Rebuilding "Soldiers"

This week I began work on my remix of "Soldiers" from Spirit Blade. At first, I was fairly discouraged. I feel as though there is almost nothing I can salvage from the original mix and I realized I will need to rebuild this song from the ground up.

I also hurried through the recording process with Michael Tully back in 2004 when he recorded this song, and so have only a few takes to work with from that session. (Tully now lives in Texas and it would be impractical to fly him out just to re-record this song. Long distance coaching and recording is impractical as well.)

But soon I began to see obstacles as exciting creative challenges and after playing with Tully's files and testing some options with my mixing software, I'm very much looking forward to the possibilities open to me in that department! I've also found some beats and loops that already sound fantastic just dropping them down together without any polishing.

I believe that this time around I will be able to come so much closer to the creative vision I had for this song than I was able to the first time. And at the same time, I'll be able to inject new ideas and sounds that I've come to enjoy and gravitate toward since then. Can't wait!

That's all for now!

-Paeter Frandsen

Next Song... Soldiers!

I finally finished the re-mix on "Destiny" yesterday and then listened to every other song from Spirit Blade to make my choice about which one to re-mix next. I ended up choosing "Soldiers" and I anticipate this re-mix will be a challenge, or at least very involving.

Of all the songs in Spirit Blade, this was one that never felt "finished" to my ear. As both my tastes and mixing skills have changed or improved over the last four years, it's very hard for me to enjoy listening to this song on several levels. At this point, I anticipate that the remix will involve a complete overhaul of the percussion and a completely different approach to the mix on Michael Tully's (Raan) vocals.

So my first step today will be to sift through the loops and beats I have in my collection for appropriate sounds and then begin a search online for loop and beat collections of the kind of sound I'm looking for. As it stands now, I'll be looking for a more industrial, possibly glitchy sound. But it all depends on what resources I'm able to make use of.

Hopefully, when all is said and done, I'll have a song that we can all enjoy a whole lot more!

-Paeter Frandsen

In Search Of Truth, 2 Corinthians 7:12-16

Earlier in this letter, Paul states his ultimate reason for writing a "severe letter" to the Corinthian church which identified some sinful behavior in their community. (2 Cor. 2:9) Paul was testing this struggling church community to see if they were mature enough yet in their faith to be obedient and deal with sin when it is identified. He wanted to see how earnestly they would follow the instructions of a representative of God(Paul).

If a community of Christians can't deal with sin in their group, they are doomed to miss out on the blessings of connection to God. (See last week's notes on 7:10.)

Paul wanted to present the results of this "test" to God and probably to find out for himself. But it seems that primarily he wanted the Corinthians to find out how they would do with a challenge like this. (v.12)

Sometimes God will bring about a difficult circumstance, or provide a friend or a mentor who will challenge us. The outcome of such a challenge is an opportunity for perspective on our spiritual growth. These kinds of "tests" can make us anxious or be very painful. Especially if we have been in the wrong. But once on the other side of them, we can see a little of how we've hopefully grown by comparing our actions to previous times of difficulty. Seeing the tangible benchmarks of our growth reminds us of God's very real ability to change lives. In this way a painful experience can become an encouraging memory and evidence of God's love for us.

One Christian's growth also has potential to encourage another, especially if the second was involved in the growth of the first, as Paul and Titus played a role in the maturing of the Corinthian church. (v.13)

Although we can't be sure what characteristics of the Corinthian church Paul boasted to Titus about, the context suggests that Paul had indicated that the Corinthians have a habit of responding humbly and enthusiastically to correction, as the case was here. (v.14)

Admitting we've been wrong is very hard sometimes. But that is part of what makes humility such an admirable quality. More than having good "religious" habits, God values when a person admits fault and seeks out forgiveness.

Psalm 51:16-17- You do not delight in sacrifice, or I would bring it; you do not take pleasure in burnt offerings.
The sacrifices of God are a broken spirit; a broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.

It's significant that the Corinthians treated Titus so well. In this time and culture, the way a representative was treated was a direct reflection of how much the one who sent the representative was valued or respected. The Corinthians, in their hospitality for Titus, expressed how much they loved, valued and respected Paul. (v.15)

It was because of the Corinthian's actions, demonstrating their humility and obedience, that Paul is able to affirm his confidence in the Corinthian church. (v.16)

Next Week- The "G" word... giving.

Coffee House Question- Do you have a relationship with anyone who challenges your thinking or encourages some "stretching" in your spiritual life? If so, who? If not, how might you find and develop a friendship like this?