I recently had the privilege of performing with Sandra McCracken her new album, “In Feast or Fallow”, for her cd release show in Nashville.  If you aren’t familiar with her music, do yourself a favor and check it out on iTunes or visit her website, www.sandramccracken.com. You will not be disappointed. This is her latest project comprised of mostly old hymns, which you likely haven’t heard, set to new music.
            For the record, this is not a review. The project is amazing and beautifully done on every level from writing and arranging to producing and mixing.  But, my interest is in communicating that my heart is stirred by this album.Read more

“If I stand, let me stand on the promise that you will pull me through, and if I can’t, let me fall on the grace that first brought me to You. If I sing, let me sing for the joy that has born in me these songs, but if I weep, let it be as a man who is longing for his home.” -Rich Mullins
     I can hardly get through this song without weeping, even still, 20 years or so after hearing it for the first time. My wife and I had this song sung at our wedding and to this day it still resonates with me.Read more

“ Oh God, you are my God, and I will ever praise you!”  A line from the very popular song, “Step By Step” written by Rich Mullins and Beaker in 1991.  This is a song that you are probably very familiar with and maybe even tired of hearing if you are involved in a church or familiar with church music at all.  Being a musician, I have performed this song literally hundreds of times.  I have seen audiences big and small stand and sing this song together with an excitement and joy that goes much deeper than familiarity or popularity.  It’s not likely that everyone in the audience is a good singer (unless you’re at a Church of Christ service).  J It’s not even dependant on the performance being flawless, although this helps.  There is something about singing that we resonate with and are drawn to.  There is something about singing truth that brings hope and joy regardless of your belief.Read more

Thanksgiving is over and the Christmas season is officially upon us.  Read more

These times is crazy!!!  I don't know if anyone can relate to this, but I feel like so many things in my life are up in the air.  As a musician, I am familiar with this feeling more than most perhaps, but I have talked to many recently that seem to be sharing the same sensation in their lives.  What do I spend my time and energy working towards as my career continually evolves?  How can I be the husband/father that I need to be when it seems spending more time together is the only way?  Only, there's no more time!  How do I cultivate and nurture the friendships that I have when it seems more and more difficult to spend quality time together.  Should I go ahead and just pull my hair out since its thinning anyway?  Its 10:30 pm and I haven't gotten anything done that I needed to get done, yet I haven't stopped!

The older I get the more I realize how valuable my relationships are.  I just wrote a senior letter for my brother who is graduating from high school.  There is a 20 year difference in age between us and, honestly, we are not very close.  I moved away from home when he was about 1 year old and now we are about 11 hours away from each other.  We only see each other at family events, which are usually not good for quality hang time.  I don't really know him as a friend.  His graduating has stirred my heart for community and friendship.Read more

I am at home today taking care of my 3 year old son, Elliott, while my wife, Christie, is in the hospital recovering from a 24 hour virus.  Normally, she could do that at home, but she is 7 months pregnant with our little girl, Flip.(Elliott's choice for a name and, so far, the only one that's stuck)  What could be a potentially chaotic situation has been fairly calm, all things considered.  My work is on hold, I can't plan for my upcoming hike like I want, I'm not able to move forward with my recording studio setup, there are things that I need to do in the yard, and the list goes on.  Not to mention, I can't be two places at once... Christie is by herself.  We have good friends that are praying for us and offering help with whatever we need, but I really just want my family to be together and it all to be OK. Read more

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Is it just me, or is 2008 flying by faster than normal? Where has it gone? I feel as if my time is spent before I am even able to start whatever it is I am doing. Maybe I’m just getting older. I do have a 2-1/2 year old son… that may have a lot to do with it. Anyway, in the spirit of how fast this year is going, here are some random thoughts.Read more

So I am flying home from a show last weekend and on the plane Derek Webb, Andrew Osenga, and I decide to watch this documentary called, “The King of Kong, A Fistful of Quarters” about the ongoing saga of Billy Mitchell and his fight to hold the world record score on the classic arcade game, “Donkey Kong”.  On the surface you might think this sounds quite boring or even stupid, especially if you are not into video games or in the sixth grade.  Well, I am both, and it was awesome.Read more