I haven’t been blogging all that regularly. After six years of regular writing has the well gone dry? You should be so lucky. And it’s sure not that my life is boring at the moment. So what gives?
Well, all the things I want to write can’t be shared…yet. So I’ve been at a loss for words. But rest assured there is an amazing story happening off-line in my family’s real world life. Lots of story. To be told someday.
But not quite yet.
Know what you could do in the meantime though? Pray. Thank God for opportunity we’re enjoying. Ask for provision we’ll soon need. It really is that simple. And powerful. Will you pray for us?
Happy to do the same for you and yours too. Just leave a comment and many of us reading here will spend time today praying with you.
Now, what caaaaaan I share? Well, I finished the package design for Third World Symphony. Kept it simple. We’re cutting cost and waste and petroleum and saving some trees all at the same time by going with a sleeve package made from recycled materials and fully recyclable itself.
Nope, there won’t be any insert with pages of lyrics, credits, thank you’s and pretty pictures of my mug – I know, I know – heartbreaking really. But we’ll have all that stuff (and more) on-line at thirdworldsymphony.com (under construction).
So here’s the packaging. Lots of white space for autographs, doodles, notes, a place to put your gum – that sort of thing. (Ignore the lines showing various bleed lines and cuts.) Click image to enlarge.
And a very simple disc too. (Ignore the lines on this one too.) Click image to enlarge.
So there it is. So simple I could design it myself. So I did.
Listen & Buy
Once again, you can listen to the entire record here and pre-order it here or buy it on iTunes starting August 30, 2011.
Three Questions
I asked you to send me your three best questions and wow! I’ve answered 61 of you so far! Unbelievable response and fantastic questions. Really. So keep ’em coming. Send your three questions to shaun AT shaungroves DOT com and I’ll get back to you shortly.Thanks!
NancyTyler says:
Shaun Groves: Man of Mystery. LOL Praying for you, friend!
I’ve been reading Henry Cloud’s “Necessary Endings” and have begun doing some literal and figurative pruning in my life, with a lot more to come. Would be grateful for prayers for that. Thanks!
Shaun Groves says:
Sure thing.
Thomas says:
Praying for you, Nancy.
NancyTyler says:
Thanks guys.
Thomas, I’ve been praying through your recent Facebook updates. I’m asking God to let you see Him and see purpose in the middle of the mess and frustration.
thomas says:
Thank you Nancy.
Thomas says:
Praying for you, Shaun.
I am not in a good place right now in my life. Tired of the struggles with my faith and with God. Thank you for any prayers.
Thomas
Shaun Groves says:
On it!
thomas says:
Thank you Shaun.
Brad says:
We’ll be praying for you Shaun. I have a similar request to yours (I think). I work at Musician’s Friend and our parent company is eliminating our location and merging it with the main HQ. Relocation isn’t an option right now. However, I’m in a band with my four oldest kids (the band is called Kidron) and we’ve been working for the last 5 years to do something more with our music. This juncture in life may be providing an opportunity for that (more than I can share). So please pray for the right doors to open and for wisdom for me (I’m kind of partial to eating and paying the bills). Thanks!
Brad says:
Thomas, Nancy…praying.
NancyTyler says:
Thanks Brad–I’m praying you’ll be able to sense really clearly what God wants you to do–how cool to have a family band!
thomas says:
Thanks Brad. Praying….
Marla Taviano says:
Went to bed last night (and woke up this a.m.) praying for you and Becky. Excited to see what God’s up to!
kiriseth says:
Wow, Shaun. I know amazing things are happening. I just stopped what I was doing and said a prayer for you and your family. I don’t expect you to drop everything and say a prayer right this instant (I just did because I so totally know where my son’s ADHD comes from and if I didn’t stop right then and there I would have forgotten).
Anyway, after struggling for years to work full-time, go to school full-time and raise a son all by myself through a bachelor’s and master’s program, I’ll be leaving my secretarial job in four weeks (gasp!) to get ready to begin a paid teaching internship and (hopefully) long career as an English teacher.
When I struggled and fought against being a teacher things were so hard and everything went wrong. When I finally admitted I should be a teacher things went right and were much easier, even to the point where I got a paid internship when all around me teachers with expereince were being laid off. I know God’s hand was on me through it all. But it’s still frightening and scary to be making such a big career change. A prayer for strength and less anxiety would be much appreciated.
(Sorry I hijacked your comments. ๐ )
kiriseth says:
Also stopped and went back and prayed for you, Nancy, Thomas and Brad.
thomas says:
Thanks Kiriseth. Praying for you. English teacher, Cool.
PJ says:
Pray for God’s provision and will in a child’s life whom is in need of a family. Pray for the Spirit-Led decision in deciding if that family is my family! Large hurdles are in place, but God is bigger.
On another note, I enjoy reading your blog often. However, this is my first comment. Seems selfish because I am commenting because I am asking for something. Sorry.
I do appreciate the consistent inspiration, creative writing, thought provokingness, Kingdom mindset, sharpening. Enough said. I will stop the justifying. Even though, I promise it is genuine. Thank you for the prayers!
Shaun Groves says:
Thanks for speaking up, PJ! Gladly praying for you.
thomas says:
Praying.. May large hurdles become small easily overcome hurdles.
Doug says:
I will pray for your family (and enlist my kid’s help, since they are often better at it).
If you could pray for D and R, I would appreciate it. They are a couple nominal Christians. The wife is thinking of leaving (with the help of some “committed” Christians from our local Calvary Chapel). They need prayer for both reconciliation and (re)conversion.
Thank you.
Brad says:
Praying for D and R.
thomas says:
Praying for D & R.
Christine says:
Our pastor is preaching thru Exodus and working thru the ten words this summer. This week it’s “honor your father and mother”. We’re singing “Abba, Father” this week as our special music after the message. How did I miss that you wrote that song?! Love it! We rehearsed last night -it was like I was singing with you.
No prayer requests…just wanted to share. Praying for you and your family as we meditate on family this weekend.
Shaun Groves says:
Very cool. Thanks for that, Marla. And please thank whoever chose to do that song. Honored to be part of your walk through Exodus.
CariK says:
I love it when I “meet” (perhaps run across is better) another person who is struggling with an issue I’ve been wrestling with and offers grace…and understanding.
Isn’t that how God heals so often…through other’s brokenness?
I can totally relate to not being able to write/share about a certain aspect of life right now. I am so there. And as a speaker/writer who processes through words, it’s kind of a hard place to be quiet about the growth that’s going on in my life right now. I’ve been wrestling with this….thanks for bringing it to mind.
That being said, could you pray for the direction of my ministry (Strings Attached Ministries)- lots of stuff in the works…new doors and what not…pray for wisdom and discernment to know which to walk through.
Praying for you and yours Shaun, as well as all those who have shared.
thomas says:
Thank you for your prayers. Praying for wisdom and discernment.
Win says:
My mom is very sick and the doctors don’t really know why and the treatment options are very limited. I hate that she is so ill but my main prayer is that God will use this illness to draw her to Himself.
My sister just lost her job.
My husband and I are facing a big decision and seeking to discern God’s will for us.
It is all a bit overwhelming but our God is big and His plan and will are best. Would appreciate prayers as we seek to walk in faith, trust, and belief.
thomas says:
Praying, Win.
Shaun Groves says:
Praying for you all, Win.
Judy says:
Praying for you all! ๐
thomas says:
Thank you for the prayers.
Jenna B. says:
Shaun, I will be praying and look forward to hearing the story when you can tell it.
I just got back from Haiti, and actually thought about you a bit while I was there. How in the world do you blog about something like that?
Sure would appreciate prayer during my “processing” and just to be in the center of God’s adventure. It seems he’s backed me up far enough to see the bigger picture, and I’m praying about where I fit.
thomas says:
Praying…
Shaun Groves says:
Gotcha, Jenna.
Kelli says:
The hubby and I are flying to Tampa, Florida this morning to look for a new house as we are relocating from St. Louis to Tampa in a week and a half. I would love prayer. This is exciting but hard. St. Louis is home and we’re heartbroken to leave. The next week is going to be emotional and hard. We are deeply blessed and grateful to be loved. It’s hard to leave that behind. ๐
I can’t wait to hear your news. I’m intrigued and will be praying!
Jenn says:
I will be praying for you Kelli. We did a big move almost two years ago for work, and it was all the things you described. I will be praying that you are able to find a house and that the move is peaceful and the transition smooth.
I also cranked up Wild at Heart by Gloriana pretty regularly and looked at the move as a new adventure for the hubs and me. ๐
Kelli says:
Thank you so much, Jenn. I really appreciate it. This is a great adventure. ๐
David Edmisten says:
Shaun, praying for you and your family and the adventure God has in front of you!
I know I am not alone – I am seeing God moving people in big ways all over the place right now! How exciting! Our church is sending a pastor and his family on mission, our ministry has a new outreach, and so many lives are being moved to more faith, more trust, more reliance on God and more hope in His great name!
Jera says:
This is just what I needed! My husband and I just started the process to adopt an older child (or 2) from the foster care system. We are waiting until we are approved before we tell too many people (I think of it like the waiting 6 weeks before you tell people you are pregnant. you know, just in case it doesn’t happen). Anyway, it’s a lot to deal with I know there are people that would pray for us if they knew, we just are comfortable with the telling just yet. It would bring such comfort to know some folks are on our side! Thank you so much!!!
Cathy says:
Praying for you Shaun, and I can’t wait to hear the details!
I told you once (in a twitter convo) that I have two kids. One of those is adopted and the other is a foster. My foster daughter has been with me well over a year and I thought I would have adopted her by now. About three weeks ago I was informed that there is a good possibility that this sweet girl will be leaving my home soon. After all she has been through, it is breaking my heart that she will be ripped out of the only place where she feels safe and secure. She is so bonded with my entire family.
Please pray for God’s will in the outcome and peace for her as well as my family if she is removed.
Thanks!
Erin says:
I’ll definitely be praying.
For me, well, tomorrow (the 12th) I and my best friend are meeting with an organization called SixtyFeet. We’re meeting to talk about the possibility that she and I will work with them in Uganda for an extended period of time. We’re praying that God would open or close this door definitively so we know of some direction to (or not to) go in.
We’ve got another organization we may work with, but we’re waiting to see what tomorrow brings.
Thank you. Really.
Megan @ Faith Like Mustard says:
I like the way you think. Shaun Groves. Good idea on the CD packaging!
flowergal36 says:
I just recently found your blog thru a link from Bebo Norman. You have an amazing gift of clearly and simply stating things. I can’t wait for your cd to be released. I’ll be praying as you requested. I am going thru 2 challenging situations myself, that need to be covered in prayer. Blessings to you & yours!