A new piano melody has been in the works for a while and is still in process. It will be called “For a Lifetime,” inspired by Psalm 30:5 “For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favor lasts a lifetime; weeping may remain for a night, but rejoicing comes in the morning.” I meditate on this verse when life brings “tears of lament” (from “The Voice” CD). I am encouraged that God’s favor, His grace, bring rejoicing in the morning.

The pastor of Mt. Pisgah United Methodist in metro Atlanta has chosen “December Peace” as his sermon title for this Sunday. I will be playing “Discovery,” “Shepherds and Stars,” and “Away in a Manger” with grand piano and visuals at all three services. Each selection will play a part in preparing our hearts for the holiday season: 1) discovering surrender so we can receive the gift of God’s peace and rest, 2) reflecting on the wonder of the scene when countless angels appeared before a few shepherds to announce the Savior’s birth, and 3) the mystery of God’s grace in coming to earth as a child to forgive our sins.

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.”