Create 15 Minutes

Since February 1, I have sought to intentionally set aside 15 minutes each day to create something. The idea was born during a conversation with a friend over a leisurely billiards match and a much needed basket of Ham's homemade chips. As we got caught up on each others jobs and relationships, it became clear that we each had been seeking some sort of creative outlet. So after kicking around a few ideas, it was finally decided that we would take 15 minutes a day and write. The emphasis was not on churning out a New York Times bestseller, but on discipline. If you want to be a writer, you must write. If you want to be a musician, you must make music. If you want to be a painter, you must paint. But all too often I fall prey to the busy-ness of the day and months go by without my hands touching a single creative thing for my pleasure. And so began this great experiment.

While regretfully my dear friend has yet to set his hands at 15 minutes this last month and a half, it had a huge impact on me. At first it was all about writing, but now as the discipline has taken root in me, I have expanded out to other endeavors I have long been interested in doing. And 15 minutes is no longer the goal, but the minimum. Now my 15+ minutes can be devoted to:

• Writing - journals, book ideas, poetry, short story, etc.
• Composition - writing songs and producing something tangible like a lyric sheet, chord chart, melody line notes, or a rough recording.
• Sketching - pencil drawings, watercolors, crayons...drawing what inspired me, or drawing something to inspire me, or simply striving to appreciate the beauty of line and color by participation
• Intentional Skill Enrichment - focused practice time on a particular area to improve and expand my talent and ability

I've composed two pages of an instrumental piano piece, learned the first movement of a Mozart piano sonata, compiled a great start on a book about spiritual practice, retuned a handful of hymns, and have a rather haphazard yet charming sketch of a tree in bloom. And the best part?

I have never felt more alive.

These things will likely never earn international acclaim or make me lots of money, and they may never even be seen or heard by anyone but myself. That is not the point. The effort is one of Truth, Beauty, and Worship. I feel it sweeping me up into a world of richness and depth.

My prayer is that it moves me closer to the Creator, makes me a better husband, an inspiring teacher, and present in the loving gift of life.

From time to time you might see some of the fruit of my 15 minutes on here. I'd love to know what you think.

Give it a try. What have you got to lose?

Benefit Concert for Managua Christian Academy 10/30

There is a great local opportunity to make a global impact this weekend! I will be playing a couple songs to open for Shelly E. Johnson, a Christian singer/songwriter from Nashville, TN. Although we weren't on campus at the same time, both Shelly and I graduated from Belmont University. It is a benefit concert for Managua Christian Academy, a school with 400+ students in Nicaragua. The school endured some severe flood damage recently, and the building has been condemned. Part of the effort for this concert is to raise awareness and support to help with a new building for these students and teachers. There is no fee to attend the concert which begins at 7pm. All the information and links can be found on the right side of this page under the "Shows" heading.

Please come out and learn about the ministry of Managua Christian Academy, help support them in their efforts to get a new building, and enjoy some great local music!

Good News

"We are far worse than we would ever dare to believe." That will always be true, but its impact grew deeper and wider for me an hour ago. Driving the familiar road back to the apartment, I looked to my left at Oak Hollow Lake. The scene was stunning. The soft orange-pink of the sunset robed itself in the fall hues of the trees, placid waters below and a couple of elegant herons drifting by above. Nothing had ever felt as real as it did in that moment, it almost had gravity of its own. My soul felt filled, and I knew that this was the kind of thing we were supposed to know and enjoy for eternity. I would argue that we are still supposed to be doing that today, but have lost ourselves in the contrived importance of our days. There is nothing more important than relationship - with Creator, creation, and the created.

But I have not done that. I have not been anywhere close to that. And one last thing crossed my mind. I usually think of being saved as being rescued from this earth, that I am being directed towards heaven instead of hell. But I sense now that I have been in the grips of hell all along.

That is very good news.

A (New) Song: Out of the Deep I Call

The words of Henry W. Baker's hymn "Out of the Deep I Call," have been in my head for weeks. This is a timeless hymn of confession as the words feel almost as though they could have been written this year instead of 1868. You can listen to my retuned version above and get the chord chart below.

Sir Henry Williams Baker (1821-1877) was a well-educated and highly regarded member of London's society during the 19th century. He authored many hymns and edited a collection entitled Hymns Ancient and Modern (published 1861). In addition, he also wrote a prayer book with a great title: Daily Prayers for the Use of Those Who Have to Work Hard. Today he is remembered through his beautiful hymns and honored in stained glass at his church in London as well as All Saints Notting Hill.

Off the Charts

Last week our dear dog Spike went on to rest in peace. There is no doubt that he was one of the world's most unique and special animals, and that is what made him so lovable. Spike spent nearly all of his 16 years with us - traveling from Oklahoma to North Carolina, going on countless family vacations (Spike "loved" camping), cheering me on during Little League games, putting up with (or being put up with) our cats, birds, and other dogs, and teaching us about patience, good humor, and love.

Spike was not your typical pug. He acted like such a tough guy - didn't like to be picked up, not too big on cuddling, and would certainly never wear any doggie clothes. However, underneath all of that was a loving and loyal friend. One fall afternoon many years ago, one of our other dogs escaped out the front door and started trotting down the street. I took off after him so that he would not get lost or hit by a car, and it wasn't until I caught him and started my way back to the house that I realized Spike had followed right on my heels step for step the whole way. I'm pretty sure he thought I needed chasing after for protection too.

As he aged, he showed his softer side a lot easier. He went form alpha male to generally pleasant, then back to a grumpy old man, and finally spent his last few years as a wiser, slower, and more peaceful friend - a grandfather pug. He lost most his teeth, then his hearing, then his sight, then most the use of his back legs. But boy did his nose still work...and his bark. He knew within seconds when I would walk in because he knew the familiar scent of his boy. No matter how tired he was or how much pain he may have been in that day, he always got up to say hello and spend some time with me. At the vet's office on one of his last visits, my mom saw a chart comparing dog years, cat years, and human years so you could see just how old your animal was. Spike was off the chart. Apparently the makers of the sign underestimated the courage and stubbornness of our Spike. We know now that he is no longer restricted by the pains of old age, but back to being his rambunctious, curious, and pugnacious self.

Spike, you stood by me through elementary school, middle school, high school, college, and even marriage. You brought me up well, with the help of my parents of course. I will never forget you. And it is true, in more ways than anyone else could ever know, in loyalty, humor, quirkiness, stubbornness, barking, begging for food, friendship, love, and being a superb man's best friend, you were off the charts.

A (New) Song: O That I Had A Thousand Voices

As I mentioned last month, I've started a new project entitled A (New) Song. The goal is to take hymns - favorites and the unfamiliar - and "update" them in some way. This could be as simple as keeping the existing melody and making it sound more modern by smoothing out or adding chords. It could also mean, as in the case of this month's hymn, keeping the words and rewriting an entirely new melody and chord progression.

This month's hymn is "O That I Had A Thousand Voices."

It was written by Johann Mentzer (1658-1734), a German pastor and theologian. The Trinity Hymnal places Psalm 126:3 on the hymn page: "The Lord has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy."

You can listen below as well as find the chord charts. It is also a free download on myPureVolume site. God bless.

Real Key:

Capo Chords:

The Arm of the Lord is Not Too Short

One word to describe this weekend: AWESOME. The mountains alone make me smile, but when you add in family, friends, music, and glass bottle Cheerwine, I get this goofy grin not even a UFC could knock off my face.

First, a huge thank you is in order to Son's Light Ministries, Holmes Convocation Center, and Selah Media Productions. The amount of time and effort they put in to the Festival is beyond comprehension - but it sure did pay off. A huge thank you also to everyone at the coffee house Saturday night and to all who came by and said hello at my table yesterday - I wish I could thank you each by name, but for fear of leaving someone out just know this means you!

Leading up to this weekend, most of what crossed my mind as I started preparing was fear. Fear of not being in perfect health, fear of not remembering songs, fear that the songs weren't even good in the first place, fear that I was being called to something I shouldn't have been, and the list goes on. What gave me comfort (mostly spoken by my wife) was the reminder that the arm of the Lord is not too short. No matter what, the will of the Lord would be done. There is nothing that any of us could do to thwart His plans. Each and every soul that came together this weekend was purposed, and I pray it was all for the glory of God.

I had a blast, and I hope you did too. It was good to hug old friends and shake hands with the new - next time you'll get a hug too. I will post some pictures of the event soon. In the meantime check out the music of everyone at the event:

Josh Wilson

7-Miles

Marshall Daniels Band

Jonny Diaz

Seventh Day Slumber

Peace.