He’s Got This

source: www.hubblesite.org

I’ve understandably been having countless conversations lately about what’s next in life. People always ask “how are you doing with the transition?” And the majority of them are shocked when I say, “I’m wonderful!” And usually kindly demand an explanation. It honestly makes me a bit sad that people are so surprised to hear someone genuinely say they’re doing well.

My explanation is really quite simple and most of the time doesn’t seem to satisfy them. They think there has to be more to the story…something I’m not telling them. The popular speculation lately has been that I’ve got some secret wedding I’m planning. Like the only way I could possibly be filled with such joy right now was if I was “in love”

To set the record straight: I am not planning a secret wedding or anywhere remotely close to it! But, I am “in love.” I am in love with a God who created me and loves me and daily provides for me. A God who gave up the Son whom He loved because of His great love for me (and you). That fact right there makes me stop and smile. When I really stop and think about it that puts everything into perspective and joy naturally flows from that.

God in His grace is blessing me with an incredible and really unexplainable sense of peace and joy during this transition phase of life. I’ve been waiting (and still am) for that freak out moment to come. But it hasn’t…yet. The best part is: it’s completely against my nature. I’m not a risk-taker. I’m always very cautious. I like to be in control. By all human standards I should be freaking out right now…big time! But I’m not. And that means it’s all God and He gets every bit of the glory!

This song came on random shuffle on my iphone this morning:
“And the arms that hold the universe
Are holding you tonight
You can rest inside
It’s gonna be alright
And the voice that calmed the raging sea
Is calling you His child
So be still and know He’s in control
He will never let you go”
(Arms That Hold the Universe by Fee)

Stop and think about that for a minute. The God who created the amazing universe you see at the top of this post created and knows you. There’s no need to worry. He’s got this. Go on, be joyful, live life.

Ponder…Faith

“Faith is taking the first step even when you don’t see the whole staircase.” – Martin Luther King Jr.

I always thought I lived by faith. But, the faith I’ve been living by lately through this transition season of life has absolutely blown me away. There is such peace and joy that flows out of trusting in God and taking that first step even if you don’t have a clue what is coming next.

Do you think you truly live by faith? If not, what’s holding you back?

In One Month You’ll Hear the Echo

I really cannot tell you how incredibly excited I am that one month from today I’ll be in Dallas, TX with countless friends on the eve of the Echo Conference. Stephen Proctor described Echo as a pilgrimage to Mecca. And that’s exactly what it is for many of us in the church.

Beyond the fact that the brains behind this conference strive to push us all to better understand the heart and the WHY behind what we do (which I’m a big fan of) there really are countless great reasons to go. If you want to read some check out Proctor’s post, or perhaps this one from Tim Schraeder, or the Echo website. But, I’m only going to give you one reason: community. Yes there will be great speakers and and breakout sessions and I’m looking forward to learning a lot, but more than that I am looking forward to connecting and re-connecting with other creative/tech types in the church, members of my tribe. Echo is an opportunity to take the online community offline and have face to face conversations which is so important. Not only will you foster existing relationships but you’ll develop new ones.

If you aren’t registered yet, do it…today. And, if you head on over to worshipvj.com and check out his post you may even be able to save yourself some money on registration before July 1st. If you’re going to be there, let me know! I’d love to connect!

P.S. -For all you visual worship tribe folks, we’ll be hosting a late night Visual Worship Roundtable. Community bonus!

A Quarter of a Century

Birthdays are like any other day in my book. In fact I think it’s kind of silly that we celebrate them…seems a little self-serving or something. I mean, every single person in the world has one, so it’s not like it makes any of us unique or special.

But, my day or birth always causes me to pause and think. And every year in recent memory that has been two thoughts: 1) I can’t believe I’m only ____ years old. I feel so much older & 2) Am I really ____ years old? That’s crazy. I don’t feel that old. Yes, I realize these sound like complete opposites but that is what goes through my head.

This year it’s more of the second one. I have been on this earth for 25 years…a quarter of a century! That sounds like a lot. That’s a lot of time to leave a mark – good or bad – on this earth. This year I’m re-inspired to truly make every day, every hour count. God has numbered my days and I want to use each and every one for His glory.

“Show me, O LORD, my life’s end and the number of my days; let me know how fleeting is my life. You have made my days a mere handbreadth; the span of my years is as nothing before you. Each man’s life is but a breath.” – Psalm 39:4-5

A STORY You Don’t Want to Miss

I am a huge proponent of taking online community offline. I believe it’s vital to fostering dialogue and relationships among tribes in the church. And if you are part of the creative tribe in the church, then STORY is an opportunity to take the online offline that you’re going to want to check out.

What is STORY?

I’m glad you asked. It’s a conference for the creative class in ministry. For those of you who hear the word “conference” and immediately stop reading, please don’t! STORY will be different. If you are an artist, writer, or producer in the church STORY is designed to fuel your creativity and inspire you as you strive to communicate the greatest story ever told. Check out some of the great creative voices both in ministry and the marketplace that you will have a chance to hear from at STORY:

Dan Allender – best-selling author, professor at Mars Hill Graduate School

Charlie Todd – creator of Improv Everywhere in New York City

Princess Zulu – AIDS victim from infancy, advocate for the oppressed

Jason Fried – founder of 37Signals, creator of Basecamp, author of Rework

John Sowers – president of Donald Miller’s The Mentoring Project

Shauna Niequist – former creative director at Mars Hill, author of Bittersweet

David Hodges – formerly of the band Evanescence, award-winning songwriter

Leonard Sweet – futurist, author of 40 books, professor at Drew University

David McFadzean – creator of Home Improvement, producer of Roseanne

Richard Walter – accomplished screenwriter and professor of film at UCLA

Sean Gladding – member of Communality, a new monastic community

Andrew Klavan – author of True Crime (Clint Eastwood) and numerous novels

Gary Dorsey – founder of Pixel Peach Studio in Austin, TX

Music by Vicky Beeching, Kari Jobe and Carlos Whittaker

When & Where is STORY?

STORY will be held September 23-24, 2010 at Park Community Church in downtown Chicago. Come for STORY and stay to experience life in the city for the weekend.

What is the Format?

STORY will be a two-day, main-stage event. While there won’t be any breakouts or workshops, there will be time for questions and dialogue both during and after the event.

Interested? Click here to register. Seating is limited to just 500 attendees and half of the seats have already been sold, so don’t wait!