Free Music Friday: Vedera – Stages

As usual, I don’t know how I ran across Vedera. Probably music mining over on Amazon or something… I dunno.

But I DO know I was thoroughly impressed with their debut album, “The Weight of an Empty Room.” So when their follow-up album, “Stages,” came out, I knew I would enjoy it. Granted, they rewrote some of their key hooks and melodies from their previous album into new songs on this one, but you know what? It works. (Part of the joy of being an indie artist… you’re free to do crazy stuff like that if you want to.)

If you’re a fan female-fronted bands ala Sixpence None The Richer, The Sundays or The Cranberries, you’ll probably love the infectious pop rock stuff that Vedera has to offer. Just leave a comment with your contact info below and I’ll pick a winner on Sunday for the Amazon MP3 album.

Vedera – Stages (On MyPlay.com)

Vedera – MySpace

Thank God For Super-sucky Gifts.

I have to be honest: I’ve received some truly sucktacular gifts in my lifetime.

Growing up on comic books, music and action-adventure novels, I’m a relatively easy guy to buy for. An Amazon gift certificate pretty much rocks my world, while giving me more than enough funds to restock my music library (with the LEGAL versions of songs that I deleted years ago. Note: Just because a cheap music site is legal in Russia and accessible to you in America DOESN’T make it right).

One vivid memory was a birthday shortly after college. My parents had helped Kim and I as we moved to Lexington, Kentucky, and after unpacking our stuff and going out to dinner, it was time to do the birthday thing. So my parents wheeled in some of their luggage (you know, since they didn’t have time to wrap the stuff), and I began unzipping the suitcases with thinly veiled zeal. What could possibly be inside these things, I wondered? That’s gotta be a pretty huge action figure to fit in here! And so on went my thoughts…

Until I reached the final piece of the Russian doll luggage set, all fitting snugly into the other, and found… nothing.

I was sadly perplexed. Where was the gift, I wondered aloud. My parents simply smiled and informed me that the luggage WAS the gift.

At which point two things happened: 1) my heart sank swiftly and 2) Kim started snickering.

The first reaction is pretty obvious. Being a self-centric birthday brat, I was sad I didn’t get “anything I wanted.” But why would Kim start yukking it up in the corner? Why indeed…

That would be because a month earlier? When my mother had called her to ask what I wanted for my birthday? Kim thought for a moment, considered what we could use “as a couple” and said without a second thought, “Luggage.”

So to this day the word “luggage” has a special meaning to me. It means sadness. Disappointment. Maybe egocentric snottiness. But whenever anyone now asks me what Kim wants for a gift? I’m ready with a quick answer: she wants a MacBook Pro. (Or an iPad… or a Kindle Fire…)

To be honest, though, the luggage wasn’t the suckiest gift I was ever given. That honor goes to my in-laws, Dave and Sue Linton. Way back in 2005, I believe, I unwrapped a Christmas gift to find myself staring at… a Black and Decker Rechargeable Hand Vac. I thought it was one of the most bizarre gifts I’d ever received. ‘Cause giving Kevin a tool – ANY tool – is like giving a handyman a free license for Scrivener, the best writing software EVER. The potential is simply wasted.

So the vacuum sat in its wrapping for a good month after Christmas, gathering dust until I could decide whether I was going to sell it on eBay or Craigslist. At least, that was the plan until… THAT DAY.

That would be the day Kyler spilled his bowl of cereal all over the kitchen floor. I believe it was dry and completely milk-free, but I’m honestly not sure. All I remember is looking at the pieces of Cheerios spread across the tiles and thinking to myself, “Now, what’s the best way to clean THIS up?” And then I remembered: I had the perfect tool! Right in the other room!

The room was sucked clean in minutes. And I was impressed. Strongly so.

And now? Now I can say that getting that bizarre, seemingly pointless gift was the BEST gift I’ve ever been given. (Next to my wife presenting me with a MacBook, I suppose…) Why? Because I use that vacuum EVERY SINGLE DAY. Now that we have three clones instead of just one? That’s three times the crumbs, crusts and crispy stuff strewn around the house. And having a strong handy vac on hand? A lifesaver.

Sometimes God gives us something that looks a lot like luggage. We’re praying and hoping hard for something else, something we think would be cool or that we desperately need, and He gives us the exact opposite. And we frown and whine and think there must be some mistake. “Surely, God, you didn’t mean to give me THIS? Did you? Because I’m pretty sure there was a mix-up in heaven or something…”

But God doesn’t make mistakes.

Matthew 6:8 says that God “knows what you need before you ask Him.” While we might accept that part, that God’s omniscient, we have a harder time believing the bigger picture: God Loves Us.

So if we believe that 1) God loves us and 2) that He knows what our needs are, then why do we freak out so much? Why do we question what in the world He’s giving us when we know that He’s only going to give us what’s for our good?

You might not see it today, buried under everything that’s on top of you. But one day? You’ll be in a position to actually thank God for the empty luggage He’s giving you right now.

(Insert your own “fill your empty luggage with your life experiences” analogy here)

- Kevin

The Return Of Kevin Mills, Blogger Guy.

It’s true.

I’ve been away for quite some time. What with the introduction to Facebook, Twitter and Ping.fm, I find my desire to communicate with the world at large to be pretty satiated. But there’s one problem: a lot of what I have to say doesn’t fit into 140 characters or less.

Sure, the summaries might, but sometimes we need more than a verbal soundbite to get the message across. And I have some messages I’d like to get across to you. Strong convictions that need to be expressed, if only to attempt to have an impact on the small sliver of the sphere God’s given me access to.

Plus, I need to work on my writing skills anyway, and writing at a regular pace is a great way to do that. Stay sharp, on the edge, where I gotta be…

(Anyone beside my wife able to identify that quote? Anyone…?)

So this is really a pre-entry. I’ll figure out a regular time to write soon, and then I’ll be updating this on weekly, or (gasp) bi-weekly basis. And be sure to tune in on Fridays, ’cause that’s when I plan to give away free music.

Ahh…. it’ll be good to be back. Hope you feel the same way.

- Kevin

Free Music Friday: Hammock – Kenotic

Way back in 2005 I discovered what Post-Rock Music entailed. I had been looking for some kind of instrumental music, akin to Pink Floyd’s 90′s stuff, and as I was searching on CD Baby I ran across a then-unheard of group called Hammock. Their debut album, “Kenotic,” only confirmed my suspicions: I was in love with instrumental post-rock.

As I’m beginning to write on my blog more often, I’m going to try to institute Free Music Fridays. This is where I’ll post about a favorite band of mine, and then offer to buy the album for one lucky winner the next day. All YOU have to do is leave a comment below (and provide a cryptic e-mail address, ala “bunky at bunkyboo dot com” or something). Then I’ll slap all the names into some randomizer app on my iPhone and voila! Instant winner!

In the meantime, enjoy the album below… to see if it’s your kinda tunes.

- Kevin

9/28 Kevin’s Phlog

Begin forwarded message:

> From: Feed My Inbox > Date: September 28, 2011 7:05:27 AM EDT > To: kevin@thekmills.com > Subject: 9/28 Kevin’s phlog > > > > >

> > > > > Kevin’s phlog > > > > > > > >

> > > > > Audio Post Test > > September 26, 2011 at 3:13 PM > > Testing, testing, testing 1 2 3. There’s a bottle of water on my desk if this works. It means I can audio blog directly to the Kay(?) mails dot com and it will transcribe everything I say. So you will know so you will read so you will hear everything it’s on my mind. It’ll be fantastic. > Media Files > 99578_20110926201308.mp3 (MP3 Audio) > > > > >

> > > > >

> > This email was sent to kevin@thekmills.com. > Delivered by Feed My Inbox > PO Box 682532 Franklin, TN 37068 > Create Account > Unsubscribe Here

> > > > >

Audio Blog Test.

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Sent from my iPhone. And its dinky keyboard (so all mistakes were intentional.)

Kara Sue Cutie Pie.

Now I’m testing the photo attachment capabilities of the WordPress plug-in, Postie.

If this works, I’ll be able to post photos in my blog entires with ease. It’ll make me smile. Like, a LOT.

Even moreso if it allows me to place the photos BETWEEN the text, as it appears here in the draft window.

Maybe I’ll try TWO photos next. Or a video. Or an Mp3!!!

The possibilities… they stagger the mind…

- Kevin

Testing, Part 2.

Hot dog!!! If this works, I’ll be writing deep thoughts on my blog again!!! Yowza!

Sent from my iPhone. And its dinky keyboard (so all mistakes were intentional.)

Testing.

If this works, I’ll be able to post to my blog via email again.

Whoo-hoo?

Sent from my iPhone. And its dinky keyboard (so all mistakes were intentional.)

The Giving Experiments (conclusion).

There’s a definite correlation between giving and receiving, and I believe it’s universal. Christian, Muslim, Buddhist or Chocoholic, this is just the way God originally designed the world to work. Period.

When we give passionately and sacrificially, focusing on the needs of others as opposed to our own, we will be blessed. Incredibly, astoundingly, jaw-droppingly blessed.

Whether it’s in the areas of finances, relationships, books, music or whatever, I believe you will reap what you sow. What’s more, you will reap MORE than you sow. A lot of other books have touched on this, but they all point to one thing: what Jesus said is absolutely true.

Luke 6:38 “ Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you.”

Here’s a few other key Scriptures to meditate on. (Yes, I said “meditate.” Deal with it.)

1 Corinthians 4:7,8 “What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? Already you have all you want! Already you have become rich! You have become kings.“

Guess what? Everything you have in this life? God gave it to you. Your house? Your car? Your books and CDs and computers and STUFF? Yeah. Gifts from God.

“But,” you stammer, “That’s not right! I bought that stuff with MY money! That I earned with my hard work!” Uh-huh. And who provided you with your job? Your livelihood? Who gave you the skills to make that money? The hands to do your work? The mind? The body? The very breath you’re breathing right now?

That’s right, Buttercup. You’re not the self-made success you thought you were. Everything you have is a gift, but here’s the kicker: the more you share your gifts, the more gifts you get to share. Yeah, I know. He’s a crazy giver, our God. Insanely generous, some might say.

2 Corinthians 9:6 “Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously.“

Again, this is a universal truth. What you spread around is what’s gonna come back to you. Call it a boomerang effect, call it karma, call it whatever you want, but the truth is right there in God’s word: we will reap what we sow in this life.

What we fail to grasp is the fact that we are ALWAYS sowing. Constantly. Everything that we think, say or do is planting a seed that will grow and sprout and – for better or worse – produce a harvest just like the original kernel. That’s why it’s so incredibly important to pay attention to what you’re thinking, to filter out and uproot those negative thoughts that pop into your head. Just because their seeds fall onto the fertile ground of your mind doesn’t mean you have to till the soil, stuff ‘em down and fertilize them. Heck no! Snatch ‘em up and throw ‘em away! YOU get to choose what you plant. It’s YOUR garden. (It’s Your Life.)

2 Corinthians 9:7-8, 11 “Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that in all things at all times, having all that you need, you will abound in every good work. You will be made rich in every way so that you can be generous on every occasion, and through us your generosity will result in thanksgiving to God.”

Do I believe God wants us rich? Without question. But not in the way the world defines “rich.” You see, the world says you’re rich when you’ve got the nice house (or a couple on each coast), the fancy cars, the latest and greatest toys and gadgets and all the money you could ever spend on yourself. I don’t think this is what God has in mind when He wants to bless us. In fact, I believe it’s pretty much the exact opposite. I believe God wants to outrageously bless us so that we in turn can become outrageous blessings to OTHERS.

People often misquote 1 Timothy 6:10 and say that money is the root of all evil. It’s not. Money’s neutral, a tool that can be used for God’s glory or our detriment. Financial prosperity and wealthy abundance for each one of us? God’s all for it. And here’s why: because when we’re so self-centered on our own “lack” and focus only on what we think we DON’T have in life (money, cars, stuff), it has a two-fold effect.

First, we give end up giving power to the perpetual wheel that’s running in the background of our lives. We say we don’t have enough? Guess what? You’re never gonna have enough. Just like it says in Proverbs 18:21, you get what you say. And your words have more power than you realize.

Secondly, if we have the constant mindset that we ourselves are just barely making it, frantically scrambling about financially and thinking we never have enough, then guess what? The idea of giving to someone else isn’t a high priority on our To Do list. We’re not going to even consider giving something of value to someone else if we’re convinced that we are the ones who are in desperate need.

And that’s a really sad mindset to have. Because as the Bible makes perfectly clear, we can only reap what we sow in the first place. Think about it. A farmer doesn’t just wander out to harvest a field of bare dirt. He plants the seeds well ahead of time, knowing they’ll one day product a crop of whatever he planted. So if you’re not sowing seeds financially? If you’re not passionately giving to someone or somewhere else that you see has a need? Buddy, you’re never going to reap a financial harvest. Ever.

I’m convinced that that’s not what God wants for us. He wants to make us rich. Every single one of us. And He doesn’t want to do it so we can buy all the bling we want in life. He wants to do it so what we will be positioned to share what He’s given us with others. He wants to bless us to be a blessing.

So let go of that bucket mentality you’ve got. Punch a few holes in that sucker, and watch as the blessings He’s about to unleash on you overflow and spill and spurt out in every direction, drenching everyone you come in contact with. God wants you to be a sprinkler, not a sponge. Stop soaking it all up for yourself and start actively spreading it around to those in need, to the people He places in your path each day. Give It Away. Intentionally. Passionately.

Trust me when I promise you this: You Will Be Blessed.

- Kevin