1. Welcome Forward
One of the reasons I love to travel is that I get to see more and more of a world that I know so little about. It causes me to grow and learn, not only about other cultures, but consequently more about myself. If we can travel more and learn about others, maybe we can begin to have an impact on our lives and then the world. Welcome forward from your trip to a newer you, and God be with you!

2. It’s Tough to Know
Too many times I have found myself getting caught up in my own life and not seeing the breadth and depth of God’s creation. Reminded by a news documentary of the hunger across the globe, I have become more aware of the need to reach out through programs like the ELCA World Hunger Appeal to find ways to alleviate hunger on a global scale. But it starts with us, today, in our contexts.

3. I’m in Need
It’s much easier to avoid the problems in our world by immersing ourselves in our “own worlds.” We can claim ignorance, but ultimately, it doesn’t work. The reality of life is so much larger than what we experience. Often times it leads us to apathy or despair. How do we get involved? First, we learn how to pray.

4. We Are On A Journey
Sometimes the journey ahead looks threatening or scary. We don’t always know what lies before us. We do know however that we journey with God. Because of his promised presence, we have the ability to reach out and serve and love even when it’s not popular. There we discover true joy!

5. You Say
In the process of writing this song I was thinking about some of the bumper stickers that I had been seeing on cars that proclaimed that Jesus was the answer, no matter what the question. Popular thought was that if you were really Christian, than you were a “together” person. But I have always felt as if I lived with more questions than answers, and that that is what life was all about. Life in the midst of chaos is really the gift of a creator God who seeks to bring comfort in the very midst of our lives, not apart from them. The good news of Jesus Christ is that he comes to dwell with us. The action moves towards us, not the other way.

6. Baby, I’m On My Way
This song has a lot to say about the frustration of watching the crisis in the Holy Land from afar. We often throw up our hands and proclaim that there is no answer. But why do we have to let the voices of the extremes win the day? Why do we have to only listen to them? There are thousands upon thousands of Israelis and Palestinians who want to live together in peace, but their voices are not heard, nor paid attention to. Lost in the fight is our connection as God’s people. How do we begin to help. Father Chacour told us once, seek peace in your own lives first and then we can talk. So we make peace, then we talk, write letters, make phone calls, and act.

7. Child You are My Child
This song was originally written for my son, Anders, on his baptism day. It has become an important part of my daily life…to remember each day that I am adopted and chosen by God. Now I am free to live my life in the light of that love.

8. Just Buy
This is certainly a tongue-in-cheek song about shopping on our trips. Many people go to bring back souvenirs, which is okay, but when is enough enough? The shop keepers love to see Americans coming. My favorite story upon return from one trip was when I bought a shirt at a department store in the states and when the clerk scanned the item and told me the price was $7.99, I told her it was only worth $5 to me, so that’s what I’d give her. With a puzzled look on her face she was not sure what to do or say-so she called her manager. I apologized and paid the $7.99 and walked away wishing I was back in the marketplace in Jerusalem.

9. Bring On the Light
The images of light in Scripture are powerful for me. Our darkness is not complete or final, because of God’s presence. Even Saul/Paul couldn’t withstand the power of God’s light. Why do I want to remain in the dark? Why do I like the shadows? Because I think I can hide my sin from others. But the image of light in scripture reminds us that nothing is out of God’s realm, and his desire is to redeem and restore. Thanks be to God!

10. The Chance for Peace
I have often wondered about whether there is a big “book” somewhere that is the manual for life in this world. I have yet to find such a book, and I think our belief that such a one exists leads us down wrong paths. Why do we let others define our morals? Why do we let others make the claim that they have it and we don’t? Jesus’ words in scripture ought to be the best “manual” to live by. Talking heads are merely that, talking heads.

11. Amen Jesus
Holy Communion provides us with an opportunity to be strengthened and fed for our lives of love and service to the other. This song is one of my earliest. It is simple, and yet conveys a movement from one who is loved, to one who loves.

12. A Still Small Voice
This song has lots of layers of meaning. Who are the small voices in our world today? What are they saying? Do they get lost in our idle chatter?

13. Same Dirt
Where do we learn how to fight? We live in a world that continually looks at bettering ourselves without regards to the good of others. We look at life through our own lenses and fail to see our brothers and sisters needs in front of us. What is to be gained by our struggle for complete power? Nothing.

14. Please Don’t Drink the Water
How can you have a record without a laugh? Believe me, there are all kinds of examples and stories that have gone into this song. But the words do ring true! Stick to the bottles!

15. Salaam
Peace has often become so trite in our world. We often understand it as only an absence of war or conflict, but is that all? Jesus comes to his disciples after the resurrection and first speaks peace. It is wholeness and understanding of a new reality not wrapped up in ourselves and our agendas, but God’s. This peace can only come from God who graces us with his Spirit each and every day, so we can simply take one step forward on our journey. But we never simply walk alone.

16. It’s Time
Help me to find the serenity that comes in loving you, O God, and in serving the needs of others. Amen.

17. Poor Hungry People
To be sure, there is a hunger problem in the world. It is not because there isn’t enough food. Maybe, we too often see the hunger as somebody far away and fail to see our own “hunger,” whatever that may be. Feed us Lord, your Spirit, again and again and again.

18. Fly Away
The title has lots of possible meanings. You tell me and we can talk after listening to the music.