psalm.

I just got back from a week cruising in the bahamas on the music boat.

the christian music boat. the christian cruisers on said boat I am sure will inspire a future top 10 post, so don't worry, more to come on this soon...

I was unexpectedly blessed by the beautiful music we made on the ocean this week.

the boat was hosted by long-time staple and leaders in christian music, third day. those boys still have it going on. they went to my high school, and even gave it a shout out from stage. that was fun.

since third day hosted they brought along their entourage called 'glory revealed'. it's a project, a movement, of worship leaders who are committed to writing music directly from scripture in the bible. I really enjoyed their performances, and especially getting to hear trevor morgan play. I previously only knew of him from seeing his name attached as the songwriter on lots of various worship music over the years.

but man, the kid can sing.

he played for us his signature glory revealed song contribution, called psalm 23, after the passage, of course.

check it out below. I particularly love the mod bluegrass infusion into the tune.

simple and lovely.

on another note. while listening to this song I smiled at the end of the passage. of course I've heard it a million times, but the word struck me...

dwell.

surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the lord forever.

andy.

my uncle andy kozee passed away today. he was 61 years old.

I haven't seen him in years, although he lived not far from my parents near atlanta.

he was the oldest of 5 kids. my dad's older brother.

andy didn't live the easiest life. he struggled. he was a bit crazy. not able to function well and keep a normal job and take care of himself well.

I remember a few years ago when my dad told me he was pretty sure andy was homeless. that he was living outside of a homeless shelter with a group of other people who for some reason didn't qualify to live inside it. they would get meals their at the shelter.

I remember how my heart fell.

then my dad became his hero. dad went through the frustrating process to apply for disability on his behalf. andy finally had a chance to live a decent existence.

he moved into an apartment.

dad managed his meager money.

dad made sure he had everything he needed. he took him places. he brought him things. he cared for him - even though he was hard to love at times.

and dad found him.

I'm so proud of my dad. and thankful for all he did for andy. and how he loved the unlovable. how he was the only one who would. in his own way. but loved him all the same.

well done dad. we are all so proud and thankful for all you did to love your family through and for andy.

I am sure mamaw and papaw were happy to see him arrive.

lots of hugs and angels playing bluegrass music in heaven today.

andrew kozee

1949-2010

rest in peace

dear john.

every once and a while I hear a new song that strikes a chord - makes me want to stand up, throw my fist in the air, and yell at the top of my lungs "YES GIRL! SING IT."

you know what I mean?

I love those songs.

they make me feel part of the universal ebb and flow of life. and that good and bad things happen to people all the time. love comes and goes. life is happy and sad. it's all going to be ok. and if its not, someone else will write a song about that too. and that one might be my anthem for a while

I felt that way when I heard taylor swift's new album (no I am no 12 years old, actually) and specifically the song "dear john".

people are saying that it's about her secret relationship with john mayer. I think instead, that she must be reading my mind. or my emails. (taylor, get outta my head!)

change 2 letters of his name and this song is about 99% content from the depths of my journal, too.

yeah girl. I know what you mean.

---

dear john

Long were the nights when my days once revolved around you
Counting the footsteps, praying the floor wont fall through
Again
And my mother accused me of losing my mind
But I swore I was fine

You paint me a blue sky
And go back and turn it to rain
And I lived in your chess game but you changed the rules everyday
Wonderin' which version of you I might get on the phone
Tonight
Well I stopped picking up and this song is to let you know why

Dear john I see it all now that you're gone
Don't you think I was too young to be messed with?
The girl in the dress cried the whole way home
I should have known

Well maybe it's me and my blind optimism to blame
Maybe it's you and you're sick need to give love and take it away
And you'll add my name to your long list of traitors who don't understand
And I'll look back and regret how I ignored when they said run as fast as you can

Dear john I see it all now that you're gone
Don't you think I was too young to be messed with?
The girl in the dress cried the whole way home

Dear john, I see it all now I was wrong
Don't you think nineteen's too young to be played by your dark twisted games
When I loved you so
I should have known

You are an expert at sorry
And keeping lines blurry
Never impressed by me acing your tests
All the girls that you've run dry with tired, lifeless eyes
Cause you burned them out
But I took your matches before fire could catch me 

So don't look now
I'm shining like fireworks over your sad empty town