A New Era for "Rocking it Christian Style"

As most of you probably are aware, we have been rather quiet of late. We are proud to say that it is not because of laziness, a lack of passion or the constant power outages...thank you Eskom:p Instead, this is due to the amazing response that we have received over the two years of running Rocking it Christian Style. We decided that a sleeker platform was required in order for us to better serve out our purpose of celebrating the incredible musical talents of artists around the world, as well as providing thought-provoking discussions that every Christian is bound to talk about at some stage.

Words cannot describe how excited we are to announce that we have launched our brand new site!!

This link will take you to our new site: http://pulserevolution.co.za/....isn't she pretty?

Praise God for his faithfulness and thank you all for the tremendous support you have given us.

We hope that you like the site and we are excited to see what God has in store for us in the coming year!

We pray that 2015 is a year of blessing for you all. Remember to trust God and be courageous, no matter the circumstances...He is always in control!

Peace and Love

The Pulse Revolution Team

For King and Country: Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong

Artist: For King and Country
Album: Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong.
Genre: Rock, Indie, Chilled
Rating: 4/5

For Kind and Country are a band that originated in Nashville, Tennessee. For some reason I read “Nashville, Tennessee” in a very thick Tennessee accent.

For King and Country have an amazing history of releasing great albums. Their latest is no exception. From beginning to end this album brings across an amazing sound. The album starts us off with “Run Wild”, a song about feeling trapped by yourself or your circumstances, encouraging everyone to “Run Wild”. This is a great way to start the a;bum, and we really get a sense that this album was created in order to encourage the audience.

This album has many slower songs, as they create ballads and powerful songs with this slower tune. However, even the more upbeat songs have deep and relatable lyrics. Whilst many of them don’t speak about religion in any way, all of them have many Christian undertones.

My personal favourite song is “Without you”. The featuring artist, Courtney, accompanies the style so beautifully. Her voice compliments the brothers of Joel and Luke Smallbone. The song is about not wanting to live without someone. A person can take this and understand it as a man and woman singing to one another, telling the other that they want to remain together forever. However, this is one of the many songs that has a Christian undertone, as two people cry out never wanting to live without God by their side.

The whole album is composed beautifully, with every song complimenting the previous song, and the songs to come. I would recommend this album to anyone looking for some exciting new songs to add to their playlist.

Stay Awesome Everyone.
M

HalloWHAT!

Halloween. Taboo for some and the raucous party of October for others… I grew up knowing little to nothing about Halloween. My family don’t celebrate it, in fact my granny warned us against having anything to do with it – no celebratory carved pumpkins, no dressing up and no accepting sweets from strangers. And to be honest, I never really cared. Which is weird, because SWEETS!

Only until about a week ago, I still knew nothing of the history or meaning behind Halloween.  Most people say that, like Christmas or Easter, Halloween no longer has any meaning and has become just another fun, commercial festival where you get to dress up like Spiderman or Katy Perry and eat sweets for days... The reason we celebrate things is something worthwhile checking out and contemplating instead of blindly celebrating something you’re not exactly sure of.

Here is a link if you’re interested in the history of Halloween – Wikipedia works just as well. So clearly the evolution of Halloween is a bit not Christian and dodgy, and we immediately think, 2 Corinthians 6:14 - Do not be unequally yoked together with unbelievers. For what fellowship has righteousness with lawlessness? And what communion has light with darkness? Truth. Be aware of what you’re celebrating and whether you agree with it and if it is good for yo soul.

In the same breath, I don’t think it is wise for Christians to seclude themselves from the greater community at all times, because what impact can we then have on others? How can we bring salt when we sit on our butts at home?

But what got me started on researching Halloween was a common thread I noticed among all of my friends and fellow Christians throughout this last month…

Physical, emotional and overall spiritual attacks have been going all over the place this last month. Myself, my family and nearly all of my close friends and their families have been sick, facing very difficult problems at home, at work or in their relationships. It is strange that I have only noticed it this year, but I hardly think it is any coincidence that this has been happening, all at once, in such high concentration, in only one month.

My friend chatted to me about October being the month of High Times, referring to the occult ritual of ‘time-released curses’ that take place throughout the year, but in a high concentration throughout the month of October.  A time-released curse is a period that has been set aside to release demonic activity and to entrap souls to a large extent. Grrreeeaaat… Obviously it is not only in October that these things happen, but I’m sure if you think back on this month, many of you will realise that you and people around you have also been under spiritual attack in one form or another. Makes sense, right? A friend of mine shared this post on an Ex-Satanist’s views on Halloween, which also places some things into context – there is a link to her testimony at the bottom of the page.

My post is not to instill fear or guilt about whatever your feelings are towards the celebration of Halloween. I’m not saying Christians shouldn’t go to Halloween parties, because heck! it is clear that the community around us needs the love of Jesus, especially in this season. It is rather to inform you, and encourage you to have a more intentional approach to this season, and above all, to pray and ask God for protection, wisdom and discernment.

Ephesians 6:10-18 A final word: Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. Put on all of God’s armor so that you will be able to stand firm against all strategies of the devil. For we are not fighting against flesh-and-blood enemies, but against evil rulers and authorities of the unseen world, against mighty powers in this dark world, and against evil spirits in the heavenly places.

Therefore, put on every piece of God’s armor so you will be able to resist the enemy in the time of evil. Then after the battle you will still be standing firm. Stand your ground, putting on the belt of truth and the body armor of God’s righteousness. For shoes, put on the peace that comes from the Good News so that you will be fully prepared. In addition to all of these, hold up the shield of faith to stop the fiery arrows of the devil. Put on salvation as your helmet, and take the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.

Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion. Stay alert and be persistent in your prayers for all believers everywhere.

Totally comment on this post if you can relate to anything that’s been said. Or if you have any questions or alternative viewpoints.

So much love,

Sammy

The only Christian at the Jol

So there I was. standing at the sidewalk cafe in one of the busiest streets in one of the 'trendiest' suburbs in Joburg, sucking up my chocolate milkshake (I was driving). Surrounded by the most beautiful homosexual women and not-so-beautiful drunk men. I overheard stories of 'doing lines' in bathrooms and a warning that the young men who decided to befriend us, could possibly just want our belongings. Nice.


It's been a while since I was around people with these kinds of habits, let alone called them my very dear friends. A while ago I didn't have any non-Christian friends. No, I was comfortably cocooned in my quiet little righteous bubble.
Sometimes I would wonder how different my life is from other 'non-saved' people and if I'm really making a difference in anyone's world at all. Normally these thoughts would occur to me at about 10pm just before I turned off the light and fell asleep, only to be forgotten in the morning.
But when you spend most of your time watching bands and artists perform live at clubs, bars and festivals, people with these habits are just part of the deal. And when you hear people say stuff like 'i haven't gotten laid in 4 weeks' or 'I might still be drunk from last night' ... you realise your lifestyle is very, VERY different indeed.
It's not always fun being the only Christian girl at the jol, often the only sober person, and therefore (most of the time) the designated driver.


Which lead me to wonder... Are there really so few Christians around? Or are most of them doing what i so often do ... Wonder how we can change the world from the comfort of our homes? Hey, maybe we can do it online? That way we won't even need to get out of bed!!?
Another thing i started wondering about, was whether or not me being there was even worth it. 'Is it enough for me to just be hanging around? Should i maybe have something really profound to say? A word of wisdom that i can just throw out there to make everyone question the meaning of existence and the significance of life?'
But if we're called to be the 'salt of the earth' ... then we should at least be around, right? How will people know we are Christians 'by our love' if we're never there? After all, nothing is going to get salty if the salt is kept far away! But that's what we expect isn't it? We think if we chuck out one liners or inspirational verses on social media people will suddenly understand Christ. That's why God used salt as a description, I'm sure... i mean, he would have had coriander back then. He definitely knew about it! But He doesn't want us to be some sort of garnish, or addition... to be chucked on right at the end. Or chili that just smacks people in the face with it's flavour and then leaves them to burn. No... salt is something that gets right in there, gets cooked and stewed and grilled. It's exposed to the heat, slowly but surely working it's way through, and eventually, gently, there's evidence of it's saltiness on everything it touched.
I'm obviously not saying that these other things don't have any place in the world. All I'm saying is, the majority of people out there are living very dangerous lives. They use sex and drugs and alcohol for everything from entertainment to medicine, and it's all fun and games until it's not. And when they realise it's not, they'll need someone to show them that they are loved something FIERCE, and they'll believe it, because we've been an example of it. Without ulterior motives and without judgement. Not because we want them to 'see the light', but because we actually care about them.
I stood looking at all these people. Drunk people. High people. 'Cool' people. I listened to their conversations... and all i could think was. 'Jesus, these people need you, and some of them probably have NO idea.'
We need to get over ourselves. We need to stop staying away. We need to get exposed to some heat and get our hands dirty because we're called to stay pure, not clean. We need to stop getting offended over every little thing, and we DEFINITELY need to get out more.


It's like they say... No one ever changed the world by never leaving the house

Providence: How Firm the Foundation

Artist: Providence Worship Band
Album/E.P: How Firm the Foundation
Label: Independent
Genre: Worship, Folk
Similar Artists: Page CXVI, Sufjan Stevens
Rating: 4/5

Providence is a gospel-centred church in Austin, Texas. Their aim is to understand the gospel in all its fullness and apply it to all of life.

Their E.P, which can be downloaded here, is a beautiful collection of hymns declaring what Jesus has done for his people. The title track, "How Firm the Foundation", starts the album on an upbeat note with its catchy beat and blend of acoustic and electric guitars. The male and female vocals compliment each other perfectly not just in the opening song, but throughout the entire album.

Providence have altered the hymns from their original composition to a more folky, upbeat form in such a way that the true meaning and message behind the hymns are not lost.

On the whole, the sound of How Firm the Foundation is soft, gentle and melodious - progressing from an upbeat nature to one of worship (the album ends off with "Amazing Grace").

Personally, this has recently been my go-to album during quiet times and when I just feel like worshipping. If, like me, you enjoy folk, worship and old hymns, I really recommend downloading it!!

Peace and Love
A

J & A's playlist: October

Here is this months Playlist.

A's playlist:

The Brilliance: The Sun Will Rise

Ike Ndolo: Riverside

Page CXVI: Peace like a river

Amazing Grace

J's Playlist

Paper Route: Dance on our graves

Reliant K: Lost Boy

Sanctus Real: Lead Me

Skillet: One day is too late

Let us know what you think of this playlist...
Enjoy.

Disciple: Attack

Artist: Disciple
Album: Attack
Genre: Rock, hard rock
Release date: 23 September 2014
Rating; 5/5

It has been a long time since I have given an album 5 stars. I do not think that there has been a rock album released for a while now that can rival this one. Not even previous achievements from Disciple are as good as this. So spoiler alert, this album is good. In fact, I am going to state here that I believe this album is the best rock/hard rock album of the year. Here's why...

I am not going to say here that the reason for this album's success is the independent nature of it, and I mean that literally because Disciple developed this title independent of a label. So no, I do not think that it is because of the label. I am going to say here that I am proud of Kevin and the guys for standing strong in their beliefs and never wavering no matter what the obstacle.

The success of this album for me is the unashamedly invigorating way in which the band is able to morph their incredible musical talent with lyrics that are not "cheesy" or "over-used". Instead, each song tells a story, and each story sends a message, and each message can have a positive effect on someone.

Titled 'Attack', you can expect just that, an album that attacks your senses in every way possible, but just as you think it is getting too much, a ballad arrives to save the day. The flow of the album shows experience and grace from the band members. Praise is not only due to the band, but also to Travis Wyrick who managed to produce a quality product.

This album combines old school Disciple rock riffs with new school Disciple indie vibes. The blend creates a new sound for the band, and results in an album that you can listen to again and again. For me, one of the elements of this album that solidifies the 5 star rating is the fact that I believe whether you are a fan of rock or not, you will enjoy this album. I know that rock is not everyone's cup of tea, but what I do know is that this album has it all: fantastic riffs; awesome (as always) vocals; a message in the music; and most importantly, a diversity that does not detract from the album.

So there it is, in my opinion the best album of the year, the only problem is that it hasn't landed in South Africa yet, but don't worry too much, we are working on that.

So do yourself a favour, click here to buy the album.

Have a rocking week.
J