Friday, October 31, 2008

Fall Back.

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There’s a crispness in the Michigan air. I took 6 bags of leaves off my front yard last week, and they’re already back. There’ll be 20 more bags before this is through. I’ve got pumkins on my front porch.. one of them is rotting.. yuck. Its dark when I leave for work.. and the sun is setting when I drive in my driveway. Fall is here.

Time changes this weekend. That means a little more sunlight in the morning, but also means driving home in the dark. Every year I promise myself that I’ll take advantage of DST and utilize the newfound morning hour. Get up early, exercise, write.. Every year, I find I remember the empty promise from last year. Hold me accountable. I’ll let you know how I do this year.

Wednesday, October 29, 2008

Pray For Words

Every once in awhile I hear a lyric that stops me in my tracks and makes me wonder who I think I am trying to write good lyrics. This one did that to me.. and made me pray for words.

Looking East

Standing in the ocean with the sun burning low in the west
Like a fire in the cavernous darkness at the heart of the beast
With my beliefs and possessions, stopped at the frontier in my chest
At the edge of my country, my back to the sea, looking east

Where the search for the truth is conducted with a wink and a nod
And where power and position are equated with the grace of God
These times are famine for the soul while for the senses it's a feast
From the edge of my country, as far as you see, looking east

Hunger in the midnight, hunger at the stroke of noon
Hunger in the mansion, hunger in the rented room
Hunger on the TV, hunger on the printed page
And there's a God-sized hunger underneath the laughing and the rage

In the absence of light
And the deepening night
Where I wait for the sun
Looking east

How long have I left my mind to the powers that be?
How long will it take to find the higher power moving in me?

Power in the insect
Power in the sea
Power in the snow falling silently
Power in the blossom
Power in the stone
Power in the song being sung alone
Power in the wheatfield
Power in the rain
Power in the sunlight and the hurricane
Power in the silence
Power in the flame
Power in the sound of the lover's name

The power of the sunrise and the power of a prayer released
On the edge of my country, I pray for the ones with the least

Hunger in the midnight, hunger at the stroke of noon
Hunger in the mansion, hunger in the rented room
Hunger on the TV, hunger on the printed page
And there's a God-sized hunger underneath the questions of the age

And an absence of light
In the deepening night
Where I wait for the sun
Looking east

©1996 Jackson Browne

Tuesday, October 28, 2008

Stirring Up Apathy

That’s what political advertisements have been doing in my brain over the last couple months.

My candidate has failed to excite me. At first I thought it was his lack of ability to communicate clearly. Now I’ve concluded that his message has been so watered down, that there’s nothing exciting to communicate.

Its much like a song that attempts to take a stand. If you work a song or idea to a point where there’s no chance of offending someone, you end up with milquetoast.

This election has turned into a who-not-to-vote-for campaign. One side’s running on change. The other one is running on fear.

One side make claims that are incredible.. literally. The other doesn’t make any claims.. they just point out how incredible the other side’s claims are.

I’m tired.

Would anyone like to join me for a serving of Sodium-free saltines and water?


Saturday, October 25, 2008

Proud Dad!

October was a blessed month for our family.

Both of my daughters are college grads. My oldest an English Major with a minor in Psychology, and 2nd oldest a Socialogy major with a minor in non-profit.Thing is, I’ve been worried that my kids are going to have to move out of Michigan with the state of the economy.

Megan, my oldest, came back from her honeymoon in June and was laid off the week she got back. She’s been looking ever since. Amanda, Megan’s younger sister, graduated in the spring and was planning on going to Aftrica for a 6 month mission trip working with an orphanage. She was looking for employment that would allow her to raise the money for the trip

Well, Megan got a job with a large ad agency this month, a job in her field with a higher wage than her last job. Best of all, she’s working with a friend from college.

A few weeks ago, Amanda saw a job listed on Craig’s list and applied. It turned out to be Rainbow Connection, a non-profit similar to Make-A-Wish foundation. She applied, and was 10 out of 200 to be interviewed. The position is working with families and arranging travel, and required a 2 year commitment. This put her in a quandary over Africa, but it was a dream non-profit position. What she’d been working towards her whole educational career.

Long story short, she got the job, and is outright giddy. She’s going to be doing what she’s been working for since the 9th grade. Africa is still on the wish list, but Amanda really feels God has stepped in and shown her a better plan.

God is good!

Thursday, October 23, 2008

A New Favorite Movie


Cyndi and I have this blockbuster subscription.. you know, the one where you can order movies online, 3 at a time and as you mail each one back, the next one on your selection list gets mailed out?

Well, it wasn’t long before every movie we've wanted to see in the top 300 movies was in our rear-view mirror.  To combat the recurring "empty queue", I’ve gotten into the habit of grabbing my laptop during the DVD previews of the movies we rent and adding interesting looking ones to my online queue.

I’ve picked some real losers.

Last night, my wife announced we should watch a movie. She went to the basket of incoming movies and pulled out “After The Wedding”.  She said, “what’s this about?”.    I really couldn’t remember. She rolled her eyes, but put it in the player, expecting yet another "Tim-blockbuster".

Well, we sat down and the movie began, with Sigor Ros as a sound-track. If you haven’t experienced Sigor Ros, then you won’t know what I’m talking about, but their stuff is wonderful. (I immediately googled to confirm it was them) Cyndi “loves it” when I google during a movie (not), and I could feel the wave of disapproval wafting from the far side of the couch. So I sat the laptop down and scooted over to enjoy the movie.   She actually said, "wow".  Ouch!

What a movie it was! Easily my favorite in the last 3 years. An emotional epic.  Surprizing character reveals and emotion twists, and amazing new cinematography.  Really fresh!

When it was done, Cyndi said, “Isn’t that, like, the best movie?!?”

I replied. “Well, I know how to pick ‘em!"

I almost fell over when the couch-pillow hit me in the head.

Tuesday, October 21, 2008

False modesty.

Funny how you read a verse again for the umpteenth time and see something new. 

I was reading in John 8 and Jesus talks about false modesty and calls it what it is. Lying.

Ever dismiss a compliment?  Ever try to deny praise for a gift you've been given?

This is a pretty cool translation, as well. Read the whole chapter for context. For that matter, the whole book is recommended. 

See it at YouVersion.com:


Tim Wheeler
(Sent from my iPhone)

Sunday, October 12, 2008

Back In The Saddle

I had a great Sunday this week. I got a phone call on Saturday asking me to fill in and sing a song at one of Kensington’s campuses on Sunday morning. (A little Brad Paisley really can make you smile) It was a little hectic, but a lot of fun, and a nice pressure-task. You can count on these types of challenges to get the adrenalin flowing.

I have this cowboy hat that I bought in Nashville. Cyndi really does not like me wearing it... LOL. Well I got a call Saturday, asking if I’d wear one. Cyndi, literally, thought I was making it up when I told her they asked me to wear one..

Even more significant, this weekend, was working with Joel on a recording of one of my more recent songs. Joel’s a master on the board and a great guitar player. He played and sang on the tune, and Sunday afternoon he lent his talent to mixing it. I’m entering into a workshop contest this upcoming weekend. (I’ll post it online after the workshop)

What made this significant for me is the fact that it seems to mark the end of a period in my life. This is by far the busiest and most stressful year I remember in a long time. I’ve mentioned this before, perhaps...

A lot happened this year. 1 graduated this spring from college, my oldest got married. My youngest graduated high school, and my wife celebrated a “significant number” birthday, followed by our 25th wedding anniversary. What followed was our son (youngest) moving out and into his dormitory at Michigan State University. (Go Spartans!)

What followed was a new courtship period for my wife and I. Really wonderful, actually, but very demanding on a guy who’s frankly, pretty self-absorbed. I’m such an idiot about not seeing the obvious and being surprised by the inevitable.

Well, in the midst of this hurricane, not much writing or art has been happening. The art that had been going on was, well... not so much art. <grin>

Working with Joel was a treat, and what we’ve come up with made me realize that I can finally start producing songs that I can be proud of.

It was a great place to find myself in.

Thanks to those of you who have been a source of encouragement for me. I’m really appreciative of your kind words and your patience.

Heading to St. Charles this weekend to Write About Jesus. Kudos to Sue Smith and all of her faculty for heading this up.

Tuesday, October 7, 2008

Writer's Block?

I was going to write about writer’s block, but something else is distracting me...

The economy is having some troubles. Many would say I’m understating the subject.

The bailout is on everyone’s lips. The stock market is moving 800 points in a day. We’re hearing the phrase “run on the bank” from people under 70 years of age.

Most of live near a foreclosed property. Living in Michigan with its troubled auto industry, and many who have lost their job, I may be seeing more than most.

Politicians are using the downturn it it to their advantage to advance their agendas. Corporate CEO’s are in the targets of investigations. Class warfare is on the rise.

Recently I learned of a couple who is going through a divorce, maybe because of the financial pressures, who signed over her house this last week. The bank has made the decision that she can live in the house until it sells. (That may be years.)

I know another couple who’s split up, as well. I have friends who are selling things to make rent. I know several college grads who can’t get a job in their field.. at least not in Michigan.. and are looking to move.

Oh yeah... Writer’s block? How can we use that as an excuse? There’s so many people around us facing challenges. So many institutions, both physical and social, that are in turmoil. So much that we observe every day where the truth is obscured, or the values skewed. Injustice, greed, dishonesty, injustice.

So much potential to find light in darkness. Rebirth in certain death. It may sound morbid, but this is a writer’s playground.