The Songs That Started Speaking Back
Why a simple songwriting challenge turned into a larger project about mercy, confession, and the American church
A Challenge That Sparked Something Bigger
Earlier this year, a friend of mine asked me to join him in a songwriting challenge called FAWM — February Album Writing Month. The goal is simple: write an album in the shortest month of the year and upload the demos to the FAWM website.
I didn’t write a full album, but I did write six songs.
By now, you know me well enough to know that I have to write music with concepts in mind — some kind of vision or spark that inspires the work. Thankfully, that spark arrived unexpectedly.
Mercy as the Catalyst
That inspiration came from Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde, whose homily during the National Cathedral’s Inauguration festivities in January deeply affected me. She spoke about mercy — mercy for immigrants, for the LGBTQ+ community, and for other marginalized groups.
Her message exposed a gap I’ve long felt: the absence of mercy not only in much of the American Evangelical Church, but also in the current Administration (based on its previous four years in office and the rhetoric of its ongoing political movement).
Her words lodged themselves in my mind and became the early foundation for a new set of songs.
From Mercy to Christian Nationalism
As the writing continued, the concept grew. Mercy soon intertwined with another topic: Christian Nationalism.
Very quickly, the songs began to feel like a kind of “letter” to the American church — a plea, a warning, and a confession all at once. And confession needed to be part of it, because I wasn’t writing from the outside looking in.
I was writing as someone who had once been caught up in it.
Confession: Looking Back at My Own Story
Back in 2016 and 2017, long before the phrase “Christian Nationalism” became widely recognized, I was already participating in it — without realizing that’s what it was.
Thank God for a good audio Bible, and long commutes to work.
While driving, passage after passage shouted at me that the politics I supported — and the church communities championing them — were at odds with the teachings of Jesus and the Old Testament’s constant refrain of mercy, justice, and care for the orphan, the widow, and the immigrant.
Those convictions lit the fuse for my political deconstruction, and ultimately shaped my first album Make Something Happen Here.
The Projects That Followed
Since that first record, I’ve been writing constantly:
Ghost Stories: Songs of Disorientation — chronicling depression, doubt, and faith
Dear Exile — now in the studio with my band The Nomad Collective, built around political protest
Speak to Me: Songs of Reorientation — the thematic sequel to Ghost Stories
And now, a new project emerging from FAWM: Book of Joshua
I’m about two songs away from completing this album-length cycle around mercy, confession, Christian Nationalism, and repentance.
Introducing “Rebel Redeemed”
The latest song I’ve written — the one I want to share with you — is called “Rebel Redeemed.” Why am I sharing this one and not the others before it? I honestly have no idea, but I feel compelled with this one.
It’s a pseudo-confessional piece about once being swept up in Christian Nationalism. I didn’t know what I was participating in at the time, but I recognize it now.
The song reflects on rejecting that ideology, confessing it, and moving forward — becoming a “rebel” against the apostasy that Christian Nationalism represents.
Rebel Redeemed
V1
Melted crosses to cast a golden crown
Baptized prejudice called it holy ground
Bent the path I faked a straight way
Upholding empire while I prayed
Chorus
Now I’m just a rebel redeemed by the One
Trading golden calves for the scandal of the Son
You have pulled together what had come undone
I’m just a rebel redeemed
V2
Walls formed with scripture turning gospel into stone
Neighbors are the enemy as You wept alone
Ruthless with the verses thought that made me right
Your heart breaks as I fight
Chorus
Now I’m just a rebel redeemed by the One
Trading golden calves for the scandal of the Son
You have pulled together what had come undone
I’m just a rebel redeemed
Bridge
When you’re full of love it baffles those in chains
Who need their golden calf to stay exactly the same
V3
Drawn into light saw the fraud I had become
Challenged places that I came from
Rebuked by those who had left me
For siding with the those we are to love
Chorus
Now I’m just a rebel redeemed by the One
Trading golden calves for the scandal of the Son
You have pulled together what had come undone
I’m just a rebel redeemed
Just a rebel who won’t bow to empire
The truth won’t be hijacked by tribal desire
The death of the old self is what is required
I’m just a rebel redeemed
Why I Write the Way I Write
As you can see, I don’t just write “songs.” You won’t find many “Yesterday”s or “Thriller”s or “Pink Pony Club”s in my catalog.
I write songs with relatively catchy melodies designed to make you think — or sometimes feel uncomfortable.
I don’t really know how to write any other way. I wish I could sometimes. But this is the work I feel called to: songs that wrestle, confront, confess, and occasionally provoke.
Want to Hear More?
Take a listen to “Rebel Redeemed.”
Then check out the other FAWM demos on my SoundCloud page.
I’d love to know whether this project is striking the chord I hope it is.
Join the Conversation
This project is still taking shape — and your insight genuinely matters.
Tell me in the comments:
Does Book of Joshua feel like a concept worth pursuing?
Did “Rebel Redeemed” speak to you in any way?
Are these themes needed right now in the small corner of the platform I have?
Which FAWM songs stand out most?
Let’s talk about it — your feedback could help shape where this album goes from here.
Remains of Time (aka announcements)
Upcoming Dates
Two shows left in the year including one full band gig in Indianapolis and a solo show in Chicago. I would love to see you at either or both of these shows.
