From the "It's All About Love," CD Featuring "Rainbow"

Producer Song writer, Patricia McQueen of McDujo Gospel Music..."Into All The World" Video Production MARKiTYOU, Videogropher, Reggie Keys — in Laguna Beach,CA.

Be Yourself

Hello again,

This blog is based on the song I wrote along with the artist Anjee who is also singing it on her new release – “Will the Real Christian Stand Up”. The song is entitled “Be Yourself”

Well, what does it mean – to be yourself? When we wrote the song, we had in mind that it pertained to being an individual, thinking for yourself, not following the crowd. We wanted to remind the world that we are all different; even our fingerprints are different, and that we should respect our differences. We wanted to say that people’s bodies come in different colors, different sizes, different shapes, and people have different desires, needs, talents, and gifts. There is life on the inside – no matter what our bodies look like – that life should be valued. If people feel that they have no value, they will act like they have no value. A person who does not value his or her own life, certainly won’t value anyone else’s life. We should value life.

However, it appears that more value is placed on things and the acquisition of things than is placed on people. We place more value on being politically correct than we place on how our actions affect other’s lives. It appears that truth does not matter as long as we do not offend anyone. We do not mean what we say or say what we mean any more. We say “let’s just achieve the objective”, and the objective usually means there is some money being made somewhere. This is the world we live in today.

There is much talk today of people being bullied and persecuted because they are different. They want to belong somewhere and because they don’t fit in, they shrink back and miss the opportunity to share their gifts and talents or to fulfill the desires of their hearts.

Even though we are all different there is one thing people have in common, people want to be loved—they want to know that someone cares, they want to belong. Consequently, they try to look like the crowd, act like the crowd, walk and talk like the crowd in order to belong. People are caught up in what I call a “cookie-cutter” society. We are copycats. We place more value on the copy than the original. But somewhere along the way we have forgotten that we are all original, because we are all different. It is exactly that difference and the ability to make choices that allows us to be creative. Each individual difference adds to the fabric of life. It is that difference that makes each individual valuable to the world.

The music that I produce is dedicated to uplifting and edifying people. The lyrics are based on Bible scriptures. The Bible says we are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139:14-16); and we all have our proper gifts (1 Corinthians 7:7). As a matter of fact, He (God) has given to us everything we need to live this life successfully through the knowledge of Him (2 Peter 1:3, 4). Jesus is the answer to everything. This is foolishness to the world I know, but we Christians should remember that no matter where we are, no matter what group we are in, we have a purpose, and that is to glorify God. Ephesians 2:10 says we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, and we must remember that it is God who works in us both to will and to do of His good pleasure (Philippians 2:13). We do not have to worry about fitting in; ours is a different hope. Jeremiah 29:11 says “For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans of welfare and peace and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope” (AMP). Romans 12:2 says, “Do not be conformed to this world (this age), [fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs], but be transformed (changed) by the [entire] renewal of your mind [by its new ideals and its new attitude], so that you may prove [for yourselves] what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect [in His sight for you].” (AMP) Of course, you renew your mind by learning what the Word of God (the Bible) says about how to live this life.

Every one of us should realize that we have a purpose and God has given us everything we need to accomplish that purpose. However, the only way to really understand our purpose is to develop a relationship with God through Christ Jesus. Jesus must become the Lord of our lives. Jesus said “…Learn of Me”….. Matthew 11:29. We learn of Him through His Word (the Bible). He also said that he would send the Comforter, who is the Holy Spirit, to lead us and guide us into all truth. John 16:13.

I hope you see how important it is to be you, how valuable you are to God and the world. God has a plan for your life; God has a plan for this world. You fit into God’s plan somewhere; learn of Him so you can discover where you fit in.

McDuJo Interview