An Illustrated Song: Russ Lee's "Live What I Believe" with George W. Bush (VANITY)

me

[lawgirl]

Welcome to (as far as I know) Free Republic’s first “Illustrated Song”. Some songs just naturally bring certain images to your mind, and as I listened to this song, the following images came to the forefront of my mind and reminded me that you can see President Bush’s words and beliefs coming to life in his face. Hopefully you will agree with me that the photos illustrate the song well.

This song was recorded by Christian artist Russ Lee, and this version came out right after President Bush’s inauguration. Russ Lee took W’s words and interspersed them into his own song. When I first heard this song, I was moved to tears. This song is about taking a stand as a Christian, which our President has done. This song kicks off with President Bush’s reply at the Iowa Republican primary when asked to name the philosopher that had the greatest influence on his life: “Christ, because he changed my heart”, and uses words from, mostly, President Bush’s first major speech as President-Elect from the Texas House of Representatives in December 2000. He was talking about unity and his vision for our country, and I think a lot of it is still very relevant in our post 9/11/01 world.

I put this together as a tribute to our President. It’s no mystery around here how I feel about President Bush. What a blessing he has been to this country, and to me. His leadership, devotion to faith, and his willingness to allow us to glimpse his heart and see Christ shining through are an inspiration to me. He has reminded me that, no matter who you are, Christians have no excuse for hiding their faith. He has taken heat for his faith, and has remained faithful. I pray God blesses his example.

Below, President Bush’s words are in blue, and the song lyrics are italicized. The song is copywrited by Sparrow Records and was written by Russ Lee and Doug McKelvey. It can be found on Russ Lee’s album “Words in Time” and the original is a little bit different than this version. I encourage all of you that have this song, to pull it out and listen to it as you look at the pictures and read the thread—that makes it best experience IMO.

I hope you all enjoy this illustrated song. May God bless our wonderful President George W. Bush and may God Bless America!

"Live What I Believe" – Russ Lee with President George W. Bush
by Russ Lee and Doug McKelvey

Voiceover: When George W Bush was asked to name the philosopher that had the greatest influence on his life, this was his answer:

Christ, because he changed my heart

These are the days
For the children of faith
To stand up and be counted

I believe things happen for a reason

Now is the time
For the light in us to shine
On whoever's around it

I ask for you to pray for this great nation

One life can be the proof
Of the hope that is You

I'm gonna live what I believe
I'm gonna walk that line
If it costs me everything
I'm gonna stand for what is right

I will swear to not only uphold the laws of our land, I will swear to uphold the honor and dignity of the office to which I have been elected, so help me God

The world will see God's grace
When we work and we pray
And then love like we mean it

Now it is time to find common ground
And to build consensus
To make America a beacon of opportunity in the 21st century

Well, I think we're in it
One life can be the proof
Of the hope that is You

I'm gonna live what I believe
I'm gonna walk that line
If it costs me everything
I'm gonna stand for what is right

So that everyone can see
It's Jesus that they need
I'm gonna live what I believe

I know America wants reconciliation and unity

There's a passion deep inside
(I’m gonna live what I believe)

I know Americans want progress

For my life to testify

And we must seize this moment and deliver

Lord, let me be used
As a witness for You
With faith and conviction

Together guided by a spirit of common sense, common courtesy, and common goals
We can unite and inspire the American citizens

(Live a life)
Gonna walk that line
(Live what I believe)
(Live a life)
I'm gonna stand for what is right
(Live what I believe)

I ask for your prayers for leaders from both parties
Hey, it's Jesus that they need

I'm gonna live what I believe
I'm gonna walk that line
If it costs me everything
I'm gonna stand for what is right

So that everyone can see
It's Jesus that they need

I'm gonna live what I believe

I thank you for your prayers for me and my family

I ask for you to pray for this great nation

And if it costs me everything
(Live what I believe)

I will swear to uphold the honor and dignity of the office to which I have been elected, so help me God

I’m gonna live what I believe
(Live a life)
(I’m gonna live what I believe)
(Live a life)

Christ.

I want everyone to see

(Live what I believe)

Because he changed my heart
(So everyone can see)
I’m gonna live what I believe

It is more than an office
It is a charge to keep
And I will give it my all

[Tigercap]

*Bump* for my favorite thread of all time!

[swheats]

In case the link didn't work. Worth viewing again.

[I got the rope]

Live what I believe

I thought this needed another bump. What an awesome thread!

[lawgirl]

Hi there! Thanks for the bump- I am so glad you liked the thread. I am so proud of our President.

[I got the rope]

I'm bumping one of my favorite threads again, because I have hope in Dubya.

The media and the dems are attacking with a vengence today. I hope this serves as a reminder to us all about what kind of man we need in the White House.

Thank you again Jim for FR and all your hard work. --rope

[petercooper]

Very nice lawgirl!

Anyone have the picture of Bush and Guiliani in NYC after 9-11? I think Rudy is pointing, and Bush has a determined look on his face. I can't find it.

Thanks

[tiki]

That was beautiful, thank you.

[lawgirl]

Thanks you all. And thanks to rope for the bump! I Can't believe it's been so long since I posted it originally!

[lawgirl]

It's been almost two years since I posted this thread and our President, and this song, has continued to inspire me. I was listening to it this morning on the drive to work and thnking about W and all he's been through and just thinking about what an example he has been. It still gives me goosebumps to hear W say "Christ, because he changed my heart." We are so blessed to have a Christian president who is strong in his faith.

I am awed by our President. And listening to the first line this morning- "Now is the time for the children of faith to stand up and be counted"- I really thought about how it is time for us to stand up and have our VOTES be counted. No more lazy Christians- our votes matter now more than ever. The heat is on and the evil forces in this world do NOT want him to be president as he has remained faithful to his Saviour and proclaimed Jesus unabashedly. I have been begging God in my prayers lately to let us have W for another 4 years. There is so much yet to be done.

I wish I knew how to make this into a slideshow with music but I don't- and I am unsure if you can still get the MP3 on the web. I hope so.

A "W you still inspire me" bump!

[Bommer]

AND NOW A MAJOR MOTION PICTURE! LawGirls' - Live What I Believe

[reaganaut]

Just saw the illustrated song (and swf from bonner)and it made me cry as well. Well done and keep praying!

[lawgirl]

Thank you! I am so glad you liked it! It was a real labor of love- President Bush is just the best.

[maryannscraps]

Where is the video? I was soooo disappointed today.
I had it cued for my school's Veteran's Day program, and when I logged on today it was gone. Where can I get it for future use?

Live What I Believe!!!!

[I got the rope]

BTTT

[lawgirl]

Bommer's online service yanked it over the weekend. Lawyers for Johnny Cash's estate found out about his using When the Man Comes Around and shut it all down.

I think he'll email it to you if you ask nicely. :)

[Bommer]

Hi Mary Ann,

I blurred a serious line I guess in the use of a medium that I thought (since it couldn't be copied) with When The Man Comes Around. Apparently "The Lawyers" got a copy of the link....probably from some Democrap. And being lawyers, they didn't appreciate me streaming Pro-Bush movies and informed SCBGLOBAL, who in turn threatened me that if I didn't take it down, my account would have been suspended (the least of my worries) So long story short,
all the movies had to be taken down. Even my new one Blue, which had only been up a week.

The good news is that I have these files as stand alone .exe files. If you promise not to circulate it, I'll send it to you if you give me your e-mail address. It'll be about 3 megs big, but same quality.

Thanx

Bommer

[yo...adrienne]

I am new today.I just signed up because I was trying to find the link to the music screeen show to Live What I believe. I homeschool 4 kids and we LOVE this video. It is in Our favorites and we love to dance around to this song rejoicing that Bush won.

I am outraged that the freedom of speech has been violated. This video should be aloud to be on the internet and it should be aloud to be circulated! What has happened? How can you legally get this back on the Internet? Please try! Please let me know what is going on.

adrienne

[yo...adrienne]

Oh one more thing. I have an account with SBC GLOBAL. What do you think of people contacting them and telling them that we can find another internet provider if they don't put this back on the web? I think this is rediculous. There are so many offensive things on the Internet and it is called "freedom of speech". Is there anyway that Russ Lee could host on his own web page? Has anyone contacted him? What about The Fish 95.5 in Cleveland, Ohio? They have been playing this song for years. Maybe they would put it on their web page?

[momof4buoys]

I have been searching for this song, the version that includes our President's comments, for so long that I finally gave up.

Would it be possible to find it as a download or to receive the video? We are also a homeschooling family that dearly loves this song. Thank you for all that you do! Julie

[TASMANIANRED]

Lovely job.