I have found that food tastes better if someone else prepares it.  This is unfortunate when you are the person in your household who cooks 95% of the time...for the rest of your life. 

 

I have found that praise team practice goes better when someone else leads it.  That's why we have Gabe.  That's why I play keys.  But this week Gabe is out of town, I'm leading worship, we just had practice, and it tasted like cardboard...to me anyway.  Thankfully this is a temporary situation and NOT for the rest of my life! 

 

Actually, I used to lead worship nearly every week and, at one time, might have thought I would be doing so for the rest of my life.  But I'm glad I'm not.  There are things you CAN do, and then there are things God WANTS you to do.  Ya know?

 

I'm always relieved that praise team members and the congregation find my "sub" weeks to be much tastier than I do.  All I can say is the Holy Spirit is an excellent cook.

 

Signed,

Suh Bing

 

 

 

Cancer marches on.  My brother Harv (non-Hodgkins lymphoma) goes back into the hospital tomorrow for his next round of chemo.  He'll also receive more test results.  They say he's bouncing back a bit more slowly each time, but hopefully the chemo is doing its work.

 

My friend, Paul (lung cancer) has had some desperate days since last June, but also some good ones.  Right now he's unexpectedly back in the hospital having fluid removed from his lung.  More information to be gathered and decisions to be made.   

 

Our Children's Ministries director has breast cancer.  A friend has very advanced breast cancer.  My uncle is currently "dying gracefully", giving thanks and praise to God for a full life.  Similar needs are posted on the WAJ board weekly and in lots of your blogs. 

 

We are not meant to stay here on earth.  I know that.  And these days I'm convinced more than ever that we need each other.  Camaraderie.  Someone to talk with.  Someone to walk with. 

 

My Walking In this World chapter talks about having a midnight madness medical team.  This is written in terms of artistic personalities, but it strikes me that everyone needs a midnight madness medical team. 

 

Julia Cameron writes:  "I have a very small and cherished list of people whom I could call with a creative terror in the middle of the night.  ....  I'm not saying I do call them to announce at two A.M., 'I can't write.  I've never been able to write.  I've fooled the world and they're finding out at dawn,' but if I had to call them, they would understand.  Similarly, I hold a willing place on their midnight call sheet.  None of us wants to be suicidally depressed at four A.M., but all of us sometimes are, and knowing that we could call often calls off the demons.  Take a moment to make your midnight madness medical team."

 

Do you have a team in place?  I'll bet you need one.  I know I do.

 

Signed,

Ime Thair 4 U

 

 

 

Someone shared this in one of my classes recently, and I'll never forget it:

 

"I was getting ready to sing in my first round at the Bluebird and I went to pay a visit to the restroom.  X was there, so I said, 'X - tell me one thing I need to know before doing this' and X said 'remember that you have something to give.'"

 

So the next time you're feeling discouraged and perhaps start wondering why you're teaching that Sunday School class, or writing that song, or coaching that Little League team, or doing whatever it is that seems pointless at the time, remind yourself of this truth:  

 

 

Signed,

U.  Du

 

 

 

Here are some favorite moments from this week's chapter in Walking In This World (Julia Cameron) entitled "Discovering a Sense of Resiliency":

 

1.  "I think these difficult times have helped me to understand better than before how infinitely rich and beautiful life is in every way and that so many things that one goes around worrying about are of no importance whatsoever."  --Isak Dinesen

 

2.  "One word frees us of all the weight and pain of life:  That word is love."  --Sophocles

 

3. "I did not wish to take a cabin passage, but rather to go before the mast and on the deck of the world, for there I could best see the moonlight amid the mountains.  I do not wish to go below now."  --Henry David Thoreau

 

4.  "At the root of comparison is something a little nastier:  insecurity.  Instead of saying 'I wish I were better than I am," we say, "I wish I were as good as he is.'  In one fell swoop we negate our work and our originality.  --Julia Cameron

 

5.  "Grace is available to us always, at any stage of the creative journey.  As beginners, we need the grace to begin.  As apprentice artists, we need the grace to continue.  As accomplished artists, we need the grace to again accomplish what it is we can.  At all levels of creative endeavor, the Great Creator is present and partnering us."  --Julia Cameron

 

6.  "....the Great Creator always gives us strength enough and support enough and guidance enough to meet the precise creative challenges at hand.  We may be overwhelmed, but God is not.  If we fail at Plan A, God has an endless supply of Plan Bs.  There is always not only a fallback position, but also a net.  That net is having the faith to try again."  --Julia Cameron

 

7.  "When I move a step at a time, I can edge up the mountain.  If I go slowly and gently, playing 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star,' I can even be proud to have edged up a ledge and I can say, 'Wow, I am doing it.'  It takes vigilance to be gentle.  It is easier to wail at myself...'You will never learn."  --Julia Cameron

 

Oh good grief.  I could go on and on.  There were so many wonderful moments in that chapter!  But I'll end with one final quote from Albert Einstein, who definitely knew a thing or two:

 

"There are only two ways to live your life.  One is as though nothing is a miracle.  The other is as though everything is a miracle."

 

Signed,

B. Ree Zill Yent

 

 

 

Sometimes I write a song where the 2nd verse really ends up being better as the 1st verse.  They get mixed up.  I get mixed up.  (Perhaps "lost" would be a better word.)

 

Anyway, I thought this mix-up scenario was the case with the song I wrote this past Thursday and Friday, so I switched the verses around.  And I still thought the "switch" was the right thing to do when I recorded the vocals yesterday.  But by the time I submitted it for a SongU feedback class earlier today, I wasn't so sure.  And by the time tonight's class rolled around, I had done enough mental switchbacks to choke a horse.

 

I've never choked a horse by the way.  Not literally anyway.  Where DO some of these phrases come from?

 

Anyway, I asked the instructor about it and he found the suggestion interesting and "an excellent one".  He agreed that I should switch them around (which, of course, actually meant putting them BACK WHERE THEY WERE IN THE FIRST PLACE!).  I'll do that tomorrow.  On the bright side, his comments included "sophisticated melody".  So all is not lost.  I'm looking forward to the day when I can always figure out the best place for each verse immediately with no hesitation or second-guessing.  (That day DOES come eventually, doesn't it?  Hello?)

 

Tomorrow I get to start a new song.  It will be interesting to see how many switchbacks I make on that one by day's end.  I hope I don't get carsick.

 

Signed,

Tayke Inng Drama Mean

 

 

 

I've been so busy with cowrites lately that I haven't spent very much time writing by myself.  So I kind of felt like Orville or Wilbur Wright the last two days as I adventured into a solo flight.  "Will I even get off the ground?  How much should this tip...and how much should that turn?  Will this flight end up better or worse than the last one?  What have I learned from my previous attempts and how can I make this one better?  Fasten your seatbelts!" 

 

It felt good.

 

I figure every song idea comes from God in the first place (or at least the good ones!).  He's an experienced pilot and I can learn an awful lot if I simply quit fighting for control and instead accept my role as copilot.  Ask a lot of questions.  Be willing to learn.  Listen.  Notice.

 

It turns out the winds were gentle and our cruising altitude felt just right.  Blue skies.  (I'm hoping for more of that in the forecast.  God, are You ready to head out again?  I think I can do even better next time....)

 

Signed,

Ko Pie Lett

 

 

 

I love the movie Finding Neverland.  From the opening moments when Mr. Barrie (Johnny Depp) is peeking through the curtains, desperately afraid that the audience won't like what he's written (sound familiar, any of you songwriters out there?)...to the unexpected moments when he "sees" something that others don't see (like the rain that's drenching the audience, or the children jumping on their beds and then floating off into the air)...to the forlorn tears of a lonely little boy sitting on a park bench who has lost first his father and now his mother to death.  I love it all.  (Well, all of it except the failed marriage.  Sad indeed.)

 

So I decided to watch this movie yesterday when I had piles of paperwork and bills to take care of.  It's certainly better than daytime TV!  But does it seem strange to anyone else that I would be writing a check to public utilities at the same time as tears are dripping off my face and I'm sobbing out loud?  No?  Good.  Then you're my kind of person.

 

Interestingly, I never cried at movies growing up...not even as a teenager, which I'm sure my friends thought strange.  At the moment I'm not sure which is stranger, that state of affairs or this one.

 

But what I love more than anything about Finding Neverland, or Pride and Prejudice, or even something off-the-wall like Tommy Boy, is that I feel something.  Feel something.  And that means I'm alive...and responsive...and connected in some way with the rest of creation and with God.  I think I could notice the "cleansing" nature of those tears for the rest of the day.

 

See, that's what I want my songs to do too.  Help people feel.  Feel the vast variety of emotions God has placed in each one of us.  Feel deeply.  And that's the kind of songs I want to listen to as well.  Maybe they're even yours!  I hope so.

 

Signed,

B. Free 2 Feehl

 

 

 

I had class tonight (SongU.com, "Walking In This World" by Julie Cameron) and I got to check in first since I needed to leave early for my kids' school band concert.  The good part was that I could report a big ole' YES for all three regularly recurring assignments:  writing my morning pages, taking my walks, and going on an Artist Date.  But then I also felt compelled to report that I had been doing some "bad thinking" as well (at which point my classmates happily chimed in with all manner of wise-guy comments... of course!). 

 

Fortunately, and coincidentally (or not!), this week's chapter dealt with exactly what I had been doing.  I'll just type in most of a paragraph from this week's chapter and then underline the part that nailed me.  (Watch out.  It might nail you too.)

 

 

The instructor, of course, wasn't about to let me off the hook that easily.  She wanted to know more.  I admitted that it was self-imposed (per the usual) and that I was just putting too much pressure on myself about my trip to Nashville next month.  I've been there before.  I'm simply building on those experiences.  Making friends.  Widening my circle.  Learning and growing.  So what's the big deal?  ...  I'm happy to say that the instructor and the entire class are INCREDIBLE and I am so thankful for them.  We "nail" people, ask questions, encourage, give ideas, and do an awful lot of "way to go!!!" kind of stuff.  These people are from all walks of life, including a great guy from Switzerland named Dom.  (What a small world we live in!!!!)  Sometimes I have classmates who get up at 3 a.m. to be "in class" and then go back to bed afterward.  Is that dedication or WHAT?!

 

So if any of this stuff about pushing too hard nailed YOU, just remember..."easy does it".  Which really means "easy accomplishes it."   Letting go and letting God.  The 12-step program for songwriters, ya know?  Funny how a quick little songwriting class can change my entire perspective.  Thank you, SongU!

 

Signed,

E. Z. Duz Itt

 

 

 

In my last blog entry I promised "more on this tomorrow".  That just proves how important rewrites are!  Let's change that to "more on this soon".  (meaning now)

 

I wanted to write more on the topic of making music that really makes a difference.  Something with an important message.  Music that touches people.  Music that has some of "me" in it.  I'm sure many of you have already visited the site www.musicforthesoul.org, but maybe you should take time to revisit it, like I did.  Here are the opening paragraphs of Steve Siler's words about the founding of his wonderful organization, Music for the Soul.

 

Late that night I went to our little wooden church that had a 24-hour open door policy.  I sat there and asked God to send me something meaningful to do with my life.  I knew that He hadn't given me the gift of music to write jingles, sitcom themes, and dance tunes.  There had to be something more.  I even told Him I would quit music altogether if He wanted me to do something else.  (Visit Steve's site for more!)

 

I can't get that out of my mind.  It stirs me.  I pray it stirs you too.  I'm not saying you can't be a Christian and write pop music, or country, or whatever.  But I pray that each of us spends time on our knees now and then...either at a little wooden church or at your rumpled bedside...and asks God to send us something meaningful to do with our lives.  Maybe He's already done that, in which case we can beg for reaffirmation and a renewed stirring of our calling.

 

"Derivative piece of dance drivel."   I love that. 

 

Signed,

A. Sturd Sole

 

 

 

 

I'm a master at beating myself up.  High expectations.  Perfectionism.  Yes, yes, I know it's good to try hard.  But it's sad to live life focused on the long list of things you could be doing better...those elusive carrots.

 

In the summer of 2003, I attended GMA's Music in the Rockies (Estes Park) for the first time.  It was eye-opening.  My epiphany.  Rebirth.  I loved so much of it, including meeting some of you, and classes with Sue and Dave where my heart was pounding and I heard God whispering, "Bev, this is it.  It's been in your heart your entire life, but it will take hard work.  Lots of it.  It's now or never."  (Let me qualify the word "loved"...maybe I loved and hated that part.)  And my heart ached painfully about other parts, like getting back the score sheets on songs I had entered and seeing the word "dated" more than once.  Ouch.  Dated.  Washed up.  I might as well quit....

 

This morning, during my quiet time, I journaled about the good things in life.  Trying to notice and celebrate the good that God brings to me, sometimes in spite of the difficult things in my life, sometimes as a result of the difficult.  An hour later, I suddenly remembered Estes Park, the word "dated", and then the fact that I had heard something quite different in a SongU feedback class a couple of weeks ago.  I looked it up.

 

And I quote:  "Bev, this is absolutely wonderful. The chorus kills me.  It's so interesting musically. It's such a distinct hook.  ...  I can tell you right now that this song is going to be in my head until I wake up tomorrow, or maybe tomorrow afternoon.  ... I know you're listening to some very contemporary stuff...I can tell that in the influences.  And I think you're really on the cutting edge with this as far as Contemporary Christian music goes.  And I also think that the message to it is just really important...it's really, really excellent."  (I won't bother to share with you the tweaks the 2nd verse needed.)

 

Instead, for today, I'm going to live in the glow of "cutting edge" as opposed to "dated".  And just as important to me, if not more important, are the words "the message to it is just really important".  No matter how cutting edge a song may be, if it doesn't have an important message, it's just a resounding gong.  A clanging cymbal.  (More on that tomorrow.)

 

Signed,

Sell Uh Bray Ting Liddle Thingzz

 

 

 

I'm feeling a bit out of sorts following this evening's activities.  There's an ache deep in my heart.

 

We went over to our former office and made the final dent in packing everything up in boxes. We've spent so many months on this journey that it's hard to believe the "remnants" of what was once our business are actually ready to be moved out.  Scott's dad graciously agreed to store 7 years worth of papers, files and records in his basement, so that helps.  (I look forward to our yearly "party" when we can throw out another year's worth of records!) 

 

But you would NOT believe how much more stuff there still is!  I'm not kidding.  Unbelievable.

 

Tomorrow I have a huge load of stuff I'm bringing over to our school.  Free!  Use it, give it away, whatever they want.  When you're a Christian school, you are thankful for every little scrap that comes your away.

 

As for the rest, we'll need to rent a truck for Sat. and move everything into the garage at home.  Sometimes I despair as I wonder how many years it will take to get rid of all of this stuff...one way or another...eBay...Craig's List...family and friends...with multiple reminders from me...after all, Scott is a self-proclaimed pack rate.  And we lead very busy lives.  I can already envision our poor children trying to decide what to do with it someday when we're both dead and gone!

 

On the other hand, I'm reminding myself to be thankful for yet another milestone in this journey.  It's kind of like piling up stones at the Jordan River.  Each time I walk through the garage, rather than be disgusted at the mess, I am determined to let the boxes be like standing stones...reminding me that God proved Himself faithful yet again.  Oh yeah...and behind the boxes will be a huge blue and white sign hanging on the garage wall proclaiming Eclipse Microcomputer Systems, Inc.  (Scott just can't quite bring himself to part with that.) 

 

I think I just figured out that ache in my heart.  It's for Scott more than anything.  The death of a dream.

 

Signed,

Myle Stohn

 

 

 

I'm reading a book entitled "On Writing Well...The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction" (William Zinsser).  These words gave me pause....

 

 

I found myself supremely thankful for "who" so many of my songwriting friends are.  It truly does shine through the lyrics and melodies you write.  Thank you for being transparent and real....I can buy that.

 

Signed,

Stihl Lurr Ning

 

 

 

"It is good to have an end to journey towards; but it is the journey that matters in the end."  Ursula K. Le Guin

 

Or as Steve Siler once put it at WAJ...  "The journey is the destination." 

 

I don't know anything about Ms. Ursula; but I'm noticing that Steve, in true songwriter fashion, is able to say so much in so few words!  He's a credit to his people.

 

Signed,

Awn thuh rode Uh Genn

 

 

 

"We were born with a natural empathy for those who are hurting.  Even babies in a nursery start crying when other infants cry.  Compassion, which literally means, 'to suffer with,' is the ability to be moved by the troubles of others."

 

The ability to be moved by the troubles of others.  Do you ever notice how much easier that is if you actually KNOW the person?  Scott and I talked about that on the way home from our LifeGroup tonight, because it's really a challenge at times.  Scott, for example, is employed at a new workplace and wonders if he'll really ever feel that way about any of his coworkers.  Who knows?  (I'm going to pray for that at any rate.)

 

Contrasting that thought is the fact that we feel very moved for two members of our own LifeGroup...one fighting breast cancer and one fighting lung cancer which has spread to other places.  I often feel like crying for them and with them, just like those babies in the nursery.  In fact we did something that's probably rather unusual for most people in the PCA (Presbyterian Church of America)...we anointed them with oil, laid hands on them, and prayed for healing.  (I'm the one who suggested it, so we'll see if my church membership is revoked in the near future!  ....  Don't worry.  I'm not.)  It was a powerful experience, especially as one group member testified in prayer of the miraculous healing her own daughter had received years earlier when doctors had said she would be dead by morning...but instead she's graduating with my son from Denver Christian High School this coming May!  Praise God for his miracles! 

 

Compassion.  To suffer with.  To cry alongside someone, simply because they're crying...and even if we don't know why they're crying.  We're all here in the same nursery after all, and that's reason enough.

 

Signed,

Kry 4 U

 

 

 

I'm working through "Walking in This World" (by Julie Cameron) via a course at SongU.com.  Excellent!  It's amazing how many things I read that I've heard before, but it's just said in a new way that connects with me, or it's something I needed to be reminded about.  Today I start Week 7, entitled "Discovering a Sense of Momentum".  At the top of the page it says:

 

 

And the subtitle?

 

 

I have always found the "small do-able tasks" concept to be right on target.  I get overwhelmed when I try to do too much, or look too far ahead.  But if I can go to bed at night knowing that I did one or two small do-able tasks, then I'm at peace with myself and with God.  I did my homework.  I don't have to pretend the dog ate it.  And more importantly, I'm better able to leave the rest in God's hands. 

 

I've always liked the mental picture of me as a boat and God as my rudder. God will steer me through life using the rudder (being the rudder), but if I'm not moving forward through the water in the first place, a turning rudder isn't going to get me anyplace!  So I need to take those small steps, perform small do-able tasks, move ahead through the water, and then let God take care of navigating.  He knows where He wants me to go.  His destinations are always the best ones for me (even if I may think I'd prefer to fork left when He's forking right). 

 

So for today...just today...I'm identifying a songwriting task or two and doing it.  Just one or two.  That's enough. 

 

The rest of the time I'm going to watch TV and eat bon-bons.  (yeah right...I don't even know what bon-bons are...guess I'll do laundry instead)

 

Signed,

E. Z. Duz Itt...but Dew Itt