Inspirations & Motivations Behind My Songs and Images For fourteen years I have wondered if I ever would be able to produce a record. My answer to myself would consistently be no. Whenever I would be invited to instruct a parish mission or retreat, concert or talk, people would repeatedly ask if I had a CD (or tape back in the day). My response would be no, I don't have one. My own reasons prevented the reality from ever coming to fruition: I just didn't think that my music would be good enough, My spirituality is personal and dear to me. It really struck me oddly to pour my own personal spirituality on to a disk that could go anywhere. The resources needed for such a project are not negligible. The cost was a third deterrent. One by one these obstacles were removed. Finally, two years ago I resolved to go for it. I had reconciled myself to the fact that the Lord would use His relationship with me to speak to others. My sense of gifted inferiority could not stand in the way. Lastly, a wonderful and faithful married couple believed in me, perhaps more than I did, and helped to back the project. Thank you. It's coming back to you. Never More Me This is the title track on this first CD which hopefully is the first of several. The first and last tracks are Eucharistic in nature, the whole project held together by His Presence. I wanted this record to offer more than entertainment or a feel good. I wanted the music and the lyrics to be a prayer that glorifies God -- that teaches and feeds listeners something of Christ. The title conveys that Christ is the fullest and most true me. Receiving Him in the Holy Eucharist with a soul and heart longing for wholeness creates the chance to be more this Real Me. I actually played this in my parish for the first time the weekend when our First Communicants were to receive Jesus in His Holy Eucharist for the very first time. They brought a whole new appreciation of this song into my life. One Cross This song I would like to make a gift to all priests and a thanksgiving to the Eternal High Priest, Jesus, in whom we serve in persona Christi. I wrote this song in two phases. The refrain goes back to seminary days, sitting at the grand piano in the beautiful chapel of my alma mater. The original verses, though, in their melody and in their words from Jeremiah just didn't fit anymore. The new verses were inspired by the signature retreat I wrote and have lead about 40 times -- From Albatross To Phoenix. The melody reminds me of the signing of the ship's log, and the words come from Matthew's Gospel: 11:28-30. I want to thank this record's producer, Rick Elias, for giving the song it's current sound. There's power in uniting our personal crosses with the One Salvific Cross of Christ Jesus. There's power in permitting Christ to live in us who, Himself, gives us the wholeness of life every human heart seeks. Jesus is the Son of God who the Father sees when He looks at us; Jesus is the Lamb of God who took our burdens upon Himself in order to bring life out of them. He keeps this promise He seals in His own Blood. From the Inside Out There are some Christian covers on this record that move my own spirit. I must confess, I included them not only because they speak to me and I enjoy singing them; but, this being my first CD, I actually feared that my own music just wouldn't be good enough. Hopefully, I'm wrong. This song from the Christian group, Hillsong United, moves me in it's description of human weakness. I hope to convey the hope that dwells in a penitential heart. There is an unfailing quality to God's offer of mercy and a certainty in our repentant heart. Everlasting and Never-ending! The Last Word This song was a wonderful surprise as I hoped the Lord would pour out some gift with musical and spiritual integrity. I wrote this over the last few months, and I think it has become my favorite track on the record. It's my own reflection on Jesus' last words from the cross. In a broader context, it's my reaction to the power of God's Word period. When the Lord speaks, His Wor
