In the year of 1999 I had come to a point in my life where I was deciding on new goals for my life.  I had dabbled in writing songs over the years prior but hadn’t worked at it seriously.  I decided it was time I worked at being a composer.  My first work was a Christmas musical.  Writing 7…

Music Sheet: Come Thou Long Expected Jesus – Rejoice (2) Chord Sheet: Come Thou Long-Expected Jesus Video:

How would you respond if an angel suddenly appeared before you?  It seems in each case in the Bible the first words out of the Angel’s mouth is, “Fear not!”  I’m not sure what kind of image comes to mind of what angel’s look like for you, but I’m sure with their sudden appearance there would be fear.  I think…

Back in 1997 I was preparing a sermon series for Advent when I notice that Sarah, Elizabeth, and Mary were all told of their impending pregnancies by an Angel.  Sarah laughed when she heard the news. Elizabeth’s husband became mute until he named the child John.  And Mary was visited by Gabriel and became the most blessed woman of all…

I enjoy thinking about God’s power through creation.  Current scientific thought is that our universe was born out of a great expanse.  (I guess the word explosion just doesn’t quick cut it.)  Genesis says that God spoke and the universe came into being.  It is my firm belief that God created all things out of love.  God spoke love. Light…

One of my favorite sources for Christmas drama is “The Skit Guys.”  They speak God’s truth in both funny ways and very moving emotional ways.  I was inspired to write this song after seeing a video they did called “He Came To Get Messy.”  The thought that Jesus left heaven to be born in a stable. A stable with other…

I wrote this song to celebrate the Triumphal Entry of Jesus into Jerusalem.  I wanted to capture the excitement of that day.  When working on the Arimathean I felt this was just perfect to use for that scene. I still visualize the throng of people and the children dancing and jumping up and down with excitement.  The King has arrived!…

Writing this song was once again my imagination working overtime.  The thought that Joseph could set by and say nothing seemed counterintuitive. The Bible narrative doesn’t say if Joseph said anything during the arguing over Jesus. Yet, I can’t help but feel that Joseph would have said something.  This is my expression of what he might have said. Music Sheet:…

In 1999 I had ridden on a bike tour of the Oregon Trail with my brother, David Shrout.  He’s the cyclist. I’m just the tag along.  After my return I began thinking about my goals for the future.  I had dabbled in composing off and on over the years but never really made a serious effort.  I decided that year…

Years ago in Oceanside, CA, I preached a Sunday sermon talking about Joseph of Arimathea.  It captivated my heart and imagination thinking about being the one who carried Jesus’ body off the cross.  Consider that Joseph was not only a member of the Sanhedrin but also a believer in Jesus as Messiah.  What a dramatic and deep emotional conflict must…

While writing a Christmas musical for my Church in Oceanside, CA, in the year 1999, the thought occurred to me that in my life at that time I wanted to worship at the manger.  Joining the Shepherds and Wisemen all gathered around the manger.  I wanted to experience that moment.  From my perspective I know the whole story of birth…

I wrote this song back in 1998.  This was just at the beginning of my focus on composing.  I wrote this for a Christmas program we did that year.  Lot’s of people travel to go home for Christmas. The song embodies the confession of a man who has allowed work to take him away from his wife and kids.  Coming…

Back in 1998 when I was dabbling in music composition and I wrote a song for a Christmas program for my Church in Oceanside, CA, “Del Oro Hills Community Church.”  We had great fun with it when the ladies of the Worship Team added some background vocals like “shoobee doowah” etc.  This is written with the thought in mind that…

Here’s a song that came out of an idea of people finding themselves in the middle of the Christmas season but just not feeling it.  While everyone else seems to be having a great time you’re feeling left out. It can be very distressing feeling sad at Christmas time.  As  you seek the Lord I believe you will find that…

It all started a long time ago in a little town called Albany, OR.  I was a minister of music and youth and from time to time I would try to write a song.  Looking through the Psalms I found a verse that seemed to answer my lyric problem.  Also, its great advice for each of us each day to…

Inspiration can come from some unseal places. While looking for pictures for a powerpoint for a sermon. I ran across the statement, “It Wasn’t the Nails.”  I’m sure it was for another preacher’s sermon.  The phrase caught my attention and I began thinking of how true it was.  The nails couldn’t forcibly hold Jesus on the cross.  He was there…

Put yourself in the place of the disciples.  Or better yet, in the place of the women who went to the tomb to finish embalming Jesus.  The shock and the surprise when they see the stone rolled away and an angel sitting on top of it.  I’m glad none of them had a serious heart condition.  To discover the one…

All throughout history people have loved their spouses, children, and good friends.  The scriptures are full of statements that say God’s love is everlasting.  However, until love became tangible in the person of Jesus it may not have seemed so real.  When the Father gave the gift of His Son Jesus to live among us, teach us, and even die…

I wrote this song which was inspired by an advent theme I had chosen to preach on in 2012.  My thoughts would led to the idea that love became tangible.  We often search for love and yet the one who made us, bought us by dying for us arrived to sow us God’s love.  “For God so loved the world”…

For me one of the strongest metaphors in scripture is the contrast of light and darkness.  The Gospel of John compares the life of Christ with light and stating that the darkness could not comprehend it (John 1:1-5).  The life of Christ was the light for all mankind.  God gave us the gift of His Son: who is light, life,…