Sure, you could say Tino loves music. If you’re trying to win the “understatement of the year” contest, you could say that. Or another “understatement of the year” could be… “He’s no quitter.” Boy oh boy, is THAT putting it mildly. Because Tino’s efforts in the cutthroat music world were almost legendary. First, he got fed up with traditional gatekeepers … The rest of the story…
Category Archives: songbook journal
The anchors, the weather and sports reporters, the investigative reporters, and the editorialists all talked a blue streak night after night. So, it was ironic when Theo felt something like the stroke of a paintbrush across his heart. Because it wasn’t the same feeling as a physical paintbrush stroke. It was more like a blue streak of cool light. And … The rest of the story…
Mateo walked through the shin-deep snow on that cold February night in 1996. And one thought kept echoing through the dark chambers of his mind, “I can hear my heart, but I just can’t feel my life.” But he couldn’t figure out what “feel my life” meant. Because it wasn’t like he had NO feelings. Of course he had feelings. … The rest of the story…
You’ve heard how there was no joy in Mudville when Mighty Casey struck out. Well, I assume you’ve heard that or read it. And I know what happens when you assume. So, maybe I should have given a spoiler alert. But the poem first appeared back in 1888. So, for cryin’ out loud, if you haven’t read it or heard … The rest of the story…
For a long time I sang for my supper. And breakfast, lunch, and snacks. And I sang for my monthly bills, my gasoline consumption, and even my cool clothes. When you can pay your way as a musician, do you know what they call you? Yeah, somebody who should get a real job. Wait a second! That’s not right. They … The rest of the story…
They’re not scary when you use even a little of the wisdom and discernment your Creator is willing to give you. I’m talking about health headlines. But if you read them without wisdom and discernment, as if they’re actually full-blown facts, you might start feeling like calling up the suicide hotline. Because the vast majority of news sources would prefer … The rest of the story…
It’s the very last word in the book. And it’s actually the last AND first word of authority on all aspects of life. Not just something to shout out when financial goals are met. Or when someone announces a potluck lunch. Or just “an expression of concurrence or assent; an assertion of belief.” And it’s the last word on purpose. … The rest of the story…
If ever there was somebody who could tell you how to make your mark in music, Willie Nelson sure could. And, even though I’ve never been a fan, I don’t deny he’s had a lot of influence and staying power. One of his cowboy songs came to mind this morning as I thought about events taking place in the world … The rest of the story…
Hold on to your hats. Because this is gonna get controversial mighty quick. Are you ready for a cold splash? How about a smack across your face? Or maybe a hair dryer in the bathtub? Yeah, it’s gonna be like all those. And maybe even more than all those put together. So. Here it is. I’ll just lay it out … The rest of the story…
I was gonna say it surprises me. But it doesn’t surprise me anymore how most people still cling to antiquated and debunked theories of origin. I still think it’s sad. But not surprising. Because I’ve lived long enough to see people have figured out how to build their own thrones. And be their own kings. Or queens. But they still … The rest of the story…
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 of my songs. Not so coincidentally the song’s title is “Give To Gain.” And I’ll say, right up front, it’s … The rest of the story…
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 if you don’t know where you’re going, how will you know when you get there? And that’s not just good … The rest of the story…
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 first glance. Never bring a gun to a sword fight. Or, I should say, don’t bring a gun and fight … The rest of the story…
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 the Earth was created. But it got messed up a long time ago in a cataclysmic flood. Skip that rabbit … The rest of the story…
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 1800 or so, to be or to get on one’s high horse meant to act superior, with or without justification.” … The rest of the story…
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 that barn over the years. And it’s been there a long time. Have you noticed there’s no peace on Earth? … The rest of the story…
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 don’t translate the words. But before I answer any trick questions, a little road story. It was 1989. And my … The rest of the story…
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 people DO suffer such slings and arrows of outrageous misfortune. However, they still don’t know what a real bottomless pit … The rest of the story…
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 all the songs. And not only that, you’ll be able to jot down all your best ideas and inspirations before … The rest of the story…
I’ll do it. Yeah, somebody’s gotta keep an eye on ’em. And make sure they’re not fallin’ into decay. Like so many other parts of this land of the less free and brave. And my trusty MacBook will serve as my traveler journal to record what I discover along the way. Oh, I guess I should clarify. I’m talkin’ about … The rest of the story…