Music is an audible medium. But communication between great musicians is without words. I cannot explain the spiritual nature of making music. Where does it come from? How do we hear harmony? Why is music almost like food in many, if not all, cultures. Some of these questions may be answered by someone smarter than the likes of me.

I had a great time last night playing with some fantastic Nashville pickers. There’s something easy about those guys…not regarding their playing abilities (they are musical monsters!) but their easy-going, light-hearted approach to what they do. The amazing thing about Nashville pickers is that they work off of a musical short-hand called the number system. I won’t go into details about the technical side of the Nashville Number System here but generally it was developed by a studio singer in the middle of the last century to indicate when the band is to change chords. The numbers represent the steps in a chord progression, allowing the band to change keys quickly if the singer needs to do so in the recording session. The beauty of a session musician is that they know how to fill in the flesh on the musical skeleton that the number system suggests.

The mystery of music is especially puzzling to me because I can’t explain where it comes from in myself. All I know is that I have been singing harmonies to records since I was a small child. My mother was a by-ear piano player and her father and his father were musician/ singers. It must run in families. Playing guitar is not a technical thing for me. There is somehow a direct connection between my soul and my fingers. I hear a melody in my heart and, with the help of a good, in-tune guitar and tube amp (pedals, too!) I can turn a thought into something other people can experience.

I found an interesting interview in the American Chronicle from May 9, 2008 where veteran guitarist, Steve Gibson (he was picking last night along with drum legend Eddie Bayers on keys…say what?), illustrates the craft of a Nashville studio picker:

“Take the rhythm section we use for George Strait records: Eddie Bayers, Stuart Duncan, Glenn Worf, Paul Franklin, Brent Mason, Mac McAnally, Steve Nathan, Matt Rollings and myself. We all know each other so well that when some little spark flies through the room, we instinctively know what to do. This may sound mystical, but it’s really true. Something flies off of someone’s hands and somebody else grabs it – instantly, mind you, without even thinking – and adds the next set of molecules to it and passes it on. There’s nothing in the world that feels as gratifying.”

As a musician, this is what’s so exciting. Our efforts are only complete when we can see that you, the audience, are enjoying what we are creating.

I think it’s cool that God asks His kids to do things totally against the grain of human nature. All things supernatural are contrary to human nature. Our propensity to sin leads us away from God, forging a stubborn independence from His will and provision. Our flesh depends on it’s own strength for survival. But God’s desire for mankind is that we trust Him alone to meet our needs through faith and grace (unmerited favor). An illustration of just how backward we humans have it is found in this conundrum from Henry Blackaby’s study, Experiencing God: “Don’t just do something. Stand there!” Henry goes on to make his point,

“We are industrious people. We always want to accomplish something. The idea of doing God’s will sounds exciting. Once in awhile, someone says, ‘Don’t just stand there—do something.’ Sometimes individuals or churches are so busy carrying out plans they think will help achieve God’s purposes that they don’t bother to find out what He actually wants. We often wear ourselves out and accomplish little for the kingdom of God.”

“Jesus said, ‘I am the vine; you are the branches. The one who remains in Me and I in him produces much fruit, because you can do nothing without Me’ (John 15:5). Do you believe that without Him you can do nothing? Sure, you can keep yourself busy. You can immerse yourself in activities, programs, meetings, and events, but they will not have any lasting value for God’s kingdom…”

I read a Tweet from Saddleback Church pastor Rick Warren today that stated, “God gives (you) enough time to do His Will. If (you) can’t get it all done-(you are) doing stuff out of His Will or doing it a wrong way.” God does not require us to be in a hurry, but to discover what He is doing and get in the midst of it. We will arrive at the correct destination at just the right time when we are in His will.

God is calling me to “stand still” regarding some initiatives in my life. My tendency is to “work it” and “push” and “struggle” until I get the results I want…after all–isn’t struggle godly? No. Sometimes waiting and watching is what God desires from me–to wait in the bushes and watch for His salvation. 2 Chronicles 20:17 says, “You will not have to fight this battle. Take up your positions; stand firm and see the deliverance the LORD will give you…” (NIV).

God, help me to trust You with my life. You have an amazing perspective on my days on earth from beginning to end. As my Alpha and Omega, please reveal to me what You are doing so I might join You in Your work. Help me not to get it backward and find myself, like Pastor Warren pointed out…doing stuff out of Your Will or doing it a wrong way, altogether.

I am often asked how it feels to play along side a famous musician. I think its cool because for my whole life I have dreamed of playing music with my heroes. As a result of the blessing of God, a lot of hard work, several bumps and bruises, and a lot of stubbornness, I am living that dream today.

Sometimes it’s disappointing when my imagination of a certain person doesn’t match up with reality. In most situations the more famous and the closer to icon status a person is the more genuine and loving they are. They have years of experience behind them and know how important the fans are to their survival as an artist. Sometimes it is the new artist that lacks the patience and understanding when it comes to dealing with fans. It is a common mistake in life to misjudge someone by the way they look or seem. The best way to deal with people is to treat normal people like rock stars and rock stars like normal people. It’s kind of like someone with new money that needs to prove their stature and adorn themselves with ostentatious outward displays of the trappings of wealth verses the millionaire that wears work clothes and drives a tattered truck. The unwise see a poor man coming and pay no attention. The wise make their inquiries and find that buried in that brown, dirty work-pant pocket is wad of $100 bills. My heroes love people just because and are not respecters of persons. No airs. No pretensions. No bologna.

I try not to make a fool of myself when I meet a hero. It is not a good thing to salivate, convulse, stutter or fall down when in their presence. I met a life-long hero a few years ago. As I reached to shake his hand he looked at me with a strange wince. I felt awkward but went on to finish the introduction and walked away puzzled. Later, feeling awkward about the encounter, I was leaving in my car and caught a glimpse of my chin as I glanced in the rear-view mirror. Right there, hanging like a ridiculous appendage, was a grotesque chunk of taco meat—a remnant from lunch two hours earlier. I’d hoped he didn’t think it was a hideous mole…or something worse.

I have worked with many of my heroes but none comes close to Charlie Daniels. He is a joy. He is also a KILLER entertainer. His ability to be a performer and a lover of God at the same time blows my mind. I used to listen to his Fire On the Mountain record with The South’s Gonna Do It Again as I was growing up in Fullerton, California. I have had the pleasure of sharing the stage with him several times and I’ll be seeing him again this Friday night.

When it comes to meeting our heroes one can never dream too big. Some heroes are a disappointment. Charlie is the real deal!

An update on my recent life-style change is due.

I have been high-blood-pressure free for 2 months now. I continue to lose weight and am down 30 lbs. and falling. My goal is 50 at 50 (down 50 lbs. for my half-century birthday–which happens to fall on Josh and Amber’s wedding day, July 10th). I am on track, but 20 lbs. in a month is a tall order! I am willing to do what it takes to lose the rest and to keep it off even if I need August to fulfill it.

Things seem to change in life by decades and involve things that roll. The first decade is stroller to bicycle; second is bicycle to car; third is a car to pushing a stroller & teaching the kids to ride a bike; fourth is teaching the kids to drive; and the fifth is gonna be staying active on the treadmill and movement in general. I want to forgo the decade when it all goes backward and I am being pushed in a wheelchair. My decision to make a big change in life now will make the difference for the rest of my life.

My dad is 83 and he is doing fantastic. His eyes are feeble with macular degeneration but he is still gobbling up books on the Kindle that Brenda and I got him for Christmas last year . He added years to his life when he made a serious life-style change and decided to quit smoking almost 30 years ago. I believe Pop’s biggest asset to longevity is his humor. He brings fun to every conversation and people just love him. I want to be like my dad: chronologically blessed, well-read, handsome and hilarious!

Weight-Loss Frustration

It being Saturday, I woke early to get the stuff done around the house in enough time to prepare for the weekend services at church. If I am not careful, the day will slip away and I will regret that I didn’t seize the opportunity to enjoy what Saturdays bring.

I remember those childhood days in the summer when I could get up at any time my body wanted, ate anything in sight, rode bikes with my friends and didn’t come home until the street lights came on. I had no restrictions on time or energy. My parents were very trusting of the neighborhood and weren’t too worried about the streets or the dangers therein. We basically had free-reign. Before I was 15, church never was a family priority. So from Friday night until Sunday night, we were absolutely carefree.

I wholeheartedly chose to be a musician and later a minister/ worship leader. So with that, my weekends became less a time of rest and relaxation and more of a time of work. Evenings are also limited because of rehearsals and performances. Sometimes I have a “leisure fantasy” and dream of the days when life was less complicated. In those fantasies I imagine I might enjoy getting my weekends back…lying around on a hammock, drinking Hawaiian Punch through a straw out of a hollowed-out pineapple. Then I am quickly zapped back into reality when I think of my life without playing music for a living . I don’t know what I would do if I couldn’t play my guitar, sing, write songs or lead worship. I would be sad…lost, really.

Well, I look at the time on the computer and see that it’s almost noon. That means I am soon to start my pre-service prep routine: look over the songs in the set-list, make my cheat-sheet, pray about God’s direction for the service, shower, dress, grab a guitar and dash to the car for the 40 minute, beautiful drive east on 840 toward Murfreesboro and World Outreach Church.

You know, come to think of it–my dream, as I was cruising the neighborhood on my imitation Stingray back in Fullerton in the 70’s, was to play guitar in a band…