Personal Update
his blog is not geared toward personal updates, but every once in a while I like to bring my readers up to speed on what’s happening. I value the relationships that I’ve built with some of my readers here, and so I want to do more than just talk about theology, ecclesiology, church signs, etc. 
First, an update on the music front. As many of you know, I’ve been a recording artist for several years now. To date, I have released three CDs of intimate piano interpretations of hymns and worship songs (one of those CDs was specifically centered around Christmas music).
The first two CDs that I did were actually released by a small record label in Texas. For the last several years, I have only had access to those CDs through that label.
This summer, however, God has opened up the door for me to purchase the rights to those first two CDs so that I can duplicate and distribute them independently.
I can’t tell you how excited I am about this! It has been so fun to watch God provide the funds to do this. And if all goes the way it seems to be going at this point, within about a month, I will be able to re-release those first two projects and make them available. Additionally, there is a fourth CD in the works which hopefully will also be available this fall.
One of the other exciting developments in this regard is that all of these CDs will be able to be purchased as digital downloads for those who prefer that method of receiving the music.
Stay tuned to this blog in the next month or so for a special offer to Theological Musings readers!
Another update is sort of related to music, but involves my “day job”. For the last couple of years, I’ve been working as an accompanist at Appalachian State University’s Hayes School of Music and as the music director at Blowing Rock Stage Company.
Balancing these two jobs is sometimes a bit tricky. For the most part, the University takes up Sept-April and the Stage Company has been a summer gig. However, recently, the Stage Company has been expanding their season into the fall, making it more challenging to balance the two responsibilities.
I’ve recently found out about an opportunity at a theater in Abingdon, VA for a full-time resident music director. In many ways, this job would be a great improvement for me. And so far, it appears that God may be opening those doors.
We won’t know for several more weeks at least, but we are praying that God will make the direction very clear for us. Should I get that job, it will begin in January, and would necessitate an eventual move for us to that area (it’s about 90 minutes from here).
Please pray with us that we will know beyond a shadow of a doubt the right direction in this area. I will keep you all posted about that as well.
Finally, as I’ve mentioned in previous posts, Christy and I have been going through the process of getting licensed for foster/adoptive care. We have completed all of our responsibilities in that area and are now just waiting on the final approval on our license.
Ironically, the potential move has thrown a bit of a wrinkle into that, and we don’t know how much we will have to duplicate in that process in a different county and state (should we end up moving). But we are willing to do whatever is needed.
If you are interested in following this journey with us, we have started a new blog devoted to this journey. With apologies to David Rogers at Love Each Stone, we have named the blog Love Each Child.
So, that’s a brief update on the goings on behind the scenes here at Theological Musings.
Until next time,
steve
August 4th, 2007 19:33
Abingdon ain’t no closer than Boone so I don’t guess there is any chance of you and Christy babysitting…
August 4th, 2007 21:57
Congratulations on going “indie” with your music! We’re a musical family ourselves–my sons are 5th-generation guitar players–but my youngest is the musical performer, playing in coffeehouses and other small venues here in Indianapolis. He has two CDs and another in the works. He’s also an experienced sound engineer and is working on putting his own studio together in the house he bought last spring. He records on a Mac with an 8-channel interface, and prints his liner notes and the CDs themselves from that computer. He surprised me with the professional appearance he got from his equipment. There are big changes in the music industry now, because computers have brought capabilities to individuals that were once limited to large companies. He’s also using the Internet for publicity and marketing, as well as a lot of networking (both with other musicians and with sound engineering people–he’s been able to learn from some who are considered legends in the Nashville studios). Caleb has met musicians who’ve spent 20 years in the traditional recording business and are very upset about the changes, but the the independent music field is here to stay. Those who get in now will have a lot of say in the shape it takes, and the more Christians in it the better!
August 5th, 2007 07:46
Thanks for the update and congrats on the CDs! We’ll be praying here for you there
~Heather
August 5th, 2007 08:48
Exciting times we live in. I am sure you will make the right decision.
August 5th, 2007 20:30
Steve, I’m praying for you that God will guide you in the right direction. I appreciate your sensitivity to His leadership.
August 9th, 2007 22:13
Wow Praise God for blessings with your music and foster care! I did not realize you were moving in that direction. Since working at Crossnore with children from broken homes I have heard many childrens stories. And foster care is sometimes another hurtful place for the children; they so need godly homes. Whoever comes into your home whether it be in Boone or Abingdon the child will be blessed.
August 14th, 2007 17:51
Leave it to me to see theological musings in your non theological post. When you write “Please pray with us that we will know beyond a shadow of a doubt the right direction in this area.” I’m not sure what you’re asking me to pray for. Is there only one right direction? What are the results of following the right direction? There’s a view that following our Lord means being open to every prompting of His Spirit. Could it be that those promptings lead to rich choices rather than didactic certainty?
Don’t get me wrong; I wish for you nothing but the best and will pray that you will know God’s leading. I’m content to let the theologians decide whether or not that leads to knowing beyond a shadow of doubt.
August 15th, 2007 07:30
CraigV,
Great question! The wrestling with this question leaves God as God and honors our free will mutually.
Such a position goes beyond studied theological answers and leaves life to be lived, not determined by a three-point outline. Thanks for the insight.
August 16th, 2007 09:35
Thank you all for your kind comments.
Craig, I’m honestly not sure how to respond to your comment. I’ve been giving it a lot of thought since you first left it.
Quite simply, if God is giving me a variety of choices, all of which are acceptable to him, then that would be the “right direction” I’m asking to know.
But if, for reasons that God may not necessarily reveal, he particularly wants us in this location or that location, then I want to know that, too.
Above all, I’m not one to make decisions solely on pragmatism or what seems to be beneficial to me in the short run.
August 16th, 2007 19:38
I’ve given this a bit more thought as well. I felt a bit guilty raising the issue in the midst of what is really a common prayer request. However, I believe it is edifying to meditate on what your request means. Ded’s comments (I hold ded in high regard) encourage me in this.
I suspect that when we pray to know God’s will in the face of a decision, what we’re really seeking is His presence. We don’t want to move forward ahead of our Lord. Like Moses, we know that entering the Promised Land is fairly meaningless if we go apart from God’s presence. We express our longing for Him by asking to know what He wants us to do. This makes it seem like we’re asking for knowledge. I’m not sure we are. Consider the following thought experiment:
Suppose I have some artistic skills and a passion for painting. I’m at a crossroads. I’m currently employed as a software engineer. To change my direction to art will have a dramatic impact on not only me, but my family and even my church community. I ask God to show me which way He wants me to go. This request seems natural. It looks like I’m asking for certainty (or some kind of sign). I’m not sure that’s what I’m really seeking.
Now suppose I’ve decided to be an artist and I’m about to start work on my first painting. I ask God to show me what He would have me paint. This request still seems fairly natural, but it’s a little less clear what I’m asking for. Do I want God to tell me to paint landscapes? Probably not. What I want is to ensure that when I paint, I do so in the context of my relationship with Him. What kind of knowledge does this entail?
I’ve decided what to paint, but now ask God what colors I should use. This time, it seems to me, my request is a bit strange.
I finish the painting. It’s a good start, but, given my inexperience, it’s not a great painting. A polite onlooker compliments me on my work. I say that it wasn’t really me who painted the painting, it was God. The polite onlooker wonders how God could have made such a shabby job of it. Is there a confusion here between the heart of my request and the objective result (the painting) of that request?
In every case, I’m seeking to live all of my life, even the details, before God. Yet, it seems to me, I’ve allowed a misunderstanding to creep into this very godly desire. I’ve been seduced by the words I use to ask for Him into thinking I’m asking for certainty and knowledge.
Forgive this rather long meditation. One thing is clear: God didn’t write it. I hope and trust, however, that I have written it in conversation with you and Him.
August 16th, 2007 20:10
hmmmm…Steve wants to hear God’s direction specifically. Craig suggests God’s direction may include choices.
Is one perpsective more accurate concerning being in God’s will?
No. Whatever is not of faith is sin. Should Steve decide to move to Abingdon or remain in Boone for reasons that are a function of something other than faith, it is sin. Will God clarify one option above another? Yes. Why would He not in working with His child Steve? Would God insure that Craig saw several options equally in God’s will? Yes. Why would He not in working with His child Craig?
I relate fully to the painting analogy as oil painting is a small hobby of mine. There are other ways of approaching that experience in prayer than asking what shall the subject and colors be. “Father, may the experience of any skill I have with visual arts be fully in your spirit tonight reflecting what a man may be while walking in your spirit.” At which point, I begin to leave cognitive planning and action and simply interact with the medium while worshipping God.
The results usually teach me more about painting.
August 16th, 2007 20:35
Wow ded, that’s a great quote.
“Father, may the experience of any skill I have with visual arts be fully in your spirit tonight reflecting what a man may be while walking in your spirit.”
It makes me want to paint tonight!
You’re spot on, it seems to me, when you point to the centrality faith.
When God’s child Steve asks for direction, what does Steve get from that? Suppose he gets an answer whether from a violent thunder storm (a la Luther) or a small voice. The answer is move to Abingdon. What does Steve now have that he didn’t have before?
August 17th, 2007 10:52
Reflecting on this a bit more this morning, I can look back and see the Father interacting with me in both ways.
At 24, and a new Christian, I asked God out-loud what I was supposed to do with my life. The very first word in my brain in the seconds that followed was “teacher.” I had never considered that as a non-Christian. I was living across the street from ASU and walked straight over and began my enrollment process as an education major. I have now taught for 25 years. I still enjoy it.
Other times, I felt it clear that God was not so nearly directive and allowed me to consider many choices. For instance, when I moved from private education to public, I ended up with four very good job offers and clearly felt I had the freedom to choose. Always, I have put my faith in the Proverb that a man’s plans are in his heart, but the Lord directs his steps.
Even having the option of many choices remains a function of His direction when viewed as an opportunity to fulfill one’s plans within God’s sovereign oversight.
August 17th, 2007 12:15
Ded,
Here are some almost random thoughts that spring from your post this morning:
Choices provide ways for me to creatively serve. They also come with responsibility and, if significant, are by nature not safe.
A father loves giving his son guidance. He wants to protect his son and lead him to a good and rich life. As a son matures, the guidance changes. A father wants his son to become a man.
This reminds me a little of Kierkegaard’s double movement. In asking for direction (”should I move to Abingdon?”) I’m resigning myself to the will of God. The second movement is to find my life again.
What sparked my interest in Steve’s original post was not so much the request for direction as it was the request for certainty (to know beyond the shadow of a doubt).
And, the most random of all, is ASU Arizona State University (I live on the west coast)?
August 17th, 2007 12:19
Fascinating discussion. I have nothing good to contribute, but I can answer the question about ASU. It’s Appalachian State University here in Boone, NC.
That was easy
August 17th, 2007 16:47
Thanks Steve,
I don’t believe for a minute that you have nothing good to contribute, but I’ve no doubt that this busy time of the year makes contributing more difficult.
I was sort of hoping that ded is a long lost relative (both of my parents are from Arizona) who had left the desert wasteland and settled in the beautiful land of Boone (all I know of Boone is the picture that heads your blog).
I guess I’ll have to settle for the less dramatic but far more meaningful truth that we are brothers in Christ.
August 17th, 2007 18:10
Brothers in Christ is profound, so I am glad to be your relation, Craig V!
I have continued to think on this and have some random thoughts myself.
RE: painting without “cognitive” planning. I know at some point I want to study painting and learn what others already know cognitively about the basic techniques of painting. The release I mentioned earlier into just an experience with the paint in canvas while “resting in Christ” is not intended as an end-all approach that produces great art. It produces a very rich evening.
RE: certainty.
When a man’s choices produce significant ramifications for his family, there is understandably a desire to know that God so leads. It doesn’t necessarily produce a certainty to ask for certainty. It is the solid rock of peace in Jesus when our Father, in His inimitable way, makes clear He is “directing our steps” toward the plans of our heart.
RE: “a Father wants his son to become a man.”
Does He ever release us from the child-like faith that allowed us to enter the Kingdom?
Finally, I would welcome the opportunity to get to know you better. If you are interested, Craig, e-mail Steve at his website e-mail and he can give you my home e-mail.
Steve, if you would so accommodate me once again?
August 17th, 2007 18:23
ded, always, my dear brother!
August 17th, 2007 20:18
Does He ever release us from the child-like faith that allowed us to enter the Kingdom?
I asked myself this very question after posting. The Bible seems to ask us to both mature and to remain children in our faith. Paul and the author of Hebrews, in various ways, tell us to grow up. Jesus tells us that the greatest in his kingdom is like a child. It seems to me that we become more like children as we mature and put away childish things, but this is at best a half baked thought.
Your example of cognitive planning, it seems to me, points to a weakness in my original illustration. I left out the community.
Thanks for your thoughts. I’ve pinged Steve for your e-mail address.
August 17th, 2007 20:54
Not half-baked at all! The older I get, the more I realize life is a paradox of living in the tension between opposite poles.
August 20th, 2007 11:36
Wow,
this conversation is definitely timely for me. I am joining together with some others this week in prayer about a new job and our goal to hear God’s Voice. Whether we hear Him leave the choice open before us or reveal His will I expect to feel certain in God for He is our Rock.
August 20th, 2007 16:55
I like what ded says about certainty (It doesn’t necessarily produce a certainty to ask for certainty. It is the solid rock of peace in Jesus when our Father, in His inimitable way, makes clear He is “directing our steps” toward the plans of our heart.). Can we push the idea a bit further and ask if our prayer for certainty is a request for certainty at all (at least in the normal sense)? This is implied by some of our comments above. Steve says “Above all, I’m not one to make decisions solely on pragmatism or what seems to be beneficial to me in the short run.” So the point seems to be that he wants to make a decision that flows out of his living relationship with God and not one based on calculating what’s best in the short run. Ded speaks of the solid rock of peace in Jesus and seeing that He is directing our steps. I wrote of knowing God’s presence (not entering the Promised Land without God). Josiah talks of being certain in God for He is our Rock. These remarks, it seems to me, indicate that the prayer for certainty is a normal part of our relationship with God, but it might not be exactly what it appears to be.
What it appears to be is a request for a kind of objective knowledge. It’s as if we think that God has a script for each of our lives (a wonderful plan I hear tell) and that we can mess everything up if we don’t follow the script. So when we face a decision, we want to make sure we are following the script which only God has access to. Perhaps the truth is more akin to a husband wanting to please his wife. He asks his wife what she wants because he wants to be certain that he gets it right. What he doesn’t see is that it’s in the choices themselves as well as in the result that he shows his love.
August 21st, 2007 07:10
I have to admit I once held to the idea of “script” which God had for my life. No longer. I believe He has His divine will, which plays out as we discover what it means to love Him. Much like your husband analogy, Craig. His will is not a script for our natural lives, I think it is more akin to He intends we get caught up in(to borrow from George MacDonald), “the wind from the stars.” There is a Truth which is not of this earth, it is of heaven. His will is simply we will live our natural lives hearing the rhythms and melodies of that very different realm and thus be alive here from what is there. Which is a faith position resting solidly on Christ and Him crucified.
August 21st, 2007 14:25
I was doing some reading about humility and the verse came up, whoever humbles himself like this child will become greatest in the kingdom. In this I see that it is not in being childish but in humility of a child that we mature into the greatness of the kingdom. I use the word mature here to bring the earlier discussion into the light of this scripture. And I think there is an interesting point to be made for humility in decisions. We can either make a decision according to our own wisdom which is not a sinful thing to do or we can humble ourselves before God and ask his direction. Our reward is based according to what we have done, though our lives are blessed as His children in both scenarios.
August 21st, 2007 16:39
That’s a great point. We should think about how humility before God is related to our prayers for direction. I’m not sure I follow your either or, however. It seems to me that using our wisdom (in particular our knowledge of the Scriptures) to make a decision doesn’t mean that we are not at the same time seeking God’s direction. There are ways of asking for God’s direction that are anything but humble just as great pride can be behind our own wisdom. The Pharisees and the Sadducees demanded a sign.
A man gets up in the morning and soon faces the decision of whether to put on his pants by starting with his left foot or his right. It seems to me that laying such a decision before God is not so much an example of humility as it is an example of a misunderstanding. Could it be that that same misunderstanding can be the source of some of our most fervent requests?
To be truly humble is to let God frame not only the answers but also the questions.
By the way, Josiah, if you don’t mind my asking, what was the result of you and your friends praying about your job?
August 24th, 2007 22:34
Yes I can see how our wisdom must be rooted in God for it to be genuine and therefore a function of doing God’s will. I think what I was getting at is that sometimes there are decisions which we are free to make that are also opportunities to seek God. Putting on pants not so much as moving to this city or that…and as for our job its actually a unique situation. We felt God’s peace from the beginning and are simply asking for confirmation and acknowledging our need for Him as we listen to hear His voice. Sometimes though I have experienced decisions that seemed cloudy and I needed to know direction for God’s peace.
August 30th, 2007 17:44
Good luck with the foster/adoptive parent gig. My wife and I were foster parents for a while. Have you found a support group of other foster/adoptive parents to help you navigate the system. In my experience, that would be very helpful. At least in NM, there are the rules you are told and then there is how the system actually functions. The two in my locale were very different, and it was helpful to talk to other foster parents to understand how things really work.
MB
August 30th, 2007 20:38
Thanks for the well-wishes in this respect! We do have a great support group here in the county, and have also been hooked up with another foster family for them to be “mentors” to us. Our DSS really tries to give all kinds of support in this way. If we move, I hope the next county is just as good about that.