Thanksgiving Turns Away Wrath

Psalm 50:22, 23
"Mark this then, you who forget God, lest I tear you apart, and there be none to deliver! The one who offers thanksgiving as his sacrifice glorifies me; to one who orders his way rightly I will show the salvation of God"

Wow. Strong words from the mouth of God to each of us. I find myself shaken by the words God gives through Asaph. I wonder how often I flirt with being "torn apart" because I forget where all that I have comes from. Isn't it so easy to forget that God is the creater of the universe, that he's omnipotent, omniscient and soverign? That every single molecule and source of energy in the universe was created by him and it's only by his might and power that it's sustained? Doesn't that just blow your mind? If it doesn't...why the heck not? Ask yourself, to what degree do I recognize this on a daily basis? And to what degree do I bow before the Creator and give thanks to him for all that I have? These are some simple things I thought to be thankful for today:

My Wife
My Job
The team i get to work with at WLA - volunteers or not.
My Faith
My Gifts
The Air I breathe (no, not the song, the actual air that gives me life)

What comes to your mind to thank God for today?

The Day After Tomorrow...

Whenever I take in the Arts Conference I come away with more passion and zeal than at any other time of the year. This year is no different. I love my God and believe Him to be worth dedicating my life to. I love the church and believe in the calling God has placed on her and that going beyond the ordinary should be a regular occurance within its people and it's walls. The question is what does it take to do this?

Francis Chan did a wonderful job reminding us that it's only in the power of the Holy Spirit that true life transformation occurs. You know, the arts can be used to manipulate emotions and can even give people a feeling similar to that of meeting with God. I don't mean in any real way but I mean the actual physiological and emotional feelings can be duplicated. It's not real life change...but it might seem like it at the time. What I want is for God to come and move through my life (or my art) in such a way that there is no doubt that it's Him working. It's not me or a cool song or a great drama but the Spirit working through those things to produce everlasting change in a heart.

So I will dedicate my life to pursuing God and praying ferverently for the Holy Spirit to come and change me that I might be a tool for his glory...and perhaps the day after tomorrow will be different than yesterday.

Day 2 @ Willow Finished

Well the fella's and I have now spent two great days learning and processing together. I'm very glad for the work that God is doing in us as we have robust conversations and talk in completely rediculous accents. I love these guys. My heart is filled with gratitude for the Lord's provision of such amazing people (here and at home) that I get to do life and ministry with.

My big take away so far is that the kind of team we're trying to build around WLA is worth fighting for - worth the effort - worth every bit of the good time and the hard times. For as long as God keeps me here on earth I will fight hard and with great passion for a team that serves with excellence, that loves one another and that seeks to create life changing services in the power of God. This is my calling and come feast or famine I will fight desperately to see that work accomplished. It's the calling God has put on my life and the work he invites me into. I'm so blessed and grateful.

Arise - Willow Arts Conference '08

Well here I am...another year and another Willow Arts Conference. It's one of my favorite times each year because I know God will speak loudly to me and that I will feel His presence deeply. This one event fills my sails and will sustain me and envision me anew for months to come. God gives me this gift yearly and I am greatful for it.

This year especially I'm excited because God has enabled WLA to send me with 5 other members of our team. I rode down with John Zehr, Brian Close, Andrew VanderPloeg, Bryan Kowal and Corey Seabrook yesterday. It's a 7 hour drive plus stops and we got along swimmingly. In a couple of hours we'll head over to the Willow campus and begin the conference. I'm praying for great things to happen as we learn and grow and commune together. I'll try and post here each day and share a bit of what we're learning so that maybe a bit of that growth and be shared even before we get back.

Layla - the guitar

I've always had this desire to buy guitars that had sentimental value. I've also always wanted an Olympic White strat with a rosewood fingerboard...60's style. My current guitar was a wedding gift from Melissa. I've just taken posession of that dream guitar I bought to commemorate Layla's birth. Named after her it will not (ok might not) make a public appearance until she has but here is a picture to tide you over.