Saint Cecilia, My Friend on the Journey

Today, November 22nd, is the Feast of St. Cecilia, the patroness of music. She is the patroness of music because it is said that she heard heavenly music in her heart during her marriage ceremony. She was martyred around the year 230.

I call her my friend on the Journey because over ten years ago I asked that she be my patroness during my journey with music. I ask for her prayers when I am writing songs, recording albums, and playing live shows. This spiritual friendship started when I was 18 years old and leaving the comfort of my family to pursue music in New Orleans.

Life’s Journey is full of surprises and beautiful mysteries. I feel so blessed to have recorded 8 albums, wrote a countless number of songs, and travelled across the country sharing the gift of music. I am now 28 and I am back in Houston where I work  as a youth minister at a church named after my friend Saint Cecilia. My simple prayer when I started to fall in love with music was, “Saint Cecilia, please pray for me and my music.” Though my music has grown much since I started out, my simple prayer has not.

I truly believe Saint Cecilia prays for me and my safety. I encourage everyone to also find a spiritual friend for their Journey.

Here is a song I wrote a few years ago called Cecilia’s House:

St. Cecilia, Pray for us musicians!

Modern Day Knight

One of my favorite books is John Eldredge’s Wild at Heart.  In all honesty I love everything John Eldredge writes. Last night I was rereading a part of Wild at Heart and some deep things pierced my own heart.

In speaking of his own relationship with his wife Eldredge writes, “A hesitant man is the last thing in the world a woman needs. She needs a lover and a warrior, not a Really Nice Guy.” He goes on and writes, “I wanted to be the knight but I did not want to bleed like one.” This quote lead me to think of knights from days past.

In the time of kings, lords, heavy armor and men in battle on horseback a man that possessed the skills to fight from a horse, owned armor/weapons was extremely dangerous. This man must be a man of virtue or else he might use his strength and power for a selfish cause like plundering.

To prevent this from happening the knights of old developed the Code of Chivalry so that all men trained in the way of being a knight would also have moral formation. Here are some of the values of a man that honors the code of chivalry:

• Live to serve King and Country.
• Live one’s life so that it is worthy of respect and honor.
• Live for freedom, justice and all that is good.
• Never use a weapon on an opponent not equal to the attack.
• Never attack from behind.
• Avoid lying to your fellow man.
• Avoid cheating.
• Avoid torture.
• Administer justice.
• Protect the innocent.
• Exhibit self control.
• Respect women.
• Exhibit Courage in word and deed.
• Defend the weak and innocent.
• Destroy evil in all of its monstrous forms.
• Fight with honor.
• Avenge the wronged.
• Never abandon a friend, ally, or noble cause.
• Die with valor.
• Avoid deception.
• Be respectful of host, women, and honor.
• Loyalty to one’s friends and those who lay their trust in thee.

I love the line that says that a knight must exhibit self-control. I believe that all virtue flows from having self-control.

I still believe all of these virtues to be very practical for a man of any time and age. This world needs some modern day knights. This world needs men that defend the innocent, honor women, and speak honestly. This world needs protectors not predators.

It is not always easy to to be the knight. Eldredge’s words are worth repeating: “I wanted to be the knight but I did not want to bleed like one.” It is difficult to be man of virtue among so much vice and injustice. People will cut you down. I am not going to suggest the code of chivalry is an easy path. The life of a knight is a life of service and sacrifice but what an honor it is to be one.

Be Still

I do not play many cover songs. As a songwriter I desire to share the songs that I write. There is one song (or hymn) that I have played for myself and others for years that I graciously admit is not my own. The hymn Be Still, My Soul was written in the 18th century but like all great songs speaks timeless truths.

I think I like to play this song so much because I need to keep hearing the timeless truth that “The Lord is on my side.”  This song is a reminder that I am not facing my troubles alone. Even if all my friends should leave me and all looks dark, “The Lord is on my side.”

The original version sounds like a traditional hymn. It has more verses and different wording/phrasing.

I’ve recorded this song before but felt it needed to be redone. This is the first song to have been recorded in my closet studio. This time around I have left the song bare so that the words may be the focus of the listener’s attention.  Here is my version of Be Still, My Soul:

“Be still, and know that I am God.” – Psalm 46:10

A Closet Full of Music

Ryan Adams, Switchfoot, NEEDTOBREATHE, Coldplay, and Sara Groves are some of my favorite artists that have all released albums this past month. Is there a season to release music just like the summer is the season to release to big movies? I think I remember hearing something like that when I was in school for music business.

I have never followed that motto. I write songs and want to release them as soon as possible. Forget the marketing, the packaging, and perfect timing. I want the songs I write to get out of my head and into the hearts of others.

That being said, I am living in a new place these days. I think I like my new place of residence so much because it comes with a big recording studio OR as other people might see it, a closet. To me, this is not just a closet. This is a place I can sit in silence and transform the silence into music and beauty.

I wonder what songs will come out of here. I already have a few new songs that I will be sharing soon.

Ashes & Fire

When people ask me what inspires me to write music I usually just reply, “LIFE.”  The highs and lows of life are enough inspiration for me to write one hundred albums. But my life is not the only place I find inspiration.

To answer that question more specifically in regards to music that inspires me, I think of Ryan Adams. He writes from the heart. He sings the songs that calm my soul. He speaks truths in a music industry full of smoke and mirrors.

I actually went to Best Buy and bought a physical copy of his latest album, Ashes & Fire. It is no surprise to me that in the lyric booklet it states that all of the songs were written by Adams. He writes his own songs and plays his own guitar. This concept is rare these days.

He also has Norah Jones playing piano and singing on many of the tracks. It is so beautiful to see two of my favorite artists team up to make something beautiful.

I am sure the album Ashes & Fire will be keeping me company and filling me with peace and inspiration on my upcoming road trips.

Here is a video of one of his new songs, Lucky Now.

The Best Gift

This past week while on the road in Louisiana I had an insight of truth, beauty, and family. As I am getting older my friends are not just getting married and having their first child… they are now bringing their second child into this world. Their families are growing from 2 quiet lovers to a house full of noise, toys, and disney videos.

Of course parents want to give the best to their children. What is the best (and possibly most expensive) gift a parent can give to their child? I believe with all my heart that it is a sibling.

I am blessed to have both a brother and a sister. Both have been great friends and fellow adventurers for many years. My brother has taken me on many snow boarding trips and my sister has been a great friend in all of the highs and lows of my life.

I look at my friends that now have two children and I think, “You just gave your daughter, whom you love will all your heart, the best gift you can give as a parent: The gift of a lifelong friend.”

Not Super Heroes but Heroes

I saw the film Courageous this weekend and I really enjoyed it. The movie focuses on themes of fatherhood and providing for your family. Though I can not relate to these themes at this time in my life, I found myself in self reflection throughout the movie.

The church that makes these explicitly Christian films does not hire actors but rather uses volunteers to play the roles. None of the actors are paid. The critics go after these volunteers for their lack of acting skills and the over all cheesy nature of the film. For me it was the opposite. I felt these characters were more real because they were not over acting. They talked like real people talk.

I do love superheroes. This summer I went and saw Thor, X-Men First Class, and Captain America on opening weekend for each of these films. Now I have seen another movie about heroes on its opening weekend.

In the film Courageous the men have no super powers but their actions are heroic. When I see a super-hero movie I think, “That guy was awesome. I wish I could be like that.” After seeing Courageous I left the theater inspired and I thought, “I can be awesome. I can be a hero.”

Death, New Life, & The Color Green

To be an artist, I believe one must be an observer of beauty in nature. In nature we can find inspiration in a new and unique sun set every day, water falls that leave you speechless, and trees that appear old and wise.

These days the color pallet of nature is different than usual. Instead of green trees and green grass, we are seeing brown. Not the beautiful brown and orange of fall, but the brown that comes in nature as death. The drought in Texas has left very little life in the grass and trees.

I am a hopeful optimistic. I am a dreamer. I was talking to a friend of mine and said, “If we just get one big rain or a few days of rain, it will all come back to green.”  My friend bluntly replied, “You can’t come back from dead.”

Well, I am still optimistic and I am still a dreamer. I still believe the trees and grass and plants will return to their abundant green life. The theme of the next album I am working on is Hope. Fighting Fear had the imagery of a Lion.  This next album I am thinking of using the image of a Phoenix to symbolize Hope.

The Phoenix is a creature that dies and comes back to life more powerful and beautiful than ever. The Phoenix has its transformation through fire.  I believe Texas can relate to this imagery and this story. Texas has seen the death and abundance of fire. Through this time of death, fire, and doubt I believe new life will emerge.  The green will return.

The James Bond of Entertainment

Even though I am a musician I don’t care for music videos. I have a few reasons for this dislike of music videos. The first reason is that the video often has the band playing their song in a bizarre situation.  An example of this that is widely overused is the rooftop concert.

I have never seen a band play on a rooftop. It just does not happen and for good reason. If you were passing by on the street, you would never see or hear the band playing on a roof! When was the last time you could see the roof of a building from the ground?

I also think it is funny when artists play music in rain or water. I am pretty sure that musical instruments do not work well when wet. Also, playing an electric guitar in water might just get you electrocuted.

I bring up music videos because I see that many times the artist plays a role in their music video. Many times music videos are mini movies. The musical artist becomes a theatrical artist. Are they qualified to act?

In the entertainment business they call being able to act, sing, and dance a triple threat. I don’t find this threatening at all but I do find it intriguing and it reminds me of James Bond.  James Bond is the secret agent that can do it all on his own.

Years ago I watched a show on TV (I think it was the Discovery Channel) that asked the question what a real life James Bond would be like.  They went through each of his skill sets with a specialist in each area.  They interviewed and filmed a stunt driver, a martial arts expert, a marksman, and a demolitions expert.  Each of these guys had invested a lifetime of studies and training into their specific area of expertise.

At the end of the show the conclusion was made that no one person could be the best in all of these areas. A real James Bond could not exist.

I reflected on this because I see musicians that are also models, and they must act in their videos, AND they must be able to dance.  At the end of all this production I feel the music is what suffers and is left lacking.

For me, beautiful, passionate, creative music is enough.  I believe God has given each of us an abundance of gifts. As an artist, I believe He gives us each unique ways to convey beauty and tell stories. I do NOT think that God wants us to try to be and do everything. When we compare ourselves to others or try to embrace someone else’s gifts we will never be satisfied or find contentment. I do not want to play the games of jealousy and envy.

I believe in this philosophy: Stick to what you know and pour your heart out into your art. I do not want to be the James Bond of Entertainment. I am not the best singer or guitarist. I am not going to dance or act. I desire to live as David Thies, the artist and musician. I believe that to do be enough.

Killer Movies

Anyone that knows me knows that I love movie trailers. I came across something surprisingly similar in these upcoming movies. All of these upcoming titles have some form of the word “kill.” I find this to be disturbing.

I want more peace in my life. I think we all want more peace in our lives. This makes me wonder what we are feeding our minds. You are what you eat, right?

I heard someone once say that if you want some peace in your life you should watch an old black and white movie. I personally  suggest Its a Wonderful Life.  This film shows that life is worth living. Life can be difficult but there is still beauty even in the difficulty.

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