Websites like Twitter and Facebook among others are there for a reason. People want to be heard. They want to share their opinions. They want to hear other peoples opinions. This blog is no different. I want to be heard. I think I have some valuable things to say. I think my music is unique and soothing and I have gotten a lot of positive feedback on it through the years. I don't want to shove it down anyone's throat. Like Disney does - they get you hooked on something and then try to get as much money out of you as possible. Maybe that's a bit cynical, but it's how I feel. I have written about this next thing before. Words, spoken or written, are action. I choose to put as much of my written word in a way that hopefully will honor God and His risen Son. And, honestly, I hope someone is transformed by my words as much as I have grown. There is something especially brilliant about sharing yourself, everything you are, with others. I have given my life to God and Christ and I trust in them completely. I don't always understand why I am motivated to do certain things, but the Holy Spirit works in amazing ways. God speed brothers and sisters,

Steven 

The Methodist church calls each follower of Christ to seek redemption each day. I do this by thinking about the passion story sometime during the day and asking God to forgive me for certain sins. I also petition Him often when I am not sure if what I'm doing pleases Him. I normally meditate on the passion story through the ascension while playing mandolin. You certainly could use my music to do the same. I think it honors Christ in a way I don't even fully understand. In this world, where so many Christians feel that they can think there way through any problem instead of looking for God's guidance, saddens me,

Steven

I really think the safest place in the world is under the protection of God and Christ and Their Angels. If we seek their protection, their is no other place safer. I think that's a big reason one of my neighbors, who is Jewish, feels safest in Israel. Even though their is violence in the streets of their cities, my friend feels like it's home. That's probably because God gave the Israel people that land. We all feel the need of safety in our lives - even the macho men - even the tiniest baby who clings to his mother's arms. I will be a glorious day when we are reunited with Christ and safety is secured for eternity - though, as a believer, it is even now. With God's love,

Steven

There was recently a forum topic which addressed religion on the musician section of the website. I really honor bandzoogle for not interfering and letting the topic run for so long. This shows a lot of character of their part. This is a secular website which allowed freedom of speech and expression. Way to go bandzoogle,

Steven

It seems this is the one thing you need for God and Christ to shed in order to be more Christ like. It's not always comfortable, but the result of being more ready for God's direction for your life and not your own, is something that I strive for. I think this is one way we honor God. By turning our entire life over to Him. I believe it's a process and you will have help from the Heaven's along the way. Your needs will be met. You will benefit the God's Kingdom in ways you can only imagine. Love always,

Steven

 I have known Chris since my Duke days in 1989 - He now lives in Austin with his wonderful family - He is someone I feel that I can always count on - it is nice to have friends like that - We were talking about all the natural disasters throughout the world the other day - He mentioned something like "Are we in the end of days?". Then he said he didn't think so. I, as I have mentioned before, believe we are. But we always need to live each day like it's our last. We need to seek redemption each day. We need to tell our family how much we love them. And we need to tell God and Jesus how much They mean to us. Life, in my opinion, is not about the next party or social event. It is about refining our relationship with our Creator and His Son, taking care of our family, and spreading the gospel. So many people I know want to fill ever second of their life with activities - I guess they think they are contributing to the greater good. The original church had it right when the greater good was taking up your cross and following Christ. True fellowship is with our Father in Heaven and His risen Son. Everything else flows from that. Without that pure foundation, where would we be. Eternity is a long time. I am grateful and feel blessed to have the faith I have - and let me tell you, it has been tested big time - I think if I could only change one thing about myself, I would like to have more levity. I would like to laugh more - I am a cynic and am way to serious - maybe it's my army training or maybe it's that I see our world falling apart. Maybe it's that I see people more concerned with themselves than pleasing Christ - they don't want to be labeled as a Jesus Freak or someone that is too rigid in their faith - is there a happy medium - are we supposed to spend more energy pleasing other people before pleasing God and Christ - I think this is not the case. Jesus's passion should not give us free reign to not adhere to the Bible - we are not bound by the Old Testament, but it's tenants are still something we need to strive for - the Ten Commandments are still something we should meditate on and respect. Lovingly,

Steven

Can you have only one hero? If so, Jesus is my hero - I don't completely understand why - I really like Paul and Peter as well - I identify with Job, Noah, and Jonah on a lot of levels. But Jesus is my hero. I turn to Him for support - I try my best to listen to Him and deepen my appreciation for what He did for me. I just really like what He had to say and His words really convict me. I guess that's true with most Christians - at least if they take their faith seriously. Sometimes I think Jesus is my only friend. Of course I know this is not the case, but sometimes, when life has really got me down, I know that Jesus understands me and wants the best for me. God speed,

Steven

 I would really like to visit Israel and Bhutan. Israel for sure. I would love to walk in the same places that Jesus walked and preached. I just think it would give me a deeper sense of His life here on earth. Bhutan only lets a few foreigners in a year. It is a Buddhist country pretty much untouched or influenced by foreign forces. On top of that, I would like to take my family to Thailand some year. I think of all the countries I've been to, Thailand has been my favorite - it's rich history, wonderful food, and amazing people just add to that fact. Though I think the time is short and that Christ will return soon, we are called to live in this world and joy breaks are important - at least I think so - God bless you,

Steven

Somewhat a waste of time, but I reactivated my facebook account and filled in some blanks on my linked in profile. I see the most important relationship I have is with God and Jesus, but using today's technology, whether I like it or not, could be useful - I also submitted three albums to CDbaby for digital distribution. We will see what happens,

Steven

For some reason, I got up at 1am this morning and couldn't go back to sleep - don't quite understand it. Being bipolar leads to a lot of not understanding why my body does the things I want it to do. I am eating well and exercising and can't seem to lose weight - probably the meds - I guess I was just meant to get up early and reflect, pray, and praise our savior and His Heavenly Father. Love each of you,

Steven

 Eldridge talks about the 4 stages of a Christian's life - Cowboy, Warrior, King, and Sage. For some reason, I feel that I operate in all of these levels everyday. I feel like a boy sometimes, especially when in prayer. It's hard for me, on this earth, to approach Jesus and God without a degree of a child like desire for my Father in Heaven to be proud of me. Maybe this is healthy, I don't know. I feel like a man especially when I do things that are out of my comfort level that I know God wants me to do. I also feel like a man in how much I trust Jesus and God - or is that blind trust, the trust of a child. To put labels on things kind of confuses them to a certain degree - at least in my opinion - lovingly,

Steven

I know God likes to be searched - it's a relationship and the deeper that relationship becomes, the more gratifying and full of light and grace it is. I have a difficult time understanding how we can tempt God. Is it a "I dare you to.." or something like that. Or is it searching in the wrong places. Or what? How could my carnal mind, which is of this earth and is subjected to a fallen world, tempt God. I know I don't want to to tempt God. On the other hand, I want to please Him. I want for Christ and God to like what I'm doing. Isn't that a big part of it. I ask God a lot of questions and I think He answers me - through people, the Bible, events, and a quiet voice - not all at the same time of course and not always when I ask the question. How are you going to know His opinion if you don't ask? How are you going to know if He exists and if Christ died for you if you keep doing what you are doing and don't question Him or ask for a revelation? In Christ's hands,

Steve

 Brothers and sisters - remember one word - FAITH - He who has begun His good work will see it through until the end of this world as we know it - stay in prayer and trust without a doubt that Christ and God love you in a way that we can only begin to imagine and that can't be measured. God bless,

Steven

Confusion is not of Christ or God - if you are confused, pray and wait - hang on to what you know, what the Bible says, and what God has revealed to you. Be patient. I believe the end is near - In Christ's perfect hands,

Steven

It would bog our minds down too much - it would be way too much information - stick to your Bibles and Christian authors you trust - blindly trusting in someone or something can lead you down the wrong path - also, all that the Holy Spirit reveals to you is not for all Christians - at least that's my opinion - trust blindly in God and His Son and press on - the rewards will be more than we can imagine - and I think all will be revealed to us in Heaven - humbly,

Steven

I pray that my brothers and sisters in Christ are hanging in there - it's been harder for me today - please pray for my family back in Austin - I will press on and fight the good fight regardless - I sometimes feel like Paul did when he was a wits end - it takes an incredible amount of energy just to keep going - but adding to the Kingdom and pleasing Jesus and God is worth every bit of it - I love each of you,

Steven

I believe that even though I am a Christian, the Old Testament is very relevant and is an important book to read. Christ has been with His Father for eternity, so I imagine that He played a strong role in the events that took place in the Old Testament. Studying this book also gives us a greater appreciation of the Jewish culture. The relevance of the New Testament is obvious for believers. Lovingly,

Steven

The atmosphere in the Middle East seems to be getting more problematic - please pray for the Jewish people - they are God's chosen and need our support - with or without our politicians approval - God bless you,

Steven

 It seems that some Christian websites only allow certain people to participate in them and have very stringent rules for membership. One thing I like about the host that holds my site is that I am allowed to publish music and writings that I want. I have also heard from some preachers that Christian music is for Christians. How can we expect to spread the gospel if we don't use music and are cautious about entering the good fight. Since I have hosted my site on Bandzoogle, there have been some good conversations about people's faith. There are also a number of Christian artists that have joined this site. If Christian's are not open to discussion and friendly debate with non Christians, I think this will have adverse affects on more people excepting Christ as there savior. The more seeds we can plant, the better. I love each of you,

Steven

 Earthquakes, Tsunamis, Hurricanes, poverty, etc. seem to be on the rise. Press on and know that only God knows the day. Meditate, as the Bible says, on righteous things. Trust in our Lord and know He doesn't want us to give up hope. He made this day and we are to live in it the best way possible. Pray for the lost and for the world. It is not about a flag, it is about people. Do your best for your Heavenly Father. I love you,

Steven

Many of our brothers and sisters in Christ are on the front lines in many countries spreading the gospel. They need prayers of protection and God's might hand to share God's Word and the saving Grace of Jesus Christ with those that are open to hear it. This is something you can do throughout the day and is well worth it. I think it makes God and Christ smile. Lovingly,

Steven

I know that the Bible says that true fellowship is with Christ and God. We, as Christians, submit to each other and share fellowship as well. We just need to remember where our priorities are. The love we feel for our families, is a love that originated with God and Christ. They gave us the ability to love. I turn that love towards them every day. We are also called to love the world as we love ourselves and to bless our enemies. Christ never claimed that following Him would be easy. We just need to stay the course and look for God's will in everything. I love you,

Steven

When things seem out of your control and you are hurting physically or spiritually, turn your heart to our Lord in prayer - prayer is one of the most powerful things the Good Lord has given us - In Christ's hands,

Steven

It is hard for many of us now - try not to complain - keep an open heart for the Spirit to move in you the way God would allow - and press on - Love,

Steven

The good Lord has led me to make my music more accessible - therefore I have submitted three of my albums to cdbaby.com for digital distribution on all of their partner sites. The albums are Journey of a Christian Heart, Meow Meow Baby, and Twelve. A lot of consideration went into this and a lot of prayers. There is a time for certain things, and I believe this is the time. It will probably take a month or two before they are available. In the meantime you can stream the same music on this site or download any of the songs for a small charge. Lovingly,

Steven