Confessions of the Aspiring Songwriter (and Collaborator)

A few days ago on Facebook, I mentioned a song that my cousin Jack and I wrote when we were twelve years old. He's one of four people with whom I've collaborated in creating songs, a grand total of one of which is copyrighted. (That's Gift in Our Arms, a baptismal hymn for which I wrote the words. The entry for it on the Copyright Encyclopedia web site is shown above. I looked it up for the nuts of it.)

I've always made up songs and constantly keep a fresh batch of new ideas on my smart phone. Some day, I may even get around to learning how to play them and record them.

One of the collaborations, only partially completed, was a song my brother and I wrote together on a cold night, walking on a blanket of snow in northern Ichigan (Ohio State fans will understand the spelling) a little over thirty-six years ago.

Unlike other songs I've written with others, both of us contributed to the whole melody and both of us contributed to all of the lyrics, to the point where I'm not sure what came from who. I'm sure that it was influenced by the Eagles, as it's kind of a country rock tune. Lyrically, it's a lament for a relationship gone bad. (I once heard that the more men involved in writing together, the more syrupy, sad songs you'll get out of the deal.)

Anyway, just for fun, here are the lyrics as best I remember them.

Times used to be we were all that we had
And what we had was enough
But now I don't know, 'cause it's starting to show
That maybe our love isn't tough
Tough enough to take the bad times
Tough enough to hang on
Tough enough to take the sad times
Tough to admit we're wrong

I'm wondering
I'm wondering
On this cold, dark night
If the sky should fall
And we call it off
Would it make our two lives right?

Pull out the handkerchiefs!

I haven't seen or talked with my brother for more than six years and I miss him. If I ever get to see him again, maybe we can finish this song together.

[Blogger Mark Daniels is pastor of Living Water Lutheran Church in Centerville, Ohio.]

Happy Birthday, Marty!

Today is the birthday of my brother, Marty, who happens to be a very talented Voice Over Artist.

ADDED: Marty's blogged reflections on the recent experiences of announcer Ted Williams, who Marty knew back in the 80s.

Holy Saturday Thoughts

from Marty Daniels

from Matthew Anderson

Phil Gets Phillie-sophical...

from a few weeks ago.

Meanwhile, his uncle links to a piece from mlb.com indicating that the Reds are sort of sitting back during this off-season.

Sigh.

On Griffey Trade: What He Said

My brother, Marty Daniels, has the best take I've read on the trade of Ken Griffey, Jr. from the Cincinnati Reds to the Chicago White Sox. For most of the eight years Junior played in Cincinnati, Reds fans didn't deserve him. Junior, we'll miss you...but go win a ring!

See here, here, and here. (Linked sequentially.)

[Picture from The Cincinnati Enquirer. Click to enlarge.]

A Good Read

Yesterday on his blog, my brother, comedian Marty Daniels, recommended a free e-book published by the publishing arm of the Bruderhof, an international group of small Christian communities. In between prayers and visits during an overnight Prayer Vigil in the sanctuary of Saint Matthew Lutheran Church, the congregation of which I'm pastor, I was able to read Freedom from Sinful Thoughts by J. Heinrich Arnold.

While I have quibbles with bits and pieces of Arnold's book (and can't quite figure out where the thoughts he attributes to the apostle Paul on page 22 can be found in the New Testament), I recommend downloading this book.

I have found this often to be the case in books that come from Bruderhof: I have minor quibbles, but on the whole deeply appreciate the profound insights into the God of the Bible and how to live with Him at the center of our lives each day.

Our thought life is a powerful thing. While Arnold affirms, with the Bible, that there is another dimension of life, that of angels and demons in which a cosmic battle not only for our eternal souls, but for the life of the universe, is being waged and from this spiritual realm, the devil seeks to hurt God by enticing us to walk away from God for eternity, that doesn't negate our responsibility as rebels against God. God's words to the resentful and self-absorbed son of Adam and Eve, Cain, are words for us as well, "Sin is lurking at the door; its desire is for you, but you must master it" (Genesis 4:7). Such mastery entails holding all of our thoughts captive to God aware, as James writes in the New Testament, "one is tempted by one’s own desire, being lured and enticed by it; then, when that desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and that sin, when it is fully grown, gives birth to death."

As Arnold, who died in 1982, says early on in this practical, moving book, "Many Christians do not believe in the reality of this fight [against temptation and their own sin], let alone in the reality of evil. This book will be of no use to them. Rather, it is intended for those who have known sin, who earnestly seek to be freed of its weight, and who long for purity of heart."

Don't waste your time by reading this book if you deny the existence of right and wrong and the need for us to surrender our lives completely to the crucified and risen Jesus Christ.

But if you want to surrender and you want to experience the power of reconciliation with God that belongs to those who trust Christ, by all means read Freedom from Sinful Thoughts.

From Cameroon to Wisconsin...

Chef and entrepreneur Aneh Mundi is a fascinating person with a commitment to wholesome, healthy, and convenient foods, to Jesus Christ, and to combatting HIV, which is devastating the African continent.

During the latest episode of my brother Marty Daniels' Humble-o-Radio, he conducts a fascinating interview with Aneh. She talks a little bit about her journey from Cameroon to Wisconsin. She also talks about food, nutrition, eating healthy, and how her commitment to Jesus Christ led her to help combat AIDs in Africa. Go here to listen.

Be There or Be Square!

[Click to enlarge image]

[THANKS TO: Matt Brown of Good Brownie for telling his readers about this event. I love Matt's blog, by the way.]

Comic Brings Laughter to Amelia Church

Could you use a good laugh?

The laughs will be in ample supply on Saturday, May 19, starting at 7:00PM, when comedian Marty Daniels brings his wacky worldview to Friendship Lutheran Church, 1300 White Oak Road, near Amelia.

Daniels is currently involved in a major tour, taking him to huge venues in the Midwest and South.

Marty Daniels has been called lethal, outrageous, and quick-witted, among other things. He generates laughs based on humorous observations of the absurdities of life, even those of the church. He also happens to be hilarious!

Daniels spent 15 years working as a popular radio personality in mainstream and Christian radio. Always a visionary, he helped build one of the nation’s top radio stations from the ground up in his hometown of Columbus, Ohio.

Over the past 20 years, Marty has helped plant churches, worked in comedy clubs and on college campuses, and been instrumental in the start-up of several business ventures. His squeaky clean comedy has inspired laughs for everyone from the sick, the homeless, the elderly, and grief stricken to top figures in industry, politics and entertainment. His corporate shows earn rave reviews.

An interesting element of the May 19 performance is that Daniels' first comedy CD will be recorded then.

Daniels also happens to be the brother of Friendship’s pastor, Mark Daniels.

You won’t need a ticket for this evening of fun. A freewill offering will be received. EVERYBODY IS INVITED!

For more information, contact the Friendship Lutheran Church office at 513-752-5265.

To find out more about Marty Daniels' comedy, go here and here.

Want a Laugh?

Then, by all means, go over to the web site of my brother, comedian Marty Daniels. There you'll find clips from his new CD and a video of him in action. (To listen to the audio clips, you'll have to join ShoutLife.com. But it's free and once you do, you'll gain access to a whole lot of artists' clips, some of them really great.)

I think once you've gotten a taste of Marty's comedy, you'll want to book him for your next corporate or church event!

People Need to Laugh...

This past weekend, my brother, comedian Marty Daniels, performed at a Baptist congregation's evening gathering. The pastor expected about 60 to attend. It appears that well over 200 showed up!

Read Marty's account of things here.

Find out how you can book Marty at your next event, go here.