1. Do you agree that people with artistic temperaments are more susceptible to sin? Why or why not? No. I think we are all susceptible, just in different ways and to different things. What I might consider abominably wrong might not be considered bad at all to someone else and vice versa. But it’s all sin – plain and simple. No, varying degrees. Whether we acknowledge it or not. Whether we are in denial or not. What might send me into a frenzy will stir up advocates.
2. Have you ever had accountable relationships in your life? Do you presently have accountability in your life? The closest thing I have to an accountable relationship would be the school and church relationship. I am supposed to attend church 50% of the time in order to qualify for tuition assistance. This helps me to attend faithfully. I cannot understand why it doesn’t act the same way for others. My commitment to leading children as a large group leader does the same thing. It guarantees that I am there even if I’m tired. I have a responsibility to them. I don’t have an accountable relationship with a person or a group of people. So for me as an individual, there is very little accountability for my life and character.
3. If you’ve had accountability in your life, was it a good experience for you? Why or why not? The above accountability that I have described is an exceptional experience for me. It helps me to discern what is important and where my priorities are. It shows me where I want to be and where I need to be and it requires choices to prove my commitment and where my heart is.
4. What would you expect from an accountable relationship? What kind of person would you feel comfortable being with in an accountable relationship? I have yet to find a person I feel “safe” enough to be accountable to. What would I expect? No judgment, but support. Help. Guidance. Understanding. Patience.
5. Do you think most artists deal adequately with temptation? Why or why not? I don’t think most people in general deal well with temptation. They hold true to the biggies. Maybe. But the little things are forgotten. I don’t think artists are any different from other people. They just handle things differently and respond differently. I would find it very interesting to take a room full of Christians and walk through what is expected of us as followers of Christ. I bet many would be surprised.
6. How can memorizing Scripture help in the battle with temptation? Memorization keeps the verses at the forefront of your mind. The better you know them, the more readily you can access them in time of need. Knowing the ones that address your issues are important. But the more you know, the better you can respond in any situation. Temptation or unbeliever.
7. How can you tell when repentance is genuine? It comes from the heart. It isn’t empty or vague. It is heartfelt. It seeks to change and not revert time and time again. True repentance asks for help, knowing that it is an issue that won’t simply go away. It is NOT another Sorry. Repentance isn’t asked for just this instance, but for all future temptations.
8. Have you ever seen a church leader fall into sin? How did the church handle it? Do you agree with how the church handled it? I’ve seen the children of church leaders fall into sin. I was ashamed of how the church handled it. The family was ostracized for the sin of the child. But I believe this is going to happen in a society that is so very lax. We ignore the little things until they blossom out of control and it’s too late. You think it cannot happen to you. Until it does and it’s too late. I think it is more beneficial to support the sinner and help them. I have seen things change, but unfortunately, I see the same situation happen again and again, but with no repercussion. There must be a medium.
9. What causes an artist to love the gifts more than the Giver? The Gifts gain attention for the artist. The Giver should be the receiver of all attention, but we are very selfish. We like to be acknowledged. The further the gifts can take us, the more amazing they are. We forget the very person who gave them to us.
10. If something happened (Such as a career-ending injury) and you couldn’t function as an artist anymore, how else could you serve God? Sometimes, I think this would be best. An Armageddon mentality. I just finished a book recently. I child, artist and pitcher, lost his left hand which made daily functions more difficult. But at the end of a year, the child realized that everything he had accomplished in the last year was because he had been forced to work so hard. If he had not lost his hand, he certainly would not have worked so hard, and he wouldn’t have reaped the benefits. I believe this to be true. Those injuries stretch us beyond our comfort zone. We work harder to gain what we have lost. And we achieve a new form of excellence and confidence, but perhaps in a new or different, unrealized way.
Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.
2 Timothy 2:21 (ESV)
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