The sanitised version of Christianity sitting in pews on Sunday mornings is so disconnected from the real world. These sanitised ones are absolutely vile to those struggling. I see it often. Life is a mess for so many yet we seldom try to understand. The self righteousness is evident. And it is sad. Thank you, Karen.
Dear Karen, I have been listening to Whitsitt Chapel on repeat with my kids since you mentioned Jelly Roll in a comment last week. Thank you so much!! I am also FINALLY upgrading to paid membership, which I should have done a while ago. Your writing speaks so much truth and strength and is a constant inspiration to me. My path to or through faith is possibly dialectically opposed to yours (growing up without religion or any concept of God and moving towards first Judaism and now Christianity) but I absolutely cannot stand hipocrisy and sanctimonious religion. I'm reminded of that phrase from the Johnny Cash movie when they don't want him to sing in jail because his listeners are good Christians and Johnny Cash goes "Welll they ain't good Christians then". So thank you for speaking from a place of faith in a language that truly embraces forgiveness and redemption.
Many a fine musician had ta struggle with addiction an' what they'd also call "sin"--a good number are among my favorites--folks like Johnny Cash an' Billie Holiday...too many rock n' rollers ta list!
I have ONLY sympathy fer all folks who have these struggles ongoin' an' yet are tryin' ta find their way ta be whole, help others, find their way ta doin' right in the world whuther it's thru god or country or work or charity--but it's a special gift, the GIFT of music an' song, to bestow it with their hearts ta their fellow men (an' ladies 've course).
Thank ya Karen fer sharin' this moving story -- not jus' one of redemption but kinda a tale of rebirth too--findin' new reason for him to reach out with feeling an' song, to help others.
Blessin's to him an' his fambly--I hope his movin' words & heartfelt music find their way to the many listeners he hopes to help!
Apr 1·edited Apr 1Liked by Karen Hunt aka KH Mezek
I have heard of Jelly Roll, yes. I'm a fan. I also wrote and recorded a Gospel record that I put out in 2019 called "Hallelujah Hello." It's available to listen to and purchase at Bandcamp. I put this video up on YouTube yesterday. https://youtu.be/QfzjB2SqfpM?si=y8YMISyneCe66Kbc - HE IS RISEN!
God bless you, Karen. Your raw honesty is a gift from our Heavenly Father, and it is evident that He is using you to reach many who “don’t go to church” with the TRUTH of His Salvation and Redemption plan available to all who seek it and Him.
Thank you for sharing your many talents and your gift for speaking TRUTH. 🙏❤️
Addiction can seem like a mystery. Why is one person so easily addicted, and another does not find moderation and balance at all difficult? Someone who grew up with every advantage and suffered no particular trauma or crushing loss, becomes a bad addict. Then there are people who grew up never knowing anything but hardship and disappointment, but rise above it and stay free. Why is it that an addict can stop for long, long periods, and then with the first taste be as powerless as ever before? My own theory, which crystallized for me only recently, is that the addict is in pain ALL the time, maybe even from earliest childhood and without even really knowing it. Not physical pain, just the quiet background pain of living in this fallen world. And the first taste of ease the drug provides ... an addict never ever forgets, that there is something that can turn off the pain. But only for a little while.
Thank you for this beautifully written piece! I've been listening to Jelly Roll for quite a while now. His music spoke to me as coming from a place of authenticity. I love Zach Williams too. He is a dedicated Christian singer, but writes about rising from the darkness of his addiction.
I agree with you that God often uses the people who have fallen the furthest, because I think He knows that we can speak about God's grace with a conviction that most religious leaders will never know.
The extremism you speak of, I think, is a consequence of our move toward scientism and away from God. Maybe you've already written about that - I'll have to go back through your posts to learn your perspectives. Add to that the rise of the feminine teaching everyone to embrace their inner victim. The abuse of power during convid triggered so many people - myself included - that most are still struggling through that. The younger generations have been conditioned to be righteous activists, not realizing they are mere pawns in a game they don't even know they're participating in. It is times like these that make people like Jelly Roll shine that much brighter, and by this post, you just added to his light making the beacon of hope that much bigger!
I have been listening to Jelly Roll for over a year now. He’s an amazing artist and he has a wonderful testimony. His appearance before Congress was exceptional. Thank you for sharing his story.
Beautiful. Thanks for this Karen. Never heard of Jelly Roll. It seems God often uses the most broken amongst us to deliver His message. Are we listening? Honesty. Humility & Redemption.
The sanitised version of Christianity sitting in pews on Sunday mornings is so disconnected from the real world. These sanitised ones are absolutely vile to those struggling. I see it often. Life is a mess for so many yet we seldom try to understand. The self righteousness is evident. And it is sad. Thank you, Karen.
Dear Karen, I have been listening to Whitsitt Chapel on repeat with my kids since you mentioned Jelly Roll in a comment last week. Thank you so much!! I am also FINALLY upgrading to paid membership, which I should have done a while ago. Your writing speaks so much truth and strength and is a constant inspiration to me. My path to or through faith is possibly dialectically opposed to yours (growing up without religion or any concept of God and moving towards first Judaism and now Christianity) but I absolutely cannot stand hipocrisy and sanctimonious religion. I'm reminded of that phrase from the Johnny Cash movie when they don't want him to sing in jail because his listeners are good Christians and Johnny Cash goes "Welll they ain't good Christians then". So thank you for speaking from a place of faith in a language that truly embraces forgiveness and redemption.
Many a fine musician had ta struggle with addiction an' what they'd also call "sin"--a good number are among my favorites--folks like Johnny Cash an' Billie Holiday...too many rock n' rollers ta list!
I have ONLY sympathy fer all folks who have these struggles ongoin' an' yet are tryin' ta find their way ta be whole, help others, find their way ta doin' right in the world whuther it's thru god or country or work or charity--but it's a special gift, the GIFT of music an' song, to bestow it with their hearts ta their fellow men (an' ladies 've course).
Thank ya Karen fer sharin' this moving story -- not jus' one of redemption but kinda a tale of rebirth too--findin' new reason for him to reach out with feeling an' song, to help others.
Blessin's to him an' his fambly--I hope his movin' words & heartfelt music find their way to the many listeners he hopes to help!
I have heard of Jelly Roll, yes. I'm a fan. I also wrote and recorded a Gospel record that I put out in 2019 called "Hallelujah Hello." It's available to listen to and purchase at Bandcamp. I put this video up on YouTube yesterday. https://youtu.be/QfzjB2SqfpM?si=y8YMISyneCe66Kbc - HE IS RISEN!
Two words: Prodigal Son.
God bless you, Karen. Your raw honesty is a gift from our Heavenly Father, and it is evident that He is using you to reach many who “don’t go to church” with the TRUTH of His Salvation and Redemption plan available to all who seek it and Him.
Thank you for sharing your many talents and your gift for speaking TRUTH. 🙏❤️
the resurrection of Karen Hunt….
Listen to Bob Dylan’s JOHN WESLEY HARDING, originally released 1967. Current release 2003, Sony Entertainment Inc.
Yes, I’ve known about Jelly Roll.
Addiction can seem like a mystery. Why is one person so easily addicted, and another does not find moderation and balance at all difficult? Someone who grew up with every advantage and suffered no particular trauma or crushing loss, becomes a bad addict. Then there are people who grew up never knowing anything but hardship and disappointment, but rise above it and stay free. Why is it that an addict can stop for long, long periods, and then with the first taste be as powerless as ever before? My own theory, which crystallized for me only recently, is that the addict is in pain ALL the time, maybe even from earliest childhood and without even really knowing it. Not physical pain, just the quiet background pain of living in this fallen world. And the first taste of ease the drug provides ... an addict never ever forgets, that there is something that can turn off the pain. But only for a little while.
I had never heard of him. Thank you for sharing!
Beautiful, Karen! Thank you. I have heard of Jelly Roll...love his deep, powerful, painful music! Wishing you and blessed Easter Sunday!
🕊️
Thank you for this beautifully written piece! I've been listening to Jelly Roll for quite a while now. His music spoke to me as coming from a place of authenticity. I love Zach Williams too. He is a dedicated Christian singer, but writes about rising from the darkness of his addiction.
I agree with you that God often uses the people who have fallen the furthest, because I think He knows that we can speak about God's grace with a conviction that most religious leaders will never know.
The extremism you speak of, I think, is a consequence of our move toward scientism and away from God. Maybe you've already written about that - I'll have to go back through your posts to learn your perspectives. Add to that the rise of the feminine teaching everyone to embrace their inner victim. The abuse of power during convid triggered so many people - myself included - that most are still struggling through that. The younger generations have been conditioned to be righteous activists, not realizing they are mere pawns in a game they don't even know they're participating in. It is times like these that make people like Jelly Roll shine that much brighter, and by this post, you just added to his light making the beacon of hope that much bigger!
Thanks again for this fantastic stack!
I have been listening to Jelly Roll for over a year now. He’s an amazing artist and he has a wonderful testimony. His appearance before Congress was exceptional. Thank you for sharing his story.
Thank you.
Beautiful. Thanks for this Karen. Never heard of Jelly Roll. It seems God often uses the most broken amongst us to deliver His message. Are we listening? Honesty. Humility & Redemption.