The Summer Day by Mary Oliver

Who made the world?
Who made the swan, and the black bear?
Who made the grasshopper?
This grasshopper, I mean-
the one who has flung herself out of the grass,
the one who is eating sugar out of my hand,
who is moving her jaws back and forth instead of up and down-
who is gazing around with her enormous and complicated eyes.
Now she lifts her pale forearms and thoroughly washes her face.
Now she snaps her wings open, and floats away.
I don't know exactly what a prayer is.
I do know how to pay attention, how to fall down
into the grass, how to kneel down in the grass,
how to be idle and blessed, how to stroll through the fields,
which is what I have been doing all day.
Tell me, what else should I have done?
Doesn't everything die at last, and too soon?
Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

Who I Am

Here is a song I recently recorded. The song began as a poem writing assignment I participated in at the school I work at. The assignment was to write a poem based on the theme of identity.

Our 2nd Anniproposary

I surprised Melissa with this song tonight to celebrate a special day two years ago that I proposed to Melissa:

 We started out on our knees

Planted by gospel seed

Together we set out in humility

Down the aisle of unity

Together we became a tree

We're growing into who you made us to be

Two years on down the line

Our branches intertwined

I love to feel your fingers wrapped in mine

Up through the humble trunk

Together we're rising up

Oh this love of God is more than enough

Rising up

Into maturity

Rising up

And out our branches reach

Rising up

So all the world can see

Rising up

Into eternity...forever

Planted by by water we'll grow

This day I want you to know

You are the jewel of my eye

And I love you so!

This song is about us growing together in humility, depending on God's grace and goodness to help us live godly lives. This song is also about how God can use us together to impact the world in eternally valuable ways. 

 

This week has certainly been both good and bad. Good because I feel like I'm investing in people's lives, working for not just a pay check, but for something that has eternal value. I have seen an unusual amount of high needs individuals the past few days who are in very difficult or tragic circumstances.I have heard so many sad, sad stories, and I have often left work with my heart pondering over their situations.

Last night I couldn't stop thinking about this one client. I was wondering why things had happened to him at such an early age. It's definitely not a good thought process to start, but my little heart couldn't help but wonder why. I have been asking God "Why?" a lot of this week. And I've been asking him for patience and His strength to help whoever he puts in front of me.

When I leave today, I don't want to feel the weight of my client's broken past on my shoulders. I want to live each moment of this weekend, as the gift it is, and open back up my silly side!

Vermont Winter Hiking

Melissa and I have been enjoying being outside in the beautiful, snow-covered woods of Vermont. The snow makes everything so quiet and peaceful.

Perfect Vermont Song

Into Land Or Out To Sea

I wrote this song as a prayer for my wife and from her perspective. One of my more personal songs. Ever feel like you are stuck somewhere treading water? This song is about crying out for God's help and guidance.

Acts Chapter 11

Slowly but surely, I am getting these songs written and recorded! Antioch was a place where Greeks came to know the gospel message. It was there that believers first started to be referred to as Christians. It's fun to imagine the excitement of what was happening there. God was doing something big, and people were hearing about what God was doing in Antioch.

Acts Chapter 10

     Peter, like many people, had some preconceived ideas about what was acceptable. The good news was first shared with the Jewish people. Then, after some accepted but many also refused the message, the gospel began to be shared with the Gentiles (basically everyone who is not a Jew). God orchestrated and initiated the sharing of the good news with the Gentiles. God gave Peter a vision of a blanket full of food that Jews were not normally permitted to eat, and God said, "eat it!" Peter objected, but God responded, "Don't call anything unclean that I have made clean." This was a reminder to Peter to broaden his horizons. To preach the gospel to Gentiles back then would be a radical move, and it was a radical move of God.

     The main message I receive from this scripture is that the good news is for everyone, no matter who you are, what you've done, where you grew up, or whatever else.

Acts Chapter 9

I am running behind lately. This song is about Saul's encounter with Jesus.

Acts Chapter 8

In Acts chapter 8, the believers are beginning to be heavily persecuted for their faith in Jesus. They are scattered around to different regions. This does not weaken their resolve though. The influence of their message spreads. The believers are like scattered seeds, and good things are growing out of that.

Acts Chapter 7

Acts 7 is a mouthful! After Stephen is brought before a council of Jewish leaders, he is given a chance to defend himself. However, instead of thinking of himself, through the power of the Holy Spirit he testifies about how leaders of the Israelites and prophets throughout history have prophesied and foretold the coming of the Messiah and how Jesus was the fulfillment of those prophesies. Stephen's testimony also exposes the sins of the Jewish leaders who are confronting him. In the end, Stephen is stoned to death. The amazing part is that Stephen's eyes are so fixed on God that he actually sees the glory of God and Jesus standing in the place of honor at the right hand of God! With Stephen's last breath, he pleads with God to forgive those who are persecuting him. I love how innocent and pure Stephen is.

Acts Chapter 6

Here's a little story about Stephen!

Acts Chapter 5

Read Acts Chapter 5 to get more background information.

Acts Chapter 4

In Acts 4, the top religious leaders pull Peter and John aside. They warn Peter and John to stop speaking and performing miracles in the name of Jesus. Peter and John respond something like this: "Is it more important for us to obey God or to obey you? What do you think? As for us, we can't help but testify to who Jesus is and what he has done!"

Acts Chapter 3

I love this story!

Acts Chapter 2

In Acts chapter 2, the Holy Spirit, whom Jesus promised would come, filled and empowered the followers of Jesus. Amazing signs and wonders were happening in those days, and all of those were pointing to God. The miracles alone, though, were not what pierced the hearts of men and women. The testimony of Jesus Christ being the ultimate sacrifice for mankind, as was prophesied long ago in many times and in various ways, is what compelled people to change their lives and to align themselves with the heart of God.

Acts Chapter 1

I am reading the book of Acts from the bible this month and writing a song about each chapter. Here is the first song! Acts 1 is about a time of transition from when Jesus was here in person to when the Holy Spirit filled those who were followers of Jesus. Believers were empowered and encouraged by the Holy Spirit to testify to who Jesus is and what Jesus had accomplished.

Feb Fest

     There are 28 days in the month of February. There are 28 chapters in the book of Acts. My challenge to myself this coming February is to write a song for each day of the month of February about each chapter of the book of Acts.
     This idea actually originated a few years ago when a musician friend of mine in Santa Cruz, California said to me, "Hey, a bunch of us are writing a song for each week of the month of October. We're calling it 'Rocktober.' You should do it too!" I went a step further and decided to write and record a new song for every day of Rocktober. Seeing what I came up with was fun! I didn't write the most amazing songs, but it was all about the experience and the challenge. And I think I did come out with a few gems.
     Lately, I have just been craving such a challenge again. I haven't written or recorded very many songs for awhile, and I think it's about time to see what else I can come up with!
     I'm not expecting anyone else to join me in exactly what I am doing, but how do you think you might challenge yourself artistically this next month? Maybe you can make a goal of writing a song, painting a portrait, snapping a few pictures, writing a poem, or doing some type of craft project once a week for the month of February. I just want to pass on the same type of challenge that was originally posed to me!
     If you do decide to challenge yourself this next month, leave me a comment to let me know what you are doing! My masterpiece of a wife was born in February, so February is a good month to be creative!

Social

Recently Melissa and I quit Facebook. I really didn't want to at first. How would people know what I was doing? How would I know what everyone else was doing? And what about all of the witty/clever things I needed to post on my wall!? I still want to post random comments out of the blue sometimes. Part of the appeal for taking a step back from Facebook, though, is that I feel I am stepping toward something our culture is losing. Remember the days of calling your friends and family or sending personal emails? We live right now more and more in a culture of convenience. We live busy lives, and it's a lot easier to throw some food in the microwave when we get home. But for the sake of convenience and simplifying our lives, we are leaving home-cooked meals and deeper personal connections. So, for the sake of being intentional and thoughtful about relationships and wanting to be more truly social, I am taking a break from Facebook to get together with people, have meaningful conversations over the phone, and take time to write out personal emails.