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HeLLO there,
I'm Daniel. I live in Seattle, WA, with the tall trees and rain. Yes, it rains a lot here. I lead worship, write songs, and also advocate for the victims of domestic violence. I moved here from Arizona not too long ago. I'm an avid ice skater, love anything technology related, and sailing. I'm now working on some new music. So stay tuned. But for now, here's a little bit about me.
music
ALL THINGS NEW
All Things New is about restoration. Often, we think of heaven as a place we escape to. But, notice how He said "I am making all things new," not "I am making new things." This speaks to the heart of God. The God, in His infinite wisdom and unending love, takes the shattered pieces and makes them into something beautiful. He, in His supernatural power, restores and redeems. That's the Father we have.
in awe of you
In Awe of You is my first single. Recorded in a home studio with my friend and producer, Allen Salmon, it's my response to what's to come - heaven. It's what I long for and dream about everyday. Yes, it's my obsession. When God decides it's time, we will all dwell in the Father's house forever. King David expresses his desire to be that kid having fun with the Father. It's the enjoyment and safety that we have in the Father. I pray that you have that experience through this song.
Music
my grace story
grace before time.
Since I was a young lad, I attended church. My mom was a choir conductor at a local church in Toronto, Canada, which is to say, we went to church about 3 or 4 times a week, with my mom warming up her voice in the car, as me and my brother listened to our cassette players. Remember those? They're getting cool again.
I loved church. It was home. I learned to play the guitar with my brother. I also played the piano for my mom's choir. We had church picnics and small group gatherings in each other's homes where we played floor hockey until our shirts were soaked in sweat.
Favorite childhood gospel song: "He Touched Me" by Gaither Vocal Band.
But, the truth is, I didn't know God. In fact, I thought God was controlling, and unreasonably angry with me. Sitting in church pews, I thought I had to do XYZ if I wanted be in right standing with Him. So, I served as a worship leader in churches because I wanted to obey God. But my question always remained, “Am I right with God?” I wasn’t sure. “Am I doing enough?” I wasn’t sure. To pay for my sins, I offered myself to God more. If anyone’s been where I was, you know how tiring and burdensome this is.
But, even then, God was already moving in grace towards me, you see? It’s like Paul said:
In Him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of Him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of His will, in order that we … might be for the praise of His glory. (EPH. 1:11-12)
My salvation was entirely His divine action. It was never mine.
grace THrough guilt and shame.
As I got older, the heavy load of Christianity became unbearable. Because I thought, God had my adoption papers over His divine shredder just in case I mess up. So if I failed at obeying, it was a guilt fest. I confessed and confessed. And I could never be righteous this way. Then I eventually gave up trying to please Him. The law showed me that I can’t do this on my own. I didn’t even know I needed Him, and my heavy walk ensued without much hope.
Favorite show on Netflix: The People vs. OJ Simpson: American Crime Story
Then on the foothills of Arizona in 2019, God found me. I heard a sermon by my youth pastor on the radio while I was driving. His message cut through my heart and grace exploded.
“God is moving towards you, to save you, to redeem you, without anything from you, apart from you, entirely for you!”
From Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, it translates in short, “God moved first!”
What I did for you,
I did IT without you.
To a modern-day believer such as myself, this was counter-intuitive. Because so much of my haywired faith was “let’s do this thing" but the truth is we’re just not that great. We forget that before we get to behaving, we have to be beholding. He has single-handedly and definitively, not temporarily, done it all. For the first time in my life, I wholeheartedly cried out to God, ”Thank you!” I didn't have to do anything for my salvation. It was simple - I received and rested.
Favorite animal: Unicorns
GRACE IN FREEDOM.
You see? When the grace of God explodes in your heart, you stop doing the math of the mind on obedience. Every other religion is about a strong god and us needing to be strong people to appease a strong god. But, Christianity says my redemption was done by grace (meaning I had nothing to do with it), and it was put together by grace and sealed away forever. There are no requirements, no assignments, no conditions. Just celebrate!
But this wasn't easy for me. Why? The inner freedom fighter in me went, “well, what about obedience?" The law grabs a hold of you. This is what we sinners do. We turn promises into threats. But our obedience to Christ is a dance celebration, not dance audition. So we dance to the glory of freedom. “But now, by dying to what once bound us, we have been released from the law so that we serve in the new way of the Spirit, and not in the old way of the written code.” (Rom. 7:6) .
Favorite city in the world: Barcelona
God’s verdict is clear - acceptance before our performance. My adoption papers are sealed. I am blessed, predestined, redeemed, and chosen. I am saved. Full stop
So my life now doesn’t feel like an essay anymore. It feels more like music (and dancing). As C.S. Lewis shares "poetry replaces grammar, gospel replaces law, longing transforms obedience, as gradually as the tide lifts a grounded ship."
From this place of rest, I began writing songs and leading worship again. I can’t wait to share some music with you, friends. As I release more music, I only pray that it also helps you rest in Him. The gospel is grace.
Nothing but love.
Daniel
My Grace Story
Say Hey
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