The definition of the noun, refrain, is: “a repeated line or number of lines in a poem or song, typically at the end of each verse.” So, that’s what the phrase, give to gain, is in the chorus of one … Read the rest
Marketers, business coaches, motivational speakers will all tell you this. That you’ve gotta have a clear direction of where you wanna go. And what you wanna do. They’ll tell you that your master plan is where it all starts. Because … Read the rest
I’ve shared my take on it a few times, over the years, and I’m gonna do that again today. Because I just watched a short video clip of Paul McCartney talking about the magic of music. In case you’re young … Read the rest
Just heard a song on the sound system of this coffee shop. “Tears in Heaven.” And I remembered the sad news that went with it. On March 20th, 1991, Eric Clapton’s 4-year-old son, Conor, died after falling from the 53rd-floor … Read the rest
In 1975 I worked a short stint in a bar that featured disco music (aka: discotheque). Yes, I did. Don’t go hatin’ on me. Remember, the Bee Gees song “Stayin’ Alive” was part of that era in music. And you … Read the rest
Here’s some scientific research to get your day off on the left foot. And I promise, I’m not trying to fill your head with earworms or brain fog. I just think you should know how things really are in this … Read the rest
This isn’t fun to say. And it’s difficult to impossible to hear. But church is dying. To be clear, I don’t mean THE church. But what church is, these days, in America, reveals the death of what it’s supposed to … Read the rest
You’ve heard this before. Never bring a knife to a gun fight. And, even if you’re a recovering public school graduate, that should make sense to you right away. But here’s something that might not make so much sense, at … Read the rest
What does it mean for something to be pure as gold? Well, gold is considered “the standard” for so many things. So, it must be something pretty special. But I don’t think gold is all that pure. It was, when … Read the rest
Here’s a definition of it I found online: “To put on airs; to behave arrogantly. As long ago as the fourteenth century, persons of high rank rode very tall horses, a custom that came to symbolize superiority and arrogance. By … Read the rest
There’s a metal barn, easily visible from I-70 in Eastern Kansas, with a message in very large letters on the side. It reads, “No Jesus, No Peace…Know Jesus, Know Peace.” I’ve read that message, many times, as I’ve driven past … Read the rest
Years before Mel Gibson made a movie about it (Braveheart) I wrote a song about my freedom quest. To be clear, there were no swords, cannons, or lives lost in my quest. But it was just as important to me … Read the rest
What do the head of a cow and the Body of Christ have in common? And it’s not one of my trick questions. Except for the tricky part. And the tricky part is that the answer makes sense when you … Read the rest
Imagine being thrown into a bottomless pit. Or maybe you think you already know how that feels because of your job. Or some other boring, repetitious part of your life. I certainly hope that’s not the case. But lots of … Read the rest
I’m a secret link maker. And here’s a short Amazon book description to prove it: “When you open up your brand new Amen songbook, you’ll discover more than just lyrics. Because there’s a secret link to a free download of … Read the rest
OK, get ready. ‘Cause some superstitious words and references are gonna be comin’ at you (gesundheit). Oops, one slipped in there already. Yep. Gesundheit and “bless you” can be superstitious words. Did you know that people, down through the centuries, … Read the rest
I just need some time. Who hasn’t said that at least a time or two? And it becomes an even scarcer commodity the older you get. Plus, it starts to zoom past at practically the speed of light. Of course, … Read the rest
The pack leader gets to call the shots. Now, THERE’S a short sentence with an acerbic twist. Especially when you consider how much focus there is on “shots” these days. Did you see the movie, “Call of the Wild,” with … Read the rest
It’s probably just me. But certain old songs can take me right back to almost a particular moment in time. And I don’t mean a phase of my life. I mean an actual mental snapshot of a particular moment of … Read the rest
America’s best days are NOT ahead. Absolutely NOT. And anyone who believes they are is either a politician who wants to steal, uh…earn your vote, or someone who hasn’t seen anything past their neighborhood. And I’m generally an optimistic guy. … Read the rest