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

[lawgirl]

Thanks all! Mountaingirl---I really think it works best listening to the song. Plus you get to hear W saying the words-always a bonus! LOL!

[lawgirl]

THANK YOU!!! OH MY GOSH how did I forget to post a link to the song! LOL thanks so much!! You guys

---

>this song is VERY MUCH worth the download. It will bless you!

Allegra thanks!

[Nea Wood]

Absolutely beautiful. I'm teary-eyed here. You chose the perfect pictures. Bravo, and well done!

[Mo1]

You did a FABULOUS job in the posting .. and this is one of my favorite pictures ... This President truly loves our country and our children

JUST LOOK AT THAT HUG!!!

[GRRRRR]

Wonderful effort, I am so proud of this man for being true to his beliefs. He may not please all of us, all of the time, however, he is honestly doing what he believes is best for us all.

Those that cannot see that, too bad for you. Honesty and dignity were what he promised us.

GRRRRRollin' and Merry Christmas!

[okimhere]

You did such a wonderful job with this tribute! It brings tears to my eyes and erases the negative things and name calling that I have seen on other sites. What an outstanding man. I felt that we were on the brink of something horrendous before he came into office. Now we are blessed. Summed up perfectly by One life can be the proof of the hope that is You.

Thanks for the ping, and now I will laugh even harder when someone inserts words like "Isn't that Lawgirl over there?" under a photo of President Bush pointing. *grin*

[lawgirl]

Thanks Nea Wood. I bawled my eyes out the first time I heard this song. Russ Lee did such a great job with it!

[Mo1]

Thanks for the music swheats .. I've got it CRANKED UP!!!

[lawgirl]

Mo1--know what else strikes me?? The look on the CHILDREN's faces---like look at the little girl here:

Look at her face---it says it all.

GRRRRR--I am so glad you liked it!! You said it GRRRR--he might not please us ALL The time---but that is OK with me, because I TRUST HIM. I trust GWB is going to do his best for US not for himself. He has gone beyond my wildest dreams in showing our country his faith and his geniune love for us all.

Okimhere---FR is such a great place-- mostly positive. Like I said--President Bush isn't perfect, but he is doing his best and consulting god in his decisions. That is all we can ask for!

[lawgirl]

Isn't it GREAT!!!!!!!!!

Thanks again swheats!!!

[happymom]

This is incredible! What a beautiful tribute to President Bush. Thank you for this great post!

[Fiddlstix]

Well Done!
It's Beautiful!

[Mo1]

Look at her face---it says it all.

YES IT DOES!!! ... they feel safe with his arms around them

Oh Geeez .. now I'm tearing up .. how did we get so lucky to be blessed with such a fine man as our President

[swheats]

You're welcome, you did all the work. This president makes me glad to be living in these times. Even though there's war and evil all around, we still can find hope.

[mtngrl@vrwc]

That picture of GWB and the little league player (the little girl) touched me deeply. He's no phony, our president. He's the real thing. What you see is what you get with this man. He wasn't posing for a photo op. He genuinely cares about people.

I love this man. We are so fortunate to have him as our president.

[lawgirl]

Glad you all like it!

mo1--i think it's impossible to listen to the song without crying the first time.

God has blessed us beyond my WILDEST with this president!

[TejasRose]

Lawgirl, this is absolutely wonderful!!

[texasbluebell]

...he might not please us ALL The time---but that is OK with me, because I TRUST HIM. I trust GWB is going to do his best for US not for himself. He has gone beyond my wildest dreams in showing our country his faith and his geniune love for us all.

You said it! That's exactly the way I feel too. I trust him to do what's best for this country. When he was elected, I actually slept better at night for the first time in a loooong time.

And what a wonderful tribute you've put together for this fine man. Thanks so much for doing this. You ought to send the link to the White House!

[swheats]

...blessed with such a fine man as our President

Many of us fought~whether it was on our knees, on the streets or in the courtroom for 37 days. A fight it appears more and more we had to win.

Would we do it all over again? In a heartbeat I'm sure. Looking for another win in Louisiana~For Victory and Freedom!

[lawgirl]

And what a wonderful tribute you've put together for this fine man. Thanks so much for doing this. You ought to send the link to the White House!

That's a great idea!! I wonder where I could send it that he'd actually GET it?

Swheats---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!