES, “…needle and thread, gonna get you out of my head.” We were so wonderfully and delicately created and put together by the Lord in our mother’s womb. Psalm 139. We were created to be loved! Whole! How do we get there? Is it even possible?

True Love cannot exist without True Freedom and that freedom starts in the Spirit. “Who the Lord sets free is free indeed!” John 8:36. He also heals all of our wounds in our spirit, soul, and body, if we allow it. Sometimes our own words and doubt erase or hinder what He can do. Been there, done that so many times! I’m still finding those broken pieces and trying to stitch them back together. There is scar tissue there and some callouses. Just need the oil of the anointing to be massaged into those areas, healing! Yes! Read more

I WANT TO LOVE YOU | Joseph James (Lyrics & Guitar Chords)

I WANT TO LOVE YOU Song | Joseph James | Chords & Lyrics | [Official Lyric Video]

A Romantic Song by Joseph James. It’s Time To Dance! Filmed in Alaska and Colorado!

Imagine getting a reservation at a fine restaurant with candlelight and wine. Then having your server put on that special song. You grab your date and walk out on the dance floor. The moon is out and it’s light sparkles on the water and snow covered mountains. The music and the views take you from there.

“I wrote this song for my wife, Janiece. After 28 years, romance is still in the air! Tell your partner hello for me! I hope you enjoy your evening together!” Joseph James

I WANT TO LOVE YOU w/m Joseph James © 01.02.22

D+A Ds D Ds D Ds D

[CHORUS]
D+A                           Ds         D         Ds D Ds D
Holding you in my arms tonight.
D+A                              Ds                   D        Ds D Ds D
I want to dance with you all night long.
G                                     A
I want to hug you tight ‘till the morning light.
G                               A
I want to kiss your lips and touch your heart.
G                         A
I want to see your smile in your eyes.
D
I want to love you. Read more

HINDSIGHT 2020 | JOSEPH JAMES

HINDSIGHT 2020 | Joseph James | [Official Lyric Video]

Lyrics & Chords

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HINDSIGHT 2020 | JOSEPH JAMES

Hindsight 2020 is a look back on 2020 and beyond to see what’s really there and what we need to change. It’s a place to reach out, to join our hands together across this land, restore our freedoms and take out the corruption that seeks to control us all. It’s time to rise and stand together for our freedom, our generation and those to come.

It’s a fun song with a catchy tune, but make no mistake, it’s to the point. It’s time to TAKE THE GARBAGE OUT!

HINDSIGHT 2020    © 02.07.2021   w/m Joseph James

G D C D G
G                                                        D
Hindsight is twenty-twenty, but this is twenty-one.
G                                                                     D
Didn’t know what they were doing, but now let’s have some fun.
C                                             D
Let’s go around town and shake some trees.
G                 /F#m     Em
We’ll let it all hang out…
C                                D                       C               D            G
Let’s join with our neighbors and take this garbage out. Read more

SUCH A TIME AS THIS | JOSEPH JAMES

SUCH A TIME AS THIS | Joseph James | [Official Lyric Video]

Lyrics & Chords

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SUCH A TIME AS THIS | Joseph James

Sometimes not everything was lost of our dreams and relationships in the past. Sometimes there is still life and new growth where there once seemed total devastation and destruction. Perhaps we’ve really just been maturing for SUCH A TIME AS THIS! Sometimes the Lord’s restoration and healing work goes unnoticed to us and then, wow!

This video was filmed throughout Waldo Canyon on the Rampart Range Road, Pikes Peak and the Garden Of The Gods where a fire was so destructive in 2012 and threatened Colorado Springs. Now 9 years later there’s beauty again, the young Aspens flourishing, and there are lots of areas that never burned as you can see in the video. It’s like that in our lives. SUCH A TIME AS THIS!

SUCH A TIME AS THIS      © 06.21.21     w/m Joseph James

G D C G
G                                    D                        C                          D
I’ve run my race! I’ve set my course time and time again.
C                 D                         G                    C
Just to be out of time and left behind again. Read more

NEED TO BE FREE | JOSEPH JAMES

NEED TO BE FREE | Joseph James | [Official Lyric Video]

Lyrics & Chords

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NEED TO BE FREE | JOSEPH JAMES | Official Lyric Video

Relationships can and should be fun and free. We should be free to enjoy each other and to still pursue our individual dreams while supporting each other. In this, we can soar together on the heights and support each other through the tough times, the valleys as well. Destiny… Purpose… Dreams…

NEED TO BE FREE     © 05.24.21  w/m Joseph James

G D C D G
G                     D
If you would love me so,
C                                             D
Maybe my heart wouldn’t let you go. Read more

GONNA TURN IT AROUND | JOSEPH JAMES

GONNA TURN IT AROUND | Joseph James | [Official Lyric Video]

Lyrics & Chords

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GONNA TURN IT AROUND | Joseph James

Have you ever heard the term, “Laughter does good like a medicine?” Also, “the Lord laughs at [the wicked], for He sees that their own day [of defeat] is coming.” “The joy of the Lord is our strength!” Did you know that when we see things the way He does, we can join in with Him in the laughter and live in joy, knowing that no matter what comes our way, He has a way through it?

It’s time to shake off those things that have been holding us down, laugh again, party with friends and family, and just plain have some fun in the midst of our enemies. Jerry Savelle said, “If Satan can’t steal your joy, he can’t keep your goods.” Why would we want to let him keep our goods?

Come on America, it’s time to rise up and start dreaming again. AMERICA DARE TO DREAM Tour.

GONNA TURN IT AROUND      © 05.21.2021  w/m Joseph James

G D C G
(Chorus)
G
Gonna have a party tonight!
G
Gonna pull out all of the stops!
G           C                                                       G
Gonna shake off everything that’s been holding me down! Read more

ON A COLD DARK NIGHT | JOSEPH JAMES

ON A COLD DARK NIGHT | JOSEPH JAMES | [Official Lyric Video]

Lyrics & Chords

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On A Cold Dark Night | Joseph James | Lyric Video

What happens when we meet an angel in the night? What happens when it’s not what we think it is? What are we going to do?

ON A COLD DARK NIGHT –  © 02.18.21 w/m Joseph James

G                                                                                                             D
On a cold dark night. I heard a desperate plea, Crying out for help.
G                                                                                                  D                     C D
I am all alone! Sad and weary now! I think I’ve lost my way, tonight! Read more

SOMEBODY’S HERO | JOSEPH JAMES

SOMEBODY’S HERO | JOSEPH JAMES | [Official Lyric Video]

Lyrics & Chords

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SOMEBODY’S HERO | JOSEPH JAMES

Who is your hero? Who’s watching you? What’s your story? What’s your testimony? Are they secretly hoping you succeed so it can give them hope to go for their dreams too? Are you SOMEBODY’S HERO?

SOMEBODY’S HERO  © 06.20.21  w/m Joseph James [Chords & Lyrics]

G D C G D C G
G                                                             C
Looking around at all the precious people,
C               G                          D
So many stories going untold.

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SOMEBODY’S HERO Album Released

SOMEBODY'S HERO Album | JOSEPH JAMES

SOMEBODY’S HERO Album | Joseph James Read more

SPINNING AROUND Song | Joseph James

SPINNING AROUND | Joseph James | [Official Lyric Video]
Lyrics & Chords

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SPINNING AROUND | JOSEPH JAMES | [Lyric Video]

C  /B  Am  /B  C  /B  Am  /B  G
C                              D               C                            D
Waking up in the morning. Sunlight shining through.
C                                  D /E         G     /F#   Em
Blowing now sweet kisses, at you.

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I’M GONNA FLY Song | Joseph James

I’M GONNA FLY | Joseph James | [Official Lyric Video]
Lyrics & Chords

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I'M GONNA FLY | JOSEPH JAMES | [Lyric Video]

C Am C Am
C                                 Am          C                    Am
Walking down this trail just wandering along,
C                                   Am   F                         G
I know that there’s an end, just like in this song,

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SOLDIER’S STORY Song | Joseph James | Chords & Lyrics

SOLDIER’S STORY Song | Joseph James | Chords & Lyrics | [Official Lyric Video]

SOLDIER'S STORY | JOSEPH JAMES | OFFICIAL LYRIC VIDEO

SOLDIER’S STORY | w/m Joseph James | © 01.06.20 | 110 BPM

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