Life, Music & Worship

Several years ago I had an idea for a song. It was based on my experiences building kites with my dad when I was a child. I remember those simple kites, they were home made… from balsa wood, string and newspaper. Those kites often carried my hopes and dreams as we sent them skyward!

Anyway… I was able to compose a song called KITE, but… I didn’t feel I hit the mark on the idea I had. The idea being… that something so simple can represent our hopes and dreams for the future. PLUS… it doesn’t take MUCH to follow our dreams. I think we complicate that process sometimes. Somehow I wanted to capture this whole thought into a song.

Well… this idea has been roaming around through my heart and mind for a long, long time… and recently, even more so. SO… this morning I acted on the inspiration and wrote this song “Let It Fly.”

I am planning to record it for “The Dance of Heaven” project.

I hope it inspires you…

Let It Fly

Paper and wood
Glue and strings
Fashioned by hands
And a little boys dream

It was made for flight
This simple paper kite

(chorus)
Let it fly
High into the sky
Let soar above the clouds
Where eagles fly
Let it dance upon the wind
Let it drift into the sweet by and by
Let it fly

Paper in hand
It’s graduation day
A hope for tomorrow
I am on my way

For I was made for flight
Like a simple paper kite

(chorus 2X)

Pages of life
Tattered and worn
History still unwritten
A dream reborn

I was made for flight
Like a simple paper kite

(chorus 2X)

Paper and wood
Glue and strings
Fashioned by hands
And a little boys dream

—

© 2010 Heartcall Music
Words & Music: Ken Verheecke
Jan. 29th, 2010
Piedmont, SD

Going through a box of CD’s this morning I came across a Matt Auten release called “New Found Land.” Realizing I hadn’t heard this recording in a LONG time, I dug it out and added it to my iTunes. I am listening to it as we speak… refreshing, wonderful… and enjoying it once again!

I decided to catch up on Matt… and after checking around, he’s dropped off the map. I guess he’s framing houses (now) instead of doing music. I find that so heartbreaking… but, he’s doing what he feels he needs to and you can’t help respecting that.

Artists of this level deserve more… but, that’s not my call. I wish Matt ALL God’s best!

I will recommend that you get his CD “New Found Land” before they’re no longer available. It’s folk/faith based music. Light, sparse instrumentation… leaving the focus on Matt’s guitar and vocals. I found it on Amazon, CLICK HERE!

It’s music that will soothe your heart and soul…

I have several CD’s by Peter Mayer… wonderful artist, although… not your run of a mill CCM artist.  Just someone who writes about life and faith. I hope you enjoy the video below… recorded at a House Concert in Boulder, CO (Front Porch House Concerts).

Click here to visit his web-site for more information…

Back in September of 2003 I was blessed with the opportunity to travel the nation of Haiti with Mission of Mercy.

This nation and it’s people stole my heart and in many ways I don’t think I’ll ever recover from that experience. Since that time I have returned to Haiti on several occasions and I hope to one day visit again.

In light of the recent 7.0 earthquake I decided to find this old demo/recording and release it again as way to generate some income for Mission of Mercy and it’s effort to minister to the needs of Haitian’s in the aftermath of this horrific earthquake.

For up to minute information on this effort go here: Mission of Mercy Haiti Efforts

This demo/song was originally recorded a few days after my first trip to Haiti in 2003. It has NOW been re-mastered and ALL SALES OF THIS SONG WILL BE SET ASIDE FOR THE MISSION OF MERCY HAITI FUND.

Click here to purchase & download!!!

Please consider purchasing this download and pass this on to your friends.

It’s my small part in helping… and, we’ve set an initial goal of 100 downloads. Gotta start somewhere… hoping for more, but feel this is a good place to start.

THANK YOU so much for being God’s hand extended… and let’s continue to lift Haiti in prayer!

Well… maybe not the BEST week of ALL time, BUT… it’s been awhile since I was able to run 4 miles a day, 7 days in a row.

This morning I was up before the sun here in Pierre, SD… and btw, it’s dark here in the a.m. Anyway… today marked my 7th day in a row of running 4 miles a day. Felt so good and I am JAZZED!

Anyway…

I’ve been tormented with slowly gaining weigh. At my zenith I weigh in at 230 lbs and I was recently weighing in at 200 to 202 lbs. This was causing some minor stress as I feared I could eventually reach that mark again. Of course I’ve been running quite a bit over the last couple of years, so… chances are I wouldn’t have made it that far, but I digress!

This morning I weighed in at 197 and I am thrilled!

I feel great and hopeful!

NOW… let’s go for another week of 4 miles a day!!!

Time to get ready for my concert at New Life Assembly of God here in Pierre… sound check at 9:00 am Central Time.

I don’t know what it is about the road… but when I am traveling, either to… or from my ministry events… I spend a great deal of time thinking. Many times… themes, and song ideas emerge from those moments of focused meditation between the lines of the highway. Last week-end on my way home from Iowa… I considered what it meant to truly thirst after God. I was reminded of what it notes in Psalm 42:1-2: “As the deer pants for the water brooks, So pants my soul for You, O God. My soul thirsts for God, for the living God.”

Other scriptures came to mind as well… such as, Philippians 3:10 “that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death”

Further contemplation… I was also reminded of the vanity of trying to find peace without God… Ecclesiastes 1:14 “I have seen all the works that are done under the sun; and indeed, all is vanity and grasping for the wind.”

Lastly and the passage that filled my heart with hope… John 4:14 “but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.”

Since returning home, I’ve continued to consider this very carefully and this morning started to craft a song idea from these thoughts over the last week-end. I just completed the song this evening… editing, editing and editing again… but I think I have what I was hoping for when I start writing this song this morning…

This is not an autobiographical song… it’s a fictional account of someone searching for God.

Thirst

Staring out the window
Of this slow moving bus
I’m on my way to somewhere I’ve never been

My heart is broken
I’m in need of repair
I’m hoping to find a peace within

(bridge)
On this road of debris
I am on my knees

(chorus)
Searching
I am thirsty
In this dry and weary land

The lines on the highway
Slowly blur into one
They’re the margins for my wandering soul

I close my eyes
And quietly pray
Dear God, please make me whole

(bridge)
All is vanity
Pour down Your rain on me

(chorus)
Searching
I am thirsty
In this dry and weary land

Staring out the window
Of this slow moving bus

© 2010 Heartcall Music
Words & Music: Ken Verheecke
Jan. 14th, 2010
Piedmont, SD

Click here to stay informed on Mission of Mercy’s efforts in the aftermath of the massive earthquake that hit Haiti yesterday.

I am personally grateful that Mission of Mercy is in Haiti… serving and meeting the needs of children within the region. I hope to return there one day…

Thanks for continued prayers for Haiti…

By now I am sure you’ve heard about the 7.0 earthquake in Haiti. Viewing the images on TV is so heartbreaking. The people of this nation have always had a deep place in my heart and my thoughts and prayers are with them today.

The mission (Mission of Hope) that I visited so many times is alright… but they are overwhelmed with the needs from this massive quake. If you are able to help and assist in any way, please click here to send in a donation.

Most importantly may we remember the people of Haiti in our prayers.

I was en route to Davenport, IA this week-end… driving east on I-80 today.

Along the way I stopped for a break and it was at a gas station where I saw a picture of ‘praying hands’ on a kitchen table and beneath it were the words “Forever Grateful.”

That stuck with me all day and while I was driving, I started to compose this song… finished it moments ago.

Forever Grateful

For the prayers of a mother
The guiding hands of a father
For your sister and brother
Be forever grateful

For the friend who is true
The one who stands beside you
In all that you do
Be forever grateful

(chorus)
God You are worthy of praise
You’re the giver of life
You sustain our days

So I worship You
For all You do
And I’m forever grateful

For every penny earned
All the lessons learned
As the seasons turn
Be forever grateful

For the gift of today
Watch the children play
What more can I say
Be forever grateful

© 2010 Heartcall Music
Words & Music: Ken Verheecke
Jan. 9th, 2010
Davenport, IA

I am one who knows the pain of failure… I know what it’s like to let others down… I know what it’s like to miss the mark. Because of this… sometimes it feels as though some wounds will never heal. But they’re reminders of my need for God’s love and presence in my life.

Last night at my home church concert at Destiny Foursquare Church, I took some time to talk about a little girl I met in Haiti. Her name was Maggie. She had numerous physical issues (walking was difficult for her)… but in spite of her condition, she was blessed with a precious and beautiful smile. She inspired me on so many levels and even though she passed away almost one year ago this month, I will never forget her!

As I told her story I referenced that ‘we all walk with a limp.’ In other words… we all are imperfect beings. Some of us deal with physical issues, some of us deal with mental issues, emotional, etc. In saying that… I am not sure if I will ever understand why that is… but, I know in the deepest place of my heart and being… God knows. It might sound simplistic to say this… but I accept that by faith and pray for understanding.

People makes mistakes… and sometimes some might see others as mistakes because of their disorders. BUT… God doesn’t see us as mistakes… and even when we fail, or fall short… He offers the gift of mercy, grace and forgiveness!

In other words… when no one believes in us, God does!

This evening I was sent (video) an amazing true story of a young man dealing with a physical condition called Autism. His dream was to play basketball, but was relegated to the sidelines… UNTIL, his coach decided to play him in the last game of the season. As I watched this video, my eyes filled with tears…

What a precious picture of how God takes us as we are… and even though we may have been deemed (for whatever reason) unworthy of love, friendship, commitment, or loyalty… God vindicates us, and blesses us beyond measure!!!

In the case of this young man… he faithfully served and in due time, he was blessed and in a way truly shows Gods love and admiration for us.

Maybe you are someone who feels unworthy… or maybe you are seeking redemption for something you’ve done wrong to someone else… know that we all walk with a limp and when no one else believes in you, God does! Through the work of redemption… we are loved and accepted by God. What hope!

God… you are truly worthy of our love & worship!!!

Please take a moment to watch this video below… may it bless and encourage you this evening!