Welcome to Where You Are - Michael Barbarulo PhDc,MS (ebook reader library .txt) 📗

Introduction

“God speaks through the music we play” Upon being asked about his theory of relativity, Albert Einstein said, "It occurred to me by intuition, and music was the driving force behind that intuition. My discovery was the result of musical perception." Henry ward Beecher put it this way, "Music cleanses the understanding; inspires it, and lifts it into a realm which it would not reach if it were left to itself."
Music has always been a way of expression for me. There’s a magic power in music that allows me to connect my soul and spirit to the sounds and words. I use music to open my heart and mind so I can experience my deep feelings and aspirations.

God uses the writing of Jon and Ritchie to touch my soul and spirit. Their lyrics have helped me through the toughest times of my life and I want to share it with you. Each song that I use in this devotional has special meaning to me and I share with you how to use their songs and lyrics to help you work through challenges you might be facing in your life. Other devotions that I wrote are designed to help you find hope and inspiration so you can live your life EVERYDAY.

As I mentioned in my biography, I oversee a shelter for homeless men and a disciple program that helps men to overcome mental illness, addictions, and homelessness while at the same time teaching them how to become a disciple of Christ.

Most of the devotions I wrote come from lessons I teach to the men in the shelter and program. The concepts come from the word of God and so do most of Jon and Richie’s lyrics. Jon said in an interview that “his life was blessed.” I agree. I think it’s because the lyrics he writes are based on biblical principles.

The Purpose of the devotional

Jonnies Church

This devotional was written for “Die Hard Bon Jovi Fans” that can relate to their lyrics in a heartfelt way, fans that know their songs inside and out and fans that feel connected soul and spirit. I’m not talking about an obsession, I’m talking about a soul and spirit connection to the meaning of their lyrics.

I don’t worship the music or the lyrics I worship the creator of music which is God. Jon, Richie, Tico, and David have been blessed by God with awesome musical talent to bless us and to see us through our tough times and special times in our lives.

This is volume 1. I wrote 180 devotions because it represents half of a circle, a turning point in our lives. Volume 2 will complete My Circle. Because a circle is never ending I decided to write 3 more volumes.

Volume 2 will consist of 180 devotions that focus on Love and Relationships. As you know Jon and Richie write a lot of songs about love so were going to explore the lyrics together and apply them to our lives and relationships.

Volume 3 will be about: How to Overcoming Addictions. The foundational song will be “Something for the Pain.” I agree with Jon “addiction is not a death sentence.”

Volume 4 will be about: Overcoming the effects of living in a dysfunctional family. The foundational song will be “I just want to be loved” and “Everybody’s Broken.”

Hello to the newcomers: Just a side note, if you’re a new generation fan … Welcome to where you are. Get to know all their songs and listen along.

The main purpose of this devotional is to help you to make deeper applications and connections to Bon Jovi’s music and heartfelt lyrics so you can be inspired and motivated to live out your passions, dreams and to help you overcome any obstacles you might be facing.

Songs are like snapshots and there’s a story behind every song Jon and Richie wrote and I try to bring it out in the devotions.

“Welcome to Wherever You Are” will help you:

1.Explore in depth the meaning of Bon Jovi lyrics based on my life experiences. “Step in to the deep end and make yourself a home.” (Everybody’s broken)

2.Find the songs that will encourage you, inspire you and motivate you.

3.Develop a better understanding of your self

4.Improve your relationships

5.Deepen your faith

6.Heal emotionally and spiritually

7.Clarify the vision you have for your life and relationships

8.Discover the truth about yourself and the direction your life and relationships are heading

9.Work through and overcome challenges and circumstances by digging into the lyrics and applying them to your life

10.Discover what might be holding you back from experiencing peace, happiness, joy and success

11.Identify and deal with any bad habits, hurts and hang-ups that you might have.


In this devotion I use the word “God.” For me God means the Trinity… God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit but it might mean something different to you. Please feel free to substitute or replace the word God with whatever word that represents your Higher Power.
Note: This devotional wasn’t designed for you to read it through in one sitting. It was designed to be read one day at a time.

Also you might think after working through the devotion that some parts of the devotion are redundant. It’s intentional. If you’re like me you need to be inspired, motivated, encouraged and kicked in the butt more than once. I think we need to hear these messages repeatedly so they sink into our minds and become part of our belief systems. Look at it this way it’s just like listening to a Bon Jovi song over and over. You know we all do it.  Enjoy. You’re a work in progress and God’s miracle. Have a Nice Day.

How to use this devotion

Today’s Mantra

Today’s mantra is the song or songs that you will be listening for that day. I choose the word mantra because it means a word or formula, sung as an incantation or prayer or a sacred verbal formula repeated in prayer and meditation. I also choose it because of the lyric in “In These Arm”… And these were our words…Our words were our songs…Our songs are our prayers…These prayers keep me strong.

There’s many times when I’ve had something on my mind and I just couldn’t put words to it until I listen to Bon Jovi and most of the time it would come crystal clear. There music does the talking and says the things I/we want hear (Triumph- Magic Power).
Bon Jovi’s music is affirming, inspirational and motivational. When I turn their songs into my prayers I feel like I can face any challenge or any obstacle that comes my way.

You can listen to the songs before, during or after you read the devotion. It’s your choice. There’s no wrong way. The song or songs address the message I bring to you in the devotional. The goal is to use the message in the song to motivate you and to inspire you to live out your values and beliefs as well as to keep you focused on living your life to the fullest “Everyday”.

Today’s lyrical focus

Today’s lyrical focus is the lyrics that you will be focusing on for that day. I choose the word “lyrical because it means poetic, inspired, emotional, romantic and expressive which to me defines the heartfelt writing of Jon and Richie.

Each lyric has meaning and a heartfelt message to it. The devotion will address the message and meaning behind the lyric(s). What I suggest is that you listen to the song and focus on the lyrics I have listed and think about what the lyric or lyrics mean to you personally. Ask yourself, how can I apply it to my life and the situation I’m in?

Disclaimer: The message and meaning behind the lyrics are my interpretations not Bon Jovi’s.

Quotes

I hand pick the quotes so that they go along with the lyric and devotion. Take the time to read them and think about them. Quotations help us remember the simple yet profound truths that give life perspective and meaning (Criswell Freeman). I want to encourage you to take time and find ways to apply them to your life.

Reflection

At the end of each devotional you will find questions to help you personalize the message and to put it into action. Take your time and work through each question. Some devotionals will have more questions to answer than others, take your time and complete the questions before you move to the next devotional. I suggest that you purchase a journal or a notebook to record your answers. Remember this is the “Story of your Life.”

Try to find a quiet place so you can write and express yourself without being interrupted. Make sure you have time to read through the devotional and answer the questions. Allow God to transform you through the music and the lyrics. He did it for me and I know he will do it for you.

I strongly suggest that you work through the devotional for 4 days then complete the review and repair questions. Please make sure that you completed all the questions before moving onto the next devotion. Remember this is an action orientated devotion that encourages you to take action.

As you read through the devotional you might sense repetition in the messages. This is intentional. I believe we learn through repetition. I think we need to hear these messages repeatedly so they sink into our minds and become part of our belief systems. Look at it this way it’s just like listening to a Bon Jovi song over and over. You know we all do it .

Review and Repair

You will find a review and repair section following the fourth devotion that consists of questions to work through. Please take your time to process your reflections and what you’ve been learning and working on. This will help you to apply what you’re learning to your life.

Characters

I use Tommy, Gina, Jimmy, Billy Jean, Joey and Jimmy shoes to illustrate the message I want to give you in the devotion. So I created a fictional story behind the character .These are my interpretations to the characters and the meaning behind the lyrics. I think we can put ourselves in the shoes of these characters. Keep your mind and heart open. Allow your imagination to flow.

In the last chapters of the devotion I give you an idea of what Volume 2 is going to be like. I’m using the format and similar topics. Tommy and Gina’s relationship will be the model I’m going to use to help you to apply Bon Jovi’s lyrics to your life and hopefully teach you how to deepen and strengthen your love in all your relationships.

The title of the next devotion is “All about Loving You.”

Biography

Michael Barbarulo is a noted, well credentialed and trained professional in the field of addictions, homelessness emotional, behavioral and personality disorders. Mike is currently the Director of Men’s Ministries and Shelter operations for the City Mission of Schenectady. He has spent the last 18 years as a, counselor,