Stephen Anthony Ray

This has been a cool week. My little cousin Miguel has spent his Spring Break with me and we’ve had an amazing time. He has played basketball every day and yesterday, we went go-karting up in Hot Springs with Bud and Kevin (my little brothers for Big Brother / Big Sister at OBU). I went to Refuge last night and really had a cool time. I had a conversation with a friend afterward about how he was coming out of a time of wandering and returning to the Lord, but feeling unsatisfied. We talked a while and I really began to think about some things. You know, I screw up my life royally all the time, yet somehow things continue to work out for my good (Romans 8:28 or something). I feel like the Prodigal - maybe I can do something of merit so that when I return, God will at least acknowledge me and give me something, however mediocre, to do. But, faithfully, he shatters my expectations every time. He sees me in the distance and runs to me, calling for a feast, putting his best clothes on me, giving me his ring, and loving and embracing me. Unworthily, I can’t understand how he could continue to love me after I have have consistently broken his heart - and not just once, but all the time. But, he’s faithful. So faithful. And his faithfulness beckons me to be the same. And still he empowers me to do so. I have no excuse now. It’s time to grow.

SRay

Well friends, I have good news and bad news. Bad news first: I didn’t advance. Good news: I get $1500 anyway. I got wonderful feedback from the judges. I get to home and head out to New Mexico (shh!). It’s been a wonderful run. Thanks so much for your prayers and support. See you soon.

SRay

Holy Cow, I love this city! The culture! The people! The everything! Ok, so I admit I was a little nervous at first, but I think I am really warming up to this place. So, first experience - my taxicab driver (an Arab…lol) drove like a madman (like everyone eslse here) but got me here safely. He was actually a pretty cool guy, telling me about New York.

So then there was the MET stuff. Dude, we have our own IDs! We can go anywhere - backstage, dressing rooms, etc - anywhere! I have my coaching here in about an hour, so I’m about to go get ready for that.

One thing: could this really be my life? I feel some doubts (what’s new, huh?). But I trust that this is the path. In fact, I trust that whatever path I pursue, God will walk with me.

My family and Drs. Secrest (and Caitlin) come in tonight. I’m excited about seeing everyone. Plus, I think that I might go to church with Andrew Shepherd tomorrow morning. Pray for my audition…that God would be glorified, and that I would perform my best. I love you all and continue to implore your prayers.

SRay

I sit here at home, leaving in about 20 minutes for the Little Rock Airport. Perhaps the first of many trips around the US and world for the sake of singing. I’m kind of filled with different emotions right now. Part of me is afraid - exactly how I felt before I left for Austria - of what I will experience while away from the comfort of Home and Ouachita. Part of me is excited to partake in an amazing thing like this. Part of me is wondering if, despite his many confirmations, this is really God’s calling for my life. But all of me is confident that, no matter what happens, God is with me. Like the lady said, I am going to see where this goes. New York (by way of Chicago), here I come! Dear friends and family, I will need your prayers. Pray that God’s will be done and that I see and follow it. I will be in touch. God bless you all.

SRay

A child of God is my answer. A man once told me that he believed Christians to be weak because they so often approach God with petitions for their needs - they’re in fact dependent on him. But I don’t see how acknowledging the truth of one’s nature is weak. God created his children to love and be dependent on him. I would, however, say that the opposite is true - creating one’s own truth to follow in order to avoid the purging and remolding of true faith- now that’s weak!

SRay