Tag Archives: faith

Cliff Richard – Devil Woman (Official Video)

Inspiration Behind Devil Woman:

Devil Woman was conceived from a dark, narrative concept about a curse and temptation, written by Terry Britten and Christine Authors. The “curse” mentioned in the lyrics is left ambiguous, allowing the song to carry a sense of mystery. This song was a departure from Richard’s pop roots, crafting Devil Woman as if he was telling a story.

Biblical Application:

All these curses will come on you. They will pursue you and overtake you until you are destroyed, because you did not obey the Lord your God and observe the commands and decrees he gave you. ⁴⁶ They will be a sign and a wonder to you and your descendants forever. ⁴⁷ Because you did not serve the Lord your God joyfully and gladly in the time of prosperity, Deuteronomy 28:45-47.

Exegesis of Devil Woman:

I’ve had nothing, but bad luck
Since the day I saw the cat at my door
So I came into you sweet lady
Answering your mystical call

Cliff uses superstition to tie his bad luck to a black cat and mystical encounter with a woman.

Crystal ball on the table
Showing the future, the past
Same cat with them evil eyes
And I knew it was a spell she cast

The details of this woman describe a fortune teller or a witch.

She’s just a devil woman
With evil on her mind
Beware the devil woman
She’s gonna get you

The longer this encounter lasts, the more cliff recognizes her evil intent.

She’s just a devil woman
With evil on her mind
Beware the devil woman
She’s gonna get you from behind

Repeating the chorus as if to warn other people.

Give me the ring on your finger
Let me see the lines on your hand

This woman is now identified as a psychic.

I can see me a tall dark stranger
Giving you what you hadn’t planned

A concerning fortune revealed or a fake response to illicit fear.

I drank the potion she offered me
I found myself on the floor
Then I looked in those big green eyes
And I wondered what I’d came there for

This woman tricked him. Deceived and now vulnerable.

She’s just a devil woman
With evil on her mind
Beware the devil woman
She’s gonna get you

There is nothing good in this woman.

She’s just a devil woman
With evil on her mind
Beware the devil woman
She’s gonna get you from behind

Another warning to those who see this woman coming their way.

Stay away, look out

Run in the opposite direction.

If you’re out on a moonlit night
Be careful of them neighborhood strays
Of a lady with long black hair
Tryin’ to win you with her feminine ways

A warning to those who go out at night. What to watch out for.

Crystal ball on the table
Showing the future, the past
Same cat with them evil eyes
You’d better get out of there fast

Flee from any signs of darkness or evil.

She’s just a devil woman
With evil on her mind
Beware the devil woman
She’s gonna get you

Look out or else.

She’s just a devil woman
With evil on her mind
Beware the devil woman
She’s gonna get you
She’s just a devil woman
With evil on her mind
Beware the devil woman
She’s gonna get you
She’s just a devil woman
With evil on her mind
Beware the devil woman
She’s gonna get you

Those who practice evil are servants of the Devil. Evil is their mindset.

Final Thoughts:

I was walking back from class at the University of Delaware. While stopped at a crosswalk, I noticed a gal carrying a Bible in public. I made a comment about not being afraid to carry a Bible with all to see. Her response still gives me a chill today. “I read it every day, praying against every word in this book.” This woman was a witch, attending a coven just off campus. She was more committed about her beliefs than most Christians that I knew. This was the most dangerous woman that I ever met as she blended in like every other student on campus.

by Jay Mankus

Thousand Foot Krutch: Be Somebody (Official Audio)

Inspiration Behind Be Somebody:

 Trevor McNevan wrote Be Somebody from a deeply personal and spiritual place, exploring the longing to be seen, understood, and accepted for who you truly are in life. Trevor was having an identity crisis, using the line “boy inside the man” struggling to reconcile his true self with how others perceive him. Be Somebody reflects a journey of self-discovery.

Biblical Application:

But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us. ⁸ We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; ⁹ persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed. ¹⁰ We always carry around in our body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body. ¹¹ For we who are alive are always being given over to death for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. ¹² So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you, 2 Corinthians 4:7-12.

Exegesis of Be Somebody:

I’m just the boy inside the man, not exactly who you think I am
Trying to trace my steps back here again, so many times
I’m just a speck inside your head, you came and made me who I am

Trevor is trying to figure out his place in this world. Trevor is struggling to grasp who he is. A reference to God.

I remember where it all began, so clearly

When and where Trevor first met God.

I feel a million miles away, still you connect me in your way
And you create in me, something I would’ve never seen
When I can only see the floor, you made my window a door
So when they say they don’t believe, I hope that they see you and me
After all the lights go down, I’m just the words you are the sound
A strange type of chemistry, how you’ve become a part of me
And when I sit alone at night, your thoughts burn through me like a fire
You’re the only one who knows, who I really am

Trevor feels so far away from God. The Lord started something special inside of Trevor, but he never saw this potential. Line 3 may be a reference to how the Lord provides for you. As skeptics question God’s existence, Trevor hopes this doubter will see his relationship with God. A metaphor where you are the student and God is the instructor. Trevor is trying to explain how you can have a relationship with an invisible God. The power of the Holy Spirit to ignite conviction and passion. Jesus is the only one in the world who truly knows Trevor.

We all wanna be somebody, we just need a taste of who we are
We all wanna be somebody, we’re willing to go but not that far

This opening chorus serves as a prayer to be successful in life. How far are you willing to go to become great.

And we’re all see through, just like glass
And we can shatter just as fast
That light’s been burned out for a while, I still see it every time I pass
It was lost in the coldness of my mind, behind a box of reasons why
I never doubted it was there, just took a little time to find

While human beings try to hide their pain, souls are fragile like glass. Perhaps a reference to faith that burns inside of your heart. An example of when faith grows cold and the journey to rediscover it.

And even when

Trying to recover.

I feel a million miles away, still you connect me in your way
And you create in me, something I would’ve never seen
When I can only see the floor, you made my window a door
So when they say they don’t believe I hope that they see you and me
After all the lights go down, I’m just the words you are the sound
A strange type of chemistry, and you’ve become a part of me
And when I sit alone at night, your thoughts burn through me like a fire
You’re the only one who knows, who I really am

God is omnipresent despite the distance. God has a plan for each believer. The Bible is the instruction manual. Unfortunately, this may take years or a lifetime to realize your full potential. This is why the apostle Paul wrote about keeping in step with the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:25. The more this occurs, the better your chemistry with God. This takes time to meditate, ponder and reflect about who you are and how God can use you.

We all wanna be somebody, we just need a taste of who we are
We all wanna be somebody, we’re willing to go but not that far
We all wanna be somebody, (be somebody) we just need a taste of who we are
We all wanna be somebody, (be somebody) we’re willing to go but not that far
I’m just the boy inside the man, not exactly who you think I am
Trying to trace my steps back here again, so many times
When I can only see the floor, you made my window a door
So when they say they don’t believe, I hope that they see you and me

A simple desire to make a difference in life based upon the gifts God has given you. To what extent, how far will you go to fulfill this goal in life. Discovering your gifts and talents is like tasting success. Some do just enough to get by while others are much more committed. Maturity takes time, especially when you wander away from God. As you retrace your steps, God can provide the vision necessary so that when others doubt, they will see the faith inside of you.

Final Thoughts:

This is one of the songs that I have listened to hundreds of times, but never really thought about the lyrics. Be Somebody is like a modern-day Finding Your Place in this World song. However, Be Somebody challenges individuals to dig deep inside your heart, soul and mind. This spiritual journey will take time, but if you persevere, other people will begin to see the love of Jesus inside your heart. This is the goal as Be Somebody ends.

by Jay Mankus

Core Of My Addiction

Inspiration Behind Core of My Addiction:

This song was conceived from emotional dependency, surrender, and devotion to a higher power. Using addiction in a positive manner, where the narrator feels incomplete without their romantic partner, spiritual influence. Subsequently, this could be referring to Christian fellowship and or an intimate relationship with God. This special connection provides a source of purpose, healing, and freedom.

Biblical Application:

After this the Lord appointed seventy-two^[a] others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. ² He told them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field. ³ Go! I am sending you out like lambs among wolves, Luke 10:1-3.

Exegesis of Core of My Addiction:

I’m aching, transparent
Your eyes see right through me
I’m dependent and shacking
I’m falling to my knees

A confession of faith. Wanting Jesus like acts to shine through her. Relying on prayer for this transformation.

And I can’t contain this
You’re the only one I need
I’m hooked and I cannot hide it
Your love’s controlling me

This stanza suggests that this woman is taking her faith serious, making Jesus the Lord of her life, Romans 10:9-11. Wanting the love of God to shine through her as she interacts with people on a daily basis.

[Chorus]
You’re the core of my addiction
I wanna live, want to loose myself in you
You’re the heart of my obsession
I want to live, but I would die for you
I’m addicted

Jesus is her passion and vision every morning when she wakes up. She wants to become less, deny her selfish desires so that the love of God will increase. She is learning to love God with all of her heart, soul and mind. This explains her obsession, willing to die for her faith.

Impulsive, enraptured
This yearning’s captured me
I’m determined, I’m not pretending
You are my destiny

This is her vision. Resulting in a clear calling and focus each day.

I can feel the freedom
You’re the only one I need
I’m alive and finally breathing
You’re my recovery

This stanza contains biblical reference to freedom in Christ from Galatians 5, living an abundant life, John 10:10 as well as Jehovah Rapha – God is my healer.

[Chorus]

God I’ve waited for this day
I’ll never run away
You won’t have to chase me

This woman’s commitment to faith is similar to the other 72 disciples that Jesus sends out ahead of the 12 disciples to prepare for Jesus’ future visits.

[Chorus]

I’m addicted! I’m addicted!
I’m addicted to you!

This woman is on fire for Jesus, all in.

Final Thoughts:

One of the main reasons local churches aren’t impacting the spiritual growth of their communities is due to a lack of spiritual commitment. Instead of promoting the Lordship of Christ, God is being used as a crutch in times of need. Subsequently, the faith of many Christians is limited to Sunday morning. The other 6 days of the week faith has become lukewarm. The Core of My Addiction serves as a spiritual wake-up call to make Jesus your top priority for living.

by Jay Mankus

Karla Devito – We Are Not Alone (The Breakfast Club) (1985)

Inspiration Behind We Are Not Alone:

Karla Devito is associated with many well-known musicians like Meat Loaf who she toured with. Karla has also worked with Bette Midler, Cyndi Lauper, and many other renowned artists. We Are Not Alone was commissioned for the 1985 film the Breakfast Club. The attached video was part of the soundtrack for this popular film.

Biblical Application:

“I am the true vine, and my Father is the gardener. ² He cuts off every branch in me that bears no fruit, while every branch that does bear fruit he prunes^[a] so that it will be even more fruitful. ³ You are already clean because of the word I have spoken to you. ⁴ Remain in me, as I also remain in you. No branch can bear fruit by itself; it must remain in the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain in me, John 15:1-4.

Exegesis of We Are Not Alone:

Things are clear in black and white
But living color tends to dull our sight, like dynamite
Just imagine my surprise
When I looked into your eyes and saw through your disguise

The 5 students, each from a different social class have spent enough time together now at this point of the Breakfast Club that they are beginning to realize what they all have in common.

If we dare expose our hearts
And just reveal the purest parts
That’s when strange sensations start to grow

Prior to this scene in the movie, each opened up about the dysfunctional families that each are living in. Each let their guard down just enough to reveal that their lives are far from perfect.

We are not alone
You’ll find out when your cover’s blown
There’ll be somebody there to break your fall
We are not alone
‘Cause when you cut down to the bone
We’re really not so different, after all, after all
Not alone

As each student began to dance, they began to realize that they do share things in common.

Flying high above the sky
The patterns down below look simplified
A good place to hide
But on inspection of the dust
I came upon this thing called trust, it helps us to adjust

When the barriers, preconceptions and stereotypes about each other were slowly removed, trust began to form between this motley crew of 5 teenagers.

Just imagine my surprise
When I looked into your eyes
I knew right then I’d never let you go

These 5 went from not wanting to talk to running around the halls together.

We are not alone
You’ll find out when your cover’s blown
There’ll be somebody there to break your fall
We are not alone
‘Cause when you cut down to the bone
We’re really not so different, after all, after all
We’re not alone, not alone
After all, not alone

When individuals are willing to go outside their comfort zone, reaching out beyond social classes, you’ll realize that you have more in common than you think.

If we dare expose our hearts
And just reveal the purest parts
That’s when strange sensations start to grow

When you become vulnerable, it opens the door for others to follow.

We are not alone
You’ll find out when your cover’s blown
There’ll be somebody there to break your fall
We are not alone
‘Cause when you cut down to the bone
We’re really not so different, after all

This song ends with back-to-back choruses. A call to come together rather than tear one another down.

We are not alone
You’ll find out when your cover’s blown
There’ll be somebody there to break your fall
We are not alone
‘Cause when you cut down to the bone
We’re really not so different, after all, after all

After all, after all, we are not alone

Don’t let peer pressure keep you isolated. Be real and true. Then you won’t be alone.

Final Thoughts:

I was a jock for most of high school until I began to apply the same energy I poured into sports in my classes. My final two years of high school were my best 2 years of grade point average. This coincided with my decision to invite Jesus into my life, Romans 10:9-10. While I was far from perfect, I wasn’t afraid to cross social boundaries. By the time I was a senior, I was friends with a vast amount of people from several social classes. Being part of Homecoming Weekend as a senior was one of my favorite weeks of high school. Spending several hours outside of class building a float enabled me to make friends with students I only knew by name prior to this week. This is when I discovered that I was not alone anymore.

by Jay Mankus

Against My Better Judgment

Inspiration Behind Against My Better Judgement:

This song blends personal introspection, relationship dynamics, and human nature within societal patterns. The lyrics of Against My Better Judgement explores self-sabotage and falling from grace. Like a child told not to eat the cookies in the cookie jar, human nature has a way of doing the opposite of what we are told. Since Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden, temptation has a way of planting evil thoughts in minds that are eventually acted upon.

Biblical Application:

Then the man and his wife heard the sound of the Lord God as he was walking in the garden in the cool of the day, and they hid from the Lord God among the trees of the garden. ⁹ But the Lord God called to the man, “Where are you?” ¹⁰ He answered, “I heard you in the garden, and I was afraid because I was naked; so I hid.” ¹¹ And he said, “Who told you that you were naked? Have you eaten from the tree that I commanded you not to eat from?” ¹² The man said, “The woman you put here with me—she gave me some fruit from the tree, and I ate it.” ¹³ Then the Lord God said to the woman, “What is this you have done?” The woman said, “The serpent deceived me, and I ate,” Genesis 3:9-13.

Exegesis of Against My Better Judgement:

With starving appetites for arguments
you remind me of a secret
I was never supposed to tell.

When you are tired or hungry, you become vulnerable to making irrational decisions. This moment of weakness led to loose lips, revealing something that was supposed to be a secret.

The time is over, the verdicts in: Everybody’s right, everybody wins
The time is over, the verdicts in: Everybody’s right, everybody wins

Suggests that there is justification, cause and reason for any wrong act that you do.

Didn’t you know you were a saint, what a shameful fall from grace
But I’ll catch you, I’ll catch you
Everybody’s waiting for that something they can hold onto
while tripping over our own words to self-dug graves for an excuse to fall
Becuase every failure’s just as sweet as the last

Appears to address a hypocrite or someone addicted to a specific drug. They are unable to stop themselves from a bad habit and or unwholesome craving. This could also refer to a backslidden Christian who knows God is going to forgive them so that they keep indulging their fleshly desires over and over again.

The time is over, the verdicts in: Everybody’s right, everybody wins
The tims is over, the verdicts in: Everybody’s right, everybody wins

This is what happens when there are no absolute truths and when opinions are elevated to fact status.

Didn’t you know you were a saint, what a shameful fall from grace
But I’ll catch you, I’ll catch you
Everybody’s waiting for that something they can hold onto
while tripping over our own words to self-dug graves for an excuse to fall
Becuase every failure’s just as sweet as the last

Not sure if God will catch wayward souls or that a friend when helping this person get back on the right track. Everyone wants to find and hold on to what is true, but human nature causes must individuals to self-destruct.

As a dream comes
when there are many cares
so the speech of a fool
when there are many words
the sun it misses summer in winter.
Didn’t you know we wear
the same pretentious name
lets trade for awhile
i’m so curious

Members of Further Seems Forever is struggling to do the right thing. Perhaps a Christian wants to trade with an atheist so they don’t have to worry about trying to please God.

Everybody’s waiting for that something they can hold onto
while tripping over our own words to self-dug graves for an excuse to fall
Becuase every failure’s just as sweet as the last

Everyone is trying to find something that is real and true to hold on to. Yet human nature continues to lead individuals to do things against their better judgement.

Final Thoughts:

One thing that I have learned in life, once you master one bad habit, there is always another one that arises. Discipline and self-control is a daily struggle for most human beings. While government on the local and national level try to establish rules to quell bad behavior, these regulations are not addressing the core issue: human nature. The apostle Paul reveals his own shortcomings in Romans 7. Only Jesus come help those who continue to do things against their better judgement.

by Jay Mankus

[HQ] Lifehouse – Everything Skit Remastered High Quality

Inspiration Behind Everything:

Jason Wade, the frontman for Lifehouse, wrote Everything during a period of personal struggle and crisis of faith. Drama teams have taken the lyrics to Everything and have created their own spin of this internal war that takes place in the spiritual dimension every day. Everything serves as a transformative phase in Wade’s life, shaped by his strong Christian background and the guiding role faith has played in his spiritual journey on earth.

Biblical Application:

Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. ⁸ Come near to God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. ⁹ Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourning and your joy to gloom. ¹⁰ Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up, James 4:7-10.

Exegesis of Everything:

[Instrumental Intro]

[Verse 1]
Find me here and speak to me
I want to feel you, I need to hear you
You are the light that’s leading me
To the place where I find peace again

A cry for help after feeling lost. Desperately wanting to find peace.

[Verse 2]
You are the strength that keeps me walking
You are the hope that keeps me trusting
You are the light to my soul
You are my purpose, you’re everything

Acknowledging a source of strength, where hope and trust resides. Suggesting that their current life is slipping out of control. Wanting to be led back in the right direction, toward the light of truth’ Searching for purpose.

[Refrain]
How can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me, how could it be any better than this? Yeah

Jason is referring to his relationship with God that has become stale, unmoved by God’s presence and power.

[Verse 3]
You calm the storms and you give me rest
You hold me in your hands, you won’t let me fall
You still my heart and you take my breath away
Would you take me in? Take me deeper now

Jsaon looks back at his life, remembering how God has calmed past storms in his life. Suggests an Old Testament view of God, a hiding place where protection and security can be found. In Jason’s current crisis of faith, he is doing some soul searching, wanting a greater understanding for the current spiritual storm he is enduring.

[Refrain]
And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me, how could it be any better than this?
And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me, how could it be any better than this?

Jason is questioning his current relationship with God, becoming lukewarm and uninspired. Perhaps Jason is beginning to turn toward worldly insights instead of fully trusting in God Not realizing how good his life is.

[Chorus]
‘Cause you’re all I want, you’re all I need
You’re everything, everything
You’re all I want, you’re all I need
You’re everything, everything
You’re all I want, you’re all I need
You’re everything, everything
You’re all I want, you’re all I need
Everything, everything

An admission that Jesus is the Lord of his life, his purpose and reason for living. Yet like any friendship, if you don’t spend time with one another, the bind which ties you together slowly loosens.

[Refrain]
And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me, how could it be any better than this?
And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me, how could it be any better, any better than this?
And how can I stand here with you and not be moved by you?
Would you tell me, how could it be any better than this?

Jason comes to his senses like the prodigal son in Luke 15. Despite any previous deviations in his faith, Jason realized that God is everything to him. Since God has provided in the past, Jason should no longer doubt God’s power in the future.. This reality should elicit a vast appreciation, moving his soul. As Lecrae once sang. This is Living.

[Outro]
Would you tell me, how could it be any better than this?

Perhaps a reference to Jesus’ promise of an abundant life in John 10:10.

Final Thoughts:

When I was in youth ministry, a drama team performed for my youth group. While this group used a different song than Everything, the lyrics involved a similar message of a teenager losing hope. Subsequently, when I stumbled upon this dramatization of Everything a few years ago, I was moved to tears. Adults have a habit of trying to hide their pain where teens tend to be much more vulnerable. The lyrics of Everything provide hope to anyone considering suicide with a spiritual alternative. Whenever God saves a lost and lonely heart, He becomes Everything to them.

by Jay Mankus