Category Archives: Music

182 An Alphabetical Journey Among Words That Describe God, Part 2

My previous post had 7 comments about the 182, sooo I didn’t feel like I could continue that thread.  Especially with how the Spirit is moving in my thoughts and prayers now in reference to using my ignorance & the world’s need.  I watched a 3-day-old video from the World Economic Forum about ‘Digital Inclusion’, (Found here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ5fq9POzLw) and my mind was racing.  Partly because of, for centuries, missions have played a vital role in the development of cultures and languages, and partly because LLMs are finally being developed in other languages than English, and because big business and the private sector are taking over. I know the world can’t trust in anyone other than Christ to act in their best interest.

The need for ‘Digital Inclusion’, let alone literacy in general, amongst the “2.5 billion people” that don’t have access is obviously great.  The 182 could help to give spiritual access to a vocabulary solely developed for the prayer-life of the inhabitants.  Like the LLMs, I feel the need to open this up to other languages.  May God bless this as AI is closing so many doors – I’ve read estimates of 14 million jobs by 2027.

If you are a church leader,  AI may be the cause of a great wave in the coming harvest.  May His Name be praised.  On a side note, I have been singing Daniel ch. 9 to God.  No discernible melodies or chorus, just singing about repentance and God’s mercy and forgiveness.  I know it’s been more catchy to do a ‘Daniel Fast’, but if you want to be ‘highly esteemed’ by the heavenly courts, how about you give it a try?  God bless you!

Bridging the Gap

Last November I unveiled a project my daughter and I had been working on for a number of years.  It all began with a question and a request.  “I want to do a lullaby album, dad!” is how I remember it.  “Do you want to do a lullaby album, Gwen?” is how she remembers it.  Either way, from there our journey began amongst treasure-keeping-waterfalls, magical forests and mystical beaches.  Mermaids, sprites, a dragon and many others greeted us on our way to find the greatest treasure known to humankind, among our common daily toil, the valued treasure of rest.
 
So go ahead, find a place to lie down and listen in on 8 stories and 1 hymn to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  May they guide you to a priceless nap time, and may you have the most fantastic of dreams.
 
A word about Dreams:  Sometimes, story becomes more real than our days IRL, or at least during our sleep IRL.  Long before the meta-verse sought to create a convenient digital version of life in which we could live and work out our days, there was another reality sought by prophets and seers across the world and throughout history, the realm of dreams.  For more than being a source of entertainment while sleeping, dreams at times unraveled the future.  They spanned time and the realms of reality, many of which were often beyond the grasp of where we currently find ourselves and were filled with mystical creatures beyond imagining.  Yet, somehow they interacted with our story here.
 
Again, for children and adults alike, find that safe place and take a moment or two.  Listen to Gwendolyn’s Lullaby, take a nap and trust yourself in the hands of Your Maker.  Perhaps God has a dream for you.
 
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Quj9yTtaxUo&list=OLAK5uy_mlbqOHC3eDhh0TWlNzixOzsJrHkS_qEqc&index=1
 
https://www.path2story.com/?p=583

After the Movie

I had the honor to play after the showing of the Rich Mullins movie at Deaton’s church- Bailey Christian Church. This was the first time it showed in Michigan that I know of. It was a very well done movie about his life and included many people and highlights: Zion, Christian College, Nashville, Amy Grant, Beeker, and even Mitch McVicker, who played himself.

I just played a few songs, as it was nearing 10pm and we still had 1 1/2 hour drive home. But it was fun. I got to travel with Josh Wellborn and his son Isaac who were both so patient and cool about the whole evening. And I got to play with Annette and Alan Deaton, two very awesome people.

I learned some new stuff about Rich, and was reminded about others. Its different to see a movie about some of the things you experienced as a kid.

-Brian

Good Times on the Radio

That was really fun! Thanks to John Hunt for connecting me with 89.7! And thanks to Mike Steibel, another fellow believer, for being our contact.

On the way in, Geno and I ran into Virg Bernero, Lansing’s Mayor. Very cool guy, he shared with us a little about getting the plows moving out there.

John Hunt showed up and talked with us throughout our time at the station and at the restaurant. He was our announcer for the noon show on the radio.

Karen was the radio host that interviewed us, she did great and was very friendly. We got to play “Trapped In Lexington” for the airwaves.

Greg Robertson, who titles himself a “street musician”, was interviewed after us in the morning and played after us at the noon show. Really interesting fellow full of stories and experiences in music. His parents were gypsies, dad- into all kinds of instruments, mom- Alto from Juilliard. Needless to say, I could’ve listened to this guy talk for a while.

What a great experience! Thanks to Geno for playing his violin genius, always adding class to the music. Making me feel cooler just cause he’s there.
If you got a chance to listen in feel free to share your thoughts. It was an honor, and a blessing to know how many believers are there in the public sphere living out their walk. People need the hope we have in Jesus.

-Brian

A Pauper’s Prayer, an Insult, a Joke, or Something More?

Its funny to me the reactions I get toward my cd title. It reminds me of the chapel services I used to lead at GLCC. After almost each one I would have some students thank me while other students would tell me how I offended them. The last few reactions I’ve had toward my cd have had a similar split. I had one guy read it who was obviously rich (or in serious debt and denial), laughed and just kept walking. Another fellow picked it up, read “prayer, and sinner” in the song titles and became offended and said, “I don’t like to talk about those things,” and promptly walked away. “Who does?” I thought to myself. And still I’ve had others thank me for the music and the honesty.

I was thinking of the guy who got offended and the Spirit whispered something- Probably the most devastating claim to the evangelization of the Gospel, especially in a culture that worships “self”, is that we are sinners and that we need Someone greater than us.

It is a tough pill to swallow, but the side effects are blessings. We have the opportunity to become something more than what we could make of ourselves. We take part in a greater cause than recycling, feeding the poor, or world peace, because with Him we are dealing with the eternal.

I want to run down this path even if I am an insult to some and a joke to others, because I serve a God who makes water into wine, who takes a meager meal and feeds thousands. My God makes paupers rich.

God bless,

Brian

Concert at South Lansing Christian Church

It was a great time tonight with all those who came out to hear us. It especially was an honor because I knew most of the people there. Thank you all so much. I was going to claim the right to take a bathroom break at any time during the show but I held together pretty well so it was a good night. 🙂 Plus you guys were so much fun, this concert has ranked as one of the best ones we’ve done.

Wally Lowman, the worship guy at SLCC was an incredible help. He did our sound and made us sound great. Thanks man, you rock. Frank, SLCC’s senior minister, was there too which was cool. Most of the time, the church leaders take the night off when I come in, but not Frank. He was there trading stories of Rich Mullins and other memories. Lots of fun, plus he drove the bus which brought in the GLCC students. Thanks Frank.

Thanks to Megan Kidd who ran the merch table. She did a great job and the T-shirts she made were very fun.

And thanks to Susie Finkbeiner, she came and represented Better Way Imports- a company devoted to helping those freed from sex slavery. She gave an encouraging message of how we can get involved to change what is going on around the world to free those enslaved in such a demoralizing practice.

Thanks again to everyone who came out, you made it a blessing to us. God be with you.

Brian

Band Retreat 2011

I just got back from a time of good food, good folks, and good fun, that sounds familiar… As a band, we all took a retreat together at a cabin on Gun Lake. Geno and Grace Harris, Brad Fortuna, and I rehearsed old songs, explored new ones, and critiqued future potentials. It was hard work at times, and I can’t say enough about these guys and their dedication to the music, to praising God through the gifts He’s given them, and to be willing to do this stuff with me.

Betsy made us a Chicken Pot Pie for the first night and in Geno’s words, “We’re off to a good start!” It was delicious. Grace made us Lasagna for lunch the next day. I swear there was a 1/2 inch of cheese on the top, plus it had whole garlic cloves in it, outrageous. I mention the food because it takes the right amount of ingredients to make a good meal. It takes cooperation, it takes the right fit of flavors, and it takes the right amount of time to bake. Band fellowship, to me, is very similar to that, and somehow I was blessed with people who take the simple ingredients I’ve used in writing the songs and make them taste wonderful.

Plus we found a game called Bass Fisherman Monopoly. Everyone hated it even before we opened it up and played it, but none of us could resist giving it a try. Geno demolished the rest of us, which was surprising because he was jail-bait for the majority of the game. Fortuna kept landing on the “draw a card” space, and I rolled doubles consistently, but not enough to enact the “three doubles in a row jail time” rule. I lost first because I have no business sense and I knew Brad was about to quit so I kept giving him all my properties. If you’ve even read this far, you may be wondering why I’m typing this and why you are wasting your time reading about 1 hour and 1/2 of our pain through a terrible game. Well, I’ll tell you… For some reason, its experiences like that which create memories. I video taped and recorded most of the retreat because I’m still amazed that they enjoy doing music with me. Fortuna and I were music brothers all the way back in High School, and Geno has been with me these last 6 years. Grace has been a great addition for probably the last 2-3 years. I’m really excited for the stuff we have worked out and for the songs that are still being formed.

More than the music, the food, and even the fellowship, what unites us as a band, is our belief and desire to give glory and honor to our God and to celebrate Jesus in our lives, and that is where the retreat centered. It was a blessing to be with them and I had to share that with everyone who will give this a read.

I want to thank the Meunier family for letting us use their cabin, it is such a great place to hang out for a while, thank you. I also want to thank Betsy and Jen for letting Brad and I take a night off and do music together. You guys rock!

As a band, we’ll see what doors God opens, and we’ll see what roads we’ll travel, and in the mean time I know I’ll enjoy the memories created and experiences shared. Enjoy life everyone.

Brian