Writing Music / Songs

I have been writing some poetry and specifically setting them to music. I have been writing songs, if you will. :) I wonder firstly, if anyone reads this. Second I wonder if any said possible readers get that joke. Probably not, but good thoughts none the less.

Anyway, back to the point. I have been writing songs and it is rather difficult. I really enjoy it, and it is certainly a worthwhile use of my time, but moving from a world of just worship music to trying to write songs that appeal to people's emotions and challenge them to think or at least entertain them is quite a different animal. The same laws do not apply to "regular music" and "worship music."

For instance:
Worship Music

• Point to Christ
• Glorify God
• Help you praise God
• Not about show
• Easy to sing
• Less "Do do do"
• Straightforward

Normal Music

• Make a point or have a point
• Glorify God
• Help you enjoy life
• About Show
• Whatever I want to say
• "Do do do" encouraged
• Complicated or simple (either)

Anyway, it is interesting trying to write something significant and real that really sounds good and is not always preachy or worship specific music. I want to write about real things that people can identify with, which is worship to Christ, just not in the traditional worship chorus style. But that is what comes out sometimes because of my experience with leading worship.

It is a good problem, because as I work through this even if I don't get a lot of "Normal Music" right now, I am getting some good praise music :)

-- Michael

Been A Month

It has been a month since I wrote here.

A lot has changed. Well I guess not a whole lot, but some.

I might be going to the Czech Republic the Spr. of '09.

I am excited about that!

Anyway, I'll write more later.

God Timeless in Eternity

I found this article today while searching out some info on eternity to share with my kids this summer at Sky Ranch. The topic is eternity and how God plays into that.

Read this:
http://www.leaderu.com/offices/billcraig/docs/eternity.html

Really interesting stuff. Footnote 25 is great too, talking about several issues depending on the Trinity. I tend to believe the relative view of time, with God existing timelessly before creation, however I take issue with the conclusion:

"Thus, the proper understanding of God, time, and eternity would be that God exists changelessly and timelessly prior to creation and in time after creation."

How I have envisioned how God exists in eternity and not just envisioned but seen exposed in scripture and thinking is that God exists in eternity, timeless, etc. now, as well as before creation. He interacts with time from his place outside of time, but is not bound to it.

<------------------------Eternity---------------------------->
| (Time) |
Beginning (Creation) <- -> End (Judgment)

This is a figure describing kind of what I am saying. Time is an outside entity created from eternity and accessed from eternity by God. The problem with this model is that Eternity is on a timescale, which is not philosophically correct, as Eternity is timeless, almost like an eternal instance where past, present, and future combine into one. Thus, God is able to enter time for any moment as long as he wants, as his existence is outside and independent of time.

Dr. Craig seems to suggest that post creation, God is dependent upon time or bound by time, which is what my ideas above try to take a different point of view on.

Just some thoughts. Anyone?

Stall Out...another encouragement

This one is by MuteMath

Another encouraging song in the midst of stuff going on in my life. God and I are still far from over. And That is the best thing I have ever heard of. Check it out...listen to this song. At least read it below:

Racing on a fault-line
Bracing for a landslide
Conscious of every move getting harder
Has the race gone underwater?

I keep stalling out; I just can't keep up
There's alarming doubt; am I good enough?
But you keep coming around to convince me
It's still far from over

We are still far, we are still far
We are still far from over (repeat)
God is good.  He doesn't abandon us!

Restored

This song is really good. It is an encouragement for sure:

Restored by Jeremy Camp:

All this time I've wandered around searching for the things I'll never know
I've been searching for this answer that only will be found in your love
And I feel it
My heart is being mended by your touch
And I hear it
Your voice that's shown my purpose in this world

(Chorus)
You have restored me from my feeble and broken soul
You have restored me

I've only come to realize my strength will be made perfect at your throne
Laying all reflections down to see the precious beauty that you've shown
And I feel it
My heart is being mended by your touch
And I hear it
Your voice thats shown my purpose in this world.

(Chorus)

(Bridge)
Laying all these questions down you've answered what I need
You've given more than I deserve your making me complete
You give me all these open doors I'm humbled at your feet
To show me what you've done for me.

(Chorus)

All this time I've wandered around searching for the things I'll never know.

Halo 3 Legendary Edition

So...I went ahead and did it yesterday...
Yes, I pre-ordered the Legendary Edition of Halo 3!!

What am I thinking? Well, I think you will agree it will be worth the extra $40 bucks for what I get! (Really, its only an extra $20 because Megan so graciously gave me a $20 dollar gift card to Gamespot for our 2 Year anniversary! (She also got me a journal) More on that later today).

Check this out:
|
<------ You get this awesome Mark VI Mjolnir Master Chief helmet case. Also:

• Behind-the-scenes at Bungie Studios with new insights into the Halo Universe and the making of Halo 3.
• A special hi-res collection of all cinematics from Halo 1 and Halo 2 with director commentary from the Bungie Team bonus
• Community content from Red vs. Blue, This Spartan Life and Exclusive Gamer Tiles & a Theme
• Each unit will be serialized for added individuality and collectability.
  

How the heck could I not get that!?!?! :)

Anyway, come over and play!

-out-

I've been set free

Have you ever wondered about that day? You know...that day.

The one where the title of this blog happens...where God takes one look at you, sees His Son living inside you, covering you, and gives you a smile that fills you with love and fear and knocks you forward to your face, destroyed?

You know...the one where our faith will finally be sight? The one where I get to walk by the big sea on streets of pure gold with Jesus talking about how He moved in my life. Where I get to talk to my family and never be apart. The one where I get to meet the angel who I share a name with.

Oh that day. We have been set free from death, the crap of this world, and given peace amidst ridiculousness in this world. Can I ask for more? It is the best we can have. We just have to have patience and strength to face the world as it caves in.

Beware. I am making a Dragon Ball Z reference.

It is like Goku on that planet facing Frieza. The world was crumbling around him, but he had to remain steadfast and focused to build up that Spirit Bomb. Fortunately, he did. Unfortunately for him, after all that. He missed. That is Lame-o, Goku. Capital L.

And while I duck a misplaced kah maya maya (work on that aim, Goku), it occurs to me that what God is building in us won't miss the mark. Christ says that the work He has begun in us will be finished. And that His word does not come back empty.

How cool is that? Shall we remain focused then? Yes. If we can, through His power, we will be able to walk into that day and smile back...