Faith Venture

My music life began with percussion lessons at about 8 or 9. I was in the University of Cincinnati band a year. Feeling percussion was a bit awkward to move around with, I taught myself guitar from books and friends.

My practice slipped for a few years for several reasons among which were moving and Covid.

Then I did a little performing discovering that a few years off from both playing and singing causing major negative effects.

I also have a hereditary condition (prominent among those of Irish and Nordic descent, and I have Irish ancestors) called Dupuytren contracture. Hardening stiffness of the tendons of the hand cause fingers to contract. My case is mild. The massage therapist helps. I picked up guitar seriously again as a method of stretching my hand.

Starting again was not like riding a bike. My mind said it knew hundreds of chords and patterns and progressions. My hands said, “What???”

• First, I had to admit incompetence.
• Then, I found an online teacher.
• Following his advice, I developed an intentional practice.
• Before anything, I added Farmer’s Carry to my resistance training routine. I grab a 40 lb. dumbbell in each hand, stand upright, walk for about 60 seconds. It strengthens grip, lower arms, and abs.
• Then I pick up and tune the guitar each time. I can mostly do it by ear.
• A series of scales stretch fingers, strengthen the pinkie finger, and practice proper finger placement.
• Next are a series of practicing difficult chord changes over and over.
• I finish with chord progressions for a series of songs.
• Practice bled over to singing bringing a return to breath support, stop forcing, find natural voice.

Why all this detail? This bleeds over into spiritual practice. It’s all about doing things intentionally.

• Admit incompetence realizing that dashing off a few thoughts called prayer doesn’t bring me closer to God.
• Meditate with intention (I’ve had teachers, but I found a new online teacher).
• Read with intention—not just to get in a number of words but to intentionally discover what Jesus wants me to learn from the reading.
• Spend time in nature on walks thinking/reflecting.
• Find an avenue of service (spiritual practice is not all internal, it must include serving others).

This entry was posted on August 15, 2025 at 4:53 am and is filed under Disciplines, Growth, Intention, Wisdom. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.