What makes a song good?

That question is such a hard one to answer because music and the appreciation of it is so subjective to the individual and culture.  So for now let’s consider pop music in the Christian sub-culture.  Like let’s look at Toby Mac who blends pop, hip-hop and rock with Christ-centered lyrics.  I spent some time today with his producer, his go-to-guy Mr. Chris Stevens.  Chris and I go way back to recording in his garage.  He’s a genius and to write with him takes the experience to the next level every time. We are writing a song to pitch to Shawn McDonald tonight.  So we got a chord progression down and the structure of the song but we got stuck on the last part of the chorus.  And as we were scrambling for hooks and lyrics the question popped in my head, “what makes a song good?”

Listening to Toby’s songs is like experiencing a sermon.  I mean that in a good way of course.  His music has a clear message and it points people to God.  It’s awesome to experience live.  So considering that we should focus on the message of the song.  What’s the point?  What are we saying and who are we saying it to?  Why are we saying it?

Some great songs also have the ability to capture an emotion.  You ever say I’d like to take this feeling and put it in a bottle so I can have it whenever I’d like?  Some songs seem to be able to do that.  So in order to write those songs we need to experience those emotions.  In other words live.  For our expressions are our impressions.

Life = Music.

It’s ironic that taking my attention off music, as a songwriter, helps me write better songs.  But if I get wrapped up in the moment, the relationship, the questions and the journey for truth I find inspiration.  I don’t know if this helps some of you but the thought helped me.  As a Christian and a songwriter it’s apparent I need to listen to more music that heaven is broadcasting over the airwaves.  As for the song we are writing for Shawn we finished the chorus and now I am going to attempt mixing the demo.

Chris Stevens recording on the go.

Things I’ve learned at the airport

Things I have learned at the airport:

1) Dont wear a belt. It takes about 5 minutes extra time to undo it when you go through security. then you got to hold up your pants so they dont fall down. If you dont mind the feeling of other people watching you dress and undress then dont worry about it. But I prefer sweats or my college basketball warm up pants. They’re comfortable and they fit good.

2) Bring your own empty bottle of water and fill it up after you pass through security. Water costs around $3 in the airport. Its like buying a soft drink at a movie theatre. And also you dont have to rely on the flight attendant to quench your thirst when she gives you peanuts ten minutes before she comes around with the beverage cart. You’re in control – go ahead eat those peanuts.

3) Its no gaurantee that my guitar will fit in the overhead. But thats ok. I prefer checking it at the gate. But never will I check it with my main luggage at the front counter. I will sneak it on if I have to… why? Because the first and last time I checked it at the front counter they broke it. It didnt help that it was in a soft case.

4) Bring a laptop. Some airports have free wireless internet connections. This can turn a boring 2 hour layover into 2 hours of productive myspace time. I know that portland, jacksonville and phoenix have free wireless internet. I think all airports should get on board with this.

5) Wear flip-flops but bring extra socks. Its nice to not have to take off your shoes when walking through security. However, the airplane can get a little cold at times so bring some sock to keep your toes warm.

6) Bring some lumbar support. Airplane seats are one of the worst seats for your back.  I dont care if people think Im 97. My back thanks me.

7) You really dont have to turn off your cell phone. Ive forgot plenty of times and the plane took off and landed just fine. But it does eat up the battery so I try to abide by the rules. Oh and your ipod wont crash the plane if its on during take off unless you’re listening to David Hasselhoff. One time I showed a flight attendant my song Crashing Down on a flight. Not the smartest choice of song to show someone on a plane. In any case it’s better to get on the good side of the flight attendants since they are the gatekeepers to the peanuts and beverages.

I dont know whats more annoying. The fact that you have to have your seat and traytable up and locked in the upright position or that the flight attendants are so concerned about it when it seems like such a little thing. I asked why they require this once and she said the reason why they want your seat in the upright position during take-off and landing is because they are afraid someone behind you will hit their head on it. I can understand the traytable for your own safety but has anyone got a concussion from someone reclining their seat during take-off? If so, let me know. I think Bob Sminer, ceo of southwest, made this rule as a practical joke.

9) I have only found the word stow on an airplane. I saw it three times in one sentence the other day. It went, please stow the stowage in the stowable areas. Why use it? There are two places in America called Stow. Stow, MA and Stow, OH. Why live there?

10) The best seat on an airplane, besides first class, is the window seat in the exit row. It has a lot of leg room and you can recline the seat. The worst seat on the airplane is the seat in front of the exit row or any seat with a little kid behind you. First, the seat doesnt recline and also kids like to kick the seat in front of them.

11) And lastly the automated voice that repeats, please watch your step and hold on to the handrail every 5 seconds on the escalator is still haunting me in my dreams.

Can you add anything you have learned to the list???

Thoughts As Guests

Our neighbors came over the other day. I saw the husband out front cutting the grass every weekend. He had a wife and a couple kids. They had a minivan. He drove a corolla. They’d bring over food and I loved the desert his wife made. Oh wow, it was amazing but too much of it and it wrecked me. But then I noticed things starting to randomly disappear. At first it was just a DVD. I figured I misplaced it but then weird stuff started to appear missing. For example, I went to make some toast and the toaster was gone. And today when I woke up the TV was missing!

What if our thoughts were like guests we invited into our homes?

Would we let in robbers knowing our TV might walk out the backdoor with them?

Probably not.

Would we let in murderers while our children were asleep in their bedroom?

Of course not!

Would we let in lovers while our husband or wives sat on the couch?

Are you insane?

Yet we entertain thoughts that rob us of our peace stirring up lust and hatred in our hearts and minds leaving us empty and discontent. These thoughts disguised as our safe neighbors have stripped us of our most prized possessions. Peace with God, peace with ourselves and peace with others.

In Romans 8:5-6 Paul writes, “those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

Where is your mindset? Our eyes are like a satellite tuning into channels that broadcast thoughts into our dwelling. What channels are you subscribed to?

In Romans 8:9 Paul writes, “the Spirit of God dwells in you”.

We are a dwelling. Our lives are like homes in which the Spirit of God lives – but that is not it! Paul understood the struggle between right and wrong and writes, “now if I do what I will not to do, it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me.”

Sin dwells. Something is dwelling within. My enemy is within me. Don’t you know that who you serve has power over you? But I have been forgiven. Forgiven with Him. Still the battle rages on, unnoticed under the surface of every child of God.

“Do no grieve the Holy Spirit.”

It is our will and His power. It is our choice whether we let him fill us like wind fills sails. But we need the right thoughts. We need His word. There is no more relying on we. That is you and I as well as you and you.

Is it just a thought – thoughts? Hold them captive, test them, align them to God’s word and either kick em out or let em in. My life depends on it, and so does yours.

As for me and my house we will serve _____ _____ (fill in the blank).

best,
paul

Planet of the apps!

I’ve been a verizon customer for over five years but when my contract came up this month I opted out to get the iPhone and with it had to switch to A T&T.  I’ve been immersed in finding and downloading the coolest applications on my iPhone ever since.  Which has only been the past two days.  Thanks to a grip of facebook friends and blog readers like you offering their advice I’ve downloaded the following apps:

• WhiteNoise (for the times when I can’t be at the beach or camping in a field with crickets)
• VoiceNotes (for recording those melodies I don’t wish to forget)
• Where (in the world is Carmen San Diego?  No just Starbucks and gas)
• Shazam (for those times when radio station dj’s doesn’t mention the artist of the song)
• The Weather Channel (rain, sun, snow or ? tomorrow)
• Google Earth (look up any place in the world and see a satelite photo)
• Google (look up stuff)
• GuitarChords (for songwriting)
• Touch4 (connect four work-out)
• Urbanspoon (for the local grindz)
• Holy Bible (for the Spirit, Soul and Body)
• iBasketball (for real?)
• Mobile Banking (for paying bills)
• Lightsaber (for no reason at all)
• Fake-Excuse (for entertainment)
• Camerabag (for taking photos and posting them on my blog)
• Sportacular (for scores)
• Wikpanion (for curious minds)

Here is a photo of my trusty black macbook using my iPhone and camerabag application:

What album cover do you like best for my next single 16?

Chapter 1 – Are you in?

There is so much depth in Chapter 1 of Ephesians.  So much we could probably spend days discussing what Paul is writing about.  I gathered before I started reading the book, thanks to my Bible’s introduction, that he wrote this book in Rome and it is the first in order of the Prison Epistles.  Epistle = written letter.  Prison = jail.

I am going to keep a couple questions at the forefront on my mind as I read this book:

1. Who is God?
2. What has God done or is doing and how does that speak of His character?
3. Who am I?
4. What am I to do?

In chapter 1 I can’t help but notice how many times the words, “In Christ” appear.

• To the saints and faithful in Christ Jesus. v. 1
• Jesus has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. v. 2
• He chose us in Him. v. 3
• In Him we have redemption through His blood. v. 7
• In Him we have obtained an inheritance. v. 11
• In Him you also trusted. v. 13
• I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus. v. 15

What does it really mean to be ‘In Him’?  Is this my position now that I am a Christian (v. 15) and if so what does that speak of my identity?  Let’s take a quick look according to that thought.

Who am I?

• Saint. v. 1 (not a sinless person but saved)
• I am blessed with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places. v. 2 (what are those spiritual blessings?)
• I am chosen. v 3 (by God before the foundation of the world)
• Holy and without blame before Him in love. v. 4 (is this how God sees me now or is this how I should be?)
• Adopted child of God. v. 5
• Accepted. V. 6
• I am redeemed by His blood. v. 7
• My sins are forgiven. v. 7
• I have an inheritance. v. 11
• I am sealed with the Holy Spirit who is a guarantee of my inheritance. v. 13, 14
• I am part of the church which is God’s body. v. 23

Wow, that is a lot different than how I feel about myself most of the time.  You know we can get so wrapped up in ourselves can’t we?  But do we truly know ourselves, I mean our true identity?  Because if we are in Christ then some of those scales we grade ourselves on shouldn’t be our filter of self-worth.  Our worth is found In Him.  And as we discover on this journey more of who God is our eyes are opened to who we truly are.  For in Him we have life so let’s fix our eyes on God.

Who is God?  What has He done?

• Grace and peace come from God. v. 2
• He blesses us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ. v. 3
• He chose us. v. 4
• He made us accepted. v. 6
• He redeemed us through His blood. v. 7
• He forgave us our sins. v. 7
• He is rich in grace. v. 7
• He is all wisdom. v. 8
• He gathers together in one all things in Christ. v. 10
• He gives the Spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. v. 17
• His riches are His inheritance in the saints. v. 18
• Great in power. v. 19 (toward us who believe.  what do you believe?)
• Raised Christ from the dead and seated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places. v. 20
• Put all things under His feet. v 22

He did all the work!  We just need to learn about it and believe!  Feel free to add what you’re learning in a comment.  This is deep stuff.

Let’s pray: “God, open my eyes to who You are and who You say I am.  In Jesus name, Amen.”

Is Perception Value?

09 Is Feelin Fine!

So I got like a grip of airline miles through Alaska Air that I’ve been waiting to use at the opportune time.  I want to go out to Hawaii next month and visit my family and friends, play a lil ball and catch some sun.  Maybe even book a couple shows too.  I know I will be busy during the week some of the days helping my sister who teaches music at Punahou with her class recording project.

Anyhow, I tried yesterday to book a ticket and Delta’s site was down cuz of their merge with Northwest.  I want to go on one of their airlines cuz it’s a lot less miles than going straight with Alaska.  Today, I called up the award reservation desk and put the phone on speaker waiting for a real person to answer.  After ten minutes of elevator music I reached to hang up but someone just then answered.  She was super nice and found me a flight for 40k miles + $50 out of Eugene to Honolulu.  Sweet deal, eh?

I need to go buy a digital camera cuz I’d like to take some pics and post em on my blog.  Any suggestions?

Well I need to go for a run or sumptin.  Stephen Curry is on ESPN in a hour playing Duke and I got this song I wanna pitch to TobyMac to finish as well.

09 is feelin fine,

Paul

Top Ten (10) Ways To Find A Wife According To The Bible

I came across this on Logan’s Blog and with his permission wanted to share it with ya.  Hilarious!

Here it is folks:

10. Find an attractive prisoner of war, bring her home, shave her head, trim her nails, and give her new clothes. Then she’s yours. – (Deuteronomy 21:11-13)
9. Find a prostitute and marry her. – (Hosea 1:1-3)
8. Find a man with seven daughters, and impress him by watering his flock.- Moses (Exodus 2:16-21)
7. Purchase a piece of property, and get a woman as part of the deal. – Boaz (Ruth 4:5-10)
6. Go to a party and hide. When the women come out to dance, grab one and carry her off to be your wife. – Benjaminites (Judges 21:19-25)
5. Have God create a wife for you while you sleep.-Adam (Genesis 2:19-24)
4. Kill any husband and take his wife. -David (2 Samuel 11)
3. Cut 200 foreskins off of your future father-in-law’s enemies and get his daughter for a wife -David (I Samuel 18:27)
2. Even if no one is out there, just wander around a bit and you’ll definitely find someone. -Cain (Genesis 4:16-17)
1. Don’t be so picky. Make up for quality with quantity. – Solomon (1 Kings 11:1-3)

Teaming up with Jeff Frankenstein of the Newboys

I started writing custom songs for people last Valentines day.  I charged $25 and recorded an acoustic song in one take on my laptop (thanks to garage band) and emailed peeps the mp3.  The quality wasn’t radio ready by any means but the time it took to write the song made me consider raising the price.  This Christmas I raised the price to $100 and bought some studio equipment to produce the songs better.  I run logic pro audio with a duet firewire interface on my trusty black macbook.  I started posting the songs on my personal facebook page and enjoyed reading the immediate feedback.  One person who wrote me intrigued about the project was Jeff Frankenstein of the Newsboys.  I met Jeff this summer on my way to Texas for a festival called Rock The Desert.  They were on the same flight as me and my band.  Jeff recenlty mixed one of those Christmas custom songs and it turned out amazing!  So we’ve decided to team up together on these next batch of custom songs.  You can get one for $199.95 at my webstore.  The song will be completely original, written and recorded by me in my studio and then mixed by Jeff in Nashville.