I came to songwriting very late in life. I was formally trained as a singer from a very young age and studied music formally. But eventually, I grew tired of singing other people's songs and other people's words. I felt like I had my own words to say. One year, I committed to a new year's resolution to try writing songs ... I've been writing ever since.
Read MoreWe know that the gospel, while wholly in the Holy Spirit’s hands, can be extremely poignant when infused into someone's specific story. We also know that when a piece of art captures one story, it can speak to an unimaginable amount of people.
Read MoreIn this episode, Blake sits down with filmmaker Josh Salzberg. They discuss his love of storytelling, the need for empathy, and the human experience.
Read MoreMerciful God, we confess how easy it is
for us to begin to adopt the attitudes
and actions of the world around us;
to let our lives be shaped only by
culture rather than by your call.
Lord, in Your mercy, hear and forgive.
I grew up in a musical family. My dad is a drummer and was a gigging player when I was born. So, music was always part of my life. However, it was never forced on me. I didn’t start on the piano or anything like that. I remember my dad teaching me simple “boom chuck” beats on his kit when I was in early grade school.
Read MoreI wake up every morning with the sun, and if I am lucky, I wake up two hours ahead of my household. I am gitty really if everyone is fast asleep and I know the house is all mine. I tiptoe quietly downstairs to make the coffee, pick-up my Psalms journal, and begin my day.
Read MoreIn this episode, Blake sits down with chefs Katy McNulty and Jonathan Hittinger of The Pixie and The Scout. They discuss the craft of cooking and how that plays out in one of America's largest cities.
Read MoreWords by Steve Zank and Johann Lindemann; tr. Catherine Winkworth
Music by Steve Zank
A confession and absolution based on the text from Philippians 2.
LEADER: The apostle has called us to have the same attitude as that of Christ Jesus
and thus to do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit…
Creativity, curiosity, experimentation, exuberance, generosity, and joy are aspects of the life and work of Corita Kent that I want to embody. She was an artist, designer, educator, advocate, and Catholic nun. Her thought-provoking “Rules for Students and Teachers” is something I come back to again and again as I explore what it means to live a creative life of purpose.
Read MoreIn America rivalry is everything. Competition drives the market - not just economically but in the realm of athletics, academia, music, and social media. As a result, a misconception is perpetuated that equality exists for all citizens of our society. Americans, in general, only care to promote equality when it best serves their own interests. I am not referring to the great civil rights movements throughout the course of American history but to the…
Read MoreIn this episode, Blake sits down with writer & poet, Tanner Olson AKA Written To Speak. Tanner shares about his journey to becoming a writer & poet, his creative process, and in small ways, how basketball played a role in the journey.
Read MoreWords and Music by Blake Flattley, Franklin Lawrence Sheppard, and Maltbie Davenport Babcock
Read MoreBlessed Creator, You have promised those You love rest;
Give us restoring rest needed for life’s toil;
Let Your Spirit make our time of rest
a blessed temple of Christ’s holy presence.
During the summer of 2011, I worked in a small town in West Virginia leading mission trips for high school students. After serving in the community we would gather together for worship in the evening. During one of our evening gatherings, I would read a poem I had written titled, ‘For Us.’ I wrote it the school year before, but never considered sharing it in front of a group.
Read MoreI haven’t always been an editor, but I have always been a writer. And I guess you could say the latter informs the former. As a writer, you are still working to edit your own work, but at some point, it’s also essential to have a second (or third) opinion.
Read MoreIn this episode, Blake sits down with yo-yoist, Justin Weber. We explore his journey to becoming a national touring yo-yoist and the importance of enjoying your work.
See Justin in action: https://www.youtube.com/user/weberyoyo
Read MoreWords and Music by Anthony Celia
Read MoreMerciful Father,
May Your love permeate our lives today.
May it flow freely from our hearts,
our mouths, and our thumbs,
