This one's for anyone who's ever felt like they were reading the recipe for life but still going hungry. "Gonna Get My Hands Dirty" is a folk-blues story that digs into some old, powerful parables: one about a house on fire where the people inside are too busy playing to notice the danger , and another about a king's son who forgets his inheritance and has to work his way back to remembering his own worth.  

It's a song about the simple, gritty truth that wisdom isn't found on a page—it's earned in the dirt, in the work, and in the choice to act with compassion. It’s about rolling up your sleeves and realizing that the only way to make things real is to get your hands dirty.

Inspired by the teachings of the Lotus Sūtra, this track is built on a foundation of raw acoustic guitar, weeping slide, and a wailing harmonica. For fans of story-driven folk and blues that asks the big questions.

Lyrics: 

(Acoustic guitar intro, slow and steady like a train rhythm)

(Verse 1)
The roof is on fire, the floorboards are hot
But the children are playin' with the toys they got
Don't see the danger, don't see the rot
In this burnin' house, they've already forgot.
A man stands outside, he's callin' their name
Says, "I got you somethin' better than this foolish game."
He don't waste his time tryin' to explain the flame
He just knows the gettin' out is the whole aim.   

(Chorus)
'Cause you can read the recipe 'til your eyes go blind
But the truth ain't on the page, it's what you do and find.
Gotta get your hands dirty in this world of mine
'Cause readin' ain't the same as cookin' when it's supper time.

(Verse 2)
I was a king's son, but I ran from my home
For fifty long years, I was destined to roam.
Dressed in rags and sorrow, chilled to the bone
Forgot the great fortune that I'd always owned.
I stumbled back home, but I didn't know the place
Saw my own father, but couldn't see his face.
He saw my shame, my fall from grace
And knew the whole truth would make me flee the space.   

(Verse 3)
So he hired me on for a poor man's pay
To shovel the dirt at the close of the day.
For twenty long years, he showed me the way
Built me back slowly, come what may.
He never once told me, "Son, you are my heir"
He just let my own work chase off my despair.
'Til I was strong enough, the real truth to bear
That the whole damn kingdom was always my share.   

(Chorus)
You can read the recipe 'til your eyes go blind
But the truth ain't on the page, it's what you do and find.
Gotta get your hands dirty in this world of mine
'Cause readin' ain't the same as cookin' when it's supper time.

(Bridge)
Then the ground beneath me started to shake and to groan
And a million helpers rose up from the stone.
They weren't from the heavens, they were flesh and bone
Born of this suffering world, to make it their own.   
They said, "The work ain't 'bout savin' just you from the fire"
"It's about stayin' behind, to lift everyone higher".   

(Chorus)
So I'll read the recipe, but I won't be blind
'Cause the truth ain't on the page, it's in the daily grind.
Gonna get my hands dirty for all of humankind
'Cause readin' ain't the same as cookin', and it's supper time.

(Outro, guitar slows)
Yeah, it's supper time...
Gonna help my brother...
Gonna help my sister...
It's supper time.
(Final chord fades)

Gonna Get My Hands Dirty

The parable of the Widow and the Unjust Judge. I'll start here by comparing Jesus' parables to the stories we read to kids at bedtime. Yes, they're a lot alike. Let's have some fun with it.

This parable really does make for a good children's book. Of course, we have all kinds of adult sized questions after hearing this story. No, we may not have any answers for these questions - but I always think it's a good idea to at least ask them - acknowledge them.

Jesus says that this story is about praying and not giving up. Not losing heart. What does it look like to lose heart? Let's imagine ourselves as the widow. What happens when we pray like the widow? 

Maybe the real miracle of prayer is that it changes us - makes us into the kind of people for whom injustice is never normal - makes us into the kind of people who keep showing up in the world where and when it's most needed.

Jesus then connects this to the word "faith." Faith and prayer have a lot to do with each other, I think. Maybe faith is the jet fuel for our prayers. Or maybe it's the other way around. Maybe our prayers are the jet fuel for our faith. Whichever way it goes, faith - a trust that God is NOT like the judge - faith is the thing that keeps us showing up.

Speaker: Aaron Vis
Scripture: Luke 18:1-8
http://bible.com/events/49503020

October 5, 2025 "Prayer And Faith"

Якось я подумав: а чи вийде в мене написати пісню про неживий предмет так, щоб слухач переживав за нього, розчулився, відчув щось...

І якось в голові з'явилось… опудало, мовчазне і забуте. Так народилась ця історія.

Я довго вагався: залишити пісню балладною розповіддю чи дати їй сильне емоційне ядро? Зрештою, вирішив, що приспів має бути — і це буде крик душі самого Опудала.

Для цього я подумки став на його місце: відчув самотність, байдужість, той біль, який він ніс усе життя. Я записав усе, що міг відчути на його місці, і саме ці "відчуття" сформували приспів.

Ця пісня — більше ніж просто текст і акорди. Це універсальна алегорія, в якій кожен може побачити щось своє:
когось із близьких, самого себе, народ, країну…

Я не хочу нав’язувати єдину інтерпретацію. Просто послухайте — і, можливо, знайдете в ній власний зміст.

Опудало

"The Ballad of Elias Stone" is a bluesy folk tale that explores two paths to the same truth.

It tells the story of Elias, a legendary musician who achieves greatness through twenty years of grueling sacrifice, embodying the belief that enlightenment is earned only through immense struggle. His path is challenged when the conservatory's Founder makes a radical promise: that the same ultimate prize can be won through a single, fleeting moment of joy.  

This song is a modern parable inspired by a core teaching in the ancient Buddhist text, the Lotus Sutra. It's a story about the power of sincere faith, the different "skillful means" we use to find our way , and the idea that the seed of greatness, or "Buddha-Nature," already exists within all of us, waiting for a moment of joy to awaken it.  

Set to a sparse, soulful arrangement of acoustic guitar, harmonica, and a steady foot stomp, this is a story-song for anyone who has ever wondered about the true nature of sacrifice, faith, and the simple, transformative power of joy.


(Song Lyrics)
(Acoustic guitar intro, simple and melancholic)

(Verse 1)
At the Grand Conservatory, up on Harmony Hill
The only road to glory was an iron-clad will
They'd tell you 'bout Elias, a man of grit and bone
Practiced twenty years, son, and slept on cold, hard stone
He played until his fingers bled a symphony of pain 
Just to earn the Maestro's title, again and again.

(Chorus)
But the Founder came a-callin', with a whisper soft and low
"Just one moment of joy, son, is all you need to know.
Hear a single sweet phrase from my 'Unfolding Heart'
And I'll guarantee your soul, right from the very start."

(Verse 2)
The students and the masters, they gathered in the hall
Elias stood among 'em, the man who'd gave his all
The Founder looked right at him, the man who'd paid the cost
And spoke about a new path, for all the tired and lost
The crowd began to grumble, "What about the price we paid?"
Was twenty years of sufferin' a foolish choice he made?

(Chorus)
'Cause the Founder came a-callin', with a whisper soft and low
"Just one moment of joy, son, is all you need to know.
Hear a single sweet phrase from my 'Unfolding Heart'
And I'll guarantee your soul, right from the very start."

(Instrumental Break - Harmonica takes a short, soulful solo over the acoustic guitar)

(Bridge)
She said, "Your house is burnin', but you're too lost in your games 
So I call you out with promises, I whisper all your names
The struggle was a toy cart, boys, to get you to the door
But the prize was always bigger than what you were fightin' for
'Cause the music ain't somethin' you build with sweat and tears
It's a seed inside your own heart, been sleepin' there for years." 

(Verse 3)
And Elias, he stood listenin', the legend carved from strife
Heard about the music that was waitin' all his life
And a slow smile spread across his face, a crack in weathered ground
He finally understood the truth in that sweet and simple sound
The climb ain't the reason, it's always been the view
And the path of joy was standin' there, shiny, fresh, and new.

(Chorus)
Yeah, the Founder came a-callin', with a whisper soft and low
"Just one moment of joy, son, is all you need to know.
Hear a single sweet phrase from my 'Unfolding Heart'
And I'll guarantee your soul, right from the very start."

(Outro)
Yeah, guarantee your soul...
Just one moment...
(Acoustic guitar fingerpicks a final, resolving chord, and a single, long harmonica note fades to silence.)

The Ballad of Elias Stone

Faith is, presumably, a quintessentially human experience, and yet blessing of the animals Sunday provides the chance to consider  unique proposition: the dogs might actually have something to teach us about the attitude of faith. Whereas humans express a desire for "more" as dissatisfaction with what is, dogs express it as a desire for what is good to continue. Whereas a human "now" is a demand for things to happen, the dog's now is a contentment with living in the moment. Perhaps most importantly, whereas humans resist a relationship of dependence and service, dogs rejoice in any time with their master. Strange as it may seem, faith calls us to learn from the habits of our dogs, and to find in those lessons a depth of joy and transformation. 

Photo by Kara Eads on Unsplash

Lessons on Faith from Dogs

Inspired by a timeless spiritual paradox, "The Open Gate" is a blues-folk story that suggests the most profound truth isn't hidden away for the chosen few—it's accessible to everyone.

Using the ancient parable of a loving father saving his children from a burning house, the song explores the idea that the greatest wisdom doesn't require immense skill or a lifetime of practice, but simply an open heart. With a soulful, acoustic groove, "The Open Gate" is a reminder that the path to peace is not a steep mountain to be climbed, but a door standing wide open for all.

Lyrics

(Intro - Acoustic guitar and a single, long slide guitar note)

(Verse 1)
Some folks try to climb a mountain, thinkin' that's the only way
Practice hard for countless ages, just to see a brighter day
They believe you gotta be a scholar, or a saint of high degree
That only the strongest souls can find the key to be set free
And for them, that road is true, but it's a hard and lonely state
It takes a will of iron just to get past the first gate

(Chorus)
But the Teacher, in his wisdom, he turned it all around
Said the truest, deepest teaching is for the lowest ground
Some paths say you must be worthy, before you even start
But the real Truth is a river, for every broken heart
It don't depend on your own power, your wisdom or your might
It's the power of the Love itself that brings the darkness into light

(Verse 2)
They tell a story 'bout a Father, watchin' his whole house burn down
His children played inside with toys, the most distracted kids in town
He called out, "I've got precious treasures, wonders to behold!"
A loving lure to save them from that ruin, weak and old.
But he didn't give those separate gifts, when they were safe and near, 
He gave them one great open road, and put an end to all their fear.

(Chorus)
'Cause the Teacher, in his wisdom, he turned it all around
Said the truest, deepest teaching is for the lowest ground
Some paths say you must be worthy, before you even start
But the real Truth is a river, for every broken heart
It don't depend on your own power, your wisdom or your might
It's the power of Love itself that brings darkness into light

(Bridge)
In these modern, troubled days, the world is full of strife
The old maps are all faded, they've lost the power for this life
So you don't need a grand cathedral, don't need a scholar's mind
The only thing that's asked of you is the faith that you can find
Just a simple act of trust, a whispered prayer or tune
To awaken that bright Spirit, that's been sleeping in the gloom

(Outro)
Yeah, the gate is standin' open, for the sinner and the saint
For the fisherman's child, the warrior, for the weary and the faint
The truest teaching... is for the open gate...

The Open Gate

The Sweet Illusion

A raw, one-take acoustic song.
This is a song about being stuck in a prison of your own making, calling the "poison water 'sweet, good wine.'" It's for anyone who's been so lost for so long, they've "forgotten what goodness even feels like."
It's about the paradox of grace: the moment a guide offers you a beautiful lie—a sweet illusion—just to give you a place to rest, only to take it away once you're strong enough to face the truth.
It's a song about the rest stop, not the final destination.
(Lyrics based on the wisdom of the Conjured City parable.)

Lyrics: 
(Verse 1) 
I built my house on a crooked line 
Called the poison water "sweet, good wine" 
Called the anger in my blood "a righteous spine" 
And this whole damn prison... I called it "mine."

(Verse 2) 
I walk in circles 'til my feet are raw 
My "right and wrong" is just my favorite flaw 
I chase a pleasure that just bites and claws 
And I don't know how to live... by any other laws.

(Chorus) 
Is there a goodness that I plain forgot? 
A taste of joy that can't be sold or bought? 
My heart's a lock, and the key is lost 
I never even stopped to count the cost. 
I don't know how to do good... 
Hell, I'm not even sure I would.

(Verse 3) 
I was on that highway, bleedin' out my faith 
My spirit just a pale and tired wraith 
I told the guide, "I'm givin' up the fight." 
(The guitar gets softer, almost tender) 
He said, "I know... but rest here for the night." 
And he raised a city, shinin' in the sand 
Said, "This is home, son... this is the promised land."

(Verse 4) 
And that illusion... Lord, it tasted sweet 
I slept for ages, got back on my feet I thought 
I'd made it, thought my journey's end 
Was in that city, with my newfound friend 
(Guitar stops. One beat of cold silence) 
But when I woke up strong... he just smiled and waved his hand 
And there was nothin' but the desert... Nothin' but the sand.

(Chorus 2 - The Turn) 
He said, "That was the goodness that you plain forgot... 
"The taste of joy that can't be sold or bought. 
"Your heart's a lock... but here's the key: 
"That city wasn't for you... 
(Voice breaks, just a little) 
...That city was me."

(Pivot) 
I don't know how to do good... 
(Guitar hangs on a suspended, aching chord) 
But he just stood there... 
And he would.

(Outro) 
(The first "stuck" guitar pattern returns. But it's slower now. It's not "stuck" anymore... it's "walking.") 
He just stood there... and he would. ... 
My house is built on a crooked line... 
But I'm walkin'... 
And the road is fine. 
I'm just walkin'... 
And the road is fine. 
(Guitar pattern plays twice, then stops cold.)

The Sweet Illusion

This week we’re going straight from one of Jesus’ most beloved parables to one of His least. Readers across the centuries have wrestled with this one, since at first glance it seems to condone dishonesty. It’s a good reminder that parables often have one central point—so we shouldn’t try to apply every detail literally. Let’s walk through this one together and see what Jesus wants us to learn. This message was preached by Pastor Erick Cobb on October 19, 2025.



Luke 16:1-15 (October 19, 2025)

A late-night story told on a worn-out porch, "The Same Moon" is a bluesy folk parable about an old teacher and a young student. It explores the timeless Zen wisdom of the "finger pointing at the moon"—the idea that teachings and scriptures are only signposts, not the destination itself.

Driven by a fingerpicked acoustic guitar and a haunting harmonica, the song has a raw, honest feel reminiscent of early Bob Dylan and Townes Van Zandt. It's a reminder that true understanding doesn't come from memorizing the words of others, but from looking up and seeing the truth for yourself—the same moon that shines for us all.

A song for late-night reflection and quiet moments.

Lyrics: 
(Music Begins: A lone, mournful harmonica melody over a simple, fingerpicked acoustic guitar riff in G)
(Verse 1) 
Well, the night was black, the ink was on the page 
I was lookin' for the wisdom of a long-gone age 
Read them golden letters 'til my eyes went blind 
Tryin' to soothe this restless, troubled mind of mine.

(Verse 2) 
The old man sat, he didn't say a word 
Just the quietest lesson that I ever heard 
He raised a weathered hand up to the sky 
And pointed with a tired old twinkle in his eye.

(Chorus) 
He said, "Son, it ain't no sacred mystery 
It's the same moon for you, the same moon for me. 
I ain't pointin' to no master's holy light 
Just the same old moon, shinin' in the night."

(Harmonica fill, short and soulful)

(Verse 3) 
But I stared so hard at that crooked hand of his 
I thought the pointin' was the thing that is 
I studied every wrinkle, every scar and line 
Mistook the dusty bottle for the sacred wine.

(Verse 4) 
I built a church around that finger in the air 
Said my prayers to a knuckle and a nail up there 
Forgot about the darkness, forgot about the sky 
Just the holy hand that was showin' me the lie.

(Chorus) 
But he said, "Son, it ain't no sacred mystery 
It's the same moon for you, the same moon for me. 
I ain't pointin' to no master's holy light 
Just the same old moon, shinin' in the night."

(Bridge) 
Then a quiet wind blew through the cypress tree 
And I felt his patient eyes lookin' right past me 
So I lifted up my head, let my own vision climb… 
And I saw that silver dollar for the very first time. 
It wasn't his, Lord, it was mine.

(Chorus - a bit stronger now, with harmony vocal) 
And I heard, "Son, it ain't no sacred mystery 
It's the same moon for you, the same moon for me. 
I ain't pointin' to no master's holy light 
Just the same old moon, shinin' in the night."

(Outro) 
(Acoustic guitar riff continues, slows down. The harmonica plays a final, resolved melody that hangs in the air and then fades to silence.)


The Same Moon

October 26 - Thirtieth Sunday in Ordinary Time (2025)

Please like and share. 
Welcome to the musical world of The William Altig Choir, where ancient wisdom meets contemporary sound.

Inspired by the teachings of the Lotus Sutra and infused with deep spiritual themes, my music blends the rich traditions of blues and folk with modern elements, creating a unique fusion that resonates with both the heart and soul.

I've been captivated by the Lotus Sutra's messages of compassion, wisdom, and transformation since my youth. It's a journey of self-discovery that has found its voice in my music. Each song is a reflection of my own spiritual awakening and a celebration of universal truths.

My style is characterized by emotive storytelling, powerful lyrics, and a commitment to exploring the depths of human experience. Featuring contemplative blues, acoustic slide guitar, saxophone melodies, and the harmonies of a gospel choir, my music reflects a quest for enlightenment and a better understanding of the self.

Join me on this musical journey. Together, we can explore the teachings of the Lotus Sutra, finding solace, hope, and a deeper connection to the world around us.

#SpiritualMusic  #LotusSutraMusic  #ContemplativeBlues  #BuddhistGospel #AcousticSlideGuitar  #GospelChoir  #Self-Discovery  #SpiritualAwakening  #Hope  #The_William_Altig_Choir

We exist to display and declare the good news of Jesus for the glory of God and the joy of all people.

ReNew Community: Following Jesus to renew lives that renew the world.
UP with God, IN with one another, OUT in service.

Priest of the Diocese of Rochester (NY); Pastor of St. Peter's Parish (Clifton Springs, NY)

http://stpeterparish.us/index.html

Welcome to the sermon feed for Abiding Peace Lutheran Church: Journey of Faith. We would love to have you with us for worship, but if you can't join us on Sunday mornings, we hope these messages bring the challenge and grace of the gospel to your life.

Я — Dimonator. Інженер за освітою, програміст за професією. А коли є час і натхнення — граю на гітарі й фортепіано, пишу музику та пісні.
У яких жанрах? Та в будь-яких. Але найчастіше — рок / метал.
Починав ще у школі. Тепер дістаю з архівів старе й додаю нове — публікую на стрімінгах і YouTube.
А ще на моєму YouTube-каналі є відео з паркур-фейлами (і не тільки). Саме звідти й зʼявився псевдонім Dimonator 😅

New tracks tagged #Parable