This week I wish to share an email I received from a really good friend of mine by the name of Rick, I am sending it out now to the Inspiration Station as it is beautiful and very thought provoking. I hope that all my good friends gathered here at the Inspiration Station will enjoy reading it as much as I did for I believe: 

THIS WEEK’S INSPIRATIONAL STATION presents:

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MUSIC USED TO BRING US TOGETHER

Writer: Bill O Reilly: Veteran TV news anchor Bill O Reilly is host of the Fox News show,

“The O Reilly Factor ” & author of the book “Who’s Looking Out For You?”

Distributed by Creators Syndicate (c) 2013 Bill O’Reilly

While watching the Grammy awards , it occurred to me that American culture has been defined by music ever since the end of World War II. After the war in 1945, millions of GI’s returned home to marry and begin families. The big band era of good-time music accompanied that, and romantic songs like Frank Sinatra’s ruled the day.

In the 50’s many young people tired of conformity , began to rebel. The rise of Elvis Presley illuminated that rebellion. Then the angst kind of died out as Chubby Checker ushered in ” The Twist” in 1960″, and Americans began dancing all over the place. Exhausted from doing “The Pony” young consumers eventually began to respond to the snappy melodies of an English group called The Beatles, and once again, music mania gripped the nation. The British invasion featured the four mop-tops, The Rolling Stones and The Animals among others. The came Vietnam. That led to protest music and drug fueled lyrics, as well as introspective tunes by The Doors, Jefferson Airplane and Bob Dylan. Acid Rock soon followed, and every thing was very far out, man. After about seven years, that intensity died down. The dark themes receded, and dancing once again came back. The age of disco, took hold as the Bee Gees and other polyester-clad groups dominated the charts. The good times of the late 1970’s and early 80’s featured Madonna, Michael Jackson and Earth, Wind and Fire. But it all ended when the AIDS scare arrived in 1984. Suddenly, the uninhibited party became dangerous.Then music kind of meandered for a while until rap emerged. At first, the anger-fueled recordings were confined to urban radio stations and a niche audience. But when Elton John sang a duet with the white rapper Eminem on a Grammy telecast, rap went main stream. Massive parental headaches followed. The rise of the internet signaled the slow collapse of record stores, and the music industry quickly fragmented after the turn of the century. Consumers could now download songs into portable machines and bop at will. Americans no longer had to depend on the radio to hear their favorite tunes. Since then, there have been a series of pop superstars but no real purpose or point-of-view to the music, which again may reflect the current times. I mean what do Lady Gaga and Jennifer Lopez really stand for? Narcissism ? Just asking. The talent is still there. I heard Justin Bieber do a knock-out version of Paul McCartney’s classic “Let It BE” and Bruno Mars with his little hat was pretty good on the Grammy show this year. We are definitely living in confusing, rapidly changing times, as machines now dominate leisure options for many consumers.

Firty years ago, we all were humming the same tunes heard over and over on AM radio. The good vibrations of The Beach Boys thrilled Maine, as well as Malibu. The music actually brought Americans together. Today, the tuneless lure of cyber space has pulled us apart. Perhaps forever.

(When I read this article and while typing it for my column I had the same thought go through and through my mind. Whether you are a songwriter, artist, or musician “BE AN ORIGINAL WITH A PURPOSE “.

BE INSPIRED, TREAT EACH SONG WITH RESPECT AND LOVE.

I remember when I got started writing songs I wanted to bring something new and exciting into the lyrics and music. Don’t be a copy cat, treat a song like a child… giving it the best you can! Be proud of it, and caress it…… and YES begin with a prayer before writing or recording it …… Rhon

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Rest in My Presence, allowing Me to take charge of this day. Do not bolt into the day like a racehorse suddenly released. Instead, walk purposefully with Me, letting Me direct your course one step at a time. Thank Me for each blessing along the way; this brings Joy to both you and Me.

A grateful heart protects you from negative thinking. Thankfulness enables you to see the abundance I shower upon you daily. Your prayers and petitions are winged into heaven’s throne room when they are permeated with thanksgiving.In everything give thanks, for this is My will for you. Praise Jesus

Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. – Colossians 4:2

In everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you  – 1 Thessalonians 5:18 nasb

‘The happiest of people don’t necessarily have the best of everything They just make the most of everything they have”

Please come back and visit my Inspirational Station messages here….. and please leave your valued comments ! God is faithful! Rhon