The Song of Men

September 13, 2019September 11, 2019 Anna Christine

Jacob Cabot’s Playlist of Remembrance

Growing up, Jacob listened to all kinds of music, enjoying anything with a decent beat. He discovered most of the men in his life had a certain type of favorite genre. Some many of the people in his life fill his thoughts as one of their “favorite” songs comes on the radio.

Much of Jacob Cabot’s downtime overseas was sent sitting with his buddies, playing cards, and arguing over who was in control of the stereo system.

When Tank was in charge, the songs were old school rock, classics to blare out the top of his lungs:

Livin’ On A Prayer | Bon Jovi

The Boys Are Back in Town | Thin Lizzy

With or Without You | U2

More Than A Feeling | Boston

Tank was from Detroit and he knew every word to the classics and loved to belt them out. The other guys ragged him because he had a terrible voice, but it didn’t stop Tank from singing out at the top of his lungs. No one was really going to threaten the big guy – he wasn’t called Tank because he wore green.

If the mission went well, Tank belted out We Will Rock You by Queen, if the mission went bad, the guys could hear him whispering Knockin’ On Heaven’s Door | Guns N’ Roses under his breath.

The day of Tank’s memorial, every Marine in attendance sang Tank’s favorite song: Brown Eyed Girl by Van Morrison. There wasn’t a dry eye in the crowd and to this day, Jacob can’t hear the song without seeing Tank dancing around the mess hall.

Tyler Clark was different, he liked The Beatles, Beach Boys, and an occasional Johnny Cash.

Here Comes the Sun | The Beatles

I Walk the Line | Johnny Cash

Tyler’s family grew up on the west coast and he had a love of sunshine and music. He didn’t sing loud and strong like Tank did but Jacob did find out Tyler could sing. Ty’s mother mentioned in one her letters her boy’s angelic voice and how it was missed in church on Sundays.

Jacob can still see Tyler roll his eyes over the comment and knew he’d be sworn to secrecy. The men in their unit would have hounded him if they had known and Jacob knew it.

Men with a little bit of country…

Now, whenever Jacob hears a country song, he thinks of his Uncle Red, sitting on the front porch watching the clouds roll across the sky, the wheat swaying in the fields, or riding in his old pickup truck to check out a new picker, and of course sitting in Uncle Red’s workshop whittling a piece of wood while they talked man business.

Always on My Mind | Willie Nelson

Amarillo By Morning | George Strait

Forever and Ever, Amen | Randy Travis

Something Like That |Tim McGraw

Uncle Red taught him about God, working with your hands, and the love of a good woman. He always said, “Country singers know the heart of God and a woman, but often too late. Men can learn a lot about both from a good country song.”

Jacob still says the Lord’s prayer by adding, “forever and ever, amen” as the ending thanks to Uncle Red who learned it from Randy Travis.

I’ve compiled this playlist to feature songs from all of the men who have influenced Jacob’s life. Read more about their influences in Healing Grace, Book Five in the Grace Series. Now available at Amazon and other retailers.

Until next time, may God’s grace surround you,

Grace Series, Renewed by Grace

Noah and Grandpa’s Car Riding Playlist

May 26, 2019 Anna Christine

Noah knows he has the best grandpa in the entire world! Not only is he the famous author, Mark Lawson, who writes the coolest sci-fi books, but his grandpa is also writing a new kid’s series featuring Robot NOAH.

Grandpa Mark picks him up from school and instead of taking him straight home, they do cool stuff together. Noah’s favorite afternoon treat is stopping at the ice cream shop. He loves to get an ice cream cone before he has to do homework.

Since his grandfather is a writer, his hours are flexible which means Noah and his little sister can see him all the time.

Grandpa Mark isn’t all fun and games, though… he still makes Noah do his homework and behave, but that’s okay… His parent’s do the same thing.

Continue reading “Noah and Grandpa’s Car Riding Playlist” →

Grace Series, Renewed by Grace

Mark’s Driving Music Playlist

January 20, 2019January 19, 2019 Anna Christine

Favorite Childhood Memories

Most of Mark’s favorite childhood memories revolved around his grandfather and tinkering on old cars in the rundown garage. Mark spent many hours in the summer and after school, eating cookies with his grandmother and then running out to the garage to “work” with Gramps.
His grandfather had several rusty old cars he was “fixing” and he loved to have help to keep him company. When Mark arrived, he would turn down the radio slightly and have long conversations with Gramps about life.
Mark’s grandfather died when he was still in elementary school, but he still remembers those long talks under the hood of the car, or more often than not, sitting in the ripped leather backseat talking about being a Godly-man, good husband, and good father.

Famous Author Buys Car Like His Grandpa

When Mark knew he had made it as an author, he bought his favorite car, an Aston Martin, similar to what was in his Grandpa’s garage for years, waiting to be lovingly restored by someone. It hurt his young heart when his grandmother sold the car after his grandfather’s funeral. He vowed at a young age to have one of his own someday.
The one car rule is only music of the age of the car can be played. Taking Noah to grab ice cream after school, listening to Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, The Mamas & The Papas are some of his favorite times.

Passing On Lessons Learned When Driving

He plans to teach Noah about oil changes, tinkering on cars, and other “manly” information, but first, his grandson needs to learn about “real” music. Mark hopes when Eva is older, she’ll want to go for car rides with grandpa, too. He wants his granddaughter to know how to change the oil, as well.
Mark typically listens to Christian music, based on not being saved until his son, Kip was a bit older. He felt he needed the constant reminder of God’s grace and love. His only exception is the driving music in the Aston Martin which reminds him of simpler times, happy times.

Mark’s Driving Music

Book Four in the Grace Series

Renewed by Grace will be available on April 30, 2019. The story of Andrea Cabot and Mark Lawson Hastings has become one of my favorites and I hope you enjoy. You can read more about the novel here.
Want to read the first three novels in the series? Check out links here for Restoring Grace, Accepting Grace, and Trusting Grace available now. To read more about the Grace Series, check out the link here.

Until next time, may God’s grace surround you,

Driving