Break this Stone

Posted on Jan 22, 2012 at 09:59 PM

 on Reverbnation.com

It was shortly after my son died at age 27, a beautiful man with so much to offer the world, and his music was extraordinary.

Having been left alone to cope with this tragedy, I had to write about it, sharing the pain, and also the prayer that he was taken up into the afterlife/heaven, and that he was now at peace and mentally and physically whole again. That’s when Break This Stone formed and wrote itself.

In all sincerity, I writhed on my bed like a snake in pain, and truly felt that living was the only thing worse than death.” But I also called out to whatever or whoever God was up there to bring him peace, and bring us all peace, especially those who suffer. And so I wrote the words of the song, “with tears bleeding from my eyes.” This song helped me make it through, and we dedicate this to my son, Jason, the rock star in heaven, every time we play it.

I can see the broken hearted
Doubled in their pain.
In the darkness swelling mists
Of stillness breaks the frozen rain.

Colder than the lowest places
Empty warn out sullen faces,
Drops the colors of the skies,
The tears are bleeding from my eyes.

Break this stone and quell the heart-ache
Take the cold dead dear departing
Calling on the other station,
Who’s the one in adoration?

Left alone to writhe like a snake
Swimming through a fiery lake.
Dying a thousand times a breath
When only living is worse than death.

What’s real is anyone’s guess to me
I only see love and that’s all I see,
If that’s the only thing that’s left
I can take another breath.

Open up this house of glory
Let him speak and tell his story
Turn the broken into power
Let this be your finest hour

Break out in love
And one and Peace
This one’s allowed
To know relief
Set the soul free
The one who cries.
Give them to see.
Let them rise. [REPEAT]

Through the fallen times and faces
Must be another day.
Cut short in empty places
Take them where they lay.

Cut through the heart of madness
Past the cold dark lonely sadness
Isn’t this the past of lies,
Caught up in your paradise?

Break this stone and quell the heart-ache
Take the cold dead dear departing
Calling on the other station,
Who’s the one in adoration.

Lift him through that final hour
Break the clouds that caused this shower
Shot within the walls of leaven
Like a rocket toward the heavens.

Now
Give live and love
Peace
This one’s above
Life
It’s through the brawl
Heaven
It waits them all.

Now
Give live and love
Peace
This one’s above
Life
It’s time to live.
Love
For this to give.

It was the love of others that pulled me through. Though Alan sings the song, and with such heart, having lost a brother as well, my fairly lengthy lead guitar at the end, is where I get to give each concert my instrumental tribute through the combination bended strings and loving-warrior-heart blasting into the silence, and crying out to the universe – Peace, Love, Life!
Grant Schnarr

Break This Stone

You Can Believe Workshop

There’s a nifty study guide online for this book which will help you reconnect with the New Christianity.

You Can Believe!

 

 

Barnes & Noble – Guardian Angel Diary Cover – Author’s Thoughts

Grant Schnarr & Mehmet Oz

Here’s a great piece on the B&N Website.

 

Blues

Had to leave that dirty, dusty trail,

Head for waters deep and cold.

Gonna cleanse my heart,

Leave that old world behind.

I’m walkin down that road,

Lookin for that river, that flowin river.

I’ll be flowin down that river.

Wash away my soul!

Barnes & Noble Signing – Home Launch

If you are in the Philadelphia area, come to the home launch of my new book, The Guardian Angel Diary, Willow Grove B&N, Friday, June 3rd, 7:00 PM!

Readings, Q&A, Book Signing – Fun!

B&N Ten Years Ago - Their biggest event ever!

Well, This is it!

The Guardian Angel Diary comes out officially this week.  It could very well be my last book.  I mean that because I realize practically everything I ever wanted to share with the world in the way of exploring the depth of humanity, life, and spirit has been accomplished through the conversation and growing relationship between Nicole and her Angel.  Her growth, determination, and increasing wisdom is the inspiration I so often strive for in my previous books.  Her innocence, wonder of life, love for people, are all my own, in the deepest inner youth of my own.  If I were never to write again, I’d feel complete.

The Guardian Angel Diary is a deep story, but not just about a girl who finds herself in a position where she feels she must make sense of her world if she does, in fact, die from her brain tumor.  Her predicament, having lost her mother, an alcoholic father trying to cope, her brother fading away into the isolated world of computer games, and addressing all the issues a young teen would normally address but now with the effects of chemo making it that much harder for her to feel she fits in with that world — all of these seem impossible challenges.  But through her relationship with GA (her guardian angel) not only are these issues faced with courage but with love.  Nicole’s reflections, expressions of love, and her GA’s warm and helpful, and often humorous communication turns each page into one of raw comprehension of the value of each moment of life, and memories become gems from her treasure chest as sacred gifts from God or life itself.  GA non only comforts her and leads Nicole toward hope, but brings joy into her life, as she is filled with wonder of all she is discovering about herself, people, her Creator, her world, and the one to come.  GA paints a calm and peaceful picture of heaven, as he describes how he and his friends often just float down a river for the afternoon, and enjoy each other’s company around a fire in the evening.  And yes, she does begin to fall in love with him, and wonder whether it is even possible that she and he could ever be together, somewhere, maybe in eternity.  Perhaps this is answered in the end of the story, or perhaps it is left to the reader to decide.  But one thing is for sure, said by her mother, her angel, and she knows this with all her heart – love never dies.

If you are going to read this book, please do buy it on Amazon.com, if possible, this week as the book comes out.  The publisher is a small company, and the budget for advertising is even smaller.  A book like this will only get into people’s hands, minds, and hearts if other people share their experience with it.  Friends and those who already know me have helped launch the book into the top 100 new releases several times the week before the book has even officially come out.  If all my other friends and those who know me and are planning to buy the book, did so the week of May 14th, it could reach even top ten.  And when that happens, the computers kick in and the book shows up for millions to read about on Amazon.  We can do it.  Or, I have enough faith in this book, that long term, it will spread by word of mouth.  But if people don’t know about it, they can’t read it.

And if you were affected by this book, and I have a hunch you probably were, and in a very good way, consider telling your friends about it, or even think of the people in your life who love to read this sort of thing and are good at getting the word out.  Buy them a copy!  (on Amazon  ;)  and let’s watch a miracle happen.

I finish writing this note very content that to this point in my life, my writing is complete.  It is from joy and from a longing to serve others in opening up their minds and hearts to the beauty and meaning in all that is, that I am so eager to share The Guardian Angel Diary.

God bless,

Grant Schnarr

Chandra Hoffman Interview and Review – Guardian Angel Diary

Chandra Hoffman, best selling author of CHOSEN, reviews THE GUARDIAN ANGEL DIARY and conducts and in-depth interview with author Grant Schnarr.   INTERVIEW

Chandra Hoffman – author of CHOSEN

Mehmet and Me

Mehmet Oz and Grant Schnarr

On My Way

On my way to NYC for a taped interview with Mehmet and Lisa Oz on Sirius-XM radio, the off to LA Festival of Books!

Do Angels Have Wings?

Nicole is talking to her angel about angels and wings.  Not the kind you eat.

Guardian Angel Diary – Blog