Pompton Lakes (THE band!)

Okay guys, I'm so very excited to be writing about those guys! It's been quite some time since my last "musical" post. But I guarantee you this band will make your day a lot better once you have a listen to their stuff, talk about the real deal! 

Their style/genre as self-proclaimed is "Safe Rock", and I guess it's fitting. The laid back feel to their music is very relaxing yet very uplifting. And their lead vocalist, Jeff Martin, has a flexible, mellow, beautiful voice.Their songs are more of an experience than just "songs". They average at 4 minutes long, yet you'll feel so absorbed into the music that they'll feel longer. 

Put your headphones on. Lie on your bed in the dark. Listen to Pompton Lakes. 

They released their début album "Rest" in October last year, it's a mix of songs that meld very well together. They are a band of Christian members, so their lyrics are mostly faith-based. They don't preach and aren't saying the same old same old. They're innovative in their sound, so I'm pretty sure whether you're an occasional listener or an experienced musician, you'll hear something you'll like :)

So, here are some examples of why they're a great band:



1- Music video for the opening track "Home":
A great song, with a nicely made music video of a hipster-ish feel, enjoy!

Lyrics:

Lately I've tried to find home

In places where I know it can't be found

I looked at You 'cause where else can I go?

Apart from You I'm truly on my own

I lost this one, but still have victory

Your arms are open, You set me free

You gave me breath, now I need faith

I pray that You would help me keep my path straight

I looked at You 'cause where else can I go?

Apart from You I'm truly on my own

I lost this one, but still have victory

Your arms are open, You set me free

Running back home, running back home, to You

I've been in the dark but now I see light, peeking through

I lost this one, but still have victory

Your arms are open, You set me free

(running back home, running back home)

I lost this one, but still have victory

Your arms are open, Your love has set me free

Your arms wide open, Your love has set me free

 2- Rest:
Words cannot describe how much I love this song, nor how beautiful it really is. Click the play button on the widget below to listen.

Rest by pomptonlakes

Lyrics:
Find rest, oh my soul, in Christ alone

When you walk through the waters
I am there, there with you
And when you pass through the rivers
They will not sweep over you

In quietness and trust
You will find love

When you walk through the fire
You will not, not be burned
On days when you feel like you’re on your own
You’re not alone, not alone


In quietness and trust
You will find love

Find Rest, oh my soul
In Christ alone

Side note: if you're hearing sleigh bells in this non-Christmas song, and you think you've lost it. You didn't, I was a bit surprised too. It's done so tastefully that it's just the perfect addition to this song. Kudos for the PL guys for pulling this one off!
3- Pride: 
This one is a favorite of mine, listen below!



Lyrics:
I’ve spent enough time in my Pride
Now I’m trying to get out
Trying to get out
I want to be Your hands and feet
But I’m caught in between
I’m caught in between

I’ve run far enough from You
And I’ve wrestled with the truth
I’ve wrestled with the truth
But when I look up toward the stars
So clearly there You are
So clearly there You are

You make a way
Where I thought there was no way



4- Merciful:
Another beautiful song on this album...

Lyrics:
I come to You today
I know it’s been sometime
Well it seems like I’ve been running for
Most of my young life
As if I get too close
That I might prove You right…

That You’re good
And You are Merciful

And if you need some time
I would understand
Who am I to think You’d come running
Now that I am back
What if I get close
And You don’t prove me right



Special thanks to: Jeff Martin, the lead singer of Pompton Lakes, for providing me with the lyrics to Rest, Pride and Merciful...and for being super humble!
Also to: the folks at Blimey Cow for introducing this amazing band to us, mere mortals.

I hope you enjoyed the great music and please, check out this band, you won't regret it!!

Pompton Lakes:
On Facebook 
On Twitter
Official website
 
"Rest":
On iTunes
On Spotify 

Idolatry

Judging by the title you've probably figured out what I'll write about. Fair enough, it's not a new subject to tackle, nor is it an easy one. I'll be very specific and quite personal when talking about this, so bear with me for a little...
The type of idols and idolatry this time is people. I've always thought of role models as infallible, though I try to look like I know their weaknesses and problems, and that they're in no means perfect. I find myself always ignoring these faults and failings once I get totally hooked up on them. It's then I realize that I've created something too big to break down into a normal human being. It only takes another role model I turn into an idol to make me see the faults and normality of the previous one. Like I said in the last post, it's a cycle, a very repetitive one. I guess it'll end for sure, nothing lasts forever after all.
I may seem mature for my age, but I know there are certain things that expose my lack of consistency. I pray about it. I even noticed improvement in some areas. But sometimes it only takes someone to tick me off to get me to throw a tantrum, or some poor friend of mine to bash on something I happen to "like" to get me to never stop proving them wrong, or convincing them that they need a change of views. This particular area, which is idolizing people, proves there's a LOT to work on in order to be mature.
I still struggle with the idea that I can change whatever I want about myself, whenever I want it, once I set my mind to. As if there's a button to press so I would stop being lazy, or stop thinking too highly or too lowly of myself, or even a button to change my opinion about someone or something I know is no good. This shows my lack of a realistic perspective of the world, of myself, of God. Things like that need perseverance, something I'm very poor in.
I just don't know what to do with myself. I still pray to find the right way to get rid of idolizing people, to grow up, and to learn from all the times mere humans failed me.
Pray for me, please.