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Does God Care about Your Artwork?
Does God care about your artwork? He does. Everyone expresses themselves creatively. It can’t be helped. It’s one of the things we’re born to do. It’s part of what the Bible refers to…
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Can AI Rock?
I usually don’t ask my AI friend, “Q” for help in writing a blog. I like to write the old-fashioned way, with all the warts and imperfections that come from being human. But,…
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What is Creativity?
I’d like to offer a definition of creativity: Using the resources God has given you to make something that benefits you and others. The first thing to notice in this definition is that…
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Sin is the Greatest Obstacle to Creativity
God is the ultimate source of creativity. We’re made in his image and therefore we create. We create from essentially a limitless supply of diverse and abundant raw material. So, even from a…
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The Backdoor to Joy
What is joy? How do you define it? People wonder all the time what joy is. How do you get it? How do you keep it? We try to figure out what will…
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What Does it Mean to be Gentle as a Christian Creative?
We’re all worried that we’re going to be taken advantage of. Or, that we’re not going to get what’s ours. The reality is: you might not get what’s yours, and it’s very likely…
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Held Loose & Fast
There’s no one on earth I can say this to So I’ll say it to you No one who would know what I mean If there was, where would I begin? You fully…
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Creativity, Coming & Going
Have you noticed how many creatives have particularly fertile periods of output – times of especially high levels of creativity? Why is that? How do you call the muse? Can you even call…
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Ain’t Nothing Creative There
Satan has no creative ability. The ultimate in creativity is the ability to create something out of nothing. Only God can do that. We as humans have the ability to create, using the…
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It Rains Diamonds on Neptune
It rains diamonds on Neptune Far beyond our sight In the deep darkness Of an endless night Isn’t this already Beyond our imagination? What else can there be Hidden in creation? A whisper…
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We’re All Living in a Parallel Universe
While scientists debate the possibility of alternate or parallel universes, it’s obvious that at least one parallel universe exists. And it’s right next to us. We can step into it at any time.…
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Associated Possibilities Do What You Can’t
There are many things in life we simply cannot do. We can’t walk on the moon without a spacesuit, assuming we’re somehow able to get there. Most of us will never be professional…
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Coloring Inside the Lines, and Other Tips to Enhance Creativity
1) The first tip for enhancing creativity will feel counter-intuitive: color inside the lines. It may be artistic heresy to say it, but you’ll find your creativity enhanced when limits are placed on…
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What Becomes of it?
It started with a vision Of the future in my imagination Idealized, romanticized, and perfect in conception Pure and lovely in visualization Brought forth, broken through the wall That separates mind from space…
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We Wouldn’t Practice Without Infinity
We practice in an effort to improve, to grow. To get better at music, relationships, work, life. Why do we do this? Because we’re not there yet. We’re not at our best, our…
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You Can’t Help Yourself
Filmmakers often tell us how to react, the emotion we should be feeling. These feelings naturally mirror what the character(s) are experiencing. One of the ways filmmakers do this is by what happens…
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Beyond Your Most Poignant Memories
No matter how old or young you are, you have at least one poignant memory full of emotion, sometimes very strong emotion. Our minds bring these memories to us at seemingly random moments…
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Being. Happy and Fortunate.
Sometimes, particularly after a bad experience, I wonder how God’s heart must break from all the evil that we do to each other. The harm, hate and abuse we pour into each other.…
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Artificial Intelligence for the Human Creative
One of the benefits of computer artificial intelligence (AI) is that it gathers together the collected knowledge of the computers that have come before it. AI comes pre-loaded with any knowledge we want…
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Paul Bielatowicz’s Progressive Creativity
Paul’s bio at his Facebook page tells you some of what you need to know about him… “Paul Bielatowicz has earned a name for himself as a technical guitarist in the Prog Rock…
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Self-Diagnosing Your Creative Roadblocks
God has placed us in a universe in which creativity can flourish. A virtually limitless palette to draw from as we go beyond imagination. But due to a variety of factors, our creative…
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Ambient Guitar, Chapman Stick & PBass Meet for the 1st Time!
I recently visited my friend Bill Vencil, the ambient guitar whiz at Chords of Orion. I had dusted off the Chapman Stick and brought it with me. Even though I had some concerns…
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And It Is Wonderful
Psalm 139:13-14 says… For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I…
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Harry Mantong’s Song of Joy
From his earliest memories of singing in a children’s choir to forming the award-winning Palu Children Choir, Harry Mantong has spread joy around the world. I first met Harry on a crowded elevator…
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What if Your Art Doesn’t Pay the Bills?
Though the fig tree should not blossom, nor fruit be on the vines, the produce of the olive fail and the fields yield no food, the flock be cut off from the fold…
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Re Sonnet 73
It’s hanging on the wall. The Fender Jazz Bass my father gave me over 40 years ago. It’s a beautiful instrument, capable of such depths of tone and feeling. It has its quirks.…
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How will You Live as an Artist in God’s Presence?
This is the last of 7 blogs on releasing your creative potential. If our chief end is to glorify God, and to enjoy him forever, then the purpose of our art, and our…
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What are Your Creative Patterns and Processes?
This is the sixth of 7 blogs on releasing your creative potential. A lot of artists shy away from words like structure or discipline. They think it somehow limits their creative potential –…
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What’s the Place of Money and Fame?
This is the fifth of 7 blogs on releasing your creative potential. Be sure you know the condition of your flocks, give careful attention to your herds; for riches do not endure forever,…
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What does God-led Creativity Look Like?
This is the fourth of 7 blogs on releasing your creative potential. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in…
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How Will You Combine Self-Expression and Beyond-Imagination?
This is the third of 7 blogs on releasing your creative potential. “I reached out for something to attach myself to—and I found nothing. But in reaching out, in the effort to grasp,…
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How has God Built You?
This is the second of 7 blogs on releasing your creative potential. Psalm 139:13-14 For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother’s womb. I praise you, for…
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What is the Connection between God and Creativity?
This is the first of 7 blogs on releasing your creative potential. What does God think about artists? Does he care? Does he even notice? If everything was right, if we could clearly…
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Dave Bainbridge’s Continuous Creativity
Something of Dave Bainbridge’s creative persona is infused into everything he does – and he does a lot. Founding member of the Celtic, progressive-folk-rock band, Iona, leader of Celestial Fire, keyboardist with Strawbs, …
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Wind of New Birth
Wind of New Birth by Jim Wall Today my life somehow changed All of my thoughts rearranged I’ve been seeing the sun from the ocean floor Soon the waves won’t hide it anymore…
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What One Man Can Do
Her blood spilled out until I thought there could be no more. Then she died. Some people say the life of a cop can be exciting, even glamorous. I don’t. Not when you…
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The Night, by Blake Wall
The night is a thief, its shadows, hiding places and the moon its prying eye. They that walk under its boughs are in dismay, for who knows what in sleeping corners lie. All…
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A Dangerous Christmas Song
Long before I became a Christian, Chris McDonald lodged “O Holy Night” in my brain. We were middle-schoolers, and we weren’t the coolest kids. We were kindred spirits who were okay with being…
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Jonah’s Call
Jonah's Call by Jim Wall Go down Jonah Down out of your chair Down your front steps Down the road Away from Galilee Down to the sea Down to the deep Down in…
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What’s Your Creative Lever?
The process of creativity can be daunting. There’s so much raw material to choose from, and things can get complicated fairly quickly. In music, for instance, there is a near infinite selection of…
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Cockburn’s Creative Life
Bruce Cockburn is a poet, songwriter, political activist, guitarist and singer. His songs have been featured on network tv. His lyrics have been quoted by U2 (“Gotta kick at the darkness ’til it bleeds…
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Emerging
Emerging by Jim Wall In the dark Clueless Dead Moonless night Darkness of despair First light Emerging Awakened A new dawn Shining forth In the light Brilliant Alive Sun drenched day Light of…
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Crack the Sky
Baltimore gets a lot of things right. The Star Spangled Banner, Michael Phelps, and steamed crabs, to name a just a few. And Baltimore got it right with Crack The Sky. From Wikipedia……
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Os Guinness & “The Call” to Artists
In addition to being the great-great-great grandson of Arthur Guinness, the Dublin brewer, Os Guinness has attractively and persuasively presented the claims of Christ to our culture, and each of us, since serving…
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In Flight
In Flight by Jim Wall Below Spread out Vanishing in all directions The quilt of the earth Marching over The patchwork landscape An amorphous army in odd formation Commanded by an unseen general…
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Brett Monk and Mount Hideaway Mysteries
Brett Monk has been a radio, TV and film professional for over 30 years. He is the director and showrunner for the Mount Hideaway series on Amazon. He has acted, directed, and crewed in…
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Matthew Smith and Emotionally Honest Worship
Music in worship. For many churches, it’s a struggle between traditional and contemporary. Is there perhaps another way which honors people’s feelings, glorifies God, and displays unity to a broken world? Matthew Smith…
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Trespass in Space
This short story was in response to a challenge to write a script that would a) run for 10 minutes of movie time and b) be limited to four characters. I couldn’t help…
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From an Infinite Well
The problem with gifts is we always want more. We seem to be wired this way from an early age. Even if we got the gift we wanted for our birthday, it wasn’t…
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Ambient Guitar Meditation “Soul’s Joy”
Bill Vencil has always been a phenomenal musician and composer. When I first met him he talked about Charles Ives as if he knew him personally. For my part, I shared my profound reverence…
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I Let the Deal Go Down
As someone who remembers thinking Frigid Pink recorded the definitive version of House of the Rising Sun, it’s hard to admit falling deep for a bluegrass song. But it happened. A while back…
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How Idols Melt Your Face Off
An idol is anything you place above God. More specifically, anything you love more than God. It’s the thing you dream about, fixate on, want to have. It’s the thing that captivates you.…
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Always More, and Less is Best
As artists, we sometimes wrestle with the question of volume: how many CD’s to press, how many books to print, etc. I’d like to share a couple of encouragements on the difference between…
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We’re all Children of our Time
I always thought old age, death, or insanity would quiet their voices. I’m not insane. At least not yet. And even though I’m not dead, I’m much older. The voices are the songs,…
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i.e., by Juliet Greene
i.e. by Juliet Greene i.e. is the first release by Juliet Greene. Songs include… A Touch to Tell Brown-Eyed Spectre Can’t Seem to Breathe You Were to Me To learn more about Juliet…
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Take Your Place in Line
Oh give thanks to the Lord, for he is good; for his steadfast love endures forever! In the Old Testament book of 1 Chronicles, chapter 16, just after the ark of the covenant…
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Follow the Gold
Ever have money thrown at you? Israel did, as they left Egypt… Exodus 12:35-36 (ESV) 35 The people of Israel had also done as Moses told them, for they had asked the Egyptians for silver…
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Celestial Fire is Hot
Rising from the cooling embers of the extraordinary band, Iona, is Celestial Fire. They are a progressive rock band, and they just released a dvd/2cd set called, “Live in the UK.” In studio…
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Created & Creating
Created & Creating, A Biblical Theology of Culture offers a road map for how every Christian can, and should, participate in creating culture. Written by William Edgar, a professor of apologetics at Westminster…
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Abundance and The Voice
Stephen R. Covey helped bring consciousness to the concept of Abundance and Scarcity in his book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People. Regarding Scarcity, Covey said, “The Scarcity Mentality is the zero-sum…
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T-Bone to Chuck to Keith to…
Chuck Berry passed away March 18, 2017. He was 90 years old. Art is a stream that flows from one generation to the next. It’s up to every artist to get their words,…
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What Worship is All About
James K. A. Smith’s book, You Are What You Love, offers a great description of what worship is all about… “While worship is entirely embodied, it is not only material; and though worship…
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Your Head is a Living Forest
Ambient guitarist Bill Vencil performs an ambient guitar meditation close to the ridge line of a national forest. For more on Bill, and his Chords of Orion project, check out… web: http://chordsoforion.com facebook:…
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Best Bass by Committee Ever
How many things are better by committee? Some, perhaps. In music, having a key instrument covered by committee would seem a recipe for disaster. On 8 different albums between 1967 and 1971, The…
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7 Classic Reads for Creative Christians
A little encouragement goes a long way. There are many Christian writers who have wrestled with what it means to be an artist not only in a secular culture, but also in a…
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Top 5 Cover Song Interpretations
Cover songs are often musically similar to the originals. However, every now and then, an artist or band will completely reinterpret a song, and take it to a place the songwriter never dreamed…
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I Owe Iona
I owe Iona. Big time. When the Lord rescued me from sin and stupidity in the late 1970’s, I was certain I would find no Christian music equal to the bands I was…
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Duran Duran and the Hound of Heaven
A hundred years ago there was a poem by Francis Thompson called The Hound of Heaven. In it, God’s divine grace pursues us like a hound. It begins… “I fled Him, down the…
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Chord Progressions, Melodies, and Mountains
Melodies are what make songs pop. Melodies give life and vibrancy. Melody makes music memorable. This could be seen as bad news for chord progressions. Melody (and its intimate friend harmony) are the glitz…
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Goya’s Vision
One of Francisco Goya’s most famous paintings is Saturn Devours His Son. There are many interpretations of this painting. From the first time I saw it, I felt that it represented the difference…
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Brought Home
the noise has died down it’s quiet all around not a sound as I lay here i can’t see stars i feel no sun i am undone in this darkness all that time……
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Polycarp: Destroyer of Gods
Somewhere in Ohio, a cast and crew with an average age of around 22 has taken on a 2nd century story. It’s the story about a bishop named Polycarp, and the immense effect…
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Who is Jesus?
Ever wonder what it would be like to come back from death? To tell us what heaven is like? If such a place exists, how would you describe it? Would you say it…
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Keifer’s Big Chance
It was a wisp of hair that first caught his attention. He had been waiting there a while. Nothing to do. Nothing to pass the time away. Stare at the clock, stare away.…
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Expressions and Intentions of the Creator
In his book, The Holy Spirit, Sinclair B. Ferguson shares this gem about the work of the Spirit in re-ordering and beautifying God’s creation, and the Spirit’s prompting of this work through God’s…
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Steve Turner – Poet and Explorer (part 3 of 3)
In part 3 of the Jim Wall Creativity interview with Steve Turner, he discusses interview techniques, being a detective, and his upcoming book on culture. INTERVIEWING INFLUENTIAL SINGERS AND MUSICIANS Jim Wall Creativity…
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Steve Turner – Poet and Explorer (part 2 of 3)
In part 2 of the Jim Wall Creativity interview with Steve Turner, he discusses influences, exposure to art, and Hans Rookmaaker’s take on The Who. ON ARTISTS THAT INFLUENCE AND INSPIRE HIM Jim…
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Steve Turner – Poet and Explorer (part 1 of 3)
Steve Turner combines an artist’s passion with a journalist’s curiosity. His published poetry includes Tonight We Will Fake Love, Nice and Nasty, Up To Date, The King of Twist and Poems. His poetry…
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For the Greater Good
“If you begin to realize every moment in your life happened for the greater good of who you are, [that] can really elevate you and change your whole trajectory.” -Tyler Perry, quoted in…
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Because We Can’t Help It
The most basic truth of art is that we create because we’re made in God’s image. It might also be the most controversial.
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A Proper Seduction
Timing and desire. Here’s a a passage from Keith Richard’s book Life. Gus was his grandfather. “Gus was leading me subtly into getting interested in playing, rather than shoving something into my hand…
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Steve Jobs, Silica and Sand
They say that the integrated chip, the building block of the personal computer revolution, is built on a wafer of silica – also known as sand. Steve Jobs did it all and fascinated…
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Off the cliff onto…
Creating something when you have skin in the game – when you are sacrificing something to do it – is like walking off a cliff onto a wide plank. As you go forward,…
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Your Memory Becomes Mine
Everything in your world Becomes part of my world Your memories and emotions Your wishes, dreams and desires There once was a separation I wanted to fill and connect To see things like…
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Quotes from Great Authors
Here’s why I like these authors… Malcolm Muggeridge: “Every happening, great and small, is a parable whereby God speaks to us, and the art of life is to get the message.” Flannery O’Conner: …
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The Next Big Thing (One Step From Addiction)
A bright new thing that I have seen Been on my mind and in my dreams It’s attractive I know Pulls me in, won’t let go Before I know what’s happened I realize…
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How’s This Compare with Your List?
“I love songs about horses, railroads, land, judgment day, family, hard times, whiskey, courtship, marriage, adultery, separation, murder, war, prison, rambling, damnation, home, salvation, death, pride, humor, piety, rebellion, patriotism, larceny, determination, tragedy,…
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Who’s Gonna Drive You Home?
Gary was a plumber. I was training to be one. Driving to work one day he turned up the radio and told me to listen to the lyrics – something he often did…
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The End of All Things
According to a well-known evangelist, the world was supposed to end today. Thought I’d riff on that concept… Molten lava flows by; fireballs hurl hundreds of feet through the air. Resting on a…
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Scarecrow, by Connell Patrick Byrne
Connell is a visionary artist. This painting, Scarecrow, is acrylic on canvas, 11×46. Here are Connell’s thoughts on this painting… “Discarded scarecrow hung on heavy timber, regaled in wind-torn garment and crimson shawl. A pork-pie…
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Prayer at a Dead End
I wonder why this is? How did it come to this? What is in your heart, your mind? What are you thinking this time? This is a mystery I know this isn’t me…
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For People Like Us, in Places Like This
The A-7th chord sends a chill down my spine. I’m guessing it’s an A-7th because it has that open, resonating feel to it. It’s played several times during “Think It Over” by The…
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Don’t Give Up
To the artist… If you’re lucky you’ll live long enough to see the seed of your work planted. You may even see it die. Truly fortunate, you’ll see it raised.
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Milton, Star Trek, Lewis, and my friend Davis
Davis asked us to read it in the fall. We didn’t know he was going to pass away, suddenly, unexpectedly. He had just agreed to lead our small group, and he gave everyone…
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A Realm for Which the Soul Aches
“The task of the artist is to sense more keenly than others the harmony of the world, the beauty and the outrage of what man has done to it, and poignantly, to let…
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Scrubbing Off the Rough Edges
Roger Moore of the Orlando Sentinel begins his review of the movie “The Grace Card” with the following paragraph… “One depressingly common thread among faith-based films is the way the conflict is watered…
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Hip Hops, Blues Rocks, Jazz Bops
Life has a rhythm. Because God put it there. When hip-hops, blues rock and jazz bops it’s because of one thing. Time. Time is a created entity, put into three-dimensional existence by God.…
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Beyond This
I ALWAYS KNEW IT WAS THERE. The trick was getting to it. I fell into a chasm to find it. Pressing ever deeper, darker. It was the only way I knew how to…
