First, I give all praise to God for all that he's done and allowed; for I would not be who I am had he not allowed all things I've endured. This series of songs come from a young man who went through a lot at an early age. Attempting to balance a Christian lifestyle, while facing the ever-present peer pressures of the world, all while thriving in a hypocritical environment, is a feeling I am all too familiar with. Growing up in church, you're taught that passing judgment is wrong, yet you live the reality that judgment is passed upon you daily in that same environment. How does one cope with the pains of being hurt in the church, while continuing to serve there? How does one handle having a strong love for God, yet not being comfortable in his house? Each song describes a different period of my life; some of which most people would be ashamed to talk about. I have been through tons of situations in my life, causing some to say it was nothing short of a miracle that I survived. Instead of writing a book about the things I've been through, I decided to write songs that would encourage others to continue to persevere despite the difficulty and obstacles that are before you. The musical arrangements vary from Neo Soul and R&B to the undeniable sounds of Gospel, yet the messages remain the same: Dear Listener, Know there is someone else out there who has been through a similar situation, experienced a similar broken heart, made similar mistakes, and is still standing! If I can continue to stand in the face of adversity, so can you! You can and will make it! Sincerely, Arvin Dismuke