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A list of the best Iron Maiden songs

Embed from Getty Images British legends Iron Maiden could quite easily be seen as the definitive heavy metal band. As big as Maiden’s legend is time and again, they rise to meet their legend with daring new albums and tours. It was mission impossible to make a best of list for a band who’s entire albums are instant classics. But, in this opinion write up I tried to narrow it down.

“Wasted Years”- album, Somewhere in Time (1986): This Iron Maiden  beauty starts with complex guitar riffs starts  before the band starts in. “Wasted Years”  chorus is instantly unforgettable, while the band is at full power.

“Aces High”- album, Powerslave (1984), I have to admit this is perhaps my favorite Maiden song. With that said, from start to finish “Aces High” is full throttle rock, with another first class Maiden riff at it’s core. Lead singer Bruce Dickenson, tells the wartime story.

“2 Minutes to Midnight”- album Powerslave (1984), Written by guitarist Adrian Smith and Bruce Dickinson, “2 Minutes To Midnight” is powered  once again by classic metal riffs. Countless bands tried similar riff styles after the songs release, but to nowhere near as great effect as Maiden did with this monster.

“The Number of the Beast”- album The Number of the Beast (1982), When Iron Maiden released this in 1982 it turned more than a few heads and made instant fans for the band. This song was strongly opposed  by social conservatives. In the United States people claimed Maiden were satanic. People obviously had not read the lyrics.

Where as I stated “Aces High” was perhaps my favorite Iron Maiden song “Hallowed be They Name”-album The Number of the Beast (1982) is not far behind. This song is about a man who is on death row and about to be executed, it is from the perspective of that man.

 

Iron Maiden is not satanic. They are a very good group who sing about, God, Satan, War, history, evil, what drives a man to do the things he does. This list is short. That is because I could have gone on for a long time.

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Iron Maiden is the best metal band of all time

Embed from Getty Images Steve Harris, Dave Murray, Adrian Smith, Nicko McBrain, Janick Gers and legendary vocalist Bruce Dickenson make up arguable the greatest rock/metal bands of all time. The iconic Iron Maiden.

History, war, God, Satan, Iron Maiden has a song for just about every area of life except sex, drugs and rock-n-roll. Maiden is one of the most beloved, celebrated, innovative and influential metal bands ever to exist.

In Iron Maiden’s 36 year recording career the band has sold over 90 million albums worldwide. Musically Maiden has always been amazing. Bruce Dickenson’s stratospheric vocals brings it all together bringing the band an instantly recognisable sound.

Unlike bands like KISS and AC/DC, Iron Maiden has never become a legacy act and continues to craft quality albums. Iron Maiden have remained a true metal band that have somehow managed to retain both vitality and relevance.

Iron Maiden boasts of one of the greatest front man music has ever seen, Maiden is easily one of the best live bands in the world  while pushing towards 40 years in existence. Bruce Dickinson and boys in arms are no slouches, all playing super complex riffs while using the stage as their own personal shuttle run.

In a day in which things are turned upside down and people are confined to being at home, Iron Maiden stays consistent. They have a song that fits any issue, conflict, hope, peace or even God.

While not for every music fan, those of us who really like metal, Iron Maiden is the king. I can not recommend them enough. If you are a music fan do yourself a favor and check them out.

 

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Seeking God first should be our focus

Embed from Getty Images “But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to you.” Matthew 6:33

It is so easy to seek a web browser first. I mean in most cases we have one right in the palm of our hand. Sick child, look up medicine. Dinner recipe we start typing. Child being bullied at school, how to fix this or that. We are quick to look it up.

I am as guilty as the next person. But since COVID-19, I have made a shift. A shift to seek God first and above all. As Christ followers this is what we should all be doing. God has the answers both small and large.

God will not turn His back on you. He did that with Jesus when He was nailed to the cross. “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? Why are you so far from saving me, from the words of my groaning?” Psalm 22:1.

Think about that. Jesus who not only went to the cross for our sins, also went there and took God forsaking us as well. “And the veil of the temple was torn in two from top to bottom.” Mark 15:38.

Jesus tore down everything that separated us from God. It was a grand gesture from the only one who could offer such a gift. The least we can do is to take advantage of Jesus’ gift.

It is a way to praise Him for what He has done for us and given us. All of life’s answers are found in Him. This is why we need to put our laptops, devices and smart phones down and seek the Lord for our daily bread.

Since focusing more on seeking God first, I have been reminded of a powerful bible verse found in Exodus 20:3 “You shall have no other gods before me.” When we use sources other than God for things in and for our life it becomes a god.

To help you make the leap to seek God first I offer this, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3: 5-6.

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Tricks of the Devil

Embed from Getty Images And He said to them, “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven.”
 Luke 10:18

The Devil is sly and is, forgive the expression, hellbent on destroying our relationship with God. With everything going on currently with jobs, layoffs, work hours cut, children doing school at home, pandemics the list goes on and on.

Here is a little secret for you, The Devil wants you to stress about things outside of your control. Many of us do this. The Devil throws things at us so that we will not rely on Christ, the One who strengthens us. But rather give into the panic and issues at hand.

Also, the Devil wants to trick you into believing the Bible is either a myth or simply does not apply to today’s world and life. I submit to you that God’s Word is real and has real significance. Though written nearly 3500 years ago it is so insightful to the past, present and future to lose sight of that is to give the Devil his due for making us feel differently.

God wants to to live life to the fullest. The Devil wants you to be reliant on things that bring a wedge between us and God. He is looking to destroy as many lives as he possible can before he is shown his new home.

In today’s world it is so important to be pressing into the word of God. Otherwise, we could fall into the trap the Devil tries to set. Do not give into worry, fear or anything else that is not from God. Those things are lies.

Ephesians 6: 10-18 tells us, “Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of his might. Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, … ”

God will fight for you, you only need to stand. Clear your mind and stand.

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Want more peace in your life, turn off the news

Embed from Getty Images Negative news stories increase personal worry. Repeated news stories can make us feel unsafe. The news has it’s place. But understand media outlets have figured out that doom and gloom sells. But people tune in, for no good reason.

I must confess I am a news atheist. I do not watch any news including the local news. I simply chose to enjoy my life. Oh sure, I have enough people who keep me in the loop even if I do not want to be with some news stories.

I have everything I need. A weather app, traffic app and a bible. If you want news that has happy stories in it the bible is what needs to be turned on. It even has peace, something that is hard to find on T.V. news and news websites.

If I am loving God with all my heart, mind and soul and my neighbor as myself, then I do not need anything else. I am focused on being Christ to others as He shows me how.

Even if your in a routine of watching the news, STOP! For your sanity and for others. In fact, I challenge you faithful news watchers to a news fast. Start with 10 days. When you see you have time to do things you enjoy and not doing something that adds stress, fear and doubt you may choose to live a news free life.

My family enjoys our evenings. Taking walks, playing games, watching a movie. It was very quick, when we found out no news equals more peace and joy. It is my hope that more people will soon figure this out. There is so much more to life.

Choose to live in the freedom Jesus died to give you.

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My heart goes out the the 2020 high school seniors

Embed from Getty Images Many students from the 2020 high school class from across the United States entered the world shortly after 9/11. They now have had their high school career cut short due to a global pandemic. In some ways it is tragic. In some ways it is poetic.

The senior picnic or bonfire will not take place, The senior class trip? That is not taking place as well. Prom, sporting events and in all likelihood graduation as has been taking place for a very long time will at the very least look a whole lot different this May or early June.

It is a bitter disappointment meant by students, teachers, school faculties, families around the United States and I suspect around the world. Celebrations will look different as well.

We all know there are some things that are out of our control. Never giving serious thought to a pandemic. Yet here we are. There is no “I’m sorry this happened” that is going to sooth over the silent end to twelve years of school that came to a public end four weeks ago and has no proper send off.

I am happy to announce that our son who is finishing his senior year did something remarkable in the face of the world issue. We moved two years ago from an area with lived in for 17 years. That meant a new school for our two sons. That meant new faces, teachers and potential friends.

Yet, our son dug down deep and sent a teacher wide email to say that while he is sad school has ended in it’s traditional way, he was grateful for the teachers he has known a short time. He took the time to thank them not only for what they did, but what they are doing currently. Preparing assignments, tests and  essays.

Did our son have to do this? No. Not only no, but this did not come from mom or dad prompting him. It came from the heart of a champion. It came from a young man grounded in his faith and who understands he is to be a light in the darkness.

To the class’s of 2020 everywhere, my heart breaks for you all. You deserve a better send off. Yet, I truly believe this will make you better, which in turn will make our world better.

Please know, that our family stands and applauds all of you. Job well done!!!!

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Is this the end times

Embed from Getty Images I am a christian. I do not pretend not to be. I am not ashamed of the gospel. Yet, with everything going on right now the question that I see more and more and a question I am often asked is this the end times as in the one written in the bible?

On April 2, 2020 the New York Times ran a story entitled “The Apocalypse as an “Unveiling”: What Religion Teaches Us About the End Times.” It seems people feel a shift and understand this time we may be headed for a biblical ending.

I recently reached out to a dear friend a person who I both enjoy listening to but have also learned a great deal from, Joe Nungesser. Joe and I have been friends for years. I had the pleasure of spending time with him in Israel, a place we both really want to go back to.

I believe Joe and I are on the same page. First and foremost we have been in the end times since Jesus ascended to Heaven. That said there is a chain of events Jesus and the bible tells us must take place before the end is upon mankind.

Let’s take a look at some prophecies that must take place. In the Books or Mark, Luke and Matthew they all say near the end earthquakes will increase. So far in 2020 the world has seen 3,110 earthquakes.

Idol worship is at an all time high. Technology has increased just as is written in the book of Daniel. Sickness, famine, pandemic. It is here. I am not a fear monger. I am a follower of Jesus. But life is not 75 degree day eating ice cream on the front porch all the time.

1 John 5:19 “We know that we are from God, and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.” “How you are fallen from heaven,O [a]Lucifer, son of th morning! How you are cut down to the ground, You who weakened the nations!” Isiah 14:12.

“By the abundance of your trading You became filled with violence within,
And you sinned; Therefore I cast you as a profane thing Out of the mountain of God; And I destroyed you, O covering cherub, From the midst of the fiery stones.” Ezekiel 28:16.

“And war broke out in heaven: Michael and his angels fought with the dragon; and the dragon and his angels fought, 8 but they [a]did not prevail, nor was a place found for [b]them in heaven any longer. 9 So the great dragon was cast out, that serpent of old, called the Devil and Satan, who deceives the whole world; he was cast to the earth, and his angels were cast out with him.” Revelation 12:7-9.

Satan must go to Jesus to attack a person. Jesus said “all authority in heaven and earth is given to me.” But, to craft a plan to drive people away from God is what fuels his fire. He uses, politics, religion, people, principalities and other  measures.

It is times to wake up! The time is now, to turn to Jesus and repent. Do not wait until it is to late or put it off until later.

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The Detroit Lions select Ohio State defensive back Jeffery Okudah in the first round

Embed from Getty Images With the third pick in the first round of the 2020 NFL Draft the Detroit Lions took a player who many experts tabbed, Jeffery Okudah. The Ohio State product Okudah is said to be the best defensive back prospect this century.

When a defensive player who is gifted is there for the taking, you take. That is exactly what Detroit Lions general manager Bob Quinn did. Quinn did not over-think the pick, it was too easy. So what are the Lions getting in their prized first round pick? Let’s take a look.

With any defensive back feet and hips are critical. Jeffery Okudah has some ungodly feet. Okudah is smooth in his pedal and shuffle outside of his frame while retaining excellent balance and maintaining a base to recover and change direction depending on the angle of the play.

Man to man or zone, Okudah plays them both very well. Okudah  disrupts route timing and anticipates route breaks very well. Okudak improved on  baiting quarterbacks into throws in 2019-20.

Extremely relaxed at the line of scrimmage with the ability to mirror wide receivers release, Okudah is also aggressive and generates displacement without losing balance.

What sets Jeffery Okudah apart from the rest of the players in his field is his ball skills. Explosive with leaping ability with good length and timing to address the ball at the high point. Blessed with a good feel for route distribution and drop sequencing.

Okudah excels in dropping from off coverage and zone alignments and has a clear understanding how route spacing overlaps zone coverage to take away the quarterback first read.

While at Ohio State Okudah was never out of position. He never failed to recover and attack back to the ball.  Flexibility, foot work, and near flawless  balance are all at an elite level for Okudah. His perfect hip placement made Okudah a top five draft prospect.

Jeffery Okudah is not the best tackling cornerback. That is okay. He is a shutdown corner who has not been put in position to make many tackles. That is what the Detroit Lions expect him to do at the next level. Shut down the man lined up across from him.

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In a surprise, Disney announces production on “The Mandalorian” season 3

Embed from Getty Images With season two of the smash hit “The Mandalorian” set to hit Disney Plus streaming in October word has now been let out that pre-production for season 3 has started. Here is what is known so far.

Mandalorian co-creator and writer/director Jon Favreau has been “writing season 3 for a while.” While longtime Lucasfilm creative director Doug Chiang is said to have been working on “concepts” for “the past few weeks.”

The Mandalorian  production team had just finished work on season 2 around the beginning of March, just making it before the lock down and shelter in place orders that have delayed the filming and release of pretty much every movie and TV series currently in production everywhere.

Season 2, will see the fan-favorite hero Ahsoka Tano, the Togruta ex-Jedi on screen in live action for the first time. Season 2  is said that the Mandalorian will help the Child (Baby Yoda) find his home and will go further into the state of the Empire after its defeat at the Battle of Jakku.

Also we are sure to see Moff Gideon continue to search for the Mandalorian in an attempt to stop him. The Mandalorian is the first series on Disney Plus, but Lucasfilm hopes to add new shows to the line up in the near future. A Rogue One spinoff series featuring Diego Luna’s character Cassian Andor is in the works but due to the global pandemic has seen a production stoppage.

Also Disney Plus is diving into reality shows. The next real Star Wars TV fans might see is actually Lucasfilm’s foray into nonfiction programming. Jedi Temple Challenge, a children centered game show hosted by, Ahmed Best better known to Star Wars fans as Jar Jar Binks.

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Being the calm in peoples worry and stress

Embed from Getty Images “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable if anything is excellent or praiseworthy think about such things.” Philippians 4:8

In uncertain times such as the current times, there is enough worry and stress going around it is almost contagious. There is real fear, worry and stress globally, Christ followers absolutely should not be overcome by worldly issues.

What are ways we can breathe peace into people lives while being quarantined, and in an age of social distancing? First and foremost hold onto God’s promises! He is faithful. That is what we need to bring to people.

Meet the people where they are. A good way to do this is by admitting to them that you are dealing with the same issues they are. When we put ourselves in the same boats with others it begins to  deescalate some of the absences of peace.

Be quick to let them know you are trusting the Lord through all of the uncertainty. Offer them a word from God, something like: “Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take this suffering away from me. But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong” (2 Corinthians 12:8-10)

Encourage people to invite Jesus to walk with them in the fear, worry and stress. The mind is a dangerous place to be at times. Turning the T.V. and news off can also be helpful.

Pray with them perhaps pray a bible verse over them, like “Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times and in every way. The Lord be with all of you.” 2 Thessalonians 3:16.

Reflect Jesus, this what Christ followers are asked to do. When we do through the power of the Holy Spirit people are set free.