Comments on: In Billy’s Wake

By: Dennis Howe

Dennis Howe — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 22:47:11 +0000

Hey Steve,
A few years back I would have offered some nice platitude, and said keep on smiling, but, even though I am myself still smiling, I have found that there is also that aspect of life that has to learn how to grieve in the midst of a hopefull heart. In the last several years I;ve had a son injured in Iraq, a good friend die in his sleep at 50, and one whom I had hoped to marry come down with demetia, and ask me to not be around. All of these caused me to return to my roots, try to come back to that first love. In my case faith first, and then music. Even though I haven’t actually written down any of the thoughts GOd has been speaking, I have allowed them to percolate, to touch that grief, and, I think,. educate it. Let me encourage you to let those words, that I know God has been speaking to you, become the children of those questions you’ve been asking. I think we need ones like yourself, John Michael Talbot, and Michael Card, to speak the hard things that we may not be able to say for ourselves. The things that are left unsaid when our mind starts to leave us, when sickness tries to take over our worl;d, when desperation leads us into the dark places of life, you know, those hard things to say. I also believe that out of those things rise up songs of real worship, sometimes just “Holy, Holy, Holies” if nothing else at all. I will keep you in my prayers that tGod will open up a new flow of music that will touch deep into His presence, and reflect Truth as a person! Thanks you for your honest and searching heart.

By: Grant (again)

Grant (again) — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 05:29:39 +0000

Steve wrote: “I think many of us grew up with a paradigm that subtlety suggested if we do things right, things will go well – belief and right living will ward off disaster. …”

Steve, I think this mindset is clearly taught all throughout the Old Testament. I see it everywhere. In fact, isn’t it expressed in many of the psalms? And certainly Job and his “comforters” all seemed to be washed in this world-view – at least at the beginning of that book.

Jesus boldly challenged that entire approach to life. But I find we Christians keep clinging to it. I guess it’s our “need” to feel in control?

Personally it terrifies me to realize that (as you say) “… my faith isnâ€™t sufficient to ward off disaster…” And probably not even, “…sufficient to keep me contributing melody, hope and love in the midst of it…”

But I think this is okay. It reminds me that in the end it doesn’t depend on me anyway…

By: Sr. Christine

Sr. Christine — Sun, 30 Sep 2007 02:27:38 +0000

There is much in this world to remind us of our helplessness. I’m feeling it too. Mother Teresa felt it… among others. None of us are God. But we’re called to live integrity, even if that means ‘we live by faith, not by sight’, not blinding letting life happen, but being led by the only One who isn’t helpless, and being open to the moments we needn’t feel helpless and can choose active integrity, integrity in action. I heard your promo disc for the Symphonies tour, Steve, and heard again, with new details, about your vocational call in Manila. "I have trained your fingers for battle… your hands for works of righteousness… battles will be fought and won that you know nothing about…" That’s as much for all of us. If we humbly seek God’s will, and live, in integrity, that will, to the best of our ability, we may not do anything apparently earth-shaking, but we ‘allow God to be present’ (not that He needs our permission, but…), because we say our little "yeses", our ‘fiats’, because we are not choosing to un-invite Him, to shut Him out. He’ll do the rest. Maybe I’ve shared this in the conversation years ago, not sure, but I had an insight some time ago on the meaning of the word "suffer"… to "allow", as opposed to "agony" which is to struggle against. Not that it’s about ignoring the sufferings imposed on others, as if someone else’s suffering is redemptive (…easy for us to say of someone else!…) but rather, what am I willing to give up for the sake of another? for the sake of allowing God to be present? Am I rambling? maybe.

By: Jaylene

Jaylene — Mon, 04 Jun 2007 04:48:35 +0000

Love it, love it, love it. Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you.

I am so glad the dam broke, and so happy you let me hear this.

More, more, more (please!)…

Love from,

By: grant

grant — Fri, 18 May 2007 05:40:53 +0000

The history of the world – certainly for Christians, has always included “profound disappointments and … frightening days ahead…” – hasn’t it? Having been in the midst of my own struggles with this, I’ve concluded that part/most of this angst is the sound of my own bubble bursting as I pass from the secure-but-illusional cradle of Canadian utopia into a larger, more frightening, and real world. It’s a world where I marvel at the evil perpetrated by we humans on ourselves, those around and all creation, and yet I’m lifted up and sustained by the promises. “Faith, Hope and Love. And the greatest of these is Love.”

And I find myself singing and longing more than ever… “Even so Lord Jesus, come!” … Thank God for music and his singers. Thanks, Steve.

By: Steve

Steve — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 15:13:30 +0000

I think many of us grew up with a paradigm that subtlety suggested if we do things right, things will go well – belief and right living will ward off disaster. It’s not like our parents taught this, but it is embedded in much of the culture (songs, programs etc) that fashioned us.

So then what do we do when catastrophe comes? What if the environment actually does collapse in our lifetime. What if a smart bomb actually does detonate in Manhattan? What if AIDS wipes out Africa while we watch America’s Next Top Model? What if the State of Israel (with the support of Canadian gov’t and churches) succeeds in destroying Palestinian life? What if our children don’t find faith, or a way to succeed and be happy? What if one of my children succumbs to despair and takes his or her life? What if I’m insufficient to secure happiness for those I love?

I suppose I’m dealing with my own profound disappointments and suspicion that deeply sad and perhaps frightening days are ahead. If my faith isn’t sufficient to ward off disaster – then is it sufficient to keep me contributing melody, hope and love in the midst of it?

By: Larry

Larry — Sun, 15 Apr 2007 15:06:40 +0000

Wow, steve. What a hard song. Well written and poetically beautiful. But in the context of your blog, realizing that horrible things happen that are not only out of our control but seem to be unanswered by the all powerful God we follow. If i’m right what you’re saying is that even in the wake of the worst news (in this case billy’s sad end made even worse by self violence) there are still good things that we can do in this life…love one another, love the unlovable, bind the wounds of the broken, etc. Am i right? It is a hard place to be to acknowledge the pain and brokenness we see everyday and still live our lives as a gift. Beautiful song. Even if I’m wrong.