Among The Myrtle Trees
This is the first tune that was penned for the album.  In the book of Zechariah, chapter one, we read of a vision that Zechariah had of a man and angels that were standing among the myrtle trees.  The word of the Lord that came to the prophet can be easily applied to today’s culture.  The message that the Lord wanted Zechariah to deliver to the people was “Turn from your evil practices and return to Me, and I will return to you”. 

I wanted the music to reflect a restless vision and the powerful words the Lord wanted to express.  That message is as meaningful today as it was then.


Parable Of Love
The bible is filled with parables that relate to just about every aspect of life.  Why parables and not just straight forward rules and statements of do’s and don’ts?  Although there are plenty of straightforward commandments and precepts that we need to follow to experience the best life God has in mind for us.  For me, it’s the parables that really sink in and make me realize just how loving God must be to want to relate to us in a way that is compassionate and understandable. 

Angels By My Side
This song was inspired by four very special women that I have been blessed to have in my life.  Those angels are my wife Kimberly, my mother Judith and my two little nieces, Kelli and Kristen.   All of whom have made me appreciate what life is really all about.  I totally believe that angels do exist in both the spiritual realm as well as the physical.  The only difference is those who are in the physical realm are not aware yet of the fact that they are someone’s angel.  ;-) 


Creation To Salvation 
This tune was an attempt to capture a vibe that sonically takes the listener to a place that’s spacious and powerful.  From the beginning of the tune I wanted to create a sense of creation powering into the realization that we were created to be saved!  The Lord desires that all men come to the cross and cry out to be saved.  It’s only when people reject that call and justify their own ways as being good enough to get to heaven that the point is missed as well as their salvation.


Just Passing Through
This was a fun little etude that came to me after thinking about how quickly our time here on earth passes by.  I utilized some delay settings and countered the guitar notes with a bitter sweet keyboard melody. 


Footprints
Hopefully I can explain the inspiration behind this tune without sounding completely off my rocker!  :))  Most of us know the famous "Footprints" poem.  I wanted to create a tune that sonically evokes images of Christ walking along a beach and He is walking towards you and you can see His majesty and feel the power of who He is as He gets closer to you.  The very begining of the song you hear the footsteps and the rest of the song will just have to play upon your own interpretation and imagination of what that moment would be like for you.


Wake Up & Stand Up
The thoughts behind this tune are from things I contemplate often.  With all thats going on in our current culture of moral decline, I ask myself, " Where are all the Christians? "    Where are you?  Are you hiding?  Are you afraid?  How many more attacks on our Lord are you going to sit back and watch before you get upset enough to get involved.  I see "Christian" parents get more upset if their kids arent picked for the all-star team.  I see "Christian" singles get more upset over the line at Starbucks.  The Lord doesnt want our lives to be so filled with entertaining our kids for every minute of every God given day like if they actually werent stimulated in some manner of activity they will just die...  Nor is it God's intention that those who call themselves followers of Christ stick their heads in the sand while today's heathens (I wonder if they are the minority anymore) rule the day with their anti-christ agenda's.   We need to wake up and stand for Him who died for us and we need to quit being ashamed of knowing we are right. 


Doglike Prophets
This song hit me after reading Isaiah 56.  Its my opinion that we are the generation that will witness the final events that will lead up to the the Lord's return.  Many will come in His name and proclaim to know the Lord but they are merely wolves in sheep's clothing.  Even the elect will be fooled by those false teachers and leaders of errant doctrine.  Maybe today's Christians need to quit worrying about not "judging" others for fear of being labled "intolerant" or politically incorrect and start applying common sense and biblical litmus tests to what they see and hear and YES...JUDGE IT!  Judge whether its right or wrong and stop being so lilly livered.  We need to hold each other up to biblical instruction in total and not just to those scriptures that are all fuzzy and feel good...RIGHT MR. OSTEEN?  Open your mouth and say that the Lord Jesus Christ is the only way, the only truth and the life and NOT ONE single person is going to be allowed to be in the presence of Almighty God without confessing that Jesus Christ is Lord!  Have you ever mentioned a place called hell even once in a sermon?  Get in the game son! 

Preachers of this ilk (you know the type,,, prosperity sermons, God accepts everyone and sin is justified, moral relativists, liberal interpreters etc...) are nothing more than dogs hunting for more dumb sheep that will blindly follow them right into the eye of the sun.  I'm sure you feel good now!  Enjoy it.  Its fun not being convicted or spritually challenged to grow.  These preachers thrive on making you feel sooooo good,,,as you hand them your money.  They are nothing more than doglike prophets!

Sonically I wanted this tune to churn with guitar solos that convey (to the best of my ability) a ripping feeling of just wanting to strip these dogs back down to a basic convicted spirit.  I wanted the music to then transition from my feelings to a prayerful melodic request that God persue them and return them to the full confessing truth.   Before its too late.