Psalm 119:9

Psalm 119:9 - How can a young man keep his way pure? By guarding it according to Your word.

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

New Song - Just for Fun

Yeah, I know I haven't posted anything "deep" in a while, but hey, I don't get paid for this! Hahaha. Actually,
I have been somewhat productive these last two or so months, as I've been washing windows with a local
company. So, for now, be content with me and Blane's latest offering, a cover of "Sound of Silence", written by
none other than the inimitable Simon & Garfunkel, of course. 8)



(Stay tuned for more originals by us in the next few weeks)

Tuesday, June 11, 2013

New Song - Cry No More

Here is our latest recording, an original by Blane:

By the way, the "Battle of the Bands" went great! We didn't win anything, but it was a lot of fun and everyone seemed to like us. Hopefully there will be some video clips available soon!

Thursday, May 16, 2013

"The Room"

I've been reading Joshua Harris's book, "I Kissed Dating Goodbye" (which I heartily recommend), and was struck by his narrative of a dream that he had. It still gets me every time I read it. Here it is:

The Room by Joshua Harris

In that place between wakefulness and dreams, I found myself in the room. There were no distinguishing features save for the one wall covered with small index-card files. They were like the ones in libraries that list titles by author or subject in alphabetical order. But these files, which stretched from floor to ceiling and seemingly endlessly in either direction, had very different headings. As I drew near the wall of files, the first to catch my attention was one that read "Girls I Have Liked." I opened it and began flipping through the cards. I quickly shut it, shocked to realize that I recognized the names written on each one.

And then without being told, I knew exactly where I was. This lifeless room with its small files was a crude catalog system for my life. Here were written the actions of my every moment, big and small, in a detail my memory couldn't match.

A sense of wonder and curiosity, coupled with horror, stirred within me as I began randomly opening files and exploring their content. Some brought joy and sweet memories; others a sense of shame and regret so intense that I would look over my shoulder to see if anyone was watching. A file named "Friends" was next to one marked "Friends I Have Betrayed."

The titles ranged from the mundane to the outright weird. "Books I Have Read," "Lies I Have Told," "Comfort I Have Given," "Jokes I Have Laughed At." Some were almost hilarious in their exactness: "Things I've Yelled at My Brothers." Others I couldn't laugh at: "Things I Have Done in My Anger," "Things I Have Muttered Under My Breath at My Parents." I never ceased to be surprised by the contents. Often there were many more cards than I expected. Sometimes fewer than I hoped.

I was overwhelmed by the sheer volume of the life I had lived. Could it be possible that I had the time in my 20 years to write each of these thousands or even millions of cards? But each card confirmed this truth. Each was written in my own handwriting. Each signed with my signature.

When I pulled out the file marked "Songs I Have Listened To," I realized the files grew to contain their contents. The cards were packed tightly, and yet after two or three yards, I hadn't found the end of the file. I shut it, shamed, not so much by the quality of music, but more by the vast amount of time I knew that file represented.

When I came to a file marked "Lustful Thoughts," I felt a chill run through my body. I pulled the file out only an inch, not willing to test its size, and drew out a card. I shuddered at its detailed content. I felt sick to think that such a moment had been recorded.

An almost animal rage broke on me. One thought dominated my mind: "No one must ever see these cards! No one must ever see this room! I have to destroy them!" In an insane frenzy I yanked the file out. Its size didn't matter now. I had to empty it and burn the cards. But as I took it at one end and began pounding it on the floor, I could not dislodge a single card. I became desperate and pulled out a card, only to find it as strong as steel when I tried to tear it

Defeated and utterly helpless, I returned the file to its slot. Leaning my forehead against the wall, I let out a long, self-pitying sigh. And then I saw it. The title bore "People I Have Shared the Gospel With." The handle was brighter than those around it, newer, almost unused. I pulled on its handle and a small box not more than three inches long fell into my hands. I could count the cards it contained on one hand.

And then the tears came. I began to weep. Sobs so deep that they hurt started in my stomach and shook through me. I fell on my knees and cried. I cried out of shame, from the overwhelming shame of it all. The rows of file shelves swirled in my tear-filled eyes. No one must ever, ever know of this room. I must lock it up and hide the key.

But then as I pushed away the tears, I saw Him. No, please not Him. Not here. Oh, anyone but Jesus.

I watched helplessly as He began to open the files and read the cards. I couldn't bear to watch His response. And in the moments I could bring myself to look at His face, I saw a sorrow deeper than my own. He seemed to intuitively go to the worst boxes. Why did He have to read every one?

Finally He turned and looked at me from across the room. He looked at me with pity in His eyes. But this was a pity that didn't anger me. I dropped my head, covered my face with my hands and began to cry again. He walked over and put His arm around me. He could have said so many things. But He didn't say a word. He just cried with me.

Then He got up and walked back to the wall of files. Starting at one end of the room, He took out a file and, one by one, began to sign His name over mine on each card.

"No!" I shouted rushing to Him. All I could find to say was "No, no," as I pulled the card from Him. His name shouldn't be on these cards. But there it was, written in red so rich, so dark, so alive. The name of Jesus covered mine. It was written with His blood.

He gently took the card back. He smiled a sad smile and began to sign the cards. I don't think I'll ever understand how He did it so quickly, but the next instant it seemed I heard Him close the last file and walk back to my side. He placed His hand on my shoulder and said, "It is finished."

I stood up, and He led me out of the room. There was no lock on its door. There were still cards to be written.

By Joshua Harris. Orginally published in New Attitude Magazine. Copyright New Attitude, 1995. You have permission to reprint this in any form. We only ask that you include the appropriate copyright byline and do not alter the content.

(You can read more about this story at Mr. Harris's website)

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Poster Post

I found this poster for the "Battle of the Bands" competition on the official "Mrs. Hyatt's Music House" Facebook page:


Just FYI!

Friday, May 10, 2013

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Big Happenings

I know, I haven't posted in forever, we've been kinda busy lately...
  ...Which leads to the most exciting news by far, Sunny and Brandon's wedding.


I'm sure those of you who follow Sunny's blog have already seen her latest post, but of course I must chime in.
It was truly a happy event, one that has been prayed for and, might I add, highly anticipated! I praise God that
they both seek to honor Him in their union, and I'm proud of them both!
  Me and Blane jr. were asked to play at the reception, and we were able to record most of the songs we did. Here's one; Carolina In My Mind by James Taylor. (I will post more as they become available to me)


  On another note, we were able to compete in the "Battle of the Bands-Unplugged" here in WNC, and we made
it into the finals! We'll be playing along with several other bands on June 1st at the 9th annual Jamfest at the WNC AG Center. 10:30 am., be there or be square!

  On another-nother note, we've done a few videos that I haven't posted, so here you go:



We did this one at the reception:

Have a blessed week, internet people!

"But I have trusted in your steadfast love; my heart shall rejoice in your salvation.I will sing to the LORD, because he has dealt bountifully with me." - Psalm 13:5-6

Thursday, January 31, 2013

Four Whole Years

I totally forgot, while writing my last post, that Sunday we celebrated our church's fourth anniversary! God has definitely used our little fellowship to benefit us all. I know that it has benefited me. After lunch, we all returned to the sanctuary where me and Blane Jr played a few songs:



After that, we scrunched together for a picture and had a time of sharing about the blessings the Lord has brought us through our fellowship. It has surely been a blessed time!



"I was glad when they said to me,
'Let us go to the house of the LORD!'"
- Psalm 122:1

"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works,
not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some,
but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near"
- Hebrews 10:24-25

Monday, January 28, 2013

Just For Fun...

We got together to record yesterday and didn't have any new songs ready, so we did a fun Bass/Electric duet.
The song is called "Sleepwalk", and it was written and recorded by "Santo & Johnny" in 1959. It has since been
covered by everybody from The Ventures to Chet Atkins to Jeff Beck.



Back to more serious subjects in the near future...

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

God Does Delight In You

In reformed circles, I think it's very easy for us to over-accentuate the law and the importance of personal
holiness in a Christian's life. Perhaps, in some cases, to the exclusion of any kind of grace and love on God's
part beyond our initial salvation. May it not be so!

On the same subject, here is our latest song, a cover from Sovereign Grace Ministries:



"The LORD your God is in your midst, a mighty one who will save;
He will rejoice over you with gladness; He will quiet you by his love;
He will exult over you with loud singing." - Zephaniah 3:17

Monday, January 7, 2013

Songs New and Not-So New

Here's our newest song from yesterday, my arrangement of "Hallelujah What a Savior" by Philip Bliss, the writer
of "It Is Well With My Soul": (This is our first song using overdubbed harmonies; there are five in all!)




1. Man of Sorrows! What a name; For the Son of God, Who came; Ruined sinners to reclaim.
Hallelujah! What a Savior! Hallelujah! What a Savior!

2/3. Bearing shame and scoffing rude, In my place condemned He stood; Sealed my pardon with His blood.
Guilty, vile, and helpless we; Spotless Lamb of God was He; Full atonement! Can it be?
Hallelujah! What a Savior! Hallelujah! What a Savior!

4/5. Lifted up was He to die; “It is finished!” was His cry; Now in heaven exalted high.
When He comes, our glorious King, All His ransomed home to bring, Then anew His song we’ll sing:
Hallelujah! What a Savior! Hallelujah! What a Savior! Hallelujah! What a Savior!

Here is one we did a few weeks ago, but I forgot to post:





"He was despised and rejected by men;
a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief;
and as one from whom men hide their faces
he was despised, and we esteemed him not."
- Isaiah 53:3

Wednesday, January 2, 2013

A New Year and a New Song

I know, I haven't posted in a coon's age. I won't make any lousy excuses, either; I've just been procrastinating.
Anyway, I don't have anything prepared for this post, but I do have a thought or two.
  The dawn of a new year is a milestone, a marker. Why don't we take some time to think about where we were
a year ago? Prayerfully consider how we've changed, how we've progressed (or regressed), and what lessons
we might take from the experience. Instead of making resolutions that we may or may not be able to keep, why
don't we pray that God would show us our faults, and give us the faith/strength to follow Him?
  Lastly, I believe we should look on this occasion as an act of God's mercy; having extended this age another
year and given more people the chance to repent and believe, and as a further opportunity to preach the gospel
to all men. Let us serve the Lord with bold and willing hearts in 2013!

(Here is our latest song, a cover from Indelible Grace's new album)



Before I forget, I hope all you internet people had a wonderful Christmas, and, what else, a happy New Year!

"But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope:
The steadfast love of the LORD never ceases;
His mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning;
great is your faithfulness." - Lamentations 3:21-23