Song of the Week?

I have to let you all know, I have not forgot about you or about the song but I decided to go on vacation this last week. My wife and I went to visit family in Hawaii and we spent every day in the beach. I promise to post a songs soon, thanks for the vacation. Love you guys,

- Cheers

Casey

Song of the Week 08.18.08

A lot of the time when I write songs I feel like I'm trying to get an idea or message of some sort across. That was not the case this week. This week all I was trying to do was describe a picture that I had in my head.
Last Thursday night I went on a walk at about 11:30. I was just trying to get my head clear because I had been trying to write and it was feeling really forced. I think I just had a lot on my mind and wasn't really sure what I was supposed to write about.
As I was walking and praying, I just asked God to give me something to write about. There was an amazing full moon out that night and as I started to concentrate on it the line, " the man in the moon has got his eye on you" came into my head. As I thought about that line I got a picture in my mind of a little girl, and her father watching her.
I already had the basic melody line in my head from a few weeks earlier. It really seemed to fit the picture well because it kind of sounded like a lullaby.
As I was writing I was just trying to imagine what it would feel like to have a daughter. In a lot of ways that thought scares me to death. The impression that I got from this father picture in my head was that raising this child would be the best and most important thing he ever does. It was like he was looking at her with such amazement because he never knew that he could love something so much.
It's crazy to think that the best thing I'll ever do with my life, is love and teach and raise a child. It really makes all the busyness seem less important.

Song of the Week 08.11.08 - Psalm 5

This week was challenging for me. I have to admit that I must have started two or three songs before I eventually decided to stick with this one. It all started out when I began to read through the book of psalms. I had a strong feeling that I was supposed to read through the book very intentionally and not just rush through it like I sometimes have a tendency to do.
One of the things that intrigued me very quickly after I started reading was that the writer knew God in a very different way then I did. He was not in the least bit ashamed of the fact that God hated Evil. I decided to try and put one of the psalms to music and as I did a started to get very uncomfortable. There were a lot of phrases that I had a hard time singing. Phrases like, "You destroy all who tell lies" Psalm 5:6a., or " the arrogant cannot stand in your presence. You hate all who do wrong."Psalm 5:5
As I finished the song I was pretty unimpressed. I decided to show it to Lauren to get a second opinion and I was surprised with what I herd. After I finished the song she looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, THAT IS TRUE ABOUT GOD.
I don't hate evil like God does. God hated evil enough to do something about it. In the middle of Psalm 5 the writer says, "but I, by your great love, can come into your house; in reverence i bow down toward your holy temple." The writer knew the intensity of Gods love because he saw the reality of his hatred. It gives me chills to think about the punishment that Christ received. He took upon himself the evil that God hated so much. When Christ prayed in the Garden he must have really new what he was up against.
Luke 22:42-44
"Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but yours be done." An angel from heaven appeared to him and strengthened him. And being in anguish, he prayed more earnestly, and his sweat was like drops of blood falling to the ground.

technical difficulties

I just wanted to write you all a quick note to tell you that I'm having technical difficulties. I have my song for this week recorded but I can't get it into mp3 format right now. I hope to have it up by tomorrow. Sorry,

Love you guys,

Casey

Song of the Week - I am Free - 08.05.08

So this song has kind of got a long story to it. I first started writing music because I was looking for a way to express a lot of the hurt and frustration that I had inside. My songs were raw and genuine and that's where I found most of my inspiration. The only problem was that pain became my only inspiration. It seemed like I was getting myself into bad situations just to have some sort of material. I know that sounds awful but unfortunately it's true. I don't think that I did it intentionally, but I did it non the less.
Then one day I reunited with a beautiful young woman. She was smart, funny, and full of joy. She, over time was able to teach me what it was like to enjoy life and eventually we got married.
All sounds great, right? I've got one problem though. I don't know how to write songs when I'm happy. I eventually learned how to look to God and to the people around me for my inspiration but the one thing my wife always kept asking me was why I never wrote a song for her.
My excuse was that she was in every song I wrote, which was true but I was still having a hell of a time writing songs that were happy. Over the past six months I began to realize that even though being happy might not be in style, it's still worth writing about even if at times it seems cheesy or cliche'
So with all that said, I dedicate this post to her. I finally leaned how to write a happy song, and this songs for You. Happy Anniversary!

- Casey

Ode to Camas, WA

I had a great time in Camas, Washington this weekend. Met some really great people, and I'll definitly be coming back soon. A huge thanks to Twilight Pizza Bistro for everything they did this weekend. Love you guys.
- Casey