Steve’s Blog
Words & Videos of Encouragement
Earlier in 2020, Steve met Professor Jack Brewer at an event and they immediately hit it off. It didn’t take long for Steve to realize he was not only talking with an educator but also a former NFL safety and team captain, a philanthropist, banker, media commentator, minister, and believer in Christ.
On August 12, 2020, Steve and Jack sat down (virtually) to talk about issues facing the American people and how those intersect with their faith.
Steve had the privilege of hosting a Zoom conversation with Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient Gary Beikirch. He got to know Gary and his wife, Lolly, at Congressional Medal of Honor events and other events honoring our military.
Gary’s story of his time in Vietnam is powerful. However, his journey back to life following his return from war is an inspiring story of redemption and new life after being on the battlefield.
Enjoy hearing from this Congressional Medal of Honor recipient.
God has allowed Steve to meet and engage with some extraordinary people on Capitol Hill and one of them is Senate Chaplain Barry Black.
Chaplain Black’s background is extensive from his service in the U.S. Navy to his responsibilities as Senate Chaplain. As Senate Chaplain, he opens the Senate each day in prayer and provides counseling and spiritual care for Senators, their families, and staff. He is a gracious and fervent follower of Jesus and his knowledge of scripture is unparalleled.
Steve hosted a Zoom interview with Chaplain Black where his love for the Lord clearly came through, as you will see in the video below.
Steve hosted his first Zoom interview with well known pollster, Frank Luntz. Frank has an extensive background in the world political arena and his connections with people of influence certainly made for an interesting interview, Steve’s conversation with Frank took place on May 28, 2020 and is well worth your time to watch.
Steve hosts virtual interviewers with leaders and influencers. Each conversation is compelling, informative,relevant to issues of today and well worth your time.
Videos of the conversations are posted here in Steve’s blog. Topics range from religious liberty, to living out faith in Hollywood, to perspectives of a former president’s son, to the difficulties faced by a Congressional Medal of Honor recipient when he returned to civilian life after serving in Vietnam.
Along with each video posted, there will be a brief bio of Steve’s guest and their picture. You won’t want to miss one of these interviews so check back often for the latest conversation to be posted.
April 6, 2020
Isaiah 64 is a powerful passage of scripture. I want to share a song written by my friend, Steve Fry, based on that passage. The song is entitled, "O Rend the Skies” and a link to copy and paste into your browser is below.
The song is a passionate plea that God would open the heavens and move in a powerful way.
During these days of uncertainty, God never changes and His mercies endure forever. But this is a time for us to examine our hearts and see God bring revival to our land.
Steve
March 28, 2020
The story of Joseph is such a fascinating story. No one, including Joseph, could have imagined how God could and would use him.
From being tossed into a pit, he was then placed in a position of prominence and authority. God had a bigger and better plan than one could imagine.
Sometimes we go through tough days. We can become discouraged and wonder if God knows what He is doing. At a low point years ago, I wondered if God even remembered my name.
I came through that time and was stronger for it, but sometimes we need to be reminded that God has an eternal perspective and he knows better. I hope you enjoy this video recording of “Better Than I.”
Steve
March 21, 2020
During these challenging days, either the best or the worst in people surfaces. I’ve got to say, my experience so far is pretty positive as I see people being gracious as they try to locate the essentials to survive.
In times like these when people get bumped, whatever is inside will spill out onto others. If we are filled with fear and distrust, that is what will spill onto others.
As people of a higher call, we must be filled with God's grace, hope, and compassion. We need to be thankful.
Steve
March 20, 2020
How quickly things can change. Last week I was in the United States Capitol leading worship, praying and taking the Lord’s Supper.
The tension could be felt in the Capitol as Congress was dealing with the coronavirus, the renewal of the FISA process and the President was dealing with the financial situation facing our nation.
Just over a week later, I’m back in California with a “stay at home” request from our governor.
Nevertheless, God is still in control. He’s not writing His hands about the virus. He’s got this. He can handle this. But, he is desiring that we look to Him, listen for His voice and turn our hearts to Him.
Steve
I use some tracking devices in my carry-on bag, my computer bag and my tennis bag. I can use an app to find them if they ever get lost or stolen. Recently, my tennis bag with my rackets and a couple of other items was stolen.
I opened the app on my phone to try and track the location of my bag. Unfortunately, the battery in the small tracking device had died. I missed the opportunity to replace the tracker with a fresh battery. It’s no one’s fault but my own. I let the batteries lose their charge.
In our spiritual lives it’s important not to lose our charge and to not allow our energy to get drained. Taking time to recharge our physical and spiritual lives is crucial. I’m probably not the best at doing this, but I’m aware that keeping my battery charged makes it easy for God to speak into my life.
Check your battery. Get a tune-up. Make sure there is plenty of air in your tires and stay on the journey.
I have some great ministry opportunities in the coming weeks including times on Capitol Hill, a concert with an orchestra and services at a great church in Texas. I so appreciate your encouragement and support.
Steve
As followers of Jesus we have a different perspective, a Kingdom economy and a reason for hope.
With the impeachment trial going on, maybe you are glued to your television or maybe you've had enough and have turned it off.
What is evident to me is something I discovered when I first started going to Capitol Hill. People just can't agree on what is true. The trial in the Senate continues to show that. And no matter what the outcome is in the Senate, the bickering and arguing will continue.
It's all part of our culture as people talk about his truth or her truth or my truth. What we are desperately lacking is coming together under The Truth. Trying to bring people together under The Truth is one of the reasons why I believe God has opened the door for me to be in Washington, DC.
If I were to tell you the names of some of the lawmakers who I have engaged with in the past few weeks, you would probably be shocked. You've seen them on television spouting their version of the truth. And yet, I know many of these people claim to follow Jesus. It's hard to make sense of it all but we desperately need God's truth to reign.
On my last trip to Capitol Hill, one representative asked me to tell a representative on the other side of the aisle that they would like to get together and pray. I conveyed the message later that day.
My purpose on the Hill is not only to lead worship in the Capitol but to also be an agent of reconciliation. These words in the Philips translation from chapter 5 of 2 Corinthians are relevant:
All this is God's doing, for he has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ; and he has made us agents of the reconciliation. God was in Christ personally reconciling the world to himself - not counting their sins against them - and has commissioned us with the message of reconciliation. We are now Christ's ambassadors, as though God were appealing direct to you through us. As his personal representatives we say, "Make your peace with God." For God caused Christ, who himself knew nothing of sin, actually to be sin for our sakes, so that in Christ we might be made good with the goodness of God.
May we all be agents of reconciliation.
Steve
O God, my heart is quiet and confident. No wonder I can sing your praises! Psalm 57:7 (TLB)
I’m “old school.” I prefer well-crafted songs that have a great lyric and a solid melody. As I have composed songs over the years, I tried to never settle for that’ll do. I want every word and every note to be significant when the composing is complete.
When I finish singing a song, I’m not always looking for applause. Applause is nice but sometimes the biggest compliment an audience can give is to be still and to sit in silence. To me, it means that they got it. They received the message of the song; of what I was offering and digested the message and the meaning.
This quiet kind of response might be appropriate for sacred songs but also for songs like the impactful, “Bring Him Home,” from the musical, Les Miserables. I love when the spirit of God inhabits musical moments.
In life, I try to want to improve at taking in words and actions of those with whom I engage and give the appropriate response. Too often I find myself interrupting in a conversation before the other person has even finished their thought. Sometimes the best response might be just to sit, be still and let words sink in.
Lord, quiet our hearts so that we can sing Your praise.
Steve
