You've probably heard news reports this past week of the violence and unrest in Myanmar (formerly Burma).  Our church has been involved with ministry in that country over the past several years, and specifically partnering with someone who began a school in Myanmar to teach worship and music.  His name is David and he was at church this morning.  The school is located only five blocks from the unrest.  He and his family live about two miles from there.  Obviously this has been a difficult week for him to be so far from home.

 

He shared about that situation, and then he introduced a video that was to be played as the offertory.  In his words, "I believe doctrine divides - and music unites."   The video began with footage of a massive outdoor crowd who had just heard words from the book of Revelations - and we saw them respond by shouting and over, "Alleluia!  Alleluia!  Alleluia!!!" - each word emphasized by thrusting their arms in the air.  This was followed by a performance by a huge outdoor choir, arrayed on a Myanmar hillside, singing the Hallelujah Chorus...all the vocal parts - unaccompanied - singing zealously.

 

Amateur footage.  Amateur performance.  (Compared to some standards anyway.)  But the heart of that video deserves a ten, and certainly deserved the heartfelt applause of our congregation that followed it.   ....  David was right about the doctrine vs. music thing.

 

Signed,

U. Nigh Ted

 

 

 

The song I'm writing this week is inspired by a certain Old Testament verse that I've loved for a long, long, long time.  It's actually my second favorite verse in the Bible - ever since May 1983.  (I won't go into that.)

 

So this morning I heard a smattering of songs off the new Steven Curtis Chapman album.  I had pretty much convinced myself that "there's nothing new under the sun" and that I wouldn't feel the inclination to buy this CD.  I mean - the guy's getting outdated right?  Maybe I'll pick up up a tune or two off iTunes, but that's it.  After what I heard today (wow!!), I may have to eat my words. 

 

Anyway, one of his songs was based on - you guessed it - the exact verse I'm working from.  When I heard him introduce it, I actually stopped fixing my hair, put my hands down on the bathroom counter, looked up, and had to have a "moment" with God about that. 

 

Steven and I thankfully took rather different approaches to this scripture, but good grief!      Scott simply stated, "He stole your song." 

 

Signed,

Eye Wisshhh

 

 

 

"Do you write melody or lyrics?"  Both.  "Which is more important to you?"  Uhh...both.   ??  I always struggle with those exchanges.

 

I started a new song yesterday.  I've kind of veered away from praise and worship these last couple of years - for no particular reason.  But this week I felt compelled to write an uptempo praise song.  I spent about three hours yesterday on the lyric.  Seemed to have promise.  I liked it...I guess. 

 

Today I was going to work on music, and I couldn't get overly excited about it.  I asked myself if maybe I'm just not cut out for praise and worship songs anymore.  Or maybe the lyric is mediocre and isn't "speaking to me".  [sigh]  Just get to work, Beverly!  So I spent 20 minutes or so tweaking the lyric.  Exploring a few other paths.  Time for music.  I shuffled over to the piano and...and...began....

 

  This is when the light bulb came on!  In fact, I realize in retrospect that the arrival of "the music" is almost always when the light bulb comes on!  Not the melody mind you.  But the music.  Yesterday's dummy melody seemed ho-hum. But today - with harmony and 9th chords and groove - I sure do love a whole lot of that ole dummy melody!  AND the lyric, and just about everything about the song!  It came alive, and I kept playing it over and over again.  I knew I should get down to the studio and start recording some drums or something, but I wanted to keep singing it!   Again!  Again!  Encore!

 

I'm reminded that a major way I'm wired is by "groove" and "harmony".  This shouldn't surprise me.  I can listen to a song on the radio dozens of times - simply takin' in the music and feeling happy - before I finally pay attention to the words.  I still remember the morning in carpool when I commented, "Hmm.  That's the first time I noticed those words.  'They don't serve breakfast in hell'."  My kids were aghast.  Totally and thoroughly aghast.  I think they wondered at that moment if there was a musical bone in my body. 

 

But lest you think you finally understand me, please note that I often read a lyric - with no music in sight - and simply weep.  Wtihout the distraction of the music, I am fully capable of focusing on the words.  Truly focusing...and soaking them in.  ...  "Melody or lyrics?  Which is more important to you?"  Uhh.  Can I get back to you on that?

 

Signed,

A.  Dee Dee?  (knot)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Exchange of emails with my college freshman:

 

 

Clearly!

 

I've been laughing about that off and on all day long.  And laughter IS the best medicine!  Come to think of it, I feel strong as an ox today!

 

Signed,

Guh Faw

 

 

 

I watched "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" while I worked on money stuff.  Ahh...a movie about family.   And NO, I am NOT Greek.  But would you believe both Scott and I are 100 percent Dutch?  (Scary, I know.)

 

Here's two things that stood out to me this time:

 

Scene 1 - [takes place between hero Ian and heroine Tula]  I love you.  But why do you love me?  Because ... I came alive when I met you.

 

Okay, that's romantic and all.  But beyond that, this time it reminded me of how I "came alive" when I met God.  And not just once.  It still happens over and over.  (Pretty amazing, really.)  And beyond that, it reminded me of how I feel myself come alive when I write music.  I love it that God made me that way.

 

Scene 2 - [takes place between Tula who has pursued her dreams and her brother, Nick]  Nick:  YOU started it.  You wanted to do something else, Tula, and you did it.  And Tula, don't let your past dictate who you are.  But let it be part of who you will become.  Tula:  Nick, that is SO beautiful.  Nick:  Yeah.  That Dear Abby?  She really knows what she's talking about.

 

(he he)  Did you catch that?  Uhh.  Maybe you had to be there....

 

Signed,

E. Zih Lee Uh Muzed

 

 

 

From the September/October issue of American Songwriter (have you subscribed yet?) --

 

"With songwriting you might never be successful, but that doesn't make you bad at what you do.  You should always follow your heart, learn your craft, and, most importantly, do it for the right reasons."  -Kris Kristofferson, from the Belfast Telegraph

 

Signed,

E. Nuff Sehd

 

 

 

Today is September 11.  Never forget.

 

 

Reem Ember

 

 

 

Here's the final two paragraphs from Louie Giglio's column in this month's CCM magazine.

 

This reminds me of a favorite quote - in fact I just shared it with my praise team percussionist at rehearsal this past week!

 

These obviously aren't easy things to figure out - but I believe with all my heart that it's worth the effort.

 

Signed,

R U Why rrrrrd?

 

 

 

My washing machine has been successfully repaired!  Hallelujah!!

 

Who woulda thunk I'd ever look forward to doing the laundry?!

 

Signed,

Klee Nupp Tyme

 

 

 

My 10-year-old is starting drum lessons next week.  So we met with his teacher today at Dairy Queen.  One of the teacher's requirements is for Blake to journal.  The teacher provided the journal and explained that Blake may write anything he wants.  Anything.  Stories.  Thoughts about the day.  Anything.  No one else will ever read it.  The teacher will glance at the journal each week to make sure Blake is actually journaling, but other than that it's PRIVATE. 

 

My husband, Scott, asked me what journaling has to do with learning to play the drums.

 

Personally, I think it's awesome.

 

[Side note:  This teacher journals one hour each day.  He has three journals he's working in - one in English, one in Japanese, and one in some language I'd never heard of - but is apparently Russian.  Self-taught.  Uh.  Wow.]

 

Signed,

Sun = Few Churr Blaw Grr?

 

 

 

I read something when I went to bed last night and I guess my subconscious has been working on it overtime ever since - because by this morning it seems like I've been reflecting on it for days. 

 

 

 

The ensuing examples certainly rang true.  Think about your own life as a songwriter.  You hope for a great song idea as you sit down to write.  You hope for a positive song evaluation.  You hope to find a cowriter who fits you like a glove.  You hope to win a contest.  You hope for a cut.  You hope for a writing deal.  All invigorating stuff, right?   Happiness!  But in the midst of all that, maybe instead you write another ho-hum song, or you get a negative song evaluation, or you lose a cut that you were just sure was yours, or another year passes by without result.  Your hopes are dashed.  Discouragement and hopelessness set in. 

 

Of course, "you" are more than a songwriter.  You are a human being who can derive hope from such simple pleasures as "a hug, a kiss, a juicy rib eye cooked to perection.  ....  Everything we do is driven by hope or hopelessness in one form or another."  (Dekker, The Slumber of Christianity - Awakening a Passion for Heaven on Earth."  One look at that title and you know where he's headed!  I'm pretty excited to read the rest of this book!  It's been an easy read so far and very intriguing.  (If you've ever read any of Ted Dekker's novels, you know he has "intriguing" down to a science!)

 

Songwriters need hope.  And so do our listeners!  I find myself challenged to make sure that my songs speak of "hope" - in all kinds of forms - everything from the snuggle of a silky-skinned grandchild to the long, warm embrace of our Father when we reach heaven.  Hope that relieves depression.  Hope that motivates.  Hope that is anything but boring!  "A hope and a future." 

 

Signed,

Speeck Uv Theez Thingz

 

 

 

I prefer not to live with fear, but all too often I succumb.  This nailed me.  (I journaled about it privately, but I refuse to bore you with that.)  Instead, here's the real thing:  

 

 

Signed,

Wutt Iff....