A picture's worth a thousand words, but I don't know how to post a picture...and I have no time tonight to learn how.  However...

 

Someone emailed me a series of 3 pictures labeled "Bad parenting." 

 

1,  Mother duck is walking along the street with her ducklings happily following behind.

2.  Mother duck steps onto a grate, and her ducklings are about to follow her.  (uh-oh)

3.  Mother duck is on the other side of the grate, turned around, looking at the grate, and wondering where all her precious little ones have gone.  (down the grate, of course)

 

This made me sad.  And my poor daughter couldn't imagine that the person taking the photographs didn't STOP mother duck before the disaster!!  "Surely they rescued the ducklings afterward.  Right, Mom?"  (I dunno) 

 

But one thing's for sure--the mother duck had no idea what was about to happen.  She was just doing her job, doing the best she could.  Just like you and me.

 

Signed,

Go E. Z. Awn Yor Selph

 

 

 

I worked on a country song for awhile today.  Aaahh....  Sorta reminds me of when you go to a fancy restaurant and they bring you a little scoop of this sherbet-like stuff to cleanse the palate.  There's just nothing quite like it.  It tastes so fresh and clean...AND everything else tastes better afterward as well.

 

Try it!

 

Signed,

Tase T.

 

 

 

Ever since time began (well, not quite that long ago), I have been 100% consistent about having a nice photo taken of each child somewhere pretty close to their birthday.  Until...last year.  Then our business fell apart, and so did lots of other things.

 

Well, it's a new year, and I'm going to get those pictures taken!  I refuse to miss another one of those milestones. 

 

I sometimes look back at the songs I've written over the years and realize how they are "snapshots" of my life.  Some of them reflect a struggle or joy I was experiencing at the time.  Others are a reflection of something in the lives of those close to me, or a news event, or a Scripture that spoke to me in a new way, or a book I was reading, or......  When I think about that, I grieve the times when I wasn't writing consistently.  I wonder, when several months (or years) slipped by, how many snapshots of my "life" went unchronicled by music? 

 

Okay.  So I can't get those back.  Even if I remember the event, I can't always drudge up the emotion or inspiration of the moment. 

 

BUT!  I can make sure it doesn't happen again.  I've come to realize how important it is for me to write consistently...for all kinds of reasons...not the least of which is my own sanity.  (And as for those gaps that have already come and gone, I figure God was busily writing songs to cover those moments...like in Zephaniah when it says God rejoices over me with singing.  How cool is that?!  Can't wait to hear 'em.)

 

Signed,

Know Morr Gapps

 

 

 

I took my 9-year-old to the store yesterday to buy summer PJs and some shorts.  He really didn't need any shirts, but when he saw a certain shirt he absolutely loved it and really wanted to me to buy it for him.

 

How could I refuse him?  It was a light blue tank top, with a giant stick figure on it...winking and giving a thumbs up.  The text?  "I make stuff up".  !!!  The next generation of WAJonians is already being trained...not only to write songs, but to dress in the appropriate attire.

 

For those of you who don't know, one of my favorite WAJ--Write About Jesus--songwriting t-shirts says "I make stuff up."  Actually, my family probably loves it even more than I do because they get to poke fun of me.  Their other favorite is the one about "not listening".  (I'd like to find one of THOSE for my 9-year-old!  Actually, maybe for all four kids!!)

 

And no.  I did not make this up.

 

Signed,

Few Churr Jenn Urr A. Shunz

 

 

 

 

Today is the "day after" graduation.  I am rejoicing greatly with my son (who celebrated with his friends by going to the midnight opening of the 3rd Pirates of the Carribbean movie...yawn)...and I'm mourning with a songwriting friend whose young cousin died from an overdose the day after his graduation.

 

Also, today is the "day after" the 2nd round of tests on my brother.  Well, Harv's CD34 level was up to 0.8 yesterday, which is nowhere near the 10 they were hoping for.  The doctor is sending him home for one month to give his body a chance to rebuild.  Please pray the cancer doesn't return in that amount of time.  Quite a let-down.

 

God doesn't leave us in "the past" though.  He is always loving and supporting us in "the moment"...and definitely pointing to the future.  So I'll close by repeating a favorite quote of my friends who are awaiting news from a scan re lung cancer. 

 

“Hope is hearing the melody of the future, faith is to dance to it now.”

 

Signed,

Goddz Mue Zick

 

 

 

I'm needing some prayers for my brother, Harv.  He's in Seattle, seeing if everything is a "go" for a stem cell transplant re his lymphoma. Without going into too many technical details, Harv needed a score of 10 in order for them to harvest the required 5 million stem cells, but his score was only 0.59 last night.  They checked again this afternoon, but I haven't heard results.  They may have to send him back home to Montana for 2 months to rebuild, but that's risky because the cancer may not stay in remission that long.

 

Also, Harv & Carol are living in a hotel at this point and are on a waiting list for the cancer housing.  Please pray that they will be able to move to this less expensive housing soon.

 

My emotional state is totally split in half right now...I need to be celebrating and grieving so many things at the same time right now.  It's a good thing God thoroughly understands and relates to both ends of the spectrum.  Been there, done that.  I can't quite imagine what I would do without my High Priest....

 

Signed,

Hee Unn Dur Stanz

 

 

 

My 2nd favorite verse in the Bible is Zephaniah 3:17:  "The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save.  He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you with singing."

 

In fact, I love it so much that I once decided I was going to write an entire project where every single song was inspired by something out of that verse.  I wrote several of the songs and then, alas, the whole concept got lost somewhere between changing a leaking Huggies and baking six pot pies for dinner (frozen foods served with love).

 

But let me share some lines from a devotional:  "A famous actress once said, 'Cherish and celebrate what makes you unique, because you're only a yawn once that goes!'  Does that mean strutting around thinking you're better than others?  No, it means humbly, but confidently, accepting yourself because you know that God 'take[s] great delight in you' (Zep 3:17 NIV).  So the word for you today is, love yourself -- God does!"

 

I don't know about you, but I do not want to end up being a yawn!  So even if I could write exactly like Sue Smith, or Dave Clark, who are not only some of my songwriting heroes but also key people who got me on this journey in the first place...even if I could...God wouldn't want me too.  !!!  Imagine that.  He already has a Sue.  And a Dave.  He doesn't need to repeat either one of them.  He made each and every person--including you and me--unique, and then took great delight in that creation!  (I will admit that there are times, however, when I don't feel all that "delightful".  My friends and family might even agree.)

 

Anyway, like I said, Zephaniah 3:17 is one of my favorite verses.  I always feel all warm and fuzzy inside when I read those words from Scripture reminding me that the ALMIGHTY GOD OF ALL CREATION actually REJOICES over ME...with SINGING!  Unbelievable.  And I'll bet God crafts some pretty incredible melodies. 

 

I'm thinking that's a far cry from a yawn....

 

Signed,

B. U. Neek

 

 

 

Why?  Why?!!!

 

Our high school senior is graduating this week.  He loves God, he's a joy to have around, he's a quiet encourager and leader, he's going on a youth mission trip in a couple of weeks, and he's co-valedictorian for his class.  We are deeply thankful for all that, and we give God all glory and praise.  It is right and proper to celebrate these blessings, and yet....

 

We met with a dearly loved group of friends tonight.  As we talked, one family shared that their high school senior was arrested this past week for assault on another student.  Another family shared that their high school senior was just expelled from school, only weeks before graduation, because of substance abuse.  No, he won't be graduating. 

 

Another shared that a high school senior (acquaintance of their son) was killed this past Thursday on his very last day of school as he and some other seniors were messing around just a couple of blocks away from where we were meeting...being pulled alongside his friend's car on a long board, he let loose, and was run over. 

 

And finally, that same family said that their own high school senior had tried to commit suicide in the last couple of weeks.  A delay of a mere 20 minutes in getting him to the ER and he wouldn't have made it.

 

Almighty God in heaven!  Such pain!!  We cry out to You in confusion and helplessness....    

 

And persistent questions swirl in my mind as my human, finite brain wants to get it all figured out.  Wants to make sense of it.  Wants to neatly package the experiences so they can be tucked away out of sight.  So what's the deal?  Is this all random?   Or did Scott and I somehow do a better job of parenting than someone else, and that's why we're spared right now?  Or maybe it's this...maybe those other parents are living their faith visibly on the front lines, so Satan is attacking them with pain and difficulty and leaving lukewarm Christians like me alone.  Is it that?  And if it is, would I trade the "ease" of my present circumstances if that's what it took to live with increased passion for God?  It doesn't matter how long I lay awake thinking about this...it isn't going to come clear.  There aren't any mathematical equations to explain this, or to predict the future, or to guarantee...well...anything.

 

But this I know.  That God is love.  He loves us tenderly and extravagantly.  And God loves our children even more than we do.

 

If you are celebrating a graduation this month, I pray it is a joyous event that marks a very special "moment in time" for your loved one.  A time of fulfillment.  Of promise.  ....  But no matter what the circumstances, know that God is with us.  He is Love.  He celebrates with us...and He weeps with us.  He is one of us.  And He understands.

 

Signed,

Neh Vur Uh Lone

 

 

 

The Fern and the Bamboo

 

One day I decided to quit. I quit my job, my relationships, my spirituality.  I wanted to quit my life.  I went to the woods to have one last talk with God.

 

"God," I said.  "Can you give me one good reason not to quit?"

 

His answer surprised me.  "Look around," He said.  "Do you see the fern and the bamboo?"

 

"Yes," I replied.

 

"When I planted the fern and the bamboo seeds, I took very good care of them.  I gave them light.  I gave them water.  The fern quickly grew from the earth.  Its brilliant green covered the floor.  Yet nothing came from the bamboo seed.  But I did not quit on the bamboo.

 

In the second year the fern grew more vibrant and plentiful.  And again, nothing came from the bamboo seed.  But I did not quit on the bamboo."

He said, "In the third year, there was still nothing from the the bamboo seed.  But I would not quit.  In the fourth year, again, there was nothing from the bamboo seed.  But I would not quit."

 

He said, "Then in the fifth year a tiny sprout emerged from the earth.  Compared to the fern it was seemingly small and insignificant.  But just six months later the bamboo rose to over 100 feet tall.  It had spent the five years growing roots.  Those roots made it strong and gave it what it needed to survive.  I would not give any of my creations a challenge it could not handle."

 

He said to me, "Did you know, my child, that all this time you have been struggling, you have actually been growing roots?  I would not quit on the bamboo.  I will never quit on you.  Don't compare yourself to others."

 

He said, "The bamboo had a different purpose than the fern, yet, they both make the forest beautiful."

 

"Your time will come," God said to me.  "You will rise high!"

 

"How high should I rise?" I asked.

 

"How high will the bamboo rise?" He asked in return.

 

"As high as it can?" I questioned.

 

"Yes," He said.  "Give me glory by rising as high as you can."

 

I left the forest and brought back this story.  I hope these words can help you see that God will never give up on you....

 

[Sent to me by a friend.]

 

Signed,

Az Hi Az U. Kan...4 Hiz Gloree

 

 

 

Sat. was a great day.  I began by catching the first part of my Christian songwriter's meeting.  I told Scott I was going to wear my bulletproof vest because they can be tough on songs!  And this song is about a rather difficult subject...I keep remembering the name of a WAJ class I attended a couple of years ago taught by Steve Siler and Tony Wood called "How do I write about that?"  Anyway, instead of needing my special vest, I was gratified by the emotional and complimentary response!  Nice.

 

Then Scott and the younger kids picked me up to drive to Fort Collins for my nephew's graduation from college.  But the REAL draw was that my brother Harv drove down from Montana for the weekend.  His health is "inbetween" as he recently went into remission from his lymphoma, but drives to Seattle this Wed. to begin the stem cell transplant.  I refuse to put the odds into print...just join me in praying instead.  Other than being bald, he looked absolutely GREAT!  (And he teased me mercilessly the entire time we were there, so things are normal.)

 

Then we got back home in time for Scott and I to go Denver's Temple Buell Theater to see "Wicked".  (Basically a prequel to the Wizard of Oz.)  Yea!!!!  (We bought these tickets a year ago...before our business went under.  Strange.  One year can change so many things.)  At any rate, I'll probably spew Broadway/theatrical melodies for the next few months because of it, whether I intend to or not, but it was worth every moment.  We both absolutely LOVED IT!  I wish we could take all the kids to see it, but I did some checking and we simply can't pay the "going rate" of tickets that are being resold...usually in the neighborhood of $180 per ticket.  Ouch.  Whatever the market will bear, right?

 

And then Sunday was Mother's Day.  [insert smile]  I wouldn't trade my role as mother of Jordan, Austin, Shelby and Blake for all the #1 hits in the world.  Not even a moment's hesitation on that decision.  And my husband validates and honors that piece of me every single day.

 

Signed,

Fah Lo thuh Yeh Lo Brik Rode

 

 

 

There was a day years ago when I thought I would be supremely happy if I could just write music at home, all by myself, and then have someone else whisk my songs away to each one's intended purpose.  While I would still welcome a professional "whisk-er" who truly knows what he's doing and works for free, I have to admit that over the last few years I've discovered that I really, really like the people I've met and developed relationships with.  (most of you anyway)  If I was now given the opportunity to write songs at home, and never have to rub shoulders with anyone out there, I would respond with an emphatic NO.

 

I don't know how it started, but I've had Barbra Streisand serenading my subconscious for DAYS. 

 

 

Lucky indeed.  Blessed too.  If you're reading this blog, you're no doubt one of those people who have blessed my life.  Thank you!

 

Signed,

I. Neede P. Puhl

 

 

 

I've learned a ton from Jason Blume's books, CDs, and lectures.  He's simply a great educator as far as I'm concerned.  So just when I post a blog complaining about production issues and such, God sees fit to have me listen to one of Jason's recent webcasts that is...well...it's right - on - the - money.  I love his opening...spoken with a great deal of enthusiasm and expression of course.  Made me laugh!

 

 

Whew.  Take a deep breath y'all.

 

And he's right of course.  I guess God knew I needed someone to kick me in the backside and get me goin' again.  (ouch)  So here we go!

 

Signed,

Hanng Awn

 

 

 

I was reading this morning about growth, and that talent without personal growth limits my future.  Hmm.  How many times have I commented on someone being "so talented", but failed to consider what other pieces of the puzzle were necessary for that talent to become apparent to me?  Growth.  We're not talking about growth merely in a talent area, although that's important.  We're also talking about growth as a Christ-follower, and in character.  Anyway here's an Albert Schweitzer quote I appreciate:

 

 

Amen!  I want to be that kind of person.  Never used up.  Ready to give more.  Willing to grow.  Having something "stored up" that eventually spills out and bless others.  Right after the quote I read, "But how do you do that?  The answer lies in how you approach talent.  If you draw on your talent but never sharpen it you won't get very far, because nobody's that talented.  But when you take the time to sharpen your skills and develop your character, God can call on you at a moment's notice."  Yes!  I want to be ready.  Ready for God to use me.

 

I was also struck by the example given of the Tartar tribes of central Asia and the particular curse they used against their enemies.  They didn't call for their enemies' swords to rust or their people to die of disease.  No, they said, "May you stay in one place forever."  Ouch.

 

So two things come to mind for me today about personal growth.  One is that I need to figure out the next step in terms of "showing" my songs.  We have a recording studio, but haven't made good use of it.  We have friends who we recently contracted with to be our session players, but we haven't scheduled anything.  I know we need better vocalists than me, and I've talked to my vocal coach who has scads of ideas, but then things run amuck again as I feel afraid to move forward.  I don't WANT to deal with production.  I don't WANT to make decisions about pieces and parts.  It scares me.  It's work.  I just want to have someone else demo it, and I want to love what they've done (which may be tough because I DO have opinions), and of course I want for it to cost hardly anything.  Uh.  Not.  See what I mean?  If I'm going to grow, I need to get this one figured out.

 

And the second thing is scheduling my writing time.  I dread summertime schedules because there are suddenly four kids around and I find it very difficult to write when other people are in the house, and it's definitely hard when I keep getting interrupted.  So I think I will have to become more brutal about what hours I am not available to them (unless there's blood or something, and maybe not even then).  Mornings are usually better for me.  I really think that if the kids know my schedule, they can learn to live with it.  And then, of course, I have to demonstrate that I'm serious about this.  Be consistent.  Protect my time.  And after that?  I'll be more available to them the rest of the day and definitely be a happier mommy.  (grrrr)

 

Even just writing about this threatens to overwhelm me.  It's hard to focus on what I need to do when others in my life are struggling.  Right now I'm thinking of my husband, Scott.  He's taken antidepressants successfully for many years.  But in the early part of 2007, he tried a different drug for awhile (at various dosages) and eventually tried to get by with no drugs at all.  This didn't go well.  He ended up in a rather deep pit of despair, and he's been trying to climb back out the last couple of weeks.  He's still not out of the woods, and my heart aches for him every single day.  And when you start a new job in the midst of all that, following years of business turmoil and eventual business closure, it can be hard to know "which end is up."  If you'd say a quick prayer for him, I would appreciate it.

 

Signed,

Fase Jusst 2 Dae

 

 

 

Tomorrow is Scott's birthday (my husband) and I really had no idea what to buy him.  My daughter and I were brainstorming and observed that guys just don't like clothes.  Or just about any other ideas we were coming up with.  "Gadgets" are always good, but she and I just aren't into gadgets.  And my three boys were being no help whatsoever.

 

Well, yesterday Scott came up with two ideas on his own.  One of them was Ernie Haase & Signature Sound's "Get Away Jordan" DVD.  He had seen snippets of it on TV last weekend, and he simply eats that stuff up!  He todl me he almost thought the DVD was a "bad idea" because the kids wouldn't enjoy it.  (Which they probably wouldn't.)  But then he wisely observed, "But I guess it is my birthday, and I would enjoy it."  Well said m'dear.

 

The other was a T-shirt he'd seen one of his PC techs wearing.  It says "I void warranties."  Umm.  Okay.  ?  (I'm a bit slow.)  He explained that technicians really aren't into messing around with silly warranties.  They just fix the stuff and move on.  Aha!  .... 

 

I find myself wondering how many times I've worn my WAJ (Write About Jesus) shirts--or others related to songwriting--and left a sea of people in my wake who are puzzled, pure and simple.  Once a little boy asked me what it meant that I needed structure.  I tried to explain it to him and his dad, and showed him the back (Verse-Chorus-Verse-Chorus-Bridge-Chorus), but as he walked away I heard him saying to his dad, "I still don't get it."  Or another of my favorites has a sketch of someone sitting at a computer, and it says "Do you know where your songs are right now?"  (If you don't get it, you'll have to ask.)

 

Anyway, I guess each of us has our own neurotic sense of humor.  I think that's a good thing.  It keeps the world interesting.

 

And just IMAGINE what a keen sense of humor God must have to appreciate each one of us!  (And, actually, I think it displays a pretty sophisticated sense of humor that He created each one of us.  Now that must have given him a laugh or two.)

 

I hope you laugh today!  At least once.

 

Signed,

Chukk Ling

 

 

 

Wow!  It's Friday night and the entire family is home.  Mom (that's me).  Dad.  And all four kids (which is pretty miraculous when you consider that 3 of the 4 are teenagers!).  We're just about to embark on our favorite Friday night activity...pizza, movies, popcorn, and a little sumpin-sumpin (Dove Bars?) toward the end.  Somehow the movies are of a higher quality and the food tastes better when all six of us are here together...snuggled under blankets, being backseat drivers for whoever has the remote, and farkling (don't ask) to see who has to get the Dove Bars this time.

 

I'm trying not to think about the fact that our oldest will be heading for college in August.

 

Thanking God for today.

 

Signed,

Hart O. Ver Flo Inng

 

 

 

It's tough to find balance.  I definitely need to simplify my life (with the elusive goal of "sanity" in mind), and yet if I simplify things too much I know that life will become stagnate.  Boring.  Uninspiring.  (By the way, I'm not currently in any danger of that happening.)  One thing that helps me keep things "fresh" is the discipline of going on Artist Dates with myself.  (With my "inner child", as Julie Cameron describes it in The Artists Way.)  While I do like my inner child, and I've found these dates to be inspiring (even "vital" to my creative life), I have to admit that sometimes I get bored with myself.  Sad but true.  (And please don't bother to "comment" at the bottom that you get bored with me too.)

 

But...I just ran across this quote.  I think it helps explain why I need people like all of you in my life...helping me think outside the box, exposing me to ideas and ways of thinking I would never encounter on my own, making me laugh, making me cry, sending me to my knees in prayer, causing my eyes to pop wide open in surprise or amazement, spurring me on....

 

"It's a mistake to surround yourself only with people just like you.  Throw off that worn comforter--replace it with a crazy quilt of different and imaginative people.  Then watch the ideas erupt!"  (Betty Bender)

 

That's you, my dear reader.  My own personally appointed "crazy quilt". 

 

Signed,

B. Kray Z.