Hello Hurricane

Jon Foreman- "This is a subject matter that I speak of with holy reverence. Having grown up on the East Coast I know firsthand of the houses lost, of the dreams turned into nightmares. I take my shoes off and recognize that this is a matter that is dear to our nation, especially of late- with every passing hurricane season. Last year, with Habitat for Humanity we helped to build a house for a woman who lost everything in Hurricane Katrina. The hurricane had taken her city, her house, and her leg. As she relocated to Baton Rouge and learned how to walk as an amputee, her mantra was this: "I walked out of my house and my life in New Orleans on my own legs, I'm going to walk into this one the same way." This is the spirit that I wanted to capture with this song, and moreover with this record. The storms of life might take my house, my loved ones, or even my life- but they cannot silence my love.

Yes, the reactionary impulses of hate, fear, and despair really are defenseless against the storms of this life. And yet, this selfless love really might be stronger than death. Perhaps, the kingdom of the heavens really is at hand, ready to give, ready to love. And with this love as my song I will overcome. In surrender to divine love I will find my strength. "Let no debt remain outstanding, except the continuing debt to love another."

What an awesome title track. Love conquers all. It won't be easy. You've got to fight. But weather the storm (physically and metaphorically), and be better and stronger because of it.

Below is a link of Jon talking specifically about this song:

http://www.examiner.com/x-11989-Nashville-Gospel-Music--Entertainment-Examiner~y2009m11d3-Switchfoots-lead-singer-Jon-Foreman-talks-about-Hello-Hurricane

Even if it wasn't written exactly to mean this, to me this song basically says when life gets tough we just need to keep loving God. Even when other people mock us for being Christians and despise us for our faith (the "hurricane"), we'll keep sharing His love... they can't silence us!

"What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. I consider them rubbish, that I may gain Christ." - Phillipians 3:8

"Everything I have I count as loss."

Jesus said people would get so bad that most people would stop loving God and each other (Matthew 24:12-13). It sounds like these guys see that time coming and have prepared for it. They have 'boarded up their doors and windows' by believing all the evidences of God's love in spite of what their feelings or current circumstances would lead them to believe. They have also given up ownership of evrything here on earth so that they can not be intimidated by the threat of loss. Great song.