songwriting 101

I have always had a desire to write some kind of song. I can remember growing up and pretending to be some famous songwriter, and I just knew that one day my songs would be on every radio station, or on an eight-track tape (classic). I would convince myself that writing a song couldn't be too hard. Well, I have learned that writing a song is not easy for me. There have been times that I could sit down and play the guitar, and it seemed as though all the words would just jump out of my mind and onto the paper. Then again, I can sit and strum for hours, and not have a thought. The next "great song" wasn't there.

When I attended the Seminars4Worship conference in October, I had the opportunity to take part in a songwriting class. We didn't compose any songs in this class, but I learned a lot about how hard songwriting really is; and steps that I can take to help some of these thoughts in my mind make it to paper, and eventually sound like a song. I listened intently as Paul Baloche, Joel Auge', and Mia Fields explained the processes that each of them go though to create a song. And not just any song.......but a song that would be good enough to replace a song that has become part of the church's "songs". Those songs that are loved by the church; those songs that have stood the test of time; songs that bring joy, smiles, tears, and a sense of community. (This songwriting idea is beginning to take on a responsibility I hadn't thought of.) I do remember one of the things that Paul Baloche said, "Always have pen and paper handy." He mentioned that there are times that he hears something in the message his pastor is sharing, and it catches his attention as something that he needs to write down; and he does. He also talked about other times when he writes things, ideas, as they come to him......(always have pen and paper handy). But, the reason I mention his illustration about listening to his pastor speak; is that I heard something in Jon's message this weekend, and I had to write it down.

I listened to Jon deliver the message, "Oil Sale", five times this weekend. Friday was critique day....when he have a practice run to help us prepare for the services on the weekend. Anyway, Jon spoke this message five times, and only once did he make a particular statement that caught my attention; and when I heard it, I turned the page in my notebook to a blank page, and immediately wrote it down. I don't know if it will ever become a song, but I do know that it spoke to me. It has been 12 hours since Jon made this statement, and it is still in my mind; and it is on paper; and it has grown from the three lines that he said, to ten lines to try and capture what the words sparked in my crazy, artsy mind. Jon simply said.....

There is hope in His cross...
There is peace at the cross...
There is joy in the cross...

Thanks Jon..........I needed this.