Lately I have been reflecting on what I call “Joshua-Caleb faith.” There were twelve “tried and true” leaders selected from each tribe to scout out the land God had promised the people of Israel. The fruit of the land was robust – grapes, pomegranates, figs. It took two men to carry one cluster of grapes on a pole! Yet, when these twelve strong leaders returned and gave their report, after showing off the incredible fruit, ten of them focused on all the reasons they shouldn’t go into the land, even though God had told them He was giving the land to them. So, I ask myself, am I refusing to accept any gifts from God in my life – grace, forgiveness, provision, moving forward to receive a blessing He has in store? I am inspired by God’s words about Caleb, “he follows me passionately.” (Numbers 13-14).

The story behind “Resting” from “The Voice” CD…Rest is something I often seek to take a step back from the pace and fullness of life, to trust that things I cannot control are in good hands, and to find a few moments of calm strength in a world so full of unrest. There are times when I need to rest physically. There are opportunities when I need to rest by fully trusting God in the midst of activity. “The Lord replied (to Moses), ‘my Presence will go with you, and I will give you rest.'” (Exodus 33:14)

A high school open house with my wife and son, a special father-daughter birthday trip to an out of town concert, a new public relations firm engagement to share the Music to Light the World story nationally, and ordering 5,000 “December Peace” CDs to be donated to children with cancer in 70 hospitals across the U.S.  All of these have been interwoven into life in a 24-hour span of time, and they have all required me to surrender.  One aspect of growing in surrender is learning I cannot “push” things to happen. I have to have faith that God will “pull” things into being that He desires. I have to do my part in listening and following His voice, but then I have to surrender and trust Him to do His part.

Yesterday afternoon I made room in my schedule to watch (and video) my 8th grade son’s rocket launch as part of his space science project. After the 5-4-3-2-1 he got to be the one to press the button, igniting the gun powder and sending the balsa wood rocket about 500 feet high. As it peaked there was a puff of white smoke.  A red parachute opened and the rocket floated safely back to earth. Everyone watching experienced a sense of wonder and child-like faith, which connects to why I create music – to help listeners pause and reflect on their own longing for peace, joy and hope . . . for wonder . . . for child-like faith.

Just returned home from playing Friday night through Sunday morning at Church at Charlotte, for a HOPE Cancer Ministry benefit as well as weekend services. Before leaving on this trip I had a very energizing conversation with Will Ackerman in Vermont about the possibility of working together for our fourth recording project next spring. In Charlotte I had a conversation with a lady who had received a CD as a gift from someone and had used the music many, many times in her counseling practice helping clients receive a sense of peace and rest. There were many other special conversations throughout the weekend, including talking with my family back home. Conversations and relationships are gifts to treasure in life’s journey.

The song “May it Be” by Enya from the soundtrack to “The Lord of the Rings – The Fellowship of the Ring” has brought me to tears many times.  The opening words “May it be an evening star shines down upon you. May it be when darkness falls your heart will be true. You walk a lonely road. Oh, how far you are from home.” invoke in me a longing for heaven, my true home, and a longing to treasure life’s precious moments here on earth.

These words from Psalm 23 (The Message) refreshed me this morning . . . “Your beauty and love chase after me every day of my life. God, my shepherd! I don’t need a thing. You have bedded me down in lush meadows, you find me quiet pools to drink from. True to your word, you let me catch my breath and send me in the right direction.”

My wife and I just celebrated our 20th wedding anniversary(!).  In 2005 I wrote her a love song melody called “Captivating,” inspired by Proverbs 5:18-19 where it says, “…may you rejoice in the wife of your youth…may you ever be captivated by her love.”  Love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (the fruit of the Holy Spirit) are attributes that I need each day to be captivated by my wife and to be captivated by my faith journey with God.  These cannot be lived out in my own strength, but only with God’s help and by His grace.

A few thoughts on calling and purpose that I was reflecting on this morning…”The place God calls you to is the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet.” – Frederick Buechner.  The realization of the call in a person’s life may come quickly like a clap of thunder or it may dawn gradually, but however this awareness comes, it is always accompanied with the undercurrent of the supernatural – something that is inexpressible and produces a ‘glow.’ If you will agree with God’s purpose, He will bring not only your conscious level but also all the deeper levels of your life, which you yourself cannot reach, into perfect harmony.” – Oswald Chambers

Having some quiet time this morning, I was remembering my favorite summer job at Adventures Unlimited canoe rental in the Florida panhandle. I began to learn the importance of including times of solitude in my life as I would work to unload 100 canoes early in the morning, then rest in the river listening to the breeze, the birds and the flowing water. Solitude plays a vital role in pausing to listen for God’s voice in my life and in the creative process with my music.