FamilyBusiness

Well, always later than I hoped, but finally done. Our new song, "Strong Enough" is now available to stream on N1M only for now.

Penned by Logan Sechler, it is a strong reminder that our own human strength can be our greatest enemy to surviving, even thriving through the trials of life. The Apostle Paul reminded us that true and lasting strength is only found in confessing our weakness before the Lord, thereby putting us in position to be strengthened by Him (II Corinthians 12:9)--which is not just enough, it is more than enough (Romans 8:37)!

As you listen, may you be encouraged to carry on, for "God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble." (Psalm 46:1).

"These are the times that try men's (and women's) souls." ~ Thomas Payne (adapted).

Lawlessness abounding, societal disarray, uncertainty, "distancing," "stay at home," peoples' hearts failing them for fear (Luke 21:25 & 26), and the lot. In the midst of it all, the human soul struggles to find the will to sing at all (see Psalm 137:1-4; Lamentations 1-3:21), even the songwriter and musician. Yet, to succumb to the discouragement and oppression is to lose the will to live. It is times like these, where either one's faith-rubber meets the road, or he or she careens over the cliff of despair. It is in light--and in spite--of all the above and more, that today, FamilyBusiness releases our Christmas offering for 2020, titled "A Christmas Amen".

The song is a determined call to all who will hear, to remember the Incarnation--that God reached down into the hopeless morass of the world's brokenness, and offered The remedy and rescue to all who would receive it. The verses and bridge speak not only of the Babe in a manger, but of the Man on the cross to pay the penalty for our sins, offering forgiveness and life eternal. The "hook" of the song is just one word, a word recognizable in almost any language--"Amen"--translated from Hebrew as "So be it" (its cousin might be "hallelujah," meaning "praise the Lord).

In the spirit of King David, commanding his own soul to not be cast down, but to hope in God (Psalm 43:5), "Amen" is the acknowledgment that what the Father has said and done through God the Son, Jesus Christ, is indeed right and good, and to then receive that blessing.

So, as what is shaping up to be a difficult holiday season approaches, it is the hope and prayer of FamilyBusiness, that this energetic and uplifting little gospel-flavored song might lift your spirits, so to speak, and raise your thoughts to the highest plane of hope available--eternal, abundant, resurrection life in and through our Christmas "Amen," Jesus (see Revelation 3:14). May He be, or become, the reason for your season--this and every season.

Well...a little later than planned, but this being "leap day," what better time to launch the new FamilyBusiness song, "Walls"?

Walls is a country music-flavored treatment of two ways of dealing with life and its challenges: one, trying to isolate and insulate oneself from pain and responsibility, and the other, choosing to become vulnerable once again by loving others and engaging life in a positive and proactive mode.

We have grown to love playing this song live! Logan has long been after me (Brian) to record this one. Well, we had a blast putting it together, from the vocal harmonies, to the twangy guitars and ukulele, to the piano break in the bridge, to Dana's rhythmic washboard.

We hope and pray the message of this song will perhaps encourage the ones who have been hurt, or those who fear to step out of their safety zone (think: Linus's "security blanket"), to let their walls down, and to once again choose to take the blessed "risk" of loving and participating in this sometimes crazy symphony called "life." The walls of Jericho fell hard. Better to let the Lord Jesus, "that great Shepherd of the sheep" (Hebrews 13:20) be all the protection you'll ever need, as you live your life under His loving care.

And...let the music play!

I hope you all enjoyed a wonderful, music-filled Christmas season, and that your new year is off to a great start. It was a very busy, enjoyable, and fulfilling December. Either I, individually, or our band, FamilyBusiness played out multiple times, bringing our Christmas show & worship service, accompanied by, on a couple of occasions, a shadow puppet theatre presentation and a small choir of young female vocalists. It was a blast!

After recording "This Blessed Night." I needed to take a little break from the recording studio. I am now just about ready to dive back in. My next project may be recording a country song I wrote a few years back entitled "Walls." It will be dripping with all the country twang I can muster up.

Thank you to all of you who have expressed interest in my musical efforts, It is truly very gratifying to know that at least a few folks are blessed by what I do. And on that "note": If you are in or near the central Wisconsin area, our band, FamilyBusiness will be playing at Rock Coffee House in Redgranite, WI (about 1/2 hour east of Oshkosh, on Hyw 21 [Bannerman Ave.]) on Sunday afternoon, January 26th, from 2:30-4:30. Some seriously outstanding coffee, sandwich bar, and bakery available to accompany our singalong concert. I'd love to see you there!

"Unbreakable Joy" is finally available after a considerable learning curve just to get it to release status...almost broke my joy, but here it is. We hope you en-JOY this fun little tune about choosing joy in the varying circumstances of life.

Also! Look for the release this week of our latest effort, "This Blessed Night (of Christmas)," an original song inviting the listener to follow the shepherds and the Magi to honor and celebrate the newborn King of the Jews, Emmanuel, God With Us, the Prince of Peace, the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the World, the One in whom is life, the life that is the light of men, and to "...fall down and worship Him...return(ing) glorifying and praising God..." (Matthew 2:11; Luke 2:20).

Well...as all too often happens, life has a way of dusting one's agenda and schedule right off the table. Blessed interruptions (opportunities to learn patience, and / or to pause and breathe)! We're close, but there's still a bit of studio work left to be done on our latest tune, "Unbreakable Joy!", but we're hoping to have it finished and ready to upload in the next couple of weeks. We are currently working on a live version (hard to do seven voices live, with only three singers!). Thanks for your interest, and stay tuned (said the guitarist to his strings :-) )...

Just uploaded, "Need Your Grace." It is a song written by FamilyBusiness band member, Logan Sechler, in which she expresses her faith in, and dependence upon the unmerited favor and unlimited resources of the Lord Jesus Christ. "Need Your Grace" has become a favorite wherever we play it live, so it seemed a natural choice for our first recorded release. Musically, the song exudes a Hawaiian motif, with an irresistible melody, supported by layered vocal harmonies, ukulele, guitars, xylophone, and a seagull or two, all perhaps evoking a hope-filled prayer-walk along a Pacific island beach near sunset.