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

[keats5]

Beautiful. Indexing for later.

[Mo1]

Ping a Ling .. sorry if you have already been pinged

Listen To The Remix Of "Live What I Believe" With George W. Bush

[Darlin']

"i think that is another reason a lot of us hold him very close--we have spent so much time praying for him. Sometimes I really feel that he's our president because we prayed him into office! LOL!"

I think that is true. When I first heard he was considering a run for the presidency I didn't give him much of a chance. In fact, I kinda wished he wouldn't, thought it might give 41's critics another opportunity to bash him. Then I heard him make a speech in California, he first impressed me with his sincerity and by the time he finished I was convinced he would win and knew I had to support him. I wish I could tell you that during everyone of those awful 36 days of waiting my faith was so strong that I never waivered, never became fearful. LOL Like most of us, I sure did a lot of praying.

Thank you, lawgirl, for putting together this very moving tribute. It must have taken a lot of time but I know it was a labor born of respect and admiration for our president. The music is so stirring, I had not heard it before, It is wonderful.

[rintense]

Beautiful, lawgirl! Simply beautiful!!!!!

[rwfromkansas]

Awesome.

I have that song on my computer. I wish you would have done something with the part where Bush quotes Psalm 23....:)

[rwfromkansas]

It is important to note there is a regular version of this song and then the GW version with his words entered in. If you get the regular one, you just will get the lyrics.

[rwfromkansas]

Hmmmm.....your song must be different, as the one I am familiar with and have on my computer is for Sept. 11.

[txzman]

Wonderful and bookmarked lawgirl. Thank You.

[CyberAnt]

This is just great, lawgirl. I'm ready to cry! These pictures really say it all; none of them were staged.

[keats5]

BTTT

[lawgirl]

I am glad you all liked it!

Darlin- I agree with your post wholeheartedly. At times I would just plead with God--not so much for W to win, but for Gore to lose. I spent the years of the campaign in law school and studying for the bar, and it wasn't until I saw W's grace and faith under pressure that I realized what a wonderful man he was, and what a wonderful president he could be. Even in those days when we didn't get much "spontaneous" W, you knew that he was faithful and that he wanted God's will. I remember how that had amazed me--and I also remember one of the neatest piece of broadcast I saw was James Gregory standing outside the governor's mansion in Austin and, in a VERY puzzled voice, was reporting that everyone around George W. Bush was saying how strong his faith was, and that he knew that if he lost it wasn't the end of the world. Mr. Gregory looked completely puzzled by that sentiment. I had voted for W, but I didn't totally "get it" until those awful 36 days. Thank you God that it all worked out for our nation's benefit. I have faith our prayers did not go unheard nor unanswered.

RWfromkansas- there is a link above on this page to where you can listen to the song I am referring to. I would love to hear the one you have that is after 9/11

[anniegetyourgun]

Thank you......just.....thank you.

[lawgirl]

You are very much welcome. I am glad you liked it!

[Mudboy Slim]

I love it, lawgirl...great concept!!

FReegards...MUD

[Pippin]

Hi, Lawgirl!

This is such a beautiful and moving thread and song, were can I get the CD or the tape so i can listen to it. I don't have audio access on my computer. So I'm glad you put up the words and lyrics, which had me in tears.

What a beautiful song and what a beautiful man!

And you, my sister, are a beautiful person!

God bless you!

[jla]

I love it, lawgirl...great concept!!

I seen it earlier today. When I looked at Lawgirl's solemn & noble well-done work I thought to myself, "using illustrations might be something Mud may want to incorporate into his songs".

I'm sure she wouldn't mind if you borrowed her idea, Mud. Just don't put up any pics of you w/Dubya on your profile page...Lawgirl's a tad more easier on the eyes than yourself.

By the way, is the FR victuals this Saturday in D.C. a go?

[Salvation]

this is beautiful, lawgirl. You've been collecting pictures for a long time!

[CyberAnt]

I remember one specific time during the after-election fiasco when Don Evans posted a message for people to donate to the President, in order to hire lawyers to FIGHT Gore. I had never donated so much in my life, but when I read the message, it was a once in a lifetime donation you know you MUST do.

When I sent the donation, it also allowed me to send a comment to the President. I had been in prayer for many, many weeks about the election. Suddenly, a scripture kept running through my mind. The scripture says, "you cannot go into the strongman's house until you first bind the strongman". The "strongman" is evil (or the devil). I told the President, that if we thought the dems were just going to allow us to waltz into the White House without having to fight the evil there, we were either very ignorant or just plain stupid. This whole election was a very spiritual event.

I also told the President this, "In order to bind the strongman, we must first go into our prayer closet get God's instructions. After we come out of prayer, then we must do exactly as God has directed us - and WE WILL WIN!

I also told the President this, "from the beginning of time the Kingdom of God has been under assault". This is only another test. Do we have the will to pass it?

Two days later, I watched as the President exited the Austin Governor's mansion, and went to "the ranch". The moment I saw this on TV, I remembered what I had said to the President, and I remembered also that Bush was noted for going to the ranch "to pray". I mean, I of course wanted to believe he had received my words, but more realistically, God probably told him to enter into prayer.

Several days later, Bush made his first statement since his journey to the ranch. The moment I saw him on TV, I saw the anointing on him (his whole countenance had changed - Miss Marple and I both saw it) - and I knew at that moment he was going to win (it was more than a week later before he actually won).

To me, the anointing looks like an increased sense of light upon a person's face (as well as their whole presence) - and Bush's eyes seem to twinkle more than usual. To me it's always obvious when he's spent time in prayer - it's comforting to know he practices his faith.

Thanks again for the pictures. I saved several.

[Salvation]

Bookmarked!

[MJY1288]

Wow! This is really nice,

Great Job lawgirl