Rhonda,

You know it is funny you mentioned that. That was a poem I wrote when I was
living in Texas modeled after a poem that dealt with teen suicide. It was
called "The Table" and I've looked high and low for that thing. I know I
sent it to the list here, but that was before Phil went and changed the
name of the list from E Church, to E Church USA or something... thanks a
lot Phil lol. The archives aren't available for the old list, and I suspect
we'll lose any archives now with this new switch. I wanted to use that
whole poem as a metaphorical basis for a song. So, again, if any of you
happen to never ever empty your trash bin lol or for some reason have a
copy of it, I'd greatly appreciate a return. I thought I had put it in my
journal, but like now, I'm seldom getting time to write in it, and likely
didn't. I had sent it to a fellow in Texas for a resource for counseling,
but never got a response from him either so I suspect it is gone forever.
That was a computer or so ago and no longer have any remains of an outbox
entry.

Yes, those are the songs that stand out to me, the Christian orientated in
a sea of secular stuff.

Brad


At 08:27 PM 1/5/2006 -0500, you wrote:
>Whether you write music that is for a "secular" audience, you will still be
>sending the Love Of God along with your songs,  just because we don't
>mention God's name for all to hear doesn't mean we can put forth values that
>encourage love, forgiveness, and joy.  Many country songs combine  religious
>ideas and ideas about love.  I was thinking of that song you wrote about the
>married couple who had the Bible on  their table, and how they gradually
>thought it less and less important, until they faced each other on a table
>shared by lawyers with the Bible long forgotten.  That would be a great
>Christian song or a great country song as well.
>Rhonda
>
>-----Original Message-----
>From: Echurch-USA The Electronic Church
>[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of MV
>Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2006 7:32 PM
>To: [log in to unmask]
>Subject: Re: Directional Update
>
>Rhonda, and Virgie too said the same thing. The only question I had was in
>what venue ought those gifts be used. I don't want to try to justify my own
>agenda in the name of carrying Christian beliefs through a back door for
>affectivness sake, and forgo using it in a church setting if that is what
>he wants. I just don't get the peace about it that way, which to me seems
>odd, but I'm following the peace within as a guide of the Holy Spirit.
>
>Brad
>
>
>At 05:36 PM 1/5/2006 -0500, you wrote:
> >Great to  hear Brad!!! Will be praying for you, I do think you have a gift,
> >and gifts should used not left on a shelf somewhere!!!
> >Rhonda
> >
> >-----Original Message-----
> >From: Echurch-USA The Electronic Church
> >[mailto:[log in to unmask]] On Behalf Of MV
> >Sent: Thursday, January 05, 2006 11:07 AM
> >To: [log in to unmask]
> >Subject: Directional Update
> >
> >In case anyone cares for a follow up on the songwriting direction I had
> >asked for prayer a while back. I  asked God for several things, firstly was
> >his will regarding the entire direction, and I guess evidence of his will
> >to be revealed as I stepped out  in faith. In other words I  felt inside
> >that because the songwriting kept coming up, and it is a desirous
> >aspiration or dream of mine which he has somewhat  gifted me with some
> >abilities, sounds conceited I do not mean it so, I feel like a plankton in
> >a sea of more talented folks, that it would be irresponsible to nix
> >that   inspiration and dream by tossing it off the side. With that I moved
> >forward, had some books scanned, bought one or two and having them scanned,
> >joined NSAI, Nashville Songwriters Association International, a group meant
> >to help and network anyone from just starting, to professional writers.
> >Having just sat in on my first regional meeting here in the Twin Cities
> >Minneapolis/ St. Paul, I found it to be very encouraging and friendly
> >folks. I was pretty apprehensive of what it might be like. I jumped in with
> >both feet and submitted a song for critique   of just me and my guitar not
> >knowing what kind of critiquing they do. I was very encouraged by the
> >response. I did get some helpful ideas, however I was told the song is a
> >pitchable song. Which means is worthy of sending to a publisher for
> >consideration to see if there is any artist looking for such a song. Kind
> >of the bottom of the food chain but very encouraging nonetheless. I was
> >fortunate to just happen to sit next to a Nashville writer who was the
> >guest speaker and got to talk to her during break as well. Although this
> >week I'm behind in my actual writing and in the midst  of a dry spot as
> >Julie mentioned she is as well, I was blessed with a few songs recently
> >which good, bad, or indifferent, they are part of the growth and learning.
> >The Nashville writer I sat next two is having a workshop up here in March
> >which I'll be attending. The workshop is actually based off a  Berkely
> >School of Music course she is in the midst of being accredited into their
> >system. This is a great opportunity for only $45 as she is from this area
> >and wants to contribute to her home area. I'm also making plans to attend a
> >Song Camp through NSAI in February which I just found a potential roommate
> >at the NSAI meeting last night, to share hotel expense. This is a very
> >exciting time, although, humbling time. I was wiped out when I got home
> >last night, I didn't realize the adrenalin I was shooting out having jumped
> >in and submitted a song to be chewed up by peers who have been writing a
> >lot longer than I. The best compliment I got was from a guy who said ...
> >"I'll be singing that chorus all the way home..*I laughed in humility*...
> >no really I will" he said. I pray for continued direction with this dream
> >knowing full well god can remove the grace and ability anytime. I am
> >setting one foot in front of the other and if the toes aren't stepped on,
> >I  assume God is with me, if he seems down on my toes, I'll look for
> >another direction he has for me. One last thought and something to pray
> >about if you so choose. I have a desire   for a certain focus on song
> >content, and praying whether that is God's will for my focus. Being a
> >Christian , and aspirations to be an affective songwriter, one might
> >automatically assume you'd write praise and worship, or quote, Christian
> >market songs.  I believe there is definitely a need, however, where I seem
> >to be drawn to is the Christian values and principles, wrapped in a less
> >Christianese view by those who do not yet share those same values. That is
> >to say a secular market that is being infiltrated by  the Word in a manner
> >it can be affective outside of the Christian arena, if that is making sense
> >to you. Anyway, that is where things sit, and in the end I hope and pray I
> >am on God's trek for my life and not running off with my own agenda, I pray
> >for stuff and he supplies it so I assume I'm where I need to be right now
> >and continue to seek his direction. This all seems to me so selfish in my
> >mind in a way, yet peace of it as a whole is overwhelming.
> >
> >Brad
>
>Brad
>
>    You are richer today if you have laughed, given, or forgiven

Brad

   If you want people to quit poking holes in your boat, put them in the
boat with you