I believe that we have all been given a few treasures. I am certain that faith and my family are at the top of my list, and these songs express these evidences and treasures I have discovered along the way. So it seems only natural that after bringing together a collection of songs, Sons and Daughters seems to tie it and us together. Some of us are holding our treasure maps looking for directions and clues as to what are own gifts and dreams and passions really are to be. Some of us have started digging on the “X”! This project is part of my hunt and part of my treasure! Keep in mind that I have always enjoyed playing the pirate! I have struggled with my own greed and selfishness and desires to sail off for uncharted lands and pleasure seeking, and part of digging up buried treasure is wanting to share it! I hope you find your treasure in these songs!Before we set sail, there are some key people to thank.I am ever mindful of the gifts I have been given through my Lord Jesus and his powerful love displayed on the cross. There would also be no pretending to play pirates if it weren’t for my wife Barbara, the woman whom I am madly in love with and continue to try to discover! Thanks to my family and their very precious contributions: Luke and his trumpet, Kiana and Sara for their voices! I am so proud of each of you! For the nautical expertise and guidance and the navigator through these seas, Mike Phillips at Tied To The Tracks Studios. Special thanks goes to his wife and family for their sacrifices of time and giving up of their home for those late night recordings! To the band of pirates and swash-buckling musicians involved in our voyage: Rich Shock, my friend and comedian and lead guitar virtuoso; Stroman Watford, the extremely skilled percussionist; Nik Peterson, strong performances on bass and lead guitar, Luke Thoreson, soulful trumpet: Mike Phillips, lead guitar. Matt Thoreson, lyrics for Amazing Grace.ENJOY THE RIDE!TOMORROWFor Tim & Diane and TomThis song was given to me. Calling it inspired doesn’t seem quite accurate, but it is close. I had received a phone call from my brother that our friend Tim had been diagnosed with ALS/Lou Gehrig’s disease. I was overwhelmed. Not for me, but for Tim and his family. This song was written that morning of the phone call in the middle of my living room on our barstool looking out at the North Idaho prairie. The sun was bright and it was a crisp morning. Attempting to put myself in his shoes resulted in these words…i.So there it is, it’s out thereAnd now everyone knows itSo what’s the deal, what’s the fuss?It will touch each of usI’m not going to give inI’m not going to ask Him whyBut today is different (and today)Today is all I’ve gotSo I’ll sing, yeah, I’ll sing for youAnd I’ll dance, yeah, I’ll dance with youii.Ever notice the time, it’s slipping through my handsHow can I make this moment stay?What about all my plansDo I have to throw them all away?I’m starting to see, it’s not about meIt’s all about a LoveIt’s all about GraceThat’s deeper, deeper than my neediii.I said it ain’t worth keepingIf it ain’t worth giving awayYou’ll have my love tomorrowIf I give it to you todayFEELING FINEThanks to living in the beautiful Coeur d’Alene area, I have witnessed much of God’s creation firsthand. Fly fishing the North Fork, bass fishing the local lakes, golfing some the gorgeous courses, and simply living with some of the most breathtaking views of sunrises and sunsets from my own porch is humbling! One local event, the Ironman, comes to town every year as does Hoopfest in Spokane. These can be so inspiring and fun! And brutal! I am amazed at how much joy and accomplishment can come from so much pain ! This song brings out a tongue in cheek look at life, the smile that can come of being a participant despite the road bumps and road rashes!i.My head is achin’My back is breakin’But I’m feeling alrightMy knees are shakin’And my heart is takenBut I’m feeling, feeling fineI’m feeling, feeling fineCome rain or shineI will always be fine (I’ll be fine)Because you’re hereAnd I can see so clear (I can see so clear)ii.My socks are soggyMy eyes are foggyBut I’m feeling alrightMy feet are burnin’My stomach’s churnin’But I’m feeling, feeling fineI’m feeling, feeling fineAnd I know that it don’t make sense at allAnd I can’t slow you any evidence right nowAll I know is that I find joy in your presenceiii.My hands are clappin’My toes are tappin’Cuz I’m feeling alrightAnd my body’s dancin’And my tail is waggin’Cuz I’m feeling, feeling fineI’m feeling, feeling fineI’m feeling fineFeeling fineSONS & DAUGHTERSMartin Luther King, Jr has always been one of my heroes! Parting the Waters, by Taylor Branch only reinforced how complex and impactful the civil rights movement really was on America. Yet, we stray. We run back to what is convenient or maybe even politically correct for our time. We are different! We are a colored people! We are beautiful and yet we are the same in so many ways! I hope that through the lens of faith one can see more clearly our past to guide our present choices….i.Is this a race?Here’s a shot in the darkWho makes the rules?Cuz I’m stuck in parkMy kingdom spans from South AfricaTo deep in the southWhere “strange fruit” hangs on the treesAnd tastes bitter in my mouthYou are not like meBut we have a family tree (we are saved by the Tree)We are all sons of AdamAnd daughters of Eveii.Why wait for a hurricaneOr two towers up in smoke?Before we realizeThis race is no jokeI’ve got you under my skinAnd you are not like meAnd I’m not color blindI see all there is to seeiii.Who will measure usAnd with what kind of scales?If I choose not to runWill they give me three nails?Love is my song I singBut what color is a melody?When all I want to do Is to set you free Is to set you free (set you free)iv.In the garden stands two treesTo make my decision plainAnd if I am not ableThen I must be CainThe only blood that spills is redSome say theirs runs true blueMine must be yellowIf I can’t stand up for youIf I can’t stand up for youWOUNDED MANWhere to start. As a physical therapist, I have the privilege of working with people in the middle of hardship. It can be very difficult for people. Not just physically, but mentally, and spiritually as well. One would think that I am the one doing the treating, but often I have been ministered to through the people who have encouraged and inspired me. Special thanks goes to Michael, Nick, and Bob and his family for allowing me to learn from them! Through their hardship I am reminded of the crux of the gospel, that Jesus came to us in the weakness and pain and suffering. He came when we needed him most, and I will be forever grateful for this gift!i.He was flying down the mountainWhen the mountain took him downHe used to run like the windBut the winds are changing nowOn a cold and frozen highwayHe had no time to change his courseThe crash broke his bodyLeaving him with only scarsLeaving him with only scarsAnd he saidI am the wounded manI’ve traveled down these long and lonely roadsAnd I’ve been beaten down and left for deadNothing I can do for myselfI need your helpI am the wounded manii.It was a dark and stormy nightWhen she went out to the storeThe driver never saw herLeaving him to love four moreLeaving him to love four moreEven though storms comeAnd you feel rainOut comes the sun to shine through And color the sky againiii.On a calm and silent nightAmong the straw and flesh he layHe journeyed far and low to find meIn the midst of my painIn the midst of my painAnd he saidI am the healing manI’ve traveled down your long and lonely roadsAnd I’ve been beaten down and left for deadBut even before you knew my nameI was on my wayI am the healing manI am the healing manYOUR SONGFor my wife Barbara. About seven or eight Christmas’ ago she bought me a guitar, and my world has never been the same. She will tell you that I used to stay up late in my daughters future room and plink and strum away until it hurt my fingers. Passion would be the word. I had discovered a new passion that felt as right as breathing. This song was the very first song I ever wrote a month after picking up the guitar. Who else would it honor but my wife, the most generous person I have ever met. She is such a reminder to me of how I am loved by the Lord!You are my musicYou are my songA flower blooming in desertYou I will always lovei.Though torn and tiredI’ll cling to youAs my shelter from the stormii.Though thirsty and dryI’m filled in youYou wash me new and bring me lifeThrough fear and prideThough I beg and stealYour love abides The scars they healYour love is realBUTTERFLYI have two beautiful daughters and they both love to dance! They provide enough inspiration to write 100 songs. Every father with a daughter knows this. Hope, trust, faith, love all come to mind. Joy and laughter will always win out over the tears! ButterflyA caterpillars dream to fly (high)ButterflySpread your wings and flyButterflyi.How do I keep her heart from breakingAnd will it ever mend?She’s been living in the shadowsWith Fear and Doubt as friendsShe gonna take a chance that she might loseAnd wager everythingShe’s learning to give herself awayAnd start living like her kingPerfect design, beautiful storyEvery single moment in timePerfect desire, all for your gloryEvery single moment in time(fly away, fly away)ii.She used to think that life’s heartachesWere a cruel twist of fateNow she sees how God’s handsHave the power to recreateAs a butterfly floats softly downAnd rests on her shoulderI can almost hear God whisper“I’m here to hold her”LOVE AT LEASTFor Ron and Marilyn. How do you take your whole life and give thanks for all the good stuff in a song? This is a feeble attempt. There are only a handful of people in the world that have known me every year I have lived, I mean really know me. I love the fact that I had the best models of what love was supposed to look like to grow up with! Thanks Mom and Dad!i.She hit him like a locomotiveAnd he’s tied to the tracksDon’t need no one to rescue himCuz he’s not going backShe was a Northwest beautyHe was a Midwest boyForty-six have come and goneThey’re still going strong(But how long?)Love at least is the least of these…Love at least keeps knocking at my doorLove at least is bigger than my dreamsLove at least is more than I could hope forii.He brought her flowers every EasterShe brought four kids along the wayHe laid his life down for his familyShe picked him up again each dayBut where the glimpse of glimmeredWas not just where the children playedAnd in the darkest times of troubleWas where the love for each had stayedTo light the wayLove stayedLove stayed with meLove prayedLove prayed for meLove gaveLove gave her life away for meiii.And though their song is almost overAnd sweet heaven’s drawing nearI need to find a way to thank themFor the music in my earsAnd all those yearsKIANA’S LULLABYEver hold your child and realize that they can get hurt despite your best efforts? I am grateful that despite my best intentions the Lord loves my children and cares for them even more than I could! Doesn’t seem possible does it? All I know is that through faith I have been adopted into a family forever and so are my children! We CAN dream and rest assured! Thanks be to God! i.Close your eyes and say goodnightDaddy’s here to kiss goodnightAnd dream of a world where we can beTogether through eternityClose your eyes and say a prayerJesus loves you, he’s always thereSo turn to Him in all you daysLet the Son light your wayAnd I will hold you little girlBecause I love you and always willSo sleepAnd dream(And dream)(I love you)ii.As I lay you down to sleepI pray the Lord to keepYour heart and soul in his graceUntil we see Him face to faceiii.So lay your head on my shoulderAnd I will rock you little girlAnd dream of a world where we can beTogether through eternityCOME ON BACK TO MENo my wife never left me! I just couldn’t help but write about the fact I can’t imagine what it would be like. I have had some good friends “leave” and now you know why country is so popular! Maybe we should play this one backwards and see if she comes back ! i.She walked out on me just the other dayShe packed my heart in her suitcaseShe boarded a train bound for anywhereI kept her picture just in caseAnd I’ll wait for her to call my nameAnd I’ll pray that she will turn aroundAnd come on back to meCome on back to meii.We used to walk out by that old oak treeWe’d talk and laugh until we’d cryWe could tell each other anythingWe said we’d part the day we dieIs this a test of my love?Because it’s been such a long whileMust I move on from this place?But I miss the smile upon her faceShe walked out on me just the other dayShe packed my heart in her suitcaseDOE OF THE MORNING (PSALM 22)I would have to say this is my favorite psalm. There is real power in the fact that it could be written so long prior to Jesus even being born and then describe in such detail the events surrounding the cross. Wow. I love the subtlety of the final words…he has done it. Enough said.i.My God, why have you forsaken me?Why are you so far from me?I cry out by day, but you do not answerI cry out by nightii.But I am a worm and not a manScorned by men and despised by the peopleAll who see me mock meThey hurl insults, shaking their headsI am poured out like waterAll my bones are out of jointMy heart has turned to waxIt has melted away within meiii.Do not be far from me for trouble is nearAnd there is no one to helpMany bulls surround and encircleRoaring lions tearing their preyRoaring lions tearing their preyiv.For He has not despised or disdainedThe suffering of the Afflicted OneHe has not hidden his faceBut has listened to his cry for helpBut has listened to his cry for helpTo a people yet unbornHe has done it!AMAZING GRACEWhat a great song this classic has been, and I hope I don’t ruin it for you! Thanks for the lyrics Matt Thoreson! Thanks to Kiana and Sara for their beautiful voices, I will cherish this song forever! Barb, you should be putting out a CD and I should be your backing vocals!! What a gifted person and voice you have!i.Amazing grace how sweet the soundThat saved a wretch like meTied with sin my soul was boundYour love set me freeii.Showed me lands I didn’t knowOpened eyes to seeLight of cities all aglowTaught me how to beAlleluia, Allelu, Alleluia, Allelu(Amazing grace)Alleluia, Allelu, Alleluia, Allelu(Amazing grace)iii.From this faith I can’t turn backBe no cage for meOn this heart there’ll be no crackYour life paid the fee