It is ten days since I wrote and told about my so called "vacation". I have had an awesome time and I DO feel that I am alive. Last week on saturday my brother Mårten Streng came to the studio with a choir. They were all children and they were singing on the song "Thank You". I am so happy for all ideas my brother, friend and producer Martin Kantola comes up with and I am very excited about how it all will sound when it is mixed and mastered. Martin has really added something to not only the music but the sound.
When I am listening to some of the work mixes without effects and far away from what it is going to be I realize that the sound is already better than my last record. It is like this folks. Without GOD I would never have came in touch with Martin. Without GOD I would not be able to release an album. Without GOD there would not be any record company who is releasing the album. Without GOD it would not be possible to sing songs about HIM. Without GOD I would be dead. See, GOD is with us in everything we do and we need to realize that HE is behind everything that is good as HE is good. These are more than proofs for me that GOD is alive. When I look at some churches here and there it is sad to see that they forget that GOD is good and keep preaching a message how bad things are and how we need to do this and that to get saved and get to know GOD. I would like to call that pure crap. We need to step under the grace and see at who we are in Christ and be thankful for everyday.
I have also been working on the cover for the record and I decided to write my own thoughts about the songs inside the cover so people could read what I believe and what these songs means to me. I made up my mind and decided to let you read my thoughts here in advance.
THANK YOU
When I was newborn my mother decided to give me away as the circumstances were what they were. I was adopted and God found me a good home with the best mom and dad in the world. I had a great childhood. Now, 38 years later I have finally met my biological mother, father, grandmother, my sister and my four brothers. It feels good to know who I am and today I am even more thankful for how God changed my way. I am thankful for my mom, my dad, my mother, my father, my brothers and sisters and for my family.
I AM FREE
This song was given to me by God in prayer and it just revealed it to methat the one the Son sets free indeed. Compared to my old life filled with addictions of drugs and alcohol I am today free, like a bird in the sky I am free. "So if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed" (John 8:36)
AMBASSADORS FOR JESUS CHRIST
One year after I met the Lord, He connected me with a wonderful bunch of born again Christians in Houston, Texas. They were Ambassadors For Jesus Christ and God told me us both that I should join them witch I did. For four years I have now been one of them, an Ambassador for Jesus Christ and this song is about our mission and vision, to be out on the road for not only other bikers but for all the people who need to hear the good news. Sometimes it is enough to shake a hand or give a hug. Jesus loves bikers too! "Therefore, we are Ambassadors for Jesus Christ, and through us God is calling you. We beg you on behalf of Christ to become reunited with God." (2 Corinthians 5:20)
THE DAY OF SALVATION
Another simple rock and roll song with a clear message about that every day is the day of Salvation. Many people like I did where many times thinking about Jesus and God but did never step over the line. It is time to give it up, the old life and acceptJesus Christ as Lord and Savior and to call down the fire to burn up all burdens and let us be filled with the flames of fire from the Holy Spirit. It is as simple as that.
MY HEAVENLY PAPA
This song means really much to me. After not being a present dad for almost all the years I have been a father of four children I have been working on the relation with my daughters. One day they both came and hugged me and I got so happy. I just thanked Jesus for it and during prayer and praise to Him, He gave me this song aboutthat HE has everything in HIS hands. HE is the creator of the universe and HE can do what is impossible for the world. The song was given to me while driving my van and when I got home I took down the guitar from the wall and it felt like I played this song forever.
THANKFUL
This is another of those songs that just came to me. I did not actually write it myself, it was given to me by God. He wants us to see what He has done for us and what He is doing all the time so we could be thankful. In my life He came in when I was walking on my own living in darkness, being afraid. He saved my soul not just for a day, He saved it all away and forever. Salvation is eternal and the day we let Him in our eternity starts. It is all about His love and grace and that is something to be thankful for. Without God I would be lost forever.
STORIES FROM THE BIBLE
Stories from the Bible is about a few of the miracles that Jesus did while walkin on earth. The Bible is full of signs, wonders and miracles and these things are still happening today. Jesus healed a blind man and He is still giving blind people their eye sight back. He healed a lame man and we hear awesome testimonies about that same things that happened 2000 years ago are happening today. Imagine that these things can happen for you too. Jesus gave His life for you and for me. The Bible says that we as Christians shall do even greater things than the stories from the Bible. They are all true. John 14:12: "Truly, truly. I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father." Words said by Jesus Christ Himself.
LIFE IN HIM
There are actually two lives we are living. First we born into this world and we are given our own free will to make up our minds. There is a road laid out for you and for me and if we are going to walk that road that leads to heaven we have to make a decision to follow Jesus and ask Him to forgive us for all our sins. Thats where the new life in Him starts and can you imagine that He really forgives you for all your sins and makes you righteous in Him. By making up your mind and taking that first step to accept Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior you become a child of God. Imaginethat! I remember the first love when He was all new to me. I remember His first touch when He set me free from depression, drugs and alcohol and I am still living in that first love. It is so awesome so you have to try it yourself. You wont regret it!
WITHOUT YOU
In august 2010 I started to think over my spiritual life. I realized that I really need The Holy Spirit to hear Gods voice and I started to know The Holy Spirit better. What I have to do is to ask for more of The Holy Spirit in the morning as then I know I will have a good day. We need to walk in the Spirit and in truth and nothing good can come from ourselves, that I have seen so many times. Also it is such a wonderfulthing to never be alone. When Jesus went to the Father, He promised us another helper, The Holy Spirit. Through The Holy Spirit we are spending time with Jesus and I need Jesus to be my friend, my best friend and I know that He will never leave me.
GOOD OL JOHN THREE SIXTEEN
John 3:16 is probably the best know Bible verse ever. There is so much included in this short verse and it all tells us about that God loved us first. He loved us (the world) who he created so much that He sent Jesus Christ to us. Imagine what Jesus did on the cross. He suffered and died for all of our sins, so we could be free and be reconciled with God. Everything is a gift from Him and there is nothing we can do to deserve Gods love or grace. We just have to be thankful and receive. How do we receive? Yes, by faith! He who believes will not perish but will get saved. It means that He who believes in Jesus will get an eternal life together with God in heaven.
I HAVE DECIDED TO FOLLOW JESUS
This is a classic that have meant much to me. One of my favorites and I just wanted torock it up a bit as it has a wonderful and happy message about my decision to follow Jesus. That decision is the most important decision we can do during our life time and then it does not matter what others say. I don't care what people say, I still will follow Jesus. Sometimes I am wondering about things but I still will follow. It is justas simple as that, to make the decision to follow Jesus. I have decided to follow Jesus and I have left the world behind me and before me I have to holy cross of Calvary.
I am looking forward to the release early next month and I pray and hope that this album will be a testimony and a blessing for many souls and people around the world. To do music is one thing but to sing songs about Jesus is a totally different story. It gives much more meaning to the music and what I think is best these days is that what I do I do for the Lord. The rockstar days are definitely over! Thank you Jesus!
Now it is one week more of my "vacation" and if I told you what I got done in only one week on our house you would not believe me. Last time I wrote here I prayed for supernatural strength, motivation and inspiration to start the works and believe me. GOD heard my prayer and in one week I have teared almost everything down in our east wing. Taken all wet floors and walls down and now it is drying and we are continuing the works here at home. We are definitely getting there, both with the album and with our renovations. GOD IS GOOD!
Stay Blessed, Love Ya'll!
Pontus
