If "writing is not a contest", then why does it sometimes feel like I'm competing?  Is it the music industry?  (It's always easier to blame someone else.)  Is it self-induced?  (ouch)  Just what is the truth?

 

This afternoon I read the following words--I pray they will help refocus my writing in the weeks ahead:

 

 

Signed,

Noe Kon Test

 

 

 

We recently formed a relationship with a dear friend named Chris to be our "house band" bass player.--one of our studio musicians.  He actually picked up the electric bass just in the last five years or so, but he's incredible.  He's one of those guys who can play anything.  Say out loud the words "I wish we had a pan flute for this song", and before you know it he's bought a pan flute and learned to play it proficiently.  I've known him for many years, and was blessed to have him in my "permanent" praise team years ago at our former church.

 

Today Chris emailed that a recent scan indicates that his lymphoma may have returned.  They will possibly remove his spleen.  Quote: "I should know more after Monday.  In the meantime, I'm just trusting God."

 

Please join me in praying for Chris.  And for my brother Harv who returned yesterday from Seattle--hoping for a stem cell transplant.  And for our friend Paul who continues to battle stage IV lung cancer. 

 

Sometimes we'll say "Why Paul?"  Or "Why Harv?"  Or "Why Chris?"  ....  But then I wonder why we say that.  Are we implying that certain people should be "above" that?  Certain people should be immune to the troubles of this world?  They've earned enough gold stars that evil shouldn't touch them?  Of course not.  I think we would say those words about anyone, because something deep down within us will always cry out against the ravages of sin in this world.  And even though today we see pain in the lives of those we love, and we have seen it before, and we will see it again, somehow we're still brought up short when it happens.  I find myself crying out, "How long, Lord Jesus?!"  And I long for the day when there will be no more crying, no more pain, no more tears.

 

Why do bad things happen to your friend...and to mine?  Why do bad things happen to US?  I can't give an easy answer.  Others with more insight than my own have written books on the subject.  Instead, lately I'm reminded to celebrate all the good things that happen along the way, in spite of Satan's connivings.  After all, God is God. 

 

So the next time you find yourself saying, "Why John Doe?"  May it ultimately point you to the God of the Universe--His grace, peace and hope.

 

Signed,

Y. Nott Bevv

 

 

 

Today I went on a school field trip with my 9-year-old to NCAR.  Never heard of it.  Didn't want to go.  I'll admit I went out of guilt.

 

So NCAR stands for National Center for Atmospheric Research and is in good ole Boulder, Colorado.  We're talkin' weather stuff, right?  Right.  And would you believe we bussed up to Boulder--on April 24--in a snowstorm?  Springtime in the Rockies strikes yet again.  Seemed like appropriate weather for this particular field trip, I'll admit.

 

It was actually quite interesting.  I learned a lot of stuff about hurricanes in particular.  Did you know that 2005 was the first year in history that NCAR (or whoever) went through their entire alphabetical list of hurricane names for the year, got to the end of the list, and then had to go to Plan B?  Yes, indeed.  The first time ever.  And Plan B is that you switch to the Greek alphabet.  I didn't know that.  (Predictably my kids did.  So much for sharing something "interesting" at the dinner table.)

 

Anyway, this reminds me that I once heard a song in a critique session at Estes Park called "Hurricane", which was such a cool title.  But then the actual WORD "hurricane" never showed up in the song even once.  Go figure.

 

It occurs to me that these are the random and rambling thoughts of a mother who has spent too much time on the bus today with 4th graders.  Shhhhhhh!!!!!!

 

Signed,

Ree Kuver Ring

 

 

 

And I thought I was good at multi-tasking!

 

 

Signed,

Uh Marican I. Dull?

 

 

 

Yesterday I totally reworked a lyric, so today I was ready to re-record the vocal.  So far so good.  But then I figured out that the reason I had been struggling vocally the first time around was because it really needed to be a third lower, which meant re-recording the keys as well.  Bummer.

 

But I was a trooper and went for it.  New chord chart.  Listen to the lick I had played last time and transpose it to the new key.  Search for the sounds I had used and practice switching them "mid-stride".  Practice.  Record.  Oops.  Record again.  Oops.  I know I can get it this time!  Maybe not.  Record again.  Why am I such a perfectionist?  Record again.  Uh.  Begin again.  Waaaa!  ....  Would you believe it took me an hour and a half to get it the way I wanted it?  Good grief.  Unbelievable.

 

So here's the "grrr" part.  I moved on to the vocal with a huge sense of relief, and about ten minutes into it I accidentally erased the piano tracks!!!    I - am - dead - serious!!    And I'm not talking "accidentally hit undo", after which I could gulp and hit "redo" to save myself.  Oh no.  Nothing that simple.  No, I had truly and forever ERASED the piano tracks!

 

So I had to go back to the keys and start all over again! 

 

Some days just go more smoothly than others.

 

Signed,

Therz All Waze 2 Morro

 

 

 

I can't believe the Virginia Tech gunman sent a "package" to MSNBC.  !!  And even more unbelievable, decision-makers at MSNBC aired it.  They have done a grave disservice to our country, and have likely encouraged future violence in the process.

 

As far as I'm concerned, all those responsible should be fired.

 

Signed,

Gree Ving

 

 

This has happened to me so many times in my life, that I don't know why I don't just expect it.

 

I'm talking about how often the mountaintop experiences of life are followed so quickly by the valleys.  (And yes, I'm convinced "you know who" has something to do with that!)  I'm not talkin' anything huge from yesterday, but I definitely went to bed feeling more discouraged than usual.  And the part that makes me really mad is that on occasion (like last night), it's basically self-induced.  Yup.  My own unhealthy thinking patterns.  All too often it has to do with comparison games, perfectionism, and other unsavory personality traits I will leave to your healthy imaginations. 

 

By the way, I really had no idea who I was going to encourage today (see yesterday's blog if you're not sure what I'm referring to).  But during my devotional time this morning, without me even thinking about it, the answer became totally clear.  It's not someone I would have thought of yesterday even if I had sat down and brainstormed about it.  But in due time, in His own way, God followed up on my blog entry and got in touch with me.   There's no way I could argue myself out of it either!  I knew He had spoken.

 

I wonder how many times in my life He's answered me, and I'm just too distracted to pay attention....

 

Signed,

Heez Thee Ansir Mann

 

 

 

Encouragement is such a rare and extravagant gift.  Or maybe I should say the person who encourage others is that gift.  And really, how are we to know if the kind word we say to someone on a certain day is merely "fluff" to the listener, or the very "stuff" of life that keeps them breathing in that moment, and then the next?

 

I've often been encouraged by others, and I thank God for those who delivered those gifts.  I'm sure there were times of fluff, but at other times it was simply all that kept me going.  And my, how I pray that I have encouraged others!

 

Today I was specifically encouraged by someone I admire greatly.  It was about a song, which means a lot to a developing songwriter like me.  I'm deeply thankful that he took the time to sit down and write those words to me.  He certainly didn't need to, but I drank it in like a crunchy sponge.  (After all, sometimes it's kinda dry here in Denver.   In fact, I think it's technically a desert where I live.  Did you know that?)

 

Anyawy, tomorrow I'm going to make sure I encourage at least one other person...specifically...truthfully...extravagantly...from the heart.  It might be someone near to me who is sick (and there are plenty of those lately!), it might be one of my kids, it might be someone who "serves" me in some way, who knows?  But here's the deal...each time you receive the extravagant gift of encouragement, you can't help but know deep in your gut that God wants you to pass it along.

 

Signed,

U. R. Grate!   ....  Yess U.!

 

 

 

Here are two things to consider.  They have a common thread.  Really they do.

 

1.  The Velveteen Rabbit.  A conversation between a new toy rabbit and an old skin horse.  Rabbit asks, "What's real?  Does it mean having things that buzz inside you and a stick-out handle?"  "Real isn't how you're made," replied Horse, "It's a thing that happens to you when a child really loves you."  "Does it hurt?" asked Rabbit.  "Sometimes," said Horse.  "But when you're real you don't mind."  Does it happen all at once?" he asked.  "It doesn't" said Horse, "It takes a long time.  That's why it doesn't often happen to people who break easily, have sharp edges, or have to be carefully kept.  Generally by the time you're real most of your hair has been loved off, your eyes drop out, you get loose in the joints and very flabby.  But these things don't matter because once you're real you can't be ugly, except to peple who don't understand."

 

2.  CCM magazine.  Nicole Nordeman's article, "Skin Deep."  Wow.  Go read it.  I love what she quotes from Audrey Hepburn.

      For attractive lips, speak words of kindness.

      For lovely eyes, seek out the good in people.

      For a slim figure, share your food with the hungry.

      For beautiful hair, let a child run his or her fingers through it once a day.

      For poise, walk with the knowledge you'll never walk alone.

 

Do you get the connection?  Are you beautiful on the inside, or is it only skin deep...if that.  Has most of your hair been loved off?  Are you loose in the joints or...God forbid...flabby?

 

Galations 6:4 TM.  Make a careful exploration of who you are and the work you have been given, and then sink yourself into that.  Don't be impressed with yourself.  Don't compare yourself with others.  Each of you must take responsibility for doing the creative best you can with your own life.

 

Guess what?  I picked up Shelby from a birthday party today with absolutely zero make-up on.  Zilch.  And I didn't even feel self-conscious about it.  So there!  Ha!

 

Signed,

Hoo. R. U. -- R. U. Reel

 

 

 

Last night my local NSAI group went on a field trip to a local studio that recently opened.  I had already seen it, but last night's tour and presentation was geared toward songwriters, so that was interesting.  It's pricey (duh), but a beautiful place and they have some pretty cool gear.  After awhile we settled in and held our monthly meeting right there, which provided some first-rate ambience.  It seemed all of the songs presented were of higher calibre than usual...maybe everyone tried extra hard because of the venue?  I don't know.  But it made the evening very rewarding.

 

The marketing guy (Ron) joined us, offered some amazingly insightful critiques of the songs along with the rest of us, and even played one of his own at the end.  He's a nice, friendly guy and it was fun having him there.  My song was a cowrite (country) with someone from SongU and was very well received, which is always a relief!  One line definitely needed to be tweaked, but my cowriter and I already remedied that situation this afternoon.

 

But I have to admit that the highlight of the evening for me was when Ron immediately complimented me on my voice after hearing the song.  His choice of words was perhaps a bit strange ("Your voice is cool as hell"), but I'll take it!  I am not an artist, and I definitely feel uncomfortable with my vocal talent or lack thereof, so you can imagine what a welcome shot in the arm that was!  He also loved the way I phrased things...said it sounded "real".  I tell you what...after that feedback the rest of the group could have totally trashed the song for all I cared!  (A little voice inside me likes to blurt out that "he's a marketing guy so of COURSE he's going to say nice things."   But then I remind myself of how on target he was with his critiques of all the other songs and songwriters all night long, so there!  Ha!  I'm gonna just enjoy the moment.)

 

It was a special evening, but I didn't get home until 11:30 p.m.  [Yawn.]  I must be getting old.  (No comments from the peanut gallery, thank you very much.)

 

Signed,

Pheeld Tripps R. Phunn

 

 

 

I couldn't quite bring myself to say "Happy Easter" to some of the people in my life today.  It's not that Easter isn't a happy occasion, because it is!  But health situations and the accompanying fear and sadness can make "happy" such a foreign word at times. 

 

So I opted for saying "Easter greetings" a number of times.  I think the risen Lord would understand.

 

Sending Easter greetings to each one of you!

 

Signed,

M.T. 2m

 

 

 

From this morning's devotions:

 

After losing a baseball game, cartoon character Charlie Brown pours out his heart to his friend Lucy:  "All my life I've dreamed of pitching in the big leagues, but I'll never make it!"  Lucy replies:  "You're thinking too far ahead, Charlie Brown.  Set yourself more immediate goals.  Start with the next inning, for example.  When you go out to pitch, see if you can walk to the mound...without falling down."  Success starts with one step.

 

Uh, yeah.   I can think of maybe...oh...100 applications for this off the top of my head.  You?

 

Signed,

Gud Greef

 

 

 

My brother, Harv, is fighting lymphoma.  They predicted he would have treatments for many months, and then hopefully a stem cell transplant in October.  Well, he has withstood the treatments better than anyone else ever has, which means he has stayed "on schedule" and worked through treatments more quickly than expected.  Plus his body has responded well.  So....

 

His cancer is in remission!!  If all is well at the check-up in two weeks, they will proceed with scheduling the transplant that happens in Seattle, hopefully for May.

 

In the midst of the trials of so many, I am thanking God for this ray of hope for my brother.  He is still feeling anxious and is tired of all the drugs in his body that make it impossible to "normal".  Tonight he and I were talking about how he can't even think about looking ahead to treatments, or a job afterward, or anything like that.  So much is unknown.  So he can only look at today.  Just today.  Just the unavoidable day-by-dayness of this journey.  He said, "No one ever told me about that part."    Indeed.  And when someone tries to tell us, do we listen?  Can we hear a message like that without experiencing it ourselves?  Many of you out there know the answer to that question all too well.

 

Thank you, God, for this measure of healing.  For Your "yes" answer to our prayers...for the present....

 

Signed,

Jusst 2 Dae

 

 

 

Have you ever tried to say something that really felt important...tried to convey a deeply-held emotion or concept...but just couldn't?  No matter how hard you tried?  Well, that's one of the reasons God created art.  Not only to communicate stuff to others, but to communicate with HIM.

 

"Good art is a form of prayer.  It's a way to say what is not sayable."  --Frederich Busch

 

Signed,

Speek Upp

 

 

 

With all the super-duper time-saving devices available to us in the year 2007, why is it that we're always so busy and behind?  Today Scott asked me, "How did we get to this point?"  I didn't have an answer.  I suspect the Herrema's "state of affairs" developed over time, in bits and pieces, which only makes it that much harder to remedy.  I'm sure part of this happened because we both hail from busy and involved parentage, which I do realize isn't all bad.   But still, it's not always something to be proud of either.  The curse of busyness.

 

I read this awhile back and I keep coming back to it.  "Is the ambient noise level of my life low enough for me to hear the whispers of the Lord?"  (Bill Hybels)

 

Did you catch that?  Let me whisper it again....  "Is the ambient noise level of my life low enough for me to hear the whispers of the Lord?" 

 

I want to say "Yes, I can hear him just fine!"  But sometimes I'm not so sure.  How about you?  I said...HOW ABOUT YOU?!!  (Sorry.  Just wanted to make sure you could hear me over the din.)

 

Signed,

Slo Doun