November | 2014 | Shawn Starbuck

Christmas Vol. 1 on itunes today

I’ve been praying throughout the whole weekend for a miracle. With just finishing the Masters on Friday and getting them uploaded so quickly, I wasn’t sure if it would make it up on itunes today, but it did.

As I shared with Mosaic Church this last weekend, this project has been so special to me because this is the one month out of the year that our culture is cool with us going all out to talk about Jesus. Sure there’s santa and the jingles and all that, but it seems to be that no one can get upset about us talking about Jesus, since that’s what Christmas is really about.

I am certain that there are people who are having a terrible time this year and there is not much that is going to bring them out, but I think if we fill our lives with these type of songs and the Christmas message, then maybe we will be able to be that help they are looking for.

As a Christian, I’m assuming the responsibility to keep my heart and mind full of the true meaning of Christmas and letting that attitude affect the way I live. I’m not so worried as to what I’ll end up doing, I’m just concerned enough to know I need to keep sharing the Gospel with myself and those around me and trust God to let the whole world know that Christ is Our Savior.

I love all the songs on this album. They’ve been with me for years, except for “Christ Our Savior.” As previously released “You Are the Reason” states that Jesus is the reason for our celebration, Christ our Savior follows up that statement by declaring the “who Jesus is.” I felt like people know the name Jesus, but do they know who he really is?

So a couple of weeks before we recorded the project, God poured this song out really in a flash. When think back at writing it, it was done real fast. I don’t remember how long I spent on writing it, but I know it was good the night I wrote it. The only issue I had was that it had several different bridges, and I finally picked the one that ended up on the recording. I like it.

Christ our Savior also fits in with the motto: “My favorite song is the last one I wrote.” Since writing Christ our Savior, I’ve been full. This is the message I love and enjoy filling my heart with. I sing it over and over again, because i love to celebrate that Jesus came, and he is our Savior!

Matthew 3: The Heart of Promotion

When we read the story about John the Baptist in Matthew 3, we see that he is out in the wilderness, yet many people are coming to hear his message. John never seems to run away from the attention, yet he also never seems to get a hot head about all the people coming to see him either.

John is confident in what he is supposed to be doing and when God brings the people to him, he stays the course and keeps pointing the way back to God. When Jesus enters the scene, John hits the greatest moment that he could ever dream of, introducing the Savior of the World and preparing the Christ for ministry.

I am convinced after battling pride vs. humility for many years, that there soon develops a healthy balance of this notion of “promotion.” I used to back down and keep quiet as to not draw attention to myself. I’ve also given into the temptation to do drastic things to get more attention. Through it all though, I’ve come to realize that when you are making a big noise about something, if it’s for the right cause, then it’s not bad to have people notice what you are doing.

Our hearts behind the mission will reveal if what we are doing is God honoring, or self promotion. There is a difference between wanting to be the messenger who delivers the message well, and the messenger who just wants the recognition of delivering the message. John the Baptist cried out, lived boldly, spoke confidently, and gave himself fully for the message on his heart. He wanted to reach people and tell them about the Kingdom of God and prepare the way for Jesus.

For those of us who are involved in making art for Christ, we need to be confident in our cause as we move forward and remember that our cause is not for us, but it is for something beyond us. The message of Jesus Christ! So, be very loud… but be very humble!

Christmas Vol. 1 Mastered

Tonight as I listened to the final versions of the songs for Christmas Vol 1, I had such an incredible peace and rest. When you are working on something so personal, you are always wondering if it is going to end up as great as you can dream it up.

Up until tonight I could find little things that I was nervous about, but then the final listen through I felt a ton of weight lifted, and rest on the inside and a gratefulness to be selected by God to present these songs to many in the next few weeks, and years ahead.

I just want to publicly thank God and all of those who have played a part in putting this project together. It’s been an incredible project and I’ve learned so much. Now may God bless it and get it to the ears he has intended to ear!

Available now!

https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/shawn-starbuck-christmas-vol.1/id945334345

Christmas EP Coming Soon!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QaekPPAEQ7k?rel=0

Songwriting and Baseball

SONGWRITING

Every batter that steps up to the bat in baseball, wants to hit a homerun. In reality, that doesn’t happen. The goal in baseball is runs across the plate, so although batters want to hit homeruns, a batter recognizes the importance of all aspects of baseball. He knows that base hits, doubles, or a triple can help accomplish the goal of the most runs across home plate. Even an out is important. Can you imagine a game where no one makes an out and every batter hits a home run?

The other important aspect of baseball is that it is a team sport, not an individual sport. While the batter is important, he needs the support of all team players. Each team player has a skill of his own. There are pitchers, catchers, basemen, and even fielders. Each person has his job to do in the game and their ultimate goal is to win the game.

Baseball reminds me of song writing. Every song writer wants to write that hit that goes to the top of the charts, but that doesn’t always happen. That doesn’t mean that each song isn’t important. Lyrics or music that may not go together could be used with different lyrics or music, creating a new song. Each song may not be a hit, but it can stillbe important and meaningful.

Just like baseball is made up of a team, sometimes a song writer needs a team or maybe just another person to encourage the creation of a song. A writer may need someone to listen to lyrics or just be a sounding board for ideas. That other person may have a different skill that will bring out another aspect of the writer’s song. A writer should not give up on a song; just reach out to that team or individual for input or just encouragement.