“Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” Matthew 6:19-21

We live like life is a competition. We’ve heard over and over how we have to “keep up with the Joneses”, buying that Mercedes-Benz, 3D TV, Blu-Ray player, and 3000 square foot house. We need the new iPad the day it comes out, the latest video game so we can master it before our friends, and an account on the hottest social networking site. All of these things we think we need but for what?

Life really isn’t a competition. “You said life cannot be measured by the place you live, the car you drive.” It’s not a race to see who can cross the finish line first. What do we have in this world at the end? It’s not a game to determine who can end up with the most expensive goods. After all, besides the temporary pleasure we receive from owning them, what do they really give us? At the end of our lives, are these the things we will prize most?

What really matters, as Jesus tells us, is our heart. It’s about how we love. “The thing that counts the day you die is who you are and what’s inside.” Many times we buy things to make up for our own inadequacies. We aren’t turning to God for fulfillment, so we turn to cheap, material imitations to satisfy us for a few days. We don’t think we’re good enough as we are, so we want that luxury car to give us the status and image we crave. Basically, it all adds up to one thing: when we put our faith in material things, it’s because we have forgotten where our hope is.

Sadly, when we do this we not only hurt ourselves but we also lead others astray. Have you ever had that really devout Christian friend who was obsessed with technology and made you feel like it was not only okay but encouraged for you to focus your attention on the same? Or the self-sacrificing volunteer friend who was always dressed in the latest fashions, convincing you that your fashion sense was more important than your prayer life? It’s easy to be distracted, but Jesus reminds us to live a different way.

“Live with no excuses, love with no regrets…Make this world a better place.” We are supposed to give without restraint. This means our material goods, our love, our personality, and ourselves. This is the way we’re called to live and this is the way that will ultimately lead to the greatest joy. Nothing we have is truly ours, it’s God’s! So let us give abundantly. If we live in this way, then at the end “when it’s finally time to say goodbye, there’s nothin’ to prove, nothin’ to lose, nothin’ to hide.”

Click here for the album. Scroll down for the video, lyrics, and comments!

Lyrics:
You taught me how to ride a bike / Tie my shoes and fly a kite / How to swim and how to fish / To see a star and make a wish / Said it’s ok to make mistakes / Just don’t get stuck in yesterday / Forgive, forget and move ahead / ‘Cause life is what you’re livin’ in / Now you’re gone and all I have / Are memories I hold dear / But if I’m quiet I hear your voice / Still ringin’ in my ears // CHORUS: Sayin’ live with no excuses / Love with no regrets / Laugh a lot and leave this life / With nothing left unsaid / Make this world a better place / Don’t be afraid to cry / When it’s finally time to say goodbye / There’s nothin’ to prove, nothin’ to lose, nothin’ to hide // You said life cannot be measured by / The place you live, the car you drive / The thing that counts the day you die / Is who you are and what’s inside / So tell the truth, don’t ever lie / Integrity at any price / Your word’s your bond, your highest prize / So guard it closely with your life / So many things I learned from you / ‘Bout life and love and play / But I learned more by how you lived / Than what I heard you say // CHORUS // I only want to live my life half as well as you / to leave behind what I’ve received / Is all I want to do / So I live with no excuses / And I love with no regrets / I laugh a lot and I leave this life / With nothing left unsaid / Make this world a better place / Don’t be afraid to cry / When it’s finally time to say goodbye / There’s nothin’ to prove, nothin’ to lose, nothin’ to hide

If you just raised your hand at that question then that means you don’t like free music and you just might be in the wrong place…But, for everyone else out there, I’ve got the key to a treasure trove of songs and am getting ready to hand it over to you. I’ve been able to pull together 10 tracks from some great artists that we’re giving away to anyone who gives us their feedback about the site.

Here’s the deal: All you have to do is answer 12 easy questions, and they will lead you to the pot of gold.

[Survey Closed - Thanks To Everyone For Participating!]

WHY YOU ASK?
Well…we’ve been working away at a new and improved version of FreeCCM.com (yay!) with the intention of (hopefully) making it a better experience for you & a more enjoyable place to visit. (Not to mention, a little nicer to look at) In order to do that we want to get to know you better so we can have a clearer idea of what you guys like.

WHAT SONGS ARE ON IT?
These:

1)      Chasen – “Leave You Alone”
2)      MercyMe – “Sanctified”
3)      Addison Road – “Who I Am In You”
4)      Fee – “Beauty Of The Cross” from The Catalyst Music Project
5)      Building 429 – “Coming Home”
6)      Phillips, Craig & Dean – “Let God Be God”
7)      33Miles – “Something Different”
8)      Laura Story – “Make Something Beautiful”
9)      Jeremy Horn – “Embrace The Cross”
10)    Stellar Kart – “It’s Not Over”

It’s been fun reading through the responses we’ve gotten so far- maybe you’ll have just as much fun listening to the songs

Ready, Set… Break!

Laura

P.S. The Afters wanted to say hello -

Ok, I have to admit- I don’t really keep up with any sports on a regular basis, so my knowledge of the topic is very limited. But I heard this story today about Randy Phillips, from the group Phillips, Craig & Dean, and had to share it with you!

Randy Phillips… King of Hip Hop Baseball Anthem?

With the MLB playoff underway, national attention is on a Texas fan craze that originated from the most unlikely of songwriters and helping a very worthy cause.

What started off as a long distance high-five from one Texas Ranger player to the team in the dugout has sparked a true fan craze. During Texas Ranger baseball games, thousands of people do “The Claw” after a hit to show support for their favorite team. Now, “The Claw” is reaching out to help soldiers and their families at Fort Hood – the most populous US Military base in the world – in Killeen, TX.

Randy Phillips, with the group Phillips, Craig & Dean, is an artist that has been performing for over 20 years, and a huge Texas Ranger fan. Randy was watching ESPN and noticed the Rangers players doing “The Claw”. Randy went to bed and woke up that night with a tune and words running through his head. The next morning, he got to work and “Do The Claw” was born. When the song was finished, Randy sent the song over to friend and Texas Ranger outfielder Josh Hamilton, who in turn sent it to the Texas Rangers management. “Do The Claw” was played in the Rangers Stadium to the delight of the crowds who sing along and camera shots are played on the big screen of the fans doing “The Claw.”

A friend heard the song and phoned Randy Phillips that “Do the Claw” was a hit! Once he heard this news, Randy had another thought. What if we could make the song available for download and give the proceeds to help the Phantom Trackers, a Fort Hood special ops division of our military? These families are in need of Christmas gifts, clothing and food at Fort Hood. Randy found out that there are many military families that are at or below poverty level and will need help this Christmas season.

Said Randy Phillips, “When I wrote ‘Do The Claw,’ I had no idea it would become such a hit. They’re playing the dickens out of it at the stadium! When I heard this, I thought, how can we use this to help people? I heard about the need at Fort Hood and knew how this song could help our troops. So, I made a few calls, emailed some friends and we got to work.”

The song is now available for download on iTunes. Proceeds will go to underwrite children’s gifts, clothing, food, etc. “Do The Claw” is a 501c3 and the purchase is completely tax deductible.

Be sure to also check out the follow up single to Phillips, Craig & Dean’s smash hit “Revelation Song.” Go listen to their song, “Great Are You Lord,” now!