ONLY EVERYWHERE

"WELCOME TO THE PLACE
WHERE CONFUSION IS ERASED
AND WHAT WE HOPE THAT WE CAN BE
IS TURNED INTO REALITY..."

A place where the big picture is not lost. It's easy to lose perspective in
the details of life. Details don't always reveal an overall order. Wrong
interpretations confuse us even more. Small details can grow into big
doubts. We get lost. You might say we can't see the forest for the trees.
But when you pull back its easier to see, I’M NOT LOST - I’M IN THE FOREST!
Right where I’m supposed to be.
In this big picture the world is our forest. A place where God is only
everywhere, spinning us around, fast enough to create gravity that holds us
all in place. Sending us light from distant stars, growing trees that give
us air. Lungs to breathe. WE EXIST. A simple fact that offers wonderful
perspective. This is the realm where hope is always found. Where each of us
can close our eyes and say, I exist, I am breathing. I obviously didn't’t will
myself into being. There was something before me and if so, it is not un
reasonable to think that it continues beyond me. There is obviously
something bigger. And that something is God. Constantly creating. Where
hope turns into reality.

"SUDDENLY IT'S CLEAR
AS EVERY BLADE OF GRASS APPEARS
SOMEONE'S DRIVING, THEY ARE LIVING
SOMEONE INFINITELY GIVING"

I wanted to tell part of the story through nature, because I would like for
us to have more concern for the environment and understand that people are
not the only miracle created by God. An understanding and appreciation for
our environment is important and can be a big help in visualizing how
everything is part of the plan.

"SO YOU DON'T GET LOST
YOU DON'T STAY DOWN
IT'S LIKE YOUR HEART IS THINKING
AND YOU CAN FIND YOUR WAY AROUND
WHEN THE LIGHTS START BLINKING"

There is something beyond thinking, beyond feeling. A deep intuition that
recognizes the "something bigger" that is gently steering. It doesn't fix
every problem and it may not specifically answer all the details that race
through our minds, but it offers comfort and can keep us from crashing. Like
a big net, breaking the fall and hurling us up again at an exhilarating
speed, through life's ups and downs. We are offered hope, purpose and
guidance.

 

ENJOY THE RIDE

Definitely a metaphor for our lives
Performed with a string quartet, this is a song about a traffic jam that
turns into a party.

"I CAN MAKE IT BY EVENING
WHEN THE SUN GOES DOWN
I'LL BE SAFE AND SOUND "

We begin thinking we know where we're going. Believing that the mysteries in
life will all be wonderful surprises.

"BUT THE MYSTERY SPREADS
FROM OUR HEARTS TO OUR HEADS"

Soon we find how easily the mystery can turn from wonder to worry.

"FIND JOY AND THE CHAOS IS FLEETING"

Sometimes simple truths are found when we're stuck

"THE ANSWER WE NEED HAS BEEN TIED UP IN OUR TONGUES
OURS IS A STORY THAT CANNOT BE SPOKEN, IT MUST BE SUNG
WE HAVE BEGUN"

TURN THE LIGHTS ON

"I WATCH THE WORLD ON TV SCREENS
AND I'M STILL ALONE
I CAN SLEEP ON WATER, PRETEND I'M OUT TO SEA
AND I'M STILL ALONE
SO I CALL MY FRIENDS TO COME HANG OUT 'TIL THREE
AND I'M STILL ALONE
I CAN ASK YOUR DAUGHTER TO GO OUT WITH ME
AND I'M STILL ALONE"

A classic case of not being able to enjoy life when there is no meaning.

"THERE'S NO FIRELIGHT"
"AND THERE'S NO MOONLIGHT"
"NO STARRY EYES UNDER MY SKIES"
"NO FIREFLIES OR SUNRISE"
"I CAN'T SEE THEM WITHOUT YOU"

Without a deep spiritual light there is no passion, romance, wonder, joy,
imagination or hope.

DON'T LOOK DOWN

Loud music/peaceful message

"I SLEEP IN SWEATS AND T-SHIRTS
BUT I DREAM IN CLOUDS SWIRLING WAY ABOVE MY TOWN..."

The physical world can be pretty ordinary. But in our spirits we are capable
of extraordinary things. Also, we are not going to physically last forever,
so it makes sense that the spirit should have the final word of guidance.
With this in mind...

"I CAN SEE YOUR HANDS ARE TREMBLING
AS YOU TRY TO TURN THE GLOBE AROUND
BUT THE ANSWER DOESN'T LIE INSIDE THIS SPINNING WORLD WE LIVE IN
NO YOU DON'T FIND IT LOOKING DOWN"

We find ourselves in some pretty frightening situations in life. Sometimes
it feels like the fate of the whole world depends on us. In these times it's
important to consider more than just what solves problems today. We have to
keep in mind what kind of seeds our actions are planting for the future.
Small seeds grow tall trees. Planting peaceful seeds will grow a spiritual
life tall enough to look up to in the future, establishing the spirit as the
guide for the practical. It's hard sometimes but it's important not to lose
respect for life, any life. If we only respect the lives of those who
respect us, then we'll never gain any ground.

"DON'T LOOK DOWN
YOUR MIND BEGINS TO SWAY
SO DON'T LOOK DOWN
THE SPINNING GOES AWAY
IF YOU DON'T LOOK DOWN
AND YOU WILL FIND YOUR WAY, ANOTHER WAY
JUST DON'T LOOK DOWN"

MORE THAN REASON

"I CALL OUT IN DESPERATION
WHEN SEAS GET ROUGH I LOOK FOR YOUR NAVIGATION"

We need something that settles our emotions.

"AND SOMEHOW I KNOW YOU SHOULD BE MUCH MORE..."

But at some point that's not enough. We need more than emotional support.

"I WANNA THINK ABOUT YOU
NOT JUST TONIGHT
LOST IN BETWEEN
STORMS IN MY LIFE - WITH LOVE LOSING MEANING
I'M ASKING NOW
PLEASE CAN YOU STAY
HERE IN MY HEART AND MAKE STRAIGHT THE WAY"

We begin a steady search for reason.

"AND WHEN MY MIND FILLS UP WITH QUESTIONS
I GET CAUGHT UP IN EVERY THOUGHT AND SUGGESTION"

When we search, questions are answered and reason is found, but sometimes all
the answers in the world aren't enough. We still need to feel secure. We
need our emotions taken care of.

"SOMEHOW I KNOW YOU SHOULD BE
MUCH MORE THAN I KNOW"

We need both emotional security and reason.
This song is about searching for and finding both.
Emotions are steadied in a reasonable situation.

"YOU MAKE SENSE
BUT ITS MORE THAN REASON"

We find our balance. It is reasonable to believe in God and at the same time
there is more involved than just reason, more than evidence. There's nothing
wrong with evidence. We are evidence. We are living proof, so to speak, us
along with everything in the universe. But at some point you have to
consider what creates the evidence, and what was before that and before that.
The answer is always "something" and I believe ultimately that "something"
is God. There is evidence of a creator. It is reasonable. And it is more.
Most of us are well acquainted with the emotional side of spirituality. But
when that emotional affection is combined with reasonable thoughts, the
experience is deepened. There doesn't have to be so much conflict between
science and spirituality. You don't have to pick one or the other. When
science and spirituality are looked at as allies and not enemies, a more
complete picture is offered. We find reason, and then some.

THE BIG PICTURE

The meaning of this song comes into view during the live show. An
explanation through video and space music.

WHATEVER COMES

"WHATEVER COMES
I'M GONNA BE RIGHT BY YOUR SIDE
WHEN LIFE SEEMS LONELY
KNOW THAT I WILL BE THERE
AND YOU'LL SEE THE ONLY
REASON I'M HERE TO SHARE... WHATEVER COMES"

When I wonder about what is going to happen in the future, I remember that it
is just as big of a miracle that we are here now.

BELIEVE OUTLOUD

"WE'VE BEEN WAITING FOR THIS DAY TO COME
TRYING NOT TO COME UNDONE
NOW IT'S TIME TO FEEL THE SPIRIT GLOW
AND LET YOUR INHIBITIONS GO"

Something for the rock crowd. A loud release of emotion. A song about
breaking through, finding your own voice, and living the reality of what you
believe.

DON'T WANNA SAY AMEN

"NOW WE FILL THE AIR WITH WHISPERS OF OUR LOVE
AND SCARCELY BELIEVE THE BEAUTY FLOWING FROM ABOVE
THIS IS A MOMENT I DON'T EVER WANT TO END
I DON'T WANNA SAY AMEN"

"THOUGHTS I CANNOT BRING TO WORDS YOU COMPREHEND
THE DEEPEST GROANS WITHIN MY SOUL YOU UNDERSTAND
AND ALL OF MY TROUBLES FALL AWAY AS WE TRANSCEND
I DON'T WANNA SAY AMEN"

"THIS IS A MOMENT I DON'T EVER WANT TO END "

SOULS OF PEACE

Most of the music to this point is about finding, forming and experiencing a
spiritual life. This song is about what that life can look like interacting
with others. If you only pick one to listen to the message, I hope it is
this one.

"IT IS TIME TO DRAW AN END TO "US AND THEM"
SO "WE" CAN BEGIN..."

We are all connected, in spite of our distinctions. We all have far more in
common than we have differences.

"YES AND SOON WE WILL SEE
WHEN OUR EYES ARE LIT WITH LOVE
NOT JUST LIGHT
HE GIVES US SIGHT"

When we recognize our common thread, we are enabled to see everyone as
children of God.

"FOR LOOKING WITHIN OURSELVES
TO FIND COMPASSION FOR SOMEONE ELSE
A WANT TO BE EVEN AS HE IS... FORGIVING OF US"

This is when we are truly able to begin caring for each other.

"THROUGH OUR LIVES WE GET SO TANGLED
BUT IN OUR HEARTS WE CAN SPEAK
IF OUR THOUGHTS SHOULD STIR WITH ANGER
GIVE US ALL SOULS OF PEACE"

In life we will disagree with each other. Sometimes it's our fault,
sometimes it's not. We will never be completely innocent. We are flawed.
This is easy to remember when we're talking about ourselves, it excuses our
own actions, but somehow we feel like others should have more control. It is
important to understand that we are never going to be able to make another
person faultless. But still we try. Unfortunately, this is the battle we
choose to fight. Sorting blame and undertaking the impossible task of
righting every wrong. There is something way more important. A higher
priority. Above all, we are called to love. We have an endless source of
unconditional love. Someone who loves us as we are, and inspires us to be
more. It is our job to seek this source and find the peace that is offered.
This should be our desire.

"AND WE WILL TEACH LOVE - WITH LOVE"

Love & hate rarely have the same actions. This phrase often helps me
determine whether my intentions are good. Truly based in love, not
selfishness. Love should be taught selflessly, with everyone's interests in
mind.

"MAKE PEACE - WITH PEACE"

True peace is inspired, not forced.
I really believe this one, so let me say it again. PEACE IS INSPIRED, NOT
FORCED.

"GIVE HOPE - WITH HOPE"

At some point you have to trust that the hope we are offered is real and will
be recognized. Especially when there is an example to follow. We must
commit to modeling behavior that is inspired by this hope.

"AND KNOW JESUS WON'T LET YOU DOWN
'CAUSE HE DIDN'T DIE FIGHTING
HE SHOWED US LOVE WHERE WE COULD NOT IMAGINE"

There is peace beyond our understanding. We all understand why he died, but
don't have much to say about the way he died. It's almost like a
technicality. It could have been any way that God wanted. I think there is
something very significant about the way he died. After all, we are talking
about the pivotal moment in human history. Why didn't he give his life
ridding the world of evil? The modern day hero is usually portrayed as
someone who gives his life while fighting the bad guys. But this is not the
model we were given. Maybe he did die ridding the world of evil, but he
didn't die fighting, he died forgiving. I believe his death inspires us to live peacefully.