The TRUTH Will Set You Free - The blog from - Page 89 of 164

Posted on January 5, 2020 by TonyAugust 3, 2024

Make music not war

I’m a singer songwriter. So I make music, not war. But I don’t use that slogan to justify ignoring humans doing wicked things to each other. You don’t have to agree with me. And the vast majority of people in the world won’t. But the fact remains…sometimes you gotta bear arms to save lives.

The slogan only works when you get everybody to make music not war.

And history teaches us that you can’t get everybody to do anything. That includes not making war. Even if you try using music, the so-called “universal language.” And if you can’t get everybody on the same page, using music, what else even remotely has a chance?

Well, nothing (no thing) has a chance. But there IS someOne who does.

I know you might not wanna hear me say it (or see me write it) but He has a name. And I’m gonna share it with you right now. Ready? OK…it’s Jesus. But if you’re willing to be in the minority, and if you’re willing to shut out the nonsense of the world, you can discover true love. A love so deep and eternal every cell in your body will sing the music of life.

It’s sad to think how so many people will choose death over life. So, my hope for you is you’re not one of them. I know a lot of my readers and listeners are Christians. But if you’re not, and if you find yourself shouting slogans instead of serving others, consider my words. I’m pulling for you to trust God. Trust that He made a way for you to live forever in paradise with Him. And that Way is Jesus. The one who took a whole war of punishment upon Himself. For you. And for me.

When you can make music not war,
And still know who justice is for,
You’ll sing to the Truth in your heart
That saves you and sets you apart.

You’ll know that the Truth sets you free
And keeps you free eternally.
You’ll wish that all souls would soar
And learn to make music not war.

And remember, music is one of the millions of examples of how life has Rhyme and Reason because God made you.

Stay tuned,

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Posted on January 4, 2020 by TonyAugust 3, 2024

The majestic young mountains of Venus

Evolutionists believe their theory just falls into place. Literally. And they have a term for that falling: gravitational accretion. But their theory falls apart from the high, rocky slopes of the Mountains of Venus. One of those mountains, Maat Mons, is even higher than our own Mount Everest. But you probably wouldn’t have to wear parkas to climb it. Because the atmosphere on Venus is a toasty 860°F. Wow, that’s even hotter than Arizona by a few degrees.

Ain’t no mountain high enough…

…to reach the conclusion that evolution is true. According to science, lead melts at 622°F and zinc at 787°F. And since the atmosphere on Venus is even hotter than that, how do those mountains keep standing? Also, according to science, the surface rocks “must be weak or tarlike“. And that doesn’t sound like a recipe for high, dense mountains.

But those mountains on Venus ARE high and dense. So, how do they manage to keep standing so tall? Billions of years of evolution makes no sense at all. And for several reasons. I encourage you to click or tap on the links and discover a much more sensible way of looking at the evidence. Then, you’ll look differently at the…

Mountains of Venus

Look at those amazing mountains
Reaching up to touch the sun.
How can they remain majestic?
How can they not come undone?
Temperatures are in the hundreds.
Yet their rocky slopes are steep,
Rising high above the surface,
Their foundation’s strong and deep.
Gravitational accretion
Doesn’t make a bit of sense.
Strong support is necessary
For those mountains, high and dense.
Evolution can’t explain it.
Rocks, below, are cold and strong.
Evidence shows contradiction
In assumptions passed along.
Study those amazing mountains.
And I hope a bell is rung
Loud enough to wake and show you
Venus, just like us, is young.

More mountains of evidence for how life has Rhyme and Reason because God made you.

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Posted on January 3, 2020 by TonyJanuary 8, 2020

Love and the afterlife meet when you admit defeat

What do love and the afterlife
have in common?

Most people believe they “go somewhere better”when they die. And I hope they do. But if you’re like most people, do you also believe you go somewhere better because you’ve been a good person? If so, why? Is it because you know what love and the afterlife have in common? Or because you you’re just so nice?

Love and the afterlife come from one place.

And that place ain’t your heart. I have no doubt you’re a great person. You love babies, puppies, and those less fortunate than you.

But all your good deeds mean nothing, and amount to nothing, if you don’t truly understand the source and power of love. Yes, it has a source. And loves flows from the infinite source of power. I’m sure, by now, you’ve figured out I’m talking about God.

Now, before you huff and puff and toss your head back, let’s say, for the sake of argument (and your soul), that I’m right.

What’s it gonna hurt to admit defeat? You can’t win in a battle against God. After all, He’s God. He made everything. You and I made nothing. The best we can do is take what He made and shape it into things. And because He loves us so much, He gave us a lot of stuff to work with.

His love is why there’s an afterlife.

But now, let’s say I’m wrong. There’s no God. And if there’s no God, what makes you so sure there’s “somewhere better”we all can go when we die? How can you put your faith in that idea? Because if there’s no secure, righteous God, how can anything be certain? Or good…let alone better? Think about that today.

If you believe an afterlife,
Where someplace better is
Waiting for us all some day,
Then you might fail the quiz.
A test of faith and evidence
With questions for your soul.
I urge you to look into it.
False ideas take their toll.

Stay tuned,

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Posted on January 2, 2020 by TonyJanuary 7, 2020

Timelessness of Eternity

Every day holds so many opportunities to witness silliness. Humans seem to have an almost infinite supply of it. And we dream up such empty notions. Just so we won’t have to go where truth and evidence lead. One example I came across today was the concept of the timelessness of eternity. And I’m sure you can see the blaring oxymoron from the second you read that. Right?

By definition, there is no timelessness of eternity.

Eternity is a long time. Time without end. A complete abundance of time. When you use words like eternity and forever, they don’t even imply the concept of no time. And if you spent eternity trying to figure out and understand timelessness, how much time would have gone by?

See what’s happening there?

You can’t read (or listen to) this without seconds and minutes of time passing. And I can’t type each individual letter to form these words in a state of timelessness. It doesn’t happen here. And it can’t happen anywhere else either.

Postulate, theorize, and imagine all you want. But you can’t deny time. And the passing of time. Or why it exists. And always (there’s another word describing time without end) will. But, for the sake of silliness, here’s a rhyme about…

No Time

Not once upon no time
Nobody came to see
No movies no one made
With no affinity.

And no songs ever played
On no one’s radio
While no one sang no tunes,
No words they didn’t know.

And no hands ever made
No gifts, no meals, no tools.
Nobody lost no days
To bitterness and fools.

And no bells ever rang
For no sad ears to hear
While no hearts ever broke
And no eyes shed a tear.

And no thoughts ever came
To no one’s head at night.
So no one lost no sleep
Or cursed no morning light.

And no one’s spirit hoped
For no God from above,
And no one ever died,
But no one lived in love.

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Posted on January 1, 2020 by TonyAugust 3, 2024

First Day of the Year

Not sure you’ve noticed, but…the calendar had some very small numbers on it today. 1/1/2020 The first day of the year, this year, looks almost like binary code or something. But maybe that’s just me. And regardless of all that…I’m glad to see the annual rollover. Because I’m big on new beginnings. Even though it’s really just a date, it’s still a symbol of renewed hope filled with optimism and anticipation.

The first day of the year comes around mighty fast.

If you’ve been a resident of this little, blue planet for more than a couple of decades, you’ve probably noticed how years zoom by like highway traffic. When it feels like you’re just getting started, next thing you know, New Year’s Eve fireworks are lighting the skies. And it all starts again.

One thing I don’t like to do, though, is make those so-called “resolutions.” To me, they’re sort of like saying you didn’t have any resolve. And now you’re going to. Instead, I prefer to renew my ongoing determination. Sort of like stopping at the gas station for a fill-up. Still know where I wanna go, but I gotta fuel up, take a break to get my bearings, and continue.

Again…maybe that’s just me.

And that being said…I’ve made a little deal with myself. A bit of a challenge. I’m not gonna say what it is. It might become clearer to readers and listeners as I go. But I’m laying down the tracks starting today. (Hey, Tony…that sounds a little like a resolution. Hey, shut up. That’s not what it is.) As I move along, the tracks should start falling into place better and better. And the challenge will come into view. I hope you’ll go on this ride with me. All aboard…

Alliteration Translation

Fill the feelings fuller.
Make the moments matter.
Steal the silent seconds
Cheat the childish chatter.
Be the better beacon
Or the obbligato
Reconciled to reason.
Mindfulness the motto.
Upbeat understanding
Tethers this translation.
Welcome words of wisdom
In imagination.

If you understand what I just wrote, you’ll see, again, how life has Rhyme and Reason because God made you.

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Posted on December 29, 2019 by TonyJanuary 8, 2020

The bond of perfection Is the right direction

Do you have the bond of perfection?

If you have millions or billions of dollars, but you don’t love your neighbor as yourself, you have nothing. And if you give to charities, but you don’t care about who receives or what they get, you have nothing. Or maybe you’ve spent years increasing your knowledge. You can speak multiple languages. And you’re able to address audiences on a variety of topics. But you despise those who aren’t on your intellectual level. In that case you have nothing. Because without love, which is the bond of perfection I’m talking about, you have nothing. No matter how much you have.

Yeah, you gotta put on love. But how do you do it?

Here’s the good news. There’s actually a blueprint for how to put on love. But I’ll warn you right now…you might not appreciate how easy it is. Yeah, you read (or heard) that right.

It’s easy to put on love when you choose to get your self out of the way. Self wants to BE served. And that’s not how you put on love. Putting on love requires your self to serve others. Without seeking a return on your investment. And the irony of that is, you WILL receive a return. In amounts you can’t even imagine.

And here’s why it’s important…

In case you haven’t already noticed, nobody, here on our little blue planet, lives forever. But you might have already sensed something inside you saying your time here on earth isn’t all there is. And that “feeling”is correct.

The heart of you, and I don’t mean that pumping muscle in your chest, has information. And it was put there by the designer. Sort of like a painter’s signature at the bottom of his painting. And that information contains knowledge of eternity. You know there’s more to life than your few short decades on earth. But you might think it’s just a feeling. Because you’ve “learned more truth.”

But the truth is, you were made by the one, true, living, loving God found in the Bible. And if that’s not true, then I’m a big fool. But the evidence, found in every molecule of creation, points to the Creator. And through Him, and because of Him, you’re able to put on love…

The Bond of Perfection

Put on love.
Let it shine.
As I sing I’m gonna lay it on the line.
Peace of God
Let it rule
As you suffer slings and arrows from the fool.
In this world
Filled with hate
As you’re loved you really should reciprocate.
Wear it well.
Keep it true
As in word or deed, whatever you might do.

One release
Can bring peace
There’s only One who’ll change your whole direction.
What He gave
You will save
As you put on love the bond of perfection

Put on love.
Let it show.
“˜Cause you might win hearts that you don’t even know.
And be glad,
As you do,
For the everlasting mercies He gave you.

One release
Can bring peace
There’s only One who’ll change your whole direction.
What He gave
You will save
As you put on love the bond of perfection

Stay tuned,

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Posted on December 27, 2019 by TonyAugust 3, 2024

Music and Arts
and how they’re like pudding

Don’t worry. I’m not gonna share an old Bill Cosby jello pudding commercial with you. But I was just doing an internet search for the term, music and arts, and it got me thinking. Yeah, I know…that’s dangerous. But hey, even I think sometimes. Sure my head hurts afterwards. But it’s probably worth it. Anyway…

So, how are music and arts and love like pudding?

Easy, Speed Racer. I’m getting to it.

Think about your favorite song. Or your favorite work of art. Get it front and center in your mind. Can you see it? Or hear it? Good. Now focus on some of the details. Listen to the individual instruments of your favorite song. And even the individual notes if you can tunes into it even more.

Notice how the notes take you up and drop you down? And the beat moves your fingers and your feet. Pretty cool, right? Just listening to something can cause movement. Almost irresistible movement.

Now, picture your favorite painting. Or photograph. Or even a sketch. Can you see it? OK, focus in a little more. See the brush strokes. Maybe you can see where the pen or pencil moved along the paper. And maybe you can even see where the ink or paint or lead of the pencil skipped or faded.

And what does the art do to your emotions? There’s no doubt about it. You feel something just by gazing into the picture. Right? Maybe it speaks to an experience in your life you love to remember. Or would like to forget. But whatever the feeling, you like the art because it moves you from inside.

Now, about your favorite music and art, and…

It all had a non-physical beginning. Because no song or painting began as a song or a painting. They started as thoughts. But where do thoughts originate? Evolution certainly doesn’t account for it. If it did, why doesn’t every grain of sand and every molecule of oxygen use logic and reason. And feel emotions?

No other creature on earth has the depth of logic, reason, and emotion as we humans. And that’s because we’re the only ones designed in the image and likeness of the logical, reasonable, living, loving Creator of Heaven and Earth.

Because He loves, we can love. And because the ultimate Creator cares about us so much, we have intangible, creative thoughts. Like music and arts. God wrote those, along with eternity, in our hearts.

So…the proof is in the pudding. (See? That’s why I started out with pudding.) And your favorite song and your favorite painting are two more examples of how life has Rhyme and Reason because God made you.

Stay tuned,

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Posted on December 27, 2019 by TonyDecember 27, 2019

Creation explanation in a song of adoration

Your creation explanation tells me a lot
about your heart.

Yesterday, I listened to another podcast from another podcaster. And he and a guest shared some weird perspectives from a group of people who call themselves “flat earthers.” Now, if you have even a couple of brain cells still sparking, you immediately spit take whatever you’re drinking and say, “What did you say?! Flat earthers? That’s a thing?!” Yeah, and I’ll bet their creation explanation is just as weird. Of course, they’d probably wanna skip the word, creation. But anyway…

A credible creation explanation can be found all around you.

Where is it? What is it? Are you ready for it? It’s called – creation. Think of it this way. A designer came up with all the design you see in life. It didn’t happen the other way around.

I’ve read and listened to a gigantic variety of explanations for how we humans got here. And I’m talking about the course of a few decades now. The explanations run from just plain silly (flat earth people, I’m looking at you) to extravagantly silly (theistic evolutionists, I’m looking at you)

Odd creatures, with facial hair obscuring their faces…and living in some sort of basements, postulate alien seeding theories. And starched and proper professors with English accents regularly regurgitate their punctuated equilibrium hypotheses. But my favorite view of creation comes from a king who lived about 3000 years ago. He wrote about it in a song. Aka, a Psalm. And the song put creation in the hands of a Creator. I know, I know. Sounds like crazy talk from a wild-eyed cave-dweller, right? Nope. David was actually a king. Movies have been made about him. So, it must be true.

And just in case you think you’re Mr. or Miss Originality…

You might recognize this phrase that actually comes from Psalm 8, “out of the mouth of babes“. Yeah, David wrote that long before it became an old American saying. And then he went on to show his amazement at God’s handiwork. He said it like this…

“When I econsider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, The moon and the stars, which You have ordained, What is man that You are mindful of him, And the son of man that You visit him? For You have made him a little lower than the angels, And You have crowned him with glory and honor. You have made him to have dominion over the works of Your hands; You have put all things under his feet, All sheep and oxen””Even the beasts of the field, the birds of the air, and the fish of the sea that pass through the paths of the seas. O Lord, our Lord, How excellent is Your name in all the earth!”

And I hope that resonates with you. It’s another example of how life had Rhyme and Reason because God made us.

Stay tuned,

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Posted on December 24, 2019 by TonyAugust 3, 2024

Why should you work with
the Digital Marketing Words and Music Guy?

It’s because your online presence comes to life when you hire me. But maybe you don’t need or want more customers, clients, or audience members. Maybe you’ve got all the traffic and sales you can handle. And maybe you’ve already ramped up your business in every social media channel. If so, then my ideas for using personalized, digital marketing words and music would just fall on your deaf ears anyway. And rightfully so. But just so you know”these techniques work wonders online. Why?

Because I know about, and tap into, the power of words and music.

In videos, ads, website content, you name it. Digital marketing words and music are the way you get an unforgettable advantage over your competitors. You’ve got lots of options for content these days. Plenty of voiceover artists. Scores of content writers. And no shortage of singer/songwriters with a guitar and a laptop. But only this little ol’ creative marketing consultant in Colorado Springs has all that covered for you in one place. Because I can talk your brand, sing your brand, and write your brand. Yeah, I don’t normally toot my own horn like this, but I wouldn’t say it if I hadn’t done it before. Many times.

Would you be impressed if I told you I’ve written for startup entrepreneurs all the way up to $300 million dollar companies? And would you think it was cool if I played you some branding music I composed and produced for seven and eight figure businesses?

So, can digital marketing words and music work for your business?

Mostly likely, yeah. But it would be stupid of me to claim I can write you a successful ad, or some web content, or any other power words without even talking to you about your business. And anyone who says they can”might just be trying to separate you from your cash.

Still not convinced? Then, look around this website. It’s full of examples of how my words and music work. I never claim to be able to work with everyone. In fact, I might tell you we’re not a good fit. Maybe we don’t share a workable worldview. And that would be a recipe for disaster. Or you might not like me telling you things as much as asking you. I get it. Not everybody appreciates that. And if that’s the case, I can refer you to someone else.

Also, you might just want someone to help you fill up your website with content and not share ideas about why filler stuff is just stuff. That’s not me.

Or you might be looking for a writer who can wow the socks off your audience with four and five syllable words. Again”not me.

Sure, I know lots of silver dollar words.

But most people who buy products or services or information (and you wanna sell, right?) don’t care much about vocabulary. They wanna know you care about them. I can help you show them you do. In a way they won’t be able to forget.

Yeah, little ol’ me”The Digital Marketing words and music guy in Colorado Springs, Colorado. Who would’ve thunk it? Other than my many happy clients, of course. Check out what they’ve been saying over there in the sidebar.

When you’re ready for your unforgettable advantage,

Stay tuned,

Posted on December 23, 2019 by TonyDecember 5, 2024

Toxic waste or toxic waist?

I’m gonna share something with you I posted on another one of my websites about 6 years ago. It’s about how you might be dealing with toxic waste in ways you weren’t aware of. And I share some super simple solutions.

I remember way back when I was going to school in Pasadena, Texas. Our house was near a paper mill, not far from refineries, and there was no doubt about it. The air and water looked and smelled like a toxic hazard. That’s putting it mildly.

Where does toxic waste go?

Since then we’ve learned a lot about where we should and shouldn’t throw our toxic waste. We still need to improve, but at least we’re aware and working on it. However; something you might not be as aware of is how toxic and polluted your everyday products are”and how toxic and polluted you might be. Sorry”it’s weird but true. You might be a walking, talking toxic hazard.

You might be going along day-to-day thinking you’re doing your part for the environment, and yet you don’t realize what you’re doing to yourself. Your soft drinks, water, condiments, cookies, meats, and just about everything else you consume are found in plastic containers nowadays. Quite a lot of research shows how the pollutants in the plastic are leaching into the products they contain.

So, it’s also getting into you

Do you live in a house with carpet? Evidence shows how carpets contain adhesives and other chemicals which give off toxic emissions. Yikes! Still want to roll around on the floor?

OK”so you jump up from the floor, and as you’re leaning on the wall eyeing your carpet, think about this. Is your wall covered in paint loaded with high level VOC’s? (volatile organic compounds) Is the paint free from heavy metals? (cadmium or lead) Even if it doesn’t have these substances, it could still have formaldehyde, ammonia, acetone, or odor-masking agents.

Your daily exposure to all these toxins and pollutants can be detrimental. Don’t get me wrong. You might not be affected at all. In fact, you might have a great genetic make up which helps keep you immune to toxic chemicals. Then again”why risk it? Why not clean up your personal environment? You won’t be much help to any environmental issues if you’re a sluggish, toxic hazard.

Keep it this simple”

Move around more“in the sunshine and fresh air
Drink plenty of water“filtered water (more on that another time)
Eat sensibly“don’t make this complicated. Remember what your Grandmother told you”start there.
Use glass”not plastic
Avoid aluminum“containers and cookware
Make your own cleaning products“it’s easy, safer, and they smell great!

Can you do it? Will you do it? Does it matter to you?

OK, that’s the whole article I wrote 6 years ago. Maybe it doesn’t matter to anyone anymore. But then again, maybe one person needed to read it. If that’s you, I hope it makes sense. And if it does, it’s one more example of how life has Rhyme and Reason because God made us.

Stay tuned,

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Posted on December 19, 2019 by TonyAugust 3, 2024

Stealing the show ““ It’s what winners do

I recently watched a documentary about Steve McQueen at the suggestion of an internet marketer whose suggestions are almost always good stuff. There was a section in the video that talked about how Steve was cast in the movie, “The Magnificent Seven”, but he wasn’t billed as the star. Yul Brynner was the lead actor. But most people (especially guys) would probably tell you McQueen was the star. That’s because he kept stealing the show with some subtle (and not so subtle) on-screen moves.

Make your mark by stealing the show”no matter what “show”you’re in.

Steve McQueen didn’t just market himself. He made his mark. With coolness, certain looks, and confidence in his abilities. You don’t have to be a movie star to make your mark. And you don’t have to depend on how cool, confident, or good-looking you are (thank goodness)

These days stealing the show can be as simple as showing more enthusiasm than your competition. Or more empathy for your audience, or clients, or customers. Or doing something others aren’t doing in your niche.

Consider, for example, audio branding.

Nowadays it’s more likely you won’t hear a special branding type of song for a business. But you WILL hear music. At least when businesses are staying in touch with their market. And you can take it to the next level with your very own personalized music. Target your audience with something they won’t be able to get out of their heads.

You don’t have to produce a clever, catchy jingle. Like all those famous ones you might remember from when you were growing up. But you DO need something memorable. Something to steal attention from your competitors. And if you’re not sure where or how to get that going, well”it’s something I can probably help you with. I love to write songs. Ask and you might receive.

Stay tuned,

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Posted on December 18, 2019 by TonyAugust 3, 2024

Can you sing along with the A B C song?

If you’re like most people who’ve been around longer than a couple of years, you know the A B C song. In fact, just because I mentioned it, and you read this or heard me say it, now that song is bopping along in your brain. And I’m gonna go out on a limb and say I’ll bet you didn’t learn it yesterday. Am I right?

What makes the A B C song so easy to remember?

Start singing it and you’ll notice how each letter becomes a word to the song. And each phrase rhymes with the letter E. Pretty cool. The rhythm is easy going in four-four time. Without realizing it the melody was probably very familiar to you immediately. It’s similar to the kind of tunes you heard in your favorite wind-up teddy bear, crib mobile, or music box.

The ABC song is so simple and catchy you can sing it to newborn babies and watch them begin to understand. And yet”in that simple, little song you’ll hear the musical equivalent of two verses and a chorus. Then the whole song resolves itself right at the end on Z.

The simple, yet unequalled, power of music.

My mom told me about how her mom (my Grandma) began losing her memory in her late 80’s. As Grandma reached her 91st year there wasn’t much she could remember anymore. But. She COULD remember some of her favorite old southern hymns from when she was a girl.

Some of the people who would visit Grandma during her last days in her hospital room would sing those hymns to her. And even when she wasn’t functioning well, she could sing along.

Simple melodies. Easy words. Nice flowing rhythm. Nothing is more powerful than music when you want someone to remember.

Does that give you any ideas? And maybe this will, too.

Stay tuned,

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Posted on December 17, 2019 by TonyAugust 3, 2024

One man band traveling and living off the land

“I just wanna be your one man band”

Back in the third quarter of the last century I was sitting in my choir class listening to a couple of upper classmen talking about how much they liked a certain song. They were impressed with the vocalists and their ultra high harmonies. The name of the song was One Man Band. And the band was Three Dog Night. I hadn’t heard of them before that, so I made sure to listen to the radio until I heard the song. And those guys were right. Wow. Some high and tight harmonies! I quickly became a Three Dog Night fan.

Fast forward and I’ve actually been a one man band

America is a great place to explore. Especially on the secondary highways and byways. Back in the 80’s me and my little blue truck, Ol’ Blue, saw a lot of those roads (He wasn’t Ol’ back then). Now”when I say a great place to explore, I don’t mean every part of every place was great. Sure, we saw some cool cities, towns, and venues. But we visited some that were, shall we say, not so cool.

And the point is, I got to see a massive amount of America and got paid to do it. As a member of four-piece bands, or trios, or duos, or as a one man band, music paid for my travels. Sometimes, on my off days, I’d just zoom somewhere just so I could say I’d been there. For example, I had some time on a weekend between a two-week stay in El Paso, Texas. What did I do? Sit in the room and watch MTV? Not on your life. I knew I was right on the border of New Mexico, and it was just a hop, skip, and short cruise to Arizona.

I was a “band on the run.”

While the other guys laid around our hotel rooms, I jumped in Ol’ Blue and zipped across I-10 until I reached Arizona. Hadn’t been there before that time, and now I could add it to the travel notches on my belt.

Another time I finished a solo stint in Oklahoma, and I had a week before my next booking. So, I buzzed across Okie land on Highway 50 and drove all the way to Durango, Colorado. My mountain bike was on the rack on the back of the truck, so it seemed like the mountains were the logical choice. It was awesome! I rode my bike during the day and explored downtown Durango each night. Stayed in a funky little mom and pop motel at the north edge of town and wrote some songs. I had some serious “me”time back in those days. And most of the time it was because I could be a one man band and sing for my supper. And pay all the bills, too

Why does any of this matter?

Well, maybe it doesn’t matter to you. But I got loads of interesting stories out of it.

And experience. Lots of experience. My travels took me in all four directions up and down and back and forth across America. I got to experience more kinds of people, places, and things than you can shake a drumstick at. I’m certain those experiences gave me a lifetime of creative ideas and ammunition for writing and songwriting. And that brings me to you, if you’re a business owner or entrepreneur.

Yeah, I actually write, produce, and perform for businesses, organizations, and websites. You can see and hear tons of samples all through my website.

If you (or a business owner or entrepreneur you know) need or want more memorable messages, contact me today. Tell me about your project. I don’t promise big results. Because I don’t know you yet. Most of those who make big promises, without getting to know you and your vision, are all drums and no melody.

But just so you know, I take my words, music, and voice work seriously. So, if you’re just a tire kicker, we’re probably not a good match. I only work with business owners and entrepreneurs looking to turn up the volume. People I believe I can help creatively connect with more ears, eyes, sales, and profits.

And this one man band ain’t a one trick pony.

Stay tuned,

My books are also on Amazon.com and Smashwords
Grab some of my Music-themed Merch

Posted on December 16, 2019 by TonyAugust 3, 2024

Emotion Potion ““ here’s today’s little notion

Remember pep rallies in high school? And cheerleaders jumping around yelling out the school cheers. The school mascot would run around the gym or field. Different grades competed to see who could be the loudest. And the whole time all that was going on, the band blared out the school fight song. I can still hear it even after all these years. It all blended together like a fun emotion potion.

Your business should have an emotion potion, too.

When you wanna stand out, in your chosen field (hopefully it’s not a barren corn field”unless you prefer corny and lonely), you gotta get in touch with your feelings. Ok”Ok”I don’t actually mean YOUR feelings. I mean the feelings of your customers or clients. Remember, those customers and clients are human beings. And all human beings feel pretty much the same things. Give them some of your emotion potion and stand out when they need something.

When you want people to feel excited or happy or sad or mad, mix a quick potion of the right words, music, and voice and serve it up in big doses. Audio, in general”and audio branding specifically”can get people to remember YOU.

But it’s important to connect feelings with the audio you use. Serious goes with serious. Fun goes with fun. Quirky goes with”well, you get it. Right?

Sure you can scour the internet and find “free”music to use in your videos and podcasts and advertisements. That’ll do the job just fine, if uniqueness isn’t important. But guess what. It is important. You’re not gonna get where you wanna go by being like everyone else. Put the YOU in unique with audio branding.

I know I harp on this a lot. But it’s because I’ve spent years and years of my adult life creating and producing songs to help people be unique. I know how important (and how difficult) it is, in this noisy world, to stand out. So, my suggestion is to start working on your own emotion potion and start getting your customers and clients to remember YOU when they feel certain feelings.

Grab my free book on audio branding.

Send me your name and email address. There’s a form in several place here on my website. And my book, Audio Branding, is one of the freebies you get when you jump on. It’s an easy read. You can probably finish it in a couple of hours. It’ll help you see more advantages to finding and sharing your emotion potion. And it even shows you how to do it yourself. Of course, if you’d rather have some help producing a unique sound for you or your business, you know where to find me.

Stay tuned,

Discover my books on Amazon.com or Smashwords
Grab some of my Christian or music-themed Merch

Posted on December 15, 2019 by TonyDecember 18, 2019

How come the whole world knows his name?

About 2000 years ago, a baby was born. Well, a lot of babies were born. But only one of them was THE baby. No one, these days, would even know who he was, if he was just another baby. And yet, the whole world knows his name. At least in one form or another. Matter of fact, even our calendar pays respects to his life. So, what in the world did he do that made him so famous?

The whole world knows his name and most still hate or ignore him.

Before I reveal who it is, I’ll tell you he was the most original and creative inventor who ever lived. Or ever will live.

“Oh yeah,” you say. “What did he invent?”

Well, look in the mirror. Or take a selfie and look at that. Yeah, that’s right. He invented you. And you might be amazed at how many people respond to that claim by saying his name. Of course, it’s just a vain exclamation. And they don’t realize the depth of importance when they say it. But say it they often do.

“Oh, Jesus Christ.”

Yeah. That’s Him. The greatest, most original, incredible, and loving inventor who ever lived. Because He spoke and breathed His creations into existence. Try doing that with your brilliant ideas. Bet you can’t do it. The most you and I can do is manifest our ideas into existence using materials that already exist. And that’s awesome. A beautiful thing to witness. But it’s not even worthy to be compared to speaking and breathing material objects into existence.

And most of the world hates Him because they’re not Him.

I hope you’re not like most of the world. But since I don’t know who might be reading this (or listening to the podcast of it) I’ll give you benefit of my doubt. And that benefit is to point you to Him. And to let you know that whether you believe and trust in Him or not, you WILL see Him one day. Because your body isn’t eternal. (not even if you spend hours at the gym every week) And if you want to get a new body and live forever in a place that beats anything this old planet has, you’ve got a serious decision to make.

But don’t take my word for it. What do I know? I’m just a boomer with an axe to grind. Right? Or…maybe I care about your soul even more than you do. And I know life has Rhyme and Reason because God made you.

Stay tuned,

Discover my books on Amazon.com or Smashwords
Grab some of my Christian or music-themed Merch

Posted on December 14, 2019 by TonySeptember 5, 2022

My melodic intuition about brand recognition

I recently found out Beethoven and I share(d) a common idea. For years (and my wife will back me up on this) I’ve implemented what I call “economy of motion” in much of what I do. And when I fail to implement it, I end up frustrated. It just means I like to save trips and unneeded movement whenever I can. As it turns out, Beethoven also subscribed to that idea. He called it “labor economics”. He sometimes used it when he signed his name…BTHVN…saying he just didn’t want to write the whole name. His methods and means for composing music gave Beethoven brand recognition so awesome he’s still one of the most popular composers ever.

Beethoven’s brand recognition didn’t include photographs and videos.

No cameras existed in his day. If you wanted to have your picture made, it literally had to be MADE by an artist. And there weren’t any copy machines or t-shirt screening shops. So, if you wanted more than one picture…yikes! The artist would have to paint more than one. Can you imagine how happy that artist would be to do that? Not.

So…how did Ludwig leverage such humongous brand recognition? Well, basically the best way possible. Sound. He wrote remarkable symphonies and sonatas. And, like I’m always saying, nothing stays in your head better than sound. God backs me up on this, so you can rest assured it’s true.

Even if you don’t know who wrote the music, you’ve probably heard Beethoven’s lilting melodies even in commercials. And you might recognize some of his signature sounds without even realizing it. Now, that’s powerful branding for a guy who’s been dead for almost 200 years. I’d settle for half that. Wouldn’t you? The point is…it was all done with sound. Extraordinary sound to be sure. But sound nevertheless. Original music.

Your brand can be seen AND heard. And you don’t have to be BTHVN.

Seriously consider original words, music, and voice for your brand. Build your audience. Boost your brand. Be unforgettable.

And be sure to jump on the The TRUTH for more sound ideas. It’s a free offer right over there on the side. A quick and easy read, you can probably finish it in a couple of hours. It’ll help you come up with your own ideas for brand recognition by yourself.

Of course, if you want or need some help producing a unique sound for you or your business, you know where to find me.

Stay tuned,

No-cost, low-cost, and premium ways you can help me spread the Word…

Tell everybody you know to subscribe to The TRUTH Journal
(emails with good stuff for Fa-Ree)

Get my Rhyme & Reason Podcast delivered right to your device. (also Fa-Ree)

Get digital Bible stuff from the same company I do.

My books are also on Amazon.com or Apple Books

Grab yourself an un-cool T-shirt

Or how about some music for believers, dreamers, and thinkers

Posted on December 13, 2019 by TonyDecember 22, 2024

Allow me to brighten your day with
instruments of death

I’d better say this under my breath. Because, in this age of grace, it’s just so mean sounding. But it’s true. So, here goes. Did you know God actually prepares instruments of death to use against wicked people? Gasp! Can that be true? Well, it’s in the Bible. Hmm…maybe I read it wrong. Hang on. Let me look at it again. Yeah, there it is. And that phrase is actually part of another one of those songs I’ve been talking about, written by King David. Doesn’t sound like a nice church song, does it?

Why would David meditate on words like instruments of death?

When he wrote and meditated on the words to songs, I doubt David worried much about how they would make people “feel.” I’ll bet he was more concerned with the truth. And justice. And praising God for His righteousness. In fact, in that same song, Psalm 7, David finishes it by saying, “I will praise the Lord according to His righteousness, And will sing praise to the name of the Lord Most High.”

David’s songs reflected the awesome power, strength, and justice of God. In Psalm 7 he even says “God is a just judge.” David doesn’t leave out God’s love. Instead he does a much better job of showing the fullness of God’s love. Because he knew how important it is for us to understand who holds life in His hands.

The one, true, living, loving, God of creation and judge over life and death.

As you’re going through Christmas time this year, you might hear songs of a baby in a manger. Or songs of beautiful snowy scenes with twinkling stars and bells and drums. And those are a delightful detour from what’s usually on the radio. But remember to meditate, like David, on the fullness of God. The one who not only created Heaven and Earth and gave each of us life And He can also remove us with the breath of His word.

And I sing it like this…

Give Me The Whole Jesus

Oh give me love. Give me justice.
Give me Grace and the strength to endure.
When the world comes against me,
Give me Your Spirit steadfast and sure.

And give me words. Give me courage.
Give me time and a powerful voice.
And when many still may hate me,
Give me Your love and I’ll always rejoice.

Give me the whole Jesus;
The whole Good Lord”
The One who shields the child.
The One who wields the sword.
Give me the whole Jesus
Son of God and man.
‘Cause only Jesus saves.
And only Jesus can! Only Jesus can! Only Jesus can!

Then give me dreams. Give me wisdom.
Give me peace at the end of my days.
And give me life, everlasting,
In Your world and in Your higher ways.

Chorus

Once you see the benefit, join the growing body of believers who’ve already signed up for the TRUTH Journal. And I’ll send you daily flashes of light so we can stay focused on faith, hope, and love.

Stay tuned…

Posted on December 12, 2019 by TonyDecember 18, 2019

Faint young sun is not a paradox

You can do an online search for the term, faint young sun, and most of the results talk about a paradox. But it’s another fairy tale. Because there is no paradox because there never was a faint young sun. Yeah, that’s right. Never happened. And I’m telling you truth backed up by evidence. Those other results are make-believe stories.

A faint young sun requires too much blind faith.

Evolutionists say once upon a time, about 4.6-billion years ago, the sun (and our whole solar system) evolved from a spinning cloud of dust and gas. And it eventually condensed into the hot, blazing orb we know and worship today. But the plot thickens…or thins, depending on how you look at it. Turns out, real science indicates a “slowly condensing Sun would have radiated 25″“30% less heat during its first 600-million years than it radiates today.” And guess what?

That small percentage of less heat radiating from the sun would have frozen all the oceans on Earth. Then, if all that water was frozen for a long, long, long, long time, Earth would have basically turned into a mirror. And it would have reflected even more of that warm sunshine into space. Then, our little blue planet would have turned into a frozen marble. And we would never have evolved into the warm and loving creatures we all are today.

I saw a video, that looked like it was made for kids, trying to solve the faint young sun “paradox” with debunked information. Of course, when you prefer a world where you can leave God out of it, you don’t care about evidence that contradicts your so-called science. In fact, you’re liable to come up with silly solutions like…

Lots more carbon dioxide
Tons more ammonia and methane, and
A much slower rotating planet with no continents

Uh-uh. Never happened.

In order for a “faint young sun” to mature into the bold old sun we know and worship today, a lot of drastic changes had to happen. And they had to happen in an almost perfect way. But like a brilliant Phd scientist, from M.I.T. said, “Until some evidence supports such “special pleadings,”it does not appear that the Sun evolved. If the Sun, a typical and well-studied star, did not evolve, then why presume that all other stars did?”

Ah, our warm, glowing, life-sustaining sun. Another example of how life has Rhyme and Reason because God made us.

Stay tuned,

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Grab some of my Christian or music-themed Merch

Posted on December 10, 2019 by TonyAugust 3, 2024

Are you a mess in times of stress?

In times of stress do you stop and think about whether God might be mad at you? No? Don’t feel like the Lone Ranger. Because I’m sure you’re like almost everybody else. Even Christians don’t tend to think about God’s anger…even during prayer. Or maybe especially during prayer. But a guy named David thought about it. And he wrote a song about it.

If you ARE a mess in times of stress, then maybe you’re depending on yourself too much.

And you might discover you don’t have all the answers. Then, you might find out nobody else does either. And then you suddenly find yourself stressed out even more. But, like I said, a guy named David dealt with stress another way. He didn’t trust in himself for all the answers. And he was a KING. Not a make-believe king. A real king. With a lot of enemies. Now that’s stressful.

King David would pray to God. And a lot of those prayers became songs. A lot of those songs can be found in the Bible. For some reason, probably a printer’s error, they misspelled the word “songs.” Didn’t even get close. I’m not kidding. Go look it up. It’s a whole section in the Old Testament. And right at the very beginning of that section, in bold font, there it is: Psalms. I mean, come on! It even starts with a P and has an M instead of an N. But, when you overlook that little faux pas, and dive into the songs, wow! Some incredible examples of a man trusting God for answers to prayers!

Like in Psalm 6, where David is stressed to the max. In fact he feels like he’s drowning. He said it like this, “I am weary with my groaning; All night I make my bed swim; I drench my couch with my tears. My eye wastes away because of grief; It grows old because of all my enemies.”

Can you imagine?

Groaning. And drenching your couch with tears. Sweating so much at night you make your “bed swim.” And even losing your eyesight because you have so many enemies. I’ve been stressed in my life. But I can’t truly say I’ve ever experienced that level of anxiety.

And what did David first ask for in his prayer, his song, to God? Please take it all away, Lord? No. Destroy my enemies? No, nothing like those requests. First David focused on his own shortcomings. And he hoped God wouldn’t rebuke him in anger or displeasure. In Psalm 6 you see an earthly King humbling himself. Asking for mercy and healing that reached down to his bones. Because his troubles were dug in deep.

As I read that Psalm, I try to hear it in my head as a song. And when I do, I can detect a mood change in the music, right before the end. That’s where David’s faith in God breaks free. He doesn’t finish his prayer with pleading and despair. He recognizes how “The Lord has heard my supplication; The Lord will receive my prayer.” David even tells his enemies to depart. And he knows they’ll soon be ashamed and troubled.

So, he goes from BEING troubled to transferring his troubles onto his enemies. Not on his own power. But by the faith he has in God’s ability and willingness to answer the fervent prayers of those who love Him.

Psalm 6 is another one of the many reasons I say “Life has Rhyme and Reason because God made you.”

Stay tuned,

Discover my books on Amazon.com or Smashwords
Grab some of my Christian or music-themed Merch

Posted on December 9, 2019 by TonyAugust 3, 2024

Pray for Guidance

If you’ve ever wanted to pray for guidance, but you felt like your prayer just sounded lame, check out Psalm 5 in the Old Testament of the Bible. In the New King James version, there’s even a subheading labeled “a prayer for guidance.” So, that’s what it must be. Right? Anyway…most of the Psalms were also songs. And they have that feel to them. King David was a songwriter, and his writings come across that way. It’s one of the reasons I enjoy his messages. Because I relate to him. And you won’t go wrong if you model your prayers after him.

When you pray for guidance, remember who you’re talking to.

It’s so important to remember the God you’re praying to is actually able to do above and beyond what you ask. He can see the deeper things. Your inner self. The true you. And He knows your heart better than you. That’s why you can trust His guidance. Because it will not lead you anywhere but to eternal life in paradise with Him.

I encourage you to pray in belief. Put your trust in the one, true, living, loving God of all creation. He truly is…

The One True Way To Peace

Judge me; I need to be judged
Correct me; whenever I’m wrong
Save me from thinking my thoughts
I’ve lived in them way too long

Show me what I need to see
Tell me what I have to hear
Give me a voice of wisdom
Thank You for taking my fear

And I have to trust that my God is just
And I feel my boldness increase
I’m a dissident, and I’m an instrument
For the one true Way to peace

Search me for the deeper things
Fill me from Your living well
Free me from the ways of man
Take me off the path to hell

Listen to my fervent prayer
Bless me so that I can bless
Change me with Your mighty Word
Spare me with Your tenderness

Chorus

Make me to always understand
I’m only mighty in Your mighty Hand

inst…Chorus to end

Stay tuned,

Discover my books on Amazon.com or Smashwords
Grab some of my Christian and music-themed Merch

Make music not war

The slogan only works when you get everybody to make music not war.

The majestic young mountains of Venus

Ain’t no mountain high enough…

Mountains of Venus

What do love and the afterlife have in common?

Love and the afterlife come from one place.

His love is why there’s an afterlife.

Timelessness of Eternity

No Time

First Day of the Year

The first day of the year comes around mighty fast.

Alliteration Translation

Do you have the bond of perfection?

Yeah, you gotta put on love. But how do you do it?

And here’s why it’s important…

The Bond of Perfection

Music and Arts and how they’re like pudding

So, how are music and arts and love like pudding?

Now, about your favorite music and art, and…

Your creation explanation tells me a lot about your heart.

A credible creation explanation can be found all around you.

And just in case you think you’re Mr. or Miss Originality…

Why should you work with the Digital Marketing Words and Music Guy?

Because I know about, and tap into, the power of words and music.

So, can digital marketing words and music work for your business?

Sure, I know lots of silver dollar words.

Toxic waste or toxic waist?

Where does toxic waste go?

So, it’s also getting into you

Keep it this simple”

Stealing the show ““ It’s what winners do

Make your mark by stealing the show”no matter what “show”you’re in.

Consider, for example, audio branding.

Can you sing along with the A B C song?

What makes the A B C song so easy to remember?

The simple, yet unequalled, power of music.

“I just wanna be your one man band”

Fast forward and I’ve actually been a one man band

I was a “band on the run.”

Why does any of this matter?

Emotion Potion ““ here’s today’s little notion

Your business should have an emotion potion, too.

Grab my free book on audio branding.

How come the whole world knows his name?

The whole world knows his name and most still hate or ignore him.

And most of the world hates Him because they’re not Him.

My melodic intuition about brand recognition

Allow me to brighten your day with instruments of death

Why would David meditate on words like instruments of death?

Give Me The Whole Jesus

Faint young sun is not a paradox

A faint young sun requires too much blind faith.

Uh-uh. Never happened.

Are you a mess in times of stress?

If you ARE a mess in times of stress, then maybe you’re depending on yourself too much.

Can you imagine?

Pray for Guidance

When you pray for guidance, remember who you’re talking to.

The One True Way To Peace

What do love and the afterlife
have in common?

Music and Arts
and how they’re like pudding

Your creation explanation tells me a lot
about your heart.

Why should you work with
the Digital Marketing Words and Music Guy?

“I just wanna be your one man band”

Allow me to brighten your day with
instruments of death