Original Tunes…
So, God has been kicking my tail about me starting to write music again.
God has also been using people to encourage me LIKE CRAZY to start writing music again.
Seriously, people I haven’t talked to in years are Facebook’ing me saying they’ve been listening to my old stuff. People are asking me if I have a CD of my music. People have been pushing me like crazy that I have a song in my heart that I’ve been holding back for a few years now.
Here’s the deal. I have serious self-image issues.
I write music. I like it. I listen to it. I think people hate it. I stop writing music.
So my next step is gonna be just to put together some time during the week and devote it to songwriting again. I used to do this, and the churches I was in during those times were flooded with my original worship songs. People connected to God. All was good. So here we go again.
Just as a taste, I put a little love song in the sidebar over there called “Like I Notice You.” Listen to it, let me know what you think. It’s from like 2005, and recorded very raw using some studio time I got on whim. Hope you love it. ————->
I’ll let you know how this week’s songwriting session goes.
I Am Longing for My Home…
“I am longing for my home, for a city not made by man. I am longing for my home.
From the mountains to the sea, I meet people longing just like me. From the mountains to the sea.
‘Cause there’s a language in my bones that this world has never know.
I will teach you if I can, though it’s seldom spoken man to man.
I hear echos when I sing, maybe restless hearts or angel wings. I hear echos when I sing.”
—
Just wow. Describes how I’ve been feeling the last few weeks.
I see joy, laughter, anger, destruction, pursuit, gladness, determination, failure, mistakes, love, not love…
and all I can seem to say is, “Jesus, help me feel what You feel so I can do what You would do.”
Truth is truth.
Love is love.
I am longing for my home.
Since I’ve Been Gone…
November 27th was the last time I blogged.
It was a picture of an animal cracker… intriguing stuff.
In efforts to get this blog back into being necessary for me, here’s a quick update.
Since I’ve been gone…
-My parents’ divorce got ugly.
-My parents’ divorce got a bit more civilized.
-My dad had pancreatitis and was put in the hospital.
-Christmas.
-Abigail got a trampoline for Christmas.
-My dad had a heart attack and we went to Virginia to be with him.
-We found out we are pregnant with baby #2.
-Shannon Chiles stepped down as Campus Pastor in Toccoa.
-Brian Marshall stepped up as Campus Pastor in Toccoa.
-My role in Toccoa has changed a bit. Back in some aspects. Forward in others.
-We’ve moved into our new facility in Toccoa. (It’s great)
-Abigail has started saying she wants a baby brother.
-I think I’d like her to have a baby brother.
More tomorrow…
If you’ve ever wondered where baby animal crackers come from…
Here’s your answer!
Video: Hand-feeding an Eel.
So I took and uploaded this video with my new Motorola Droid.
Our cousin Dillon has a Lionfish and Eel he feeds small guppies to.
Enjoy!
Birthday Post… Birthday Post… Girl you know I-I-I… Birthday Post…
I don’t even know if I remember how to post here. 
I got a great Bday present from my wifey last night… here it is for all to see:
A tattoo is one thing. But the love and devotion behind getting my name tattooed on her body was the real present.
I love you babe! Thanks for sticking in there with me. You’re the best.
Thanks everyone else also for the bday love! Feels good. Thanks again!
Abigail’s Birthday Party!!
You should come.
Email me if you need more info! Click here!
Key Phrases from Today’s Staff Meeting
So today was the most encouraging staff meeting I’ve ever been a part of… not kidding.
The people I get to work with are ridiculously talented and sold out to Jesus.
The church I get to work in is committed to seeing unchurched people become fully devoted followers of Christ.
Life is good.
Here are some keys phrases I wrote down this morning, from various people:
-God doesn’t supply according to what I need, but according to His riches in glory. That’s a lot more.
-A big part of growth is acting like it.
-If you’re providing the energy for a task, you’re blocking the Spirit.
-(Speaking of a conversation with a hurting woman) God was saying to me, “There is no problem this lady has that I’m not the answer to.”
-Life Change = the next step. Not fifty steps, just the next one.
-As pastors, we have to always be on guard… we can’t give what we don’t have.
-We have to ask God everyday, “God, do what is not capable by anyone except You.”
-Christ in us equals unlimited power and influence.
-Four steps to a dying church – Starts with a MAN, God starts a MOVEMENT, we turn it into a MACHINE, and it ends up being a MONUMENT.
-It’s not my choice to tell God, “I can’t handle anymore.” That’s for Him to decide and provide.
-(Referencing the “people praying for Peter to get out of jail, and then him showing up and they didn’t believe” story) We can’t pray for something to happen and then when it shows up act surprised. We need to pray and then GET READY!
-Nothing of eternal significance ever happens apart from prayer.
So much more than I wrote down… I’ll be sharing in the coming days.
Just to go ahead and say it, I’M FIRED UP!
Sunday Night Thoughts… (8.9.09)
-Today was OFF THE CHARTS!
-I feel like we are hitting our niche lately, as far as music goes. I have really been in prayer about how our campus should SOUND (since that’s my primary task), and I think today was a great indication.
-Recognizable songs, but we put a bit more edge to them than is on the original recordings. I feel like this gives a better connection between people and the lyrics and music in a live setting. It feels good!
-Today’s set: Center of it All/Hughes – Freedom Song/Desperation Band – Marvelous Light/Hall – Stronger/Hillsong
-I have to stop here and say we have the BEST VOLUNTEERS IN THE WORLD! Thinking over this past week: the new building work day, set-up, Sunday morning, tear-down, etc. Wow!
-To piggyback on that, I asked one of our key volunteers if she was happy that we only had a few more weeks of set-up/tear-down and she said, “I really am gonna miss it.” ARE YOU KIDDING?! These people are great! THANKS A TON TO OUR VOLUNTEERS!
-I really liked the new show on ABC, Shark Tank. It could be my favorite reality show on TV right now. I hope it sticks.
-We had Mary Douglas from the Seneca campus on stage with us this week. She has an amazing voice and adds a cool dynamic… I hope to see her on stage with us again soon.
-We had a Worship Leader roundtable this past Thursday on the Seneca Campus. The three FCC worship leaders put together a cool group of guys and spent about 5 hours brainstorming, sharing successes, and encouraging each other. If you weren’t at this one, we’re planning another one for November… BE THERE!
-I’m out… gearing up for another great week at FCC!
Work Day #1 Pics!! (New Toccoa Facility!)
So today was a great day and I’m barely able to type this… all my energy has been drained and I’m fading fast! Just kidding, not really.
Anyway, here are some pics from today! We got the whole front of the building painted and most of the demolition work on the worship area side complete. GREAT DAY! Thanks to everyone who helped out!
You can find the rest of the pics here.
