My intent is to use this page as a cross between a journal and a devotional to provide
praise reports from my own life that will hopefully be an encouragement to those
who might stumble across this site. I will also be posting prayer requests for my
music ministry, and would be blessed to receive covering for any topics that might
be listed below. Thank you again for supporting my music, and more importantly the
message and ministry that I try to impart through it.
02-11-2006
A friend of mine recently pointed out that I've been lacking in writing songs with a
more romantic nature to them for awhile. We had a whole discussion about where exactly
the "cheese line" is, and how to avoid crossing it. So, here is a new song,
31:30,
in time for Valentine's Day that I wrote last week that hopefully doesn't cross the "cheese line".
It is sort of in the vein of John Mayer's "Love Song For No One", except this is for
someone — my future wife. The only problem is I haven't quite met her yet. The title, "31:30",
refers to the scripture verse in Proverbs:
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. She
speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. She watches over
the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children
arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: "Many women do
noble things, but you surpass them all." Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
- Proverbs 31:25-30
This song is slated to be on the upcoming Coffee Shop Songs CD
that will hopefully be released later this summer.
10-07-2005
I was reading through Romans the other day and came across this
familiar passage that debunks all of the outward religious zealots
of our day. It's so comforting to realize that it's not about
anything we can—or have to—do, how good our "Super Holy" costume looks, or
whether we can spout all the flowery thees and thous in a long-winded
oratory at church on Sunday morning. You see God didn't wait for us to clean up our act before
coming to us, no, he sent his son to die even when we were buried eyebrow-deep
in the midst of our own depravity. Without his grace in taking the initiative to offer
his helping hand, we would, all of us, still be stuck down at the bottom of the wells
we've dug through our own actions.
You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the
ungodly. Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man
someone might possibly dare to die. But God demonstrates his own love for us in
this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
- Romans 5:6-8
While reading this passage I was struck by the image of a man who dug a hole
and then tripped himself into it, and thus sprung the lyrics for the song
He Took It All.
The song speaks of how without God's help we're trapped down at the bottom of that
well we've dug through our wrong actions and disobedience and that he took all our sin
upon himself that we might live. But that no one might think this sacrifice was somehow
their due or right or some sign of some shred of worthiness they might possess, Paul goes
on to clarify in Ephesians:
But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, made us alive with
Christ even when we were dead in transgressions—it is by grace you have been saved.
And God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ
Jesus, in order that in the coming ages he might show the incomparable riches of his
grace, expressed in his kindness to us in Christ Jesus. For it is by grace you have
been saved, through faith—and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by
works, so that no one can boast.
- Ephesians 2:4-9
Thanks be to God for his indescribable gift of grace and mercy! Let your boasting only
be about the Lord and his amazing grace.
I hope everyone enjoys this new song when it comes out on Coffee Shop songs
later in 2006.
09-02-2005
Please join with me in lifting up in prayer the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Father, we come before you now on behalf of those suffering from the
recent disaster and ask that you come alongside and be their strong right hand
and help in their time of need. We stand in awe of your glory and
acknowledge your sovereignty over all that you have created. Even the wind and
waves must bow before you and obey at your command. Thank you again for your
promise that you would never again flood the whole earth as you did in the days
of Noah. We know that you are in control and have allowed this event to happen
for a reason.
We pray that if we as your people can be used as your hands, that
you open our eyes and hearts to those in need of your touch. May we be used to
comfort those who so desperately need your grace and mercy at this time.
May we be sensitive to your Spirit as he leads us and filled with compassion
to reach out to those who are grieving and devestated by what has happened
in New Orleans. Please comfort those who mourn, cover those in need of shelter,
feed those who hunger and thirst, and above all shower your love and grace upon
all who are hurting at this time.
We thank you for your boundless love and mercy
and ask that you pour out your healing touch on the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
May your will be done and in all things may you receive all the glory due your name.
In Jesus precious name we ask these things, Amen.
I know that any contribution I could possibly put towards assisting the victims of this disaster
would not be of any significant dollar amount, but I have chosen to send the proceeds
from CD Sales this month to the Red Cross Disaster Relief Fund. If you are interested in helping
out in this fashion you can read more about this here:
Hurricane Katrina Disaster Relief
05-02-2005
Now that I am starting to get out and share my music again I was invited to come down
and share with the fellowship at Calvary Chapel Rogue River.
I just want to take this opportunity to thank everyone at the fellowship for their warm welcome
and generous support of my ministry. It was such a blessing to me to be able to share and receive affirmation
that the songs God has been giving me are truly being used to minister to his people. It was also great
to be able to partner up again with my good friend, Kelly Graham, and back him up as he led worship for the fellowship.
Thank you again to everyone at the fellowship in Wimer. May God richly bless you in return for the great encouragement
and blessing you were to me this past weekend! I will be sure to let everyone know when I get some of the new songs I
shared finally recorded and available on CD.
10-22-2004
My father went home to be with the Lord today around 3 in the afternoon. It has been a long
struggle, but I am thankful that God finally ended his suffering and took him home to be with
him. I'm just thankful I was able to spend these last few years with him, and allow him to be
at home with those who loved him at the end. A big thank you to everyone who has been lifting
us up in prayer and helping to support our family during this time. He will be missed, but I have
this hope to go on that I will see him again "when I find forever." Blessings and grace on you all
for your kind words and covering of prayer.
07-02-2004
I've been praying about how to share the gospel with my dad has he has been pushing me
away when I have tried in the past. Today, God gave me my 200th song to share with him
and others about how nothing else matters but eternity. There is nothing on this earth that
we can take with us, and the only thing that we should care about for our loved ones
is being able to see them again "when we cross the crystal sea" and are standing in heaven with
the Lord. God made it so simple that even a child could understand, and he wants us to have
that simple, child-like faith in order to believe. It is so easy, and yet we seem to
throw up barriers for ourselves in sharing with others. All we have to do is share the passage
in Romans 10 that clearly explains the gospel message:
But what does it say? "The word is near you; it is in your mouth and in your heart," that is,
the word of faith we are proclaiming: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord,"
and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with
your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and
are saved. As the Scripture says, "Anyone who trusts in him will never be put to shame." For
there is no difference between Jew and Gentile--the same Lord is Lord of all and richly blesses
all who call on him, for, "Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
- Romans 10:8-13
All someone must do is confess that they have fallen short of God's perfect will. Then ask for his forgiveness
for their sins, accepting the free gift of that forgiveness and salvation that Jesus gave when he offered himself
on the cross as the sacrifice to pay for our debt. Believe in their heart that God raised him from the dead, and
invite Jesus to be the Lord of their life. With something so simple it is amazing how difficult we can make it
seem sometimes. Well, maybe this will be an encouragement for you to share with your friends or loved ones
so that you can know for sure that you will seem them "when you find forever." Here are the lyrics to the new song,
When I Find Forever,
and I hope to get it recorded and on a new CD soon.
06-09-2004
We just learned a few days ago that my father has been diagnosed with inoperable, terminal cancer.
He has only been given a short time remaining, and I would appreciate your prayers and support
during this time. I appologize if I haven't been keeping the site as up-to-date as I should, but it
is not the highest priority at the moment as I'm sure you can understand. I will do my best to keep
everyone posted as things progress. Thank you to everyone who has already been lifting my dad up
in your prayers. Grace and peace be yours through our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ!
02-18-2004
If you happen to stop by and read this I would appreciate your prayers for a project that I
am getting involved with. The Cornerstone Festival
is having a first ever compilation CD and the theme for this CD is going to be songs whose lyrics are
completely taken from scripture. There are a lot of logistics still being worked out for getting the
CD into the hands of those coming to the Festival this year, so your prayers would be appreciated.
Hopefully we can get out of the way enough to allow God to bring this CD to the hands of those he
wishes to hear these great scriptures set to music. Many Christian musicians have submitted songs
for consideration on this project, so please keep in prayer that the correct songs are picked for
the final cut. Thanks for your prayers and support!
12-20-2003
Back toward the end of October I made a new friend over the internet who is a nanny to a little boy here
in the Pacific Northwest. She had been struggling with a difficult situation with the family she was
living with, and had asked for prayer. God laid on my heart the following passage to confirm with her
that in this life we will have trials and we will be persecuted for following Christ, but God calls us
to a higher standard — to show love even to those who mistreat us, our enemies.
"But I tell you who hear me: Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you, bless those who curse you, pray for those who mistreat you. If someone strikes you on one cheek, turn to him the other also. If someone takes your cloak, do not stop him from taking your tunic. Give to everyone who asks you, and if anyone takes what belongs to you, do not demand it back. Do to others as you would have them do to you.
"If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' love those who love them. And if you do good to those who are good to you, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' do that. And if you lend to those from whom you expect repayment, what credit is that to you? Even 'sinners' lend to 'sinners,' expecting to be repaid in full. But love your enemies, do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be sons of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked. Be merciful, just as your Father is merciful.
- Luke 6:27-36
So if you find yourself in a similar situation don't lose hope. Be encouraged that the difficult situation is merely
an opportunity to share the incredible love of Jesus with the person you are dealing with. I know it isn't easy. But
that is why Jesus said:
"By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another."
- John 13:35
Why should they be attracted to the faith that we profess unless we display that kind of love that goes beyond what the world can understand? Here are the lyrics to the song that I wrote about this situation and passage:
Love Your Enemies. This song
will be one of the tracks that goes on my next recording, so keep checking back for updates on when that
is expected to be released.
10-15-2003
Isn't it amazing how we can get run down and feel like no one else in the world
has ever had to tackle the same trials and problems that we are facing? What I find
even more amazing is how many people believe that God is a remote being who has no
interest or understanding of our human frailties. They use this as an excuse for why
they don't need to come to him in prayer when they face difficulties.
In truth they are simply missing out on the opportunity to talk with someone who
truly understands and has suffered through the same struggles that they are going through.
While going through some trials in my life recently God led me to this passage in Hebrews
that reiterates how Jesus has been where we are and can sympathize with us when we
are tempted or broken down by suffering. It was such a comfort to know that I can truly
approach his throne of grace and be assured that his mercy and love are all encompassing enough to
cover anything I might be experiencing at the time.
Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
- Hebrews 4:14-16
I hope that this passage gives you the same sense of renewed peace that it gave to me.
I even turned this almost word for word into a song entitled
It's By The Grace
that will hopefully be forthcoming on a new CD in the not too distant future.
