Can I Give You a Gift

A group of about 8 women were sitting around a table over lunch...our leader, Pam, was sharing about walking through the holidays and stresss that seems to be waiting to be put on us like a coat...but we can add our own stress as well.   The question was posed at the end as we were being reminded about the true meaning of Christmas and how to keep our gaze upon Christ.  What gift could we give God for Christmas??...the gift of forgiveness, choosing not to "do it all" and just taking more of the season in...taking more of Christ in...is what came to my restless heart...I also think these are gifts we give to others...my heart is more at peace because my heart is right with God, I'm not running around trying to do it all and that in turn affects my interactions with others. We'll see as Christmas is still 10 days away and I think of the list of things I think I need to do...maybe they'll all get done and maybe they won't~and that's ok.

To listen to the song, please click on the following link and have a MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8QfumY7e9s4&feature=youtu.be

Can I Give You a Gift

Can I give you a gift
Can I give you a gift
Can I give you a gift this Christmas

        

How about the gift of forgiveness I have had enough of withholding love
I will lay that offense down, down, down

How about the gift of staying home
Saying no to all the seasons busyness
I will lay my burdens down, down, down

The gift of simply saying I love youThe gift of time
to speak to this restless heart of mine

Dooo Waft

waft

   /wæft, wɑft/ Show Spelled[waft, wahft] 

verb (used with object)

1.

to carry lightly and smoothly through the air or over water: The gentle breeze wafted the sound of music to our ears.

2.

to send or convey lightly, as if in flight: The actress wafted kisses to her admirers in the audience.

3.

Obsolete . to signal to, summon, or direct by waving.

 

A song dedicated to the awesome group at my Wednesday night class at Waypoint Church.  I had never heard of the word waft that I know of...So the word worked into our conversation that night and Matthew mentioned I should write a song...The ideas began to perculate and I kept hearing a doo wop accapella type song...It took me back to the Huey Lewis and the News concert at Memorial Park this summer...Yes Huey...He's great- Come on how can you not sing Power of Love! His band sang an amazing accapella song that night. So here's the little ditty of Doo Waft.

 

Song to come...

Riddle

Sitting at The Side Door Lounge with some friends...listening to music at an open mic night...inspiration...hence The Riddle.  I wanted to write a song that was personified.  Gavin DeGraw wrote an amazing song called Belief...not quite personified but I was thinking about the way the angle he wrote the song while coming up with these lyrics. 
 

Now I need inspiration for a melody...finally a melody came...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BaqgQ0G0QT8&list=UULevGOiwnuoDepe2K4sLJFw&index=1&feature=plcp

Riddle                         (Please reply if you have any guesses??)

Put down your binoculars

No need for a microscope

You don’t have to look for me

I blow in and out like a breeze

What do you think I am?

 

Nothing ever comes easy

How would you expect to grow

I’m here to break you down and build you up

Show you what you’re made of

What do you think I am?

 

I may try to test you

Will you make the grade?

Pass or fail.  It doesn’t matter

I’ll be back again

What do you think I am?

Song Called Lovely

This song simply came from a conversation with a friend who said that I like to use the word lovely...I love this word! It's feminine and yes lovely...so I thought... I need to write a song with the word lovely in it.. and here's what spilled out. Little did I know the message was on God's heart knocking on my heart (and it's always on his heart because we've been created for His love) ..for me and you women out there (and yes for men, too- you can change the word to - well...macho, handsome, chivalrous, wonderful). It's true. He's furiously, crazy about us.. afterall he formed and fashioned us.  After watching a documentary called Furious Love, this song resonated even more.

I'm especially thinking about a few women I know who have had treatment for cancer...they are so beautiful and courageous.

You may click on the link below to hear this Song Called Lovely...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtS4tOZbRKA&feature=youtu.be

One Fall Saturday (Metro Songwriting Workshop students)

Today...a beautiful, fall Saturday... At La Vista Metro Campus teaching a songwriting workshop...and conversing with 4 wonderful people.  I can't believe I get paid to do something I love!
The last writing assignment was for the class to incorporate what they learned about song structure and the elements of song writing following a 3 step writing process.  The title they chose was One Fall Saturday.  They did a great job of coming up with ideas for the song and they wrote the first verse and chorus...and came up with the tone and emotion they wanted the song to convey.  I will post the song lyrics and come up with a melody sometime by the end of October..fun!!

Well...here it goes co-writers..I'd love to hear if you have another take on the melody or the lyrics for that matter...Email me and I'd love to hear if you re-write this song with a melody of your own...a new assignment :)

You may click on the following link to hear One Fall Saturday
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZiO8799_dvM&feature=youtu.be

One Fall Saturday     Co-written by Jay, Beverly, Leslie, Paula, and Beth

I could sing, I could sing about the weather and the trees

I could sing, I could sing about the highway and the breeze
Or I could talk about the falling of the leaves
But I’d rather sing about you, and you, and you and me

CHORUS:
One fall Saturday
What a trip we’ve taken
New steps we’re making
One fall Saturday
What a trip we’ve taken
New steps we’re taking

I could drive, I could drive away wearing my same black hat (Jay's hat)

I could think, I could think today maybe I’ll get around to that
Or I could make some changes like the falling of the leaves
Since our paths crossed on this journey

Repeat CHORUS

BRIDGE:
A bend in the road, a risk to create, a passionate flow…coming together, coming together

Repeat CHORUS

The Ocean Has a Shore

I can smell the ocean breeze- feel the sand on my feet- the moist wind is blowing my hair in my face as the water gushes over my ankles and I look out into the deep, wide blue. 

God is always speaking.  Just as the tide comes in and out...Sometimes I'm more in tune with Him than other times..When I've got a lot of heart and head clutter I don't always hear as clearly ...This song speaks to  how God teaches me things through the simple things in life..usually the same things over and over (it takes me awhile to get things)... They eventually drop from my head into my heart and that's where transformation takes place.  Also, how I compare myself with others who are way beyond me who seem to be effortlessly wading in deep waters...agreeing with the lie of comparison is a thief in my eyes and it robs us of many things... There are a lot of themes in this song...I hope it will speak to you or at least make you think of being on the beach watching seagulls and letting the water dance over your feet :)

You may click here to listen to song-
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4hIGUGDBlwU&feature=youtu.be

My ankles are covered with water
but I’d rather be submerged
Diving into places of depth                                    
trying to find something of worth
      It’s in this place I face my heart
      where pride is shown and gratitude sparse

Chorus:
            
The ocean has a shore a deep and shallow end

where the tide comes in and goes out again

A simple, steady rhythm I don’t think much about

The ocean has a shore  x2

Here I stand

I’m splattering and shattering  
The views I used to hold close            
How bigger is better than the simple things I’m being told
     It's in this place I face my heart
     Where pride is shown and gratitude sparse

Bridge:

You’re quenching my thirstwith one or two little words
You're quenching my thirst
Oh I like it here
Your breath is near
Oh I like it here Oh I like.. the ocean has a shore

@2012

 

Swing the Door

There have been times lately where I've wanted to hide away and pray..lay down burdens, pray for others and listen to God.  I reach for the door knob to walk into my room and I think of 5 other things I wanted to do...and I do them...I get into my room and begin talking to the Lord and turn on my computer then do the other two things that come to mind...There is a battle that goes on...I continue to press through. This song came after reading a devotional from Oswald Chambers..My Utmost for His Highest..it constantly speaks to my heart and challenges me. 

Swing the Door... song not finished yet. I figure if I start a post I will more likely to keep working on the song :)  Well..a month and a half later I did finish the song...Click here to listen..

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MfYUlnPmZ1k&feature=youtu.be

Resistance is keeping me from your heart

Distraction’s enticing me  It’s not hard
Contending I finally made it out, out of the dark
Like a magnet I’m being pulled, pulled away

Chorus:

Swing the door wide open
Step inside
Close the door tight real tight


Submission is echoing from these 4 walls
Gradually one knee’s on the floor face in my hands
Wrestling I don’t have a chance no no chance
Like a magnet, I’m being pulled, pulled away

Chorus:

Swing the door wide open
Step outside
Close the door tight real tight

Bridge:
A dance is taking place
Three partners can’t occupy the same space anymore
So here I go
I’m choosing to