Hey gang,

I know that I’ve posted only once in a very long while and I have oh so much to share of late… so, without further ado, here’s what’s been going on in my world lately…

Love and Such

Believe it or not, I have, in the last several weeks, found the L word. That’s right… love. I’m certain that it is to be discounted and doubted by some and understood and hailed by others but I’m not particularly focused on outside opinions anyway. We weren’t looking for it but it is real. It brings with it complications for both our lives but creates, in itself, the drive to make it work, whatever the sacrifice. I can’t believe that after all of my senseless distress over my failure to find “like”, God has given me the chance to love and be loved by a beautiful, smart, funny, devoted, Christ-focused, supportive, giving, exciting woman. There has, of course, been much discussion of the M word… but just sit on the edge of your seat for a while. – I’ll keep you posted.

Trust me, though… A relationship of this nature is not without challenges. I can’t imagine what this experience would be like if we were not both committed to making our relationship be reflective God’s design. Even so, as we desire to draw closer and closer together, it becomes imperative that we draw closer and closer to God. We are unified and resolute in our unwillingness to let this great gift become something to trip over. Pray with and for us as God unfolds his crazy plan for our future.

Church and Music

GCTV West publicly launches on February 1, 2009! Things have been steadily increasing at the new campus of GenesisChurch.TV. Attendance is rising, relationships are skyrocketing, service teams are improving, experience and video quality is being enhanced week by week, etc… We’re on the up-swing to a great new year and the chance to establish ourselves with the sole motive of reaching people for Christ and demonstrating His brand of compassion and community with them. As before, we are still meeting weekly at 862 Blountstown Hwy. in Tallahassee, FL and would love to have any and all come check it out.

As for the Worship Arts Department at West, things are developing gradually. As frustrating as it is to see the great potential in a team and in a ministry and still constantly struggle to extract it, I love what I do. Like any band (no, church bands are not exempt), we have our internal issues. The incredible thing about having a foundational purpose of leading our listeners into a place of intimate worship of God is that, no matter how personalities clash, sound equipment misbehaves, or rehearsals fail to go as planned; when the lights go down, it’s not about us. Our day-to-day efforts are intended to make the music as high-quality as possible but when the countdown hits double oh’s, chords and counter-melodies become secondary. We are created to worship and exalting God with unabashed liberty always takes over when I feel like going under.

Some of the same things could be said for my student band in Diverge Student Ministries. DSMworship has really taken off and I am extremely proud of them. The music sounds better and better each week and I think that some of them are finally beginning to see what we do for what it really is… worship leadership. Nothing humbles and motivates me more than the realization of this opportunity to teach the rising generation what it is to worship and to develop them into the leaders that the Christian church will desperately need in the future. Pray for wisdom, innovation, patience, and effectiveness for me. I know that I’ll need it.

School

I graduate next April! With Thanksgiving only a couple of days away, I can really see the light at the end of the tunnel for this semester. Things are all set to carry my feet across that stage and I am both excited and nervous (like every other college graduate in history) to face the “real world” very soon. And as I’ve said before, there may well be more education around the next curve… but let me finish this stretch of the road and revel in my accomplishments first.

* * * * * * * * * *

Whether I know you or not, I love you and pray that something in your life, this week, reveals that God is right in the middle of everything that you’re juggling. May the Lord bless and keep you. May His face shine upon you and be gracious to give you peace. Amen.