What Matters Most?

Posted on February 19, 2024 by Daniel

In this clip from a speech, Brad Pitt says:

“I don’t know if any of what we do matters in the end. What I do know that matters is the people we hitch ourselves to and the indelible mark they leave upon our very being. I was reading a passage recently where a character was asking, “Which is most important, the journey or the destination?” and the other replied, “It’s the company.” And I couldn’t agree more.”

I have watched many Youtube shorts and this one made such an impression upon me to such a degree that it merited a blog post – an investment of a few hours of my day writing and refining a proper reflection and response. (Buy me a coffee here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/daniellovett)

So let’s address the first thing Brad says: “I don’t know if any of what we do matters in the end.”

Ecclesiastes is a book Solomon wrote that begins by declaring everything meaningless. There is a verse in Ecclesiastes that says, “Most of what God has given for us to do is busywork”.

My response and question to this remark is this: Are there things God allows us to do that are more than meaningless and beyond the busywork? Are we capable of activity that is elevated beyond simply the maintenance of our own existence?

I shared this clip with my songwriting class yesterday and asked them these questions. As a wholistic songwriting coach who is interested in writing songs that matter, I wish to impress upon my students that songs come from who you are. Songs come from an inspired place within your soul that are in touch with the Divine Source of all inspiration. We write songs that matter with Jesus as our songwriting partner. As he said, “Apart from me, you can do nothing… and I have appointed you to bear much fruit… fruit that will remain.”

Jesus, or in his own language, Yeshua, is introduced by his best friend John as the Logos in John 1:1

Logos can be translated as “Meaning”.

Ha! Isn’t that something? Yeshua is the One who brings meaning to our existence. But the only way this is going to happen for anyone is found in a phrase that Solomon includes at the end of his treatise on the meaning of human existence: to “fear God”. I bring this up because I must. This was a hard learned lesson I have often reflected upon in my 47 cycles around the sun.

Solomon wrote: “And this is the end of the matter: Fear God and keep his commands.”

Is he hinting at his discovery of what does bring meaning to life? Is he finally declaring, as a service to humanity, what actually matters?

I have learned in my studies that to “fear God” means “reverential trust”. Reverence means to give Jesus the proper respect that is due him. He is Lord. He’s the boss. He is the Master. He is the Leader in the Divine Dance of Life. We let him lead. We submit to him as our Master. He is the only Master Jedi… the only One… and we are all the Jedi apprentice padawans. He is the Husband and we are the submissive humble wife in this scenario.

The Lord greeted me one Sunday morning with the words: “Today I am going to teach you about the fear of the Lord.”

“Okay”, I responded… and waited for him to say more.

“Later…” he replied.

I went off to church and a few minutes before going on the stage to lead the church in worship, he spoke: “Okay, it’s like this…”

“Wow… okay.. so this is happening now. Great!”

“The fear of the Lord is exampled by what John said about me”, Jesus said, “Recall when he said of me, ‘He must increase and I must decrease’? He humbled himself and became small so that I could loom large… You do the same.”

And so I did. I got out of the way that day and Jesus loomed large. We had a brilliant and powerful time of anointed worship.

May Jesus loom large in our life today. Say it with me would you?

“Jesus, loom large in my life today.”

Ask Jesus to lead your dance of life. As the Scripture says, “Set apart Jesus as Lord in your life.”

The second part of Solomon’s prescription was: “Keep his commands”. I love how John highlighted this in his first letter when he reminded us of Jesus parting words to his disciples before going to the cross: “Love one another… love one another as I have loved you.” John added that “his commands are not burdensome.” Indeed, hasn’t Jesus promised that his yoke (his teaching) is easy and his burden (what he commands) is light?

So what can we do that matters? Is it possible to focus our entire lives around what matters? Can we saturate our days with love? Repeat after me:

“Yes we can!”

Jesus said, “Take my yoke upon you.” This means we are hitched to him to work with and alongside him. He is the lead ox in this scenario. Anything we do that matters (including writing songs that matter) are only going to happen with Jesus as the one we hitch ourselves to. He is ultimately the one who brings the meaning to our life as we keep company with him.

“What if we hitched ourselves to Jesus? What if he is, first and foremost, the company we keep? What would it look like to have Jesus as you best friend?”

I am reminded of a few Scriptures. One verse talks about how God has promised never to leave us or forsake us. Jesus says, “I am with you always”. This means that Jesus is already upholding his side of this friendship. He is keeping company with us. You already possess an amazing relationship with God and it’s not your fault:

“So now we can rejoice in our wonderful new relationship with God because our Lord Jesus Christ has made us friends with God.” Romans 5:11 NLT

In Revelation 3:10 Jesus, when speaking to believers says, “I stand at the door and knock. Whoever hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and we’ll share a meal together as friends.”

The veil has been torn. We all have access to the holy of holies. This is what some call the secret place where we can fellowship with Jesus and our loving Father in ABSOLUTE Peace. Safe. Secure. “Wrapped in the arms of your Father’s tender hug”. (Those are lyrics I wrote today for a new song I am calling Love Psalm 2024.)

What does that mean to you?

It says to me that I you and I have been purchased at a very high price. You and I have been valued by the blood of God’s only begotten Son, our best friend Yeshua. You and I have been made holy. You and I have One who is responsible for us. Our Creator, our Good Shepherd and Overseer of our soul, has taken responsibility for us. We are safe in his care.

I encourage everyone to open the door and invite Jesus in.

Holy Spirit seems to be indicating to me that Jesus is making a reference to Song of Solomon in that revelation 3:10 verse. Is this really to be interpreted as a Divine romance between each and every one of us and God? Is Jesus not spoken of as our Groom? Are we not spoken of as the Bride? It seems he is hinting at the fact that we are more than friends. To what level of intimacy does Jesus want with each and every one of us?

I invited my songwriting class kids to ask God this question:

“Jesus, what kind of relationship do you want to have with me?”

I invited them to inquire of their own heart:

“What kind of relationship do I want with God?”

I reminded them that you can have as close of a relationship with God as you have ever witnessed anyone have with Jesus. Even in Scripture. God is no respecter of persons. Elijah was a man just like us. Jesus best friend John was a man just like us. You too can be the disciple whom Jesus loves.

I was in a nursing home this morning doing a concert and, before I started, I observed a woman lean over to another woman who could no longer talk and said, “I love you. You are my very best friend. I love you.” She said this just to make her feel loved and special that day. She meant it. I closed my eyes to take it in so this moment could leave an indelible mark in my memory. It’s moments like this that make you realize what matters in life. The love you give. The genuine love you give.

John wrote, “Those who live in love, live in God and God in them.”

If you have found any of this inspiring, connect with Jesus to receive more revelation on this.

To wrap this blog post up I’d like to share the lyrics of another song I wrote:

Who You Are

VERSE 1:
I feel safe when I’m with you
And after all that we’ve been through
You’ve proven yourself worthy of my heart

So I’m practicing your Presence
And I lay down all my resistance
To experience the joy of who you are

CHORUS:   Who you are, who you are, who you are, Jesus (2x)

VERSE 2:
Great and Merciful High Priest
You’re the One who always sees
Every need within my soul, you satisfy

In your love I’m born again
My Good shepherd, my best friend
Always when I see you, I can’t deny

CHORUS:    Who you are, who you are, who you are, Jesus (2x)

BRIDGE :   You are the only One, my destiny,  my meant to be         
You are the only One,  who I adore, who I’m meant for 

VERSE 3:
So I’m practicing your Presence
And I lay down all my defenses
To experience the joy of who you are… 

CHORUS:     Who you are, who you are, who you are, Jesus (2x)

BRIDGE :   You are the only One, my destiny,  my meant to be         
You are the only One,  who I adore, who I’m meant for 

(Buy me a coffee here: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/daniellovett)

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Songwriting Class

Posted on January 31, 2024 by Daniel

My wife and I have both been donating our time to a co-op homeschool group as teachers. I had the honor of teaching a group of students about songwriting this past fall semester 2023. It was epic! We met every other week through the Fall and wrote two group songs by the end of the season. I will be recording the songs and releasing them on Youtube (because once you create a work of art, you have a responsibility to share it). We performed the songs for the whole group of about a hundred kids. I would like to share the lyrics below to one of the songs and will be sharing the Youtube video once it is complete.

Here is the lyrics to the song:

Your Love is a River

CHORUS:
Your love is a river, whose source will not run dry
Always flows forever, our constant love supply
Your love is a river, and I’m resting in this flow
Drinking your affection,  as you bring me home

VERSE 1:
When I feel sad and doubtful
You bring my hope to life
Forever you are with me
Forever you are kind
And when I see you
I know_ everything’s alright  (CHORUS)

VERSE 2:
You are faithful to show mercy
In all the wrongs we do
Even through the worst of me
You stay steadfast_ and true
And when I see you
I know_ everything’s alright

BRIDGE:
I stand beneath, the rush and the roar
Immersed in mercy, I could never ask for more
Held in your care,  Nothing compares
To your love as it falls over me
It’s all around,  there’s no escape
Takes up all time,  fills every space
Your Presence here, removes all fear
Your love transports me, to an ocean of grace

CHORUS 2:
Your love is an ocean, I’m surrounded on all sides
It just goes on forever, with no end in sight
Your love is a ocean, and I’m sinking like a brick
Drinking your affection,  drowning me in bliss
Yes, I’m drowning in this bliss

Psalms 103:8 TPT

“Lord, you’re so kind and tenderhearted and so patient with people who fail you! Your love is like a flooding river overflowing its banks with kindness.”

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Nativity Dream

Posted on December 23, 2023 by Daniel

I am sitting at Luna, one of my favorite coffee shops in Green Bay treating myself to a quiche and a coffee after a successful Christmas concert. I could not hold back the tears when I told them of how my daughter had been a part of a Nativity play called, The Very Worst Best Christmas Pageant Ever. I was moved during the the last scene when Imogene Herdman, who played Mary, held baby Jesus and cried when she finally understood the meaning of Christmas and what a gift Jesus is to us.

What would you do and how would you feel if you were suddenly transported back in time to the Nativity to witness the events of the birth of Jesus? 

The Lord gave me a dream in which I suddenly found myself standing with my daughter Emma on the right side of a stage in a theater at the closing final, “take a bow” and clap for all the actors, moment at a Nativity play. Everyone went still and were in shock at my sudden appearance. They didn’t know what to think or do. I looked out at the audience, in shock myself, and then turned to see all the actors from the Nativity play. I held an unopened bottle of wine in my hand.

My attention was drawn to baby Jesus. I had an Imogene moment as I was overwhelmed with what this meant for me personally… what Jesus meant to me personally.

Without even thinking about it, I dropped the bottle of wine, approached the manger scene, and fell facedown on the floor before my Lord, the baby Jesus.

A strange thing began to happen as I started to slide across the floor toward the front of the stage. Somehow I knew I wouldn’t fall, and sure enough, as my body slid off the stage I began to float. Suddenly I flew up above the audience and then out through the roof.

Okay, I realize that the last part distracted people from the impact of the message. I get it. But how can you leave out a cool part like that?

So… facedown before the Lord. Let’s stay there for a bit.

Reminds me of a bit of Scripture from Philippians 2:5-11 NLT:

“You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.

 Though he was God,
    he did not think of equality with God
    as something to cling to.
 Instead, he gave up his divine privileges;
    he took the humble position of a slave
    and was born as a human being.
When he appeared in human form,
     he humbled himself in obedience to God
    and died a criminal’s death on a cross.

 Therefore, God elevated him to the place of highest honor
    and gave him the name above all other names,
 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow,
    in heaven and on earth and under the earth,
 and every tongue declare that Jesus Christ is Lord,
    to the glory of God the Father.”

NASB puts it like so: “For this reason also God highly exalted Him, and bestowed on Him the name which is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee will bow, of those who are in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and that every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.”

Every knee will bow before Jesus, Yeshua, the King of kings and Lord of lords. He forces no one. He woos every one. He draws all unto himself by tender lovingkindness and grace.

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Yeshua making everything sad come untrue

Posted on December 4, 2023 by Daniel

“Gandalf! I thought you were dead! But then I thought I was dead myself. Is everything sad going to come untrue? What’s happened to the world?” “A Great shadow has departed,” said Gandalf, and then he laughed and the sound was like music, or like water in a parched land; and as he listened the thought came to Sam that he had not heard laughter, the pure sound of merriment, for days upon days without count.” — JRR Tolkien, The Lord of the Rings

Yeshua is in the business of making everything sad come untrue.

Revelation 21:4; Isaiah 25:8

4 He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourn-ing, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away.”

8  He will swallow up death forever; and the Lord GOD will wipe away tears from all faces, and the reproach of his people he will take away from all the earth, for the LORD has spoken.

Do you remember when he said, “Behold, I make all things new”?

That means you.

He means you.

You are made new. Don’t just take my word for it. Holy Spirit in the Good Book puts it this way, “You are a new creation in Christ Jesus. The old is gone. The new has come.”

The last enemy to be defeated is death. And “death” speaks of any sense of separation from the One who is Life. Oneness in the Life of God is the end game, which is already and “not yet” ontological truth. There awaits for us all a glorious culmination to the story in which we all “get” our Oneness. Outside of time and space in the heart of the Father, this is already Reality. From our perspective this has been hard for us to imagine, but God knows God’s Love… which never fails. From God’s perspective, this has never been in question.

As the Scripture says, No one is abandoned by the Lord forever. Nothing and no one has been left out in Yeshua’s reconciling finished work. 

We all know the details of the story. A death on the cross where Life swallowed death in victory. A victory that is confirmed by the resurrection and ascension. There is a phrase in Scripture, he was risen for our justification. The expiation of sin has been accomplished. “It is finished”, the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world has declared. And he will draw (drag) all mankind unto himself. Holy Spirit has been poured out upon all flesh (Joel 2). Which leaves no one out. Holy Spirit of Savior Yeshua is on the job and will continue to draw all unto himself until every knee will bow and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord to the glory of God the Father. It is a promise.

 This glorious nature of Awakening happens one at a time… and suddenly all at once, because we are all bound to each other. If One of us ascends, we ALL ascend. And none of us can win unless we ALL win. As long as there is any lost or fallen, we are ALL lost and fallen. The glory in this Gospel is that One of us has ascended… all the way… and has brought us ALL with him. Start paying attention to how the Apostle Paul uses the word ALL.

Sure, we may come and go in waves as we test love in all manner of ways, but we will always find good pasture in the care of our Good Shepherd. Don’t doubt anymore. It’s easy. Just don’t do it and it won’t be done. Doubt doesn’t happen by accident you know. “Oops I doubted”.

No…it’s a choice. 

O crap… we are really going there right now? 

I hated myself for doubting you God! I sentenced myself to hell for doubting your goodness and love. I am so ashamed that I became unconscious of your love. I was found out. I had said “no” to love. Ihad warred against love. I stood opposed to love. I became your enemy. I became love’s enemy. I hated myself. I rejected myself for doubting your love. And it lasted a great while. It was a great sadness that I would never wish upon my worst enemy. I just described what is at the core of the dark night of the soul. Self-loathing shame tormented me.

But Jesus, my Great Physician, Yeshua my shrink, has found this sin sick soul of this fallen lost sinner and made me a new creation. My sins are white as snow and as far from me as the East is from the West. It is a Gospel… a good news of forgiveness. 

I see you. I know the dark times we, as divine sparks of human consciousness, experience. I know of the lies we entertain to cope with our own personal hells of our own making. But… the truth will set us free. The Truth will set us free.

Are you ready to be free?

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Life

Posted on December 4, 2023 by Daniel
(Something to listen to as you read)

We are all here for a short time.

How does one overcome the perspective of Solomon, “Meaningless, meaningless, says the Teacher.. the Rabbi.”

Is my Rabbi saying this? It feels kind of discouraging… ya know?

So what the hell am I doing here? Not “making a difference”. There is no no difference to make when it is all meaningless.

I can literally stay quiet and do nothing. I can become a monk and live in a mountain rocky cave like a marmot and live out my days in oblivion. It doesn’t matter.

Solomon did tell us what matters in the end however… didn’t he?

Does anyone stick around to the end to hear him out?

I’d like to hear what the dude concluded. This very wise and sassy other version of me who got to “try everything” just like the gazelle sang about in Zootopia.

So what did he say?

And this is the end of the matter… from the final verses of the final chapter of his magnum opis:

Concluding Thoughts about the Teacher

8“Everything is meaningless,” says the Teacher, “completely meaningless.”

9Keep this in mind: The Teacher was considered wise, and he taught the people everything he knew. He listened carefully to many proverbs, studying and classifying them. 10The Teacher sought to find just the right words to express truths clearly.

11The words of the wise are like cattle prods—painful but helpful. Their collected sayings are like a nail-studded stick with which a shepherd drives the sheep.

12But, my child, let me give you some further advice: Be careful, for writing books is endless, and much study wears you out.

13That’s the whole story. Here now is my final conclusion: Fear God and obey his commands, for this is everyone’s duty. 14God will judge us for everything we do, including every secret thing, whether good or bad.

–Ecclesiastes 12 NLT

So… wisdom does relieve suffering. This is a tremendous benefit while we are here. It brings heaven on earth. But is it necessary? No… but…

God will judge you.

He will assess you… by your choices. Everything you do. Did you obey his commands to trust him and love others? I mean, lets be real here. Jesus said, “Love one another as I have loved you.”

Not just: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” It’s a great start|!

Not leaving it at: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.” Which is a pretty epic proactive way of fleshing out his meaning.

But, “Love one another as I have loved you.”

That’s the commands Solomon is refering to. This is the end of the matter.

How did you do?

What do you want to do differently now?

I came to the conclusion: I can do better.

Know better. Do better.

We can do this.

Is there any more commentary on Ecclesiastes 12 needed?

I believe so.

Let’s look at the phrase: Fear God.

How I want to shift attention off myself right now. I’d rather talk about how I’ve observed others not doing that… as if to say, “See! I am not alone in my rebellion. Stop assessing me. Stop judging me for my profound failure. Yes. I have taken Jesus lightly. I have not obeyed his command to love others as he has loved me.

I’m seeing something here though… not quite a loophole. In fact I turn myself in. Not looking for a way out. I plead guilty… and insane. I’m sorry. I was unconscious of love. If I am not helped significantly every moment of every day I will likely remain unconscious of how to love. I plead insanity, so I end up in the mental ward of heaven. I want to stay I love it here so much! I am being healed! Rehabilitated! Soon enough my chakras will be humming at full steam.

But, what I am seeing is the obviousness of the fact that you can only love others to the extent that you allow yourself to be loved by God. You only can give out what you have received.

This is no loophole however because how are you going to fault Jesus when he is the epitome of Love? You and I both damn well know that we are the ****ups here. Have I got your attention? astericks alwasy get my attention.

Jesus told me: “I am as present and ‘experienced’ in your life as you have allowed me to be. Your experience of me is dictated by you. You are afraid. You are afraid of loosing the absolute fury of my love. You are, in fact, afraid of your own shame. But that is but a mere shadow. My light obliterates every shadow. God is Light in whom there is no shadow. God is Light in whom we live and move and have our being.

I am wonderfully nostalgic tonight.

Reality is like fine wine. Not readily appreciated by children.

Very appreciated by the criminally insane condemned to be rehabilitated in heavens mental ward.

Indeed.

MagnifiQue.

So what now?

Fear God?

We better start by capitalizing god.

We’ve been over all the failures. It’s tiresome old news. It’s history. It’s white as the pure driven snow baby. It’s okay to be right where you are at in your maturity. There is no shame anymore dear mental ward patient.

We love you.

We are here for you. And, we are hear for you. We will listen.

God said to me first thing this morning.

“Today is the day.”

Your book is done.

You have always been “done”.

You are the book I am writing.

Every day a new chapter, a new installment, of this Truman Show… this Daniel show.

You can run but you can never hide from my love and my watchful gaze. All of heaven is tuned in to your show. You are a required course in the schools of heaven. Everything and everyone is… How do you think we can know it all?

This doesn’t make us “know it all’s” in the sense you are thinking. There is far more than resistance to love that has firmly anchored us in Love. Amor ConquistĂł TODO. Yes, Love has conquered ALL.

So it becomes easy then to introduce myself and invite you to become a patient yourself in the mental ward in heaven. I lovingly call it: The Church of the Mystic Realms. And I’m ordained! Can you believe it? I am Sir Pastor Daniel the First of the Church of the Mystic Realms.

So let’s be friends. You can be dumb and I’ll be dumber.

You will feel SO smart habgin out with me. But matbe you are the one who has been dummer…

Got ya!

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