A high-school friend of mine just recently lost his brother unexpectedly to a heart attack. He loved to play the piano and U2’s “With or Without You” was the last song he ever played. 

Two weeks ago that friend reached out to me and asked if I’d play and record it for their friends and family.  I’d never even tried to plunk thru it before but I said yes, and agreed to give it my best effort as a memoir and tribute. 

I was on my long drive home the other night from a great day down at the Indianapolis office for our family business listening to my arrangement for the first time after the Cello track was added and it hit me... 

I didn’t just arrange this for my friend, I did it for me, and ironically, for you too.  

We are living in some crazy times right now and if you’re honest with yourself, (as I am learning to be with myself) and if you’re really living, you’re in a struggle. It’s someone or something you can’t seem to live with or without.  There’s always that tension. 

Maybe it is a relationship, the recent loss of a family member, friend, spouse or coworker that you just can’t seem to get over.  Maybe they are still alive and even healthy on the outside but they’ve all but killed you with what they’ve done.  It might be job that you can’t live with or without. What about that one thing that you’ve swore you were done with but it continues to eat away at your time, your finances and true calling. 

What is it for you? 
What can’t you seem to live with or without?  

I live in this tension too. 

As somewhat of a pianist, I’ve come to see how important tension in life is. I want this short life of mine to be a beautiful song for God and the people I do life with... and in order for that to happen, I need to be tuned regularly, and quite often that stretch hurts. 

If you still haven’t found what you’re looking for, trust that the beautiful orchestration of events that have brought you right where you are today are exactly what you need, and all part of His plan. 

In the end, I know that the only thing I can’t live without is the relationship with the one who gave Himself away for me.  He did it for you too. All He asks in return is that we do the same.

With Or Without You

Here's the beginning of my new solo piano album "Dreaming".  Relax your body, Reflect on your life and Renew your soul. Enjoy this free download sample.

Once Upon A Time, Long Ago

I wrote "Rescue Me" thinking of two Causes... 

Destiny Rescue and Cause we all need rescued!  

While there are no words, a film crew is currently in Pattaya, Thailand gathering footage for a documentary of these children enslaved in the sex trade industry.  

I was led to donate the use of this song specifically because of two customers of mine, both very well respected in the business world.  These men have led me by example.  Bernard just offically joined the board of Destiny Rescue, and Roger currently provides all of the office space for Destiny Rescue USA.  

I am so glad God called me out of "full time ministry" to get into full time ministry.  I know without a doubt He called me into "the family business" to grow it, His business and ours.  What a great way to spend the day!   

Hopefully some footage will soon be available... unitl then, here is a little info. on DR  

Mission statement
Rescue the sexually exploited
We actively seek out and rescue children from sexually exploitive situations and then restore, protect and empower them.

Restore the abused
Those that have been rescued out of a brothel or sexually exploitive situation need very specialized and intensive care. They are given one on one medical, psychological, emotional and intellectual care to help them heal and overcome the abuses of their past. We also give them the tools they need to integrate back into society.

Protect the vulnerable
Children and women in developing nations are often very vulnerable and need protection from being sold into prostitution or from other physical/sexual abuses. We have "Safe Homes" for those deemed "at risk" for both short term and long term care.

Empower the poor
Our philosophy is to empower the poor to become self supporting, not to create a welfare system of continual handouts. We achieve this through education, vocational/business training, small business loans, job creation, self reliability projects, savings programs, day care centres etc.

Be a voice
The poor, the vulnerable and the abused often are powerless to have a voice that will be heard by those who have the power to help. Our aim is to be that voice, a voice that is loud and pierces deeply into the hearts of men and women, inspiring and motivating them to do all they can to positively impact the lives of the poor, the vulnerable, the sexually exploited and the abused.

 

Rescue Me

This is what I've got so far... would love to add strings later.  There are a few places where i made some mistakes, when I have time i will go back and re-record.

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star  **FREE DOWNLOAD**

I love this song... if you haven't heard Yiruma play it you need to do a quick search for it on www.youtube.com This is just my version, it would be his version but I haven't quite taken the time yet to figure his version out yet.  It's very expressive, unfortunately I don't quite know it well enough to play it quite like i hear it in my head.  I'd love to hear you comments.  Thanks for listening!

yiruma- river flows in you (cover)

For some reason, this is the tune that is in my head when i make up a story for our kids before bedtime.  The first line is always... "Along Time Ago, In a Land Far Away..." The beautiful thing about it is the rest of the story is up to you.  If you come up with lyrics I would love to hear them!  It is a work in progress, a little too busy and muddy, but thought I would throw it out there for you give a listen.  

Bedtime Story  (What stories come to mind when you hear this?)

It's not often we really sit down and think about all that happened up there on that hill.  It was a battle for your soul and mine. In the past when I played this song (or anyone else for that matter) it was just plunked out with out any depth, feeling, or sense of what His death on that cross meant.  When you listen imagine the spiritual battle that was going on and remember that His death freed you and I up to live this live to the fullest.  

Thanks for listening!

Jeff

Old Rugged Cross **FREE DOWNLOAD**

I wrote this song a few months ago... and last Saturday i found out why.  Take a look at the video i captured last week during our team building / awareness trip to the Dominican Republic... crazy stuff... i didn't add anything to the video other than this song, text and a transitional blur... Brent, my father in law is praying and Cori's New Life in Christ is what she is declaring and what we are celebrating.   
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMZVyYRf_0Y

Thanks for watching!

Angels Dance with Me http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vMZVyYRf_0Y

This is the soundtrack to one of my favorite stories I've been given, "Playground Full of Crosses", also available here on soundcloud.  Hopefully this huntingly simple melody gets people to slow down and think twice about one of the most horrific injustices this world has ever been apart of, and then motivate them to step up and do something about it.



Empty Playground

I’ve been having a conversation with myself about playing the piano again for years now. Dreaming of how amazing it would be to be good enough to just sit down at the keys, hit record and play— and play—and play, with absolutely no agenda in the world other than to still my own soul then share the music with those closest to me in hopes it will help them relax, reflect and renew.

So I did it. I came home from work yesterday, sat down in front of the keys, hit record and played— and played and played. I recorded for an hour. No cuts, no edits with absolutely no idea what in the world I was going to play. I finally chose to do it, not because I became “good enough”, but just because I know it was Him that asked… and for me, that’s “good enough”.

I’m constantly reminded that He doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies those He calls.

For years I’ve been paralyzed by perfection and imprisoned with thoughts of performance when all God wanted was my heart… and there’s nothing more freeing than that realization.

A lot can happen in an hour.

A peaceful country car ride or maybe a nap in your favorite chair. Working in production or styling someone’s hair. Maybe it’s playing in the background after the birth of a Legend or while you’re preparing your heart and soul as you say goodbye to one… one that has walked beside you for a lifetime. maybe it’s just playing in the background while you take a breather and just pause to acknowledge all that you’ve been blessed with. No matter when you make time to listen, or if you do at all, it’s my gift to you… but the real gift is the reminder that He’s not listening for mistakes, He just wants you play in tune with Him and in step with His timing.

Merry Christmas!!
-Jeff

One Hour of Improv.

http://www.jeffvanhouten.bandcamp.com 
This is one of my favorite songs in the world to play.  I just finished this arrangment today... your comments appreciated.  Hopefully it takes you back to your childhood and allows you to look forward to what remains introspectively.  If it makes you think of anything specifically I would love to hear your story.  Enjoy the journey! If you would like to use this arrangement please contact me prior.
God bless!

Twinkle Twinkle Little Star (The Unborn Memorial)

Wrote this one while on a family retreat the beginning of February.  Looking for a title.
This song went so well with the photos we took I decided to give it a name to encourage others to use it for the same.  Hope you enjoy!  

Our Life in Pictures

Birthdays...They come and go like a note un-sustained, lost in the busy song of life.  This "Happy Birthday" arrangement as well as my cover of "100 Years" by Five for Fighting, was embedded in my mind last night after spending the evening at a fund raising event benefiting a camp for kids with cancer and their siblings.  It was a powerful night and reminded me once again how great full we ought to be for today.  To learn more about Camp "Watcha Wanna Do" visit their website and consider making a donation to this wonderful program.  http://www.campwatchawannado.com/about.php

Happy Birthday! & My Cover of "100 Years" by Five For Fighting

Alright, So... I don't like vampires but there are two songs in the movie Breaking Dawn that are absolutely beautiful... I just learned this one and recorded it tonight.  Hope you enjoy!

A Thousand Years (Breaking Dawn, Christina Perri Piano Cover)

Last night around Eleven I went down stairs and started playing the keyboard... before I knew it I found myself developing this wedding march.  The more I played the more overwhelmed I became.  

I hope this simple "March" serves as a reminder for you and I...

Marriage is an Adventure... 
Not a walk thru the park.  

It's commitment... 
Not a shot in the dark.  

It's a March... 
Not a skip or a jog.

A growing tree...
not cut off like a log

It's LOVE...
Both to give and to hold. 

True Love...
While we're young... growing old.  

Thanks for listening!



"March On"  Here Comes The Bride

Sat down at the keyboard tonight for the first time in a month and this song just came to me tonight... This is my first attempt at getting it out of my head.  Still a work in progress... aren't we all. 

The photo is also from tonight, my son Colt.  This picture is not inverted, I took it from underneath at the peak of his back swing.  

Barely Holding On

This is my submission for TPC "Children's Song" Competition.  I arranged this very familiar classic as a reflective contemplative piece that will soon serve as background music for a Pro-Life video I will be working on.  

Hope it caused you to think. 

Jeff

"Hush Little Baby"

I would best be described as an average guy who has been extraordinary blessed.
I've been entrusted with some relaxing heart felt piano music, short-colorful-inspirational stories, a strong and rapidly growing group of family businesses (www.wildmanbusinessgroup.com, www.thesportula.com) life changing ministries (www.2ndmilemissions.org; www.2ndmileadventures.org) and an unquenchable passion to share Christ with the world.

My beautiful wife Jennifer and I, along with our five colorful children have called Warsaw/Winona Lake, Indiana home for the past 12 years.

I serve on the Kosciusko County Right to Life board and as far as "work" goes, my ittle 4 yr. old boy Colt wrapped it up best with "My dad helps the people".
A close friend recently asked "Jeff, What are your dreams?I thought about the question for a while then replied... "My dreams... That's really a sad question. Why would I ever settle for mine?" Jeremiah 29:11"
Thanks for Listening, your comments are appreciated!

Jeff

Jeff Van Houten

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