Eleven days ago we nervously watched the news as the devastating fires roared throughout Los Angeles. Everything seemed stable where our daughter lives until she sent the photo below: "That's behind our apt. Fingers crossed. I hear helicopters and sirens." An evacuation order was made, but the fire was contained within a couple of hours, and she was able to return to her home.
It's not only the dry brush that serves as kindling for these fires, but also the infamous Santa Ana winds that wickedly fan the flames. Their name derives from a Native American phrase for "devil wind," and they live up to their reputation.

Not many of us enjoy the spiritual counterpart of this kind of devastation. We may know of the Refiner's Fire mentioned in the Bible by the prophet Malachi, but few of us can grasp what it means for a host of impurities to be brought to the surface by unbearable heat in order to transform us into the spiritual likes of gold or silver. I do think, though, that we get seasons of it in our daily lives.
When I was leading my church youth choir on the original Audience of One trip back in 2000, my faith was often severely assaulted by doubt. To tell the story as authentically as possible, I felt I needed to create an actual character to portray that doubt. That character is aptly named THE SPIRIT OF DOUBT—a practical, sometimes playful spirit with an evil bent.
Even now, as I am finishing revisions on the retelling of this story in musical form, doubt still threatens to get the best of me. In mid-December, I almost called time of death on this musical. Something happened (I won't go into details) that made the stiff, sideways Santa Ana winds in my spirit spark up raging internal doubt that flattened me to the ground. For days, copious tears couldn't quench the flames. With the help of loving family, friends and lots of prayer, I was able to recall the Ignatian principle that you never make a decision about anything when you're in a state of disconsolation. You keep seeking the Lord until you get back into a state of consolation.
After Jesus told Simon that Satan had asked to sift him like wheat, Jesus said, "But I have prayed for you that your faith should not fail"(Luke 22:31-32). God did the same for me, as he will do for all of us. But I've learned something important. Doubt isn't the opposite of faith; it's an element of faith. Like in author Elizabeth Gilbert's well-known Letter to Fear (she claims to suffer from it nearly constantly), she accepts that fear will be in the car with her, but these are her limits: "You're not allowed to touch the road maps; you're not allowed to suggest detours; you're not allowed to fiddle with the temperature. Dude, you're not even allowed to touch the radio. But above all else, my dear old familiar friend, you are absolutely forbidden to drive."

Ditto for me, too, with that nagging spirit of doubt. After getting my emotional equilibrium back a few weeks ago, I had to remind myself why I started writing this musical. And here is my refined, sifted, singular renewed focus: Audience of One is not intended to be the next hot property in musical theatre; it's intended to be an expensive perfume poured out on Jesus's feet.
I am happy to announce a fully-staged, upcoming production of Audience of One. More info will be forthcoming, but here's what we have committed to so far:
PERFORMANCE DATES:
Friday, June 27th - 7:00 PM
Saturday, June 28th - 7:00 PM
Sunday, June 29th - 3:00 PM
Tickets go on sale February 24th.
VENUE:
Landis Hall at The Junction Center, 1875 Junction Rd., Manheim, PA 17545
We would be honored if you would mark the dates down on your calendar and, if you are able and so inclined, join us in pouring more perfume into our jar in order to make it happen.
—ab
Audience of One is a fiscally sponsored project of Fractured Atlas.
We gratefully welcome individual donations and corporate sponsorships.
Our present need is to raise $16,000 toward our June production.
Please click on "Give"
If you haven't already, please join our mailing list to keep up with the latest happenings on this blog!Â
Your new refined focus is its own expensive perfume. I'm aware of the spiritual cost for you in coming to that beautiful statement. Thank you for living into this musical as you are, and for letting God run with it!