Music Like Magic

What does a few hours walking around the North Point Mall get you? It gets you the lamest musical experience I've had in years...maybe ever. I had the "privilege" to play the Beamz as the slogan on their poster lured me to "play the light." The Beamz music system is a series of laser lights that when passed over, "play music." It has to be the stupidest thing I have ever seen! If any of you feel drawn to the light just stop by your local Sharper Image and experience the power.

Holograndy

If you look closely, you will see Andy Stanley on the stage of North Point to giving his third message in the sermon series "Faith, Hope and Luck." Look closer. He's right there. He looks real and sounds real but is he real? He's actually being projected on a giant screen in life-size StanleyVision at the Buckhead campus of North Point. It was a pretty amazing display of very expensive technology. It was kind of like the Presidential show at Disneyland but not as lame...it actually wasn't lame at all. It was interesting to see people laugh, pray and even interact with their projected pastor. It was quite the virtual experience.

Drive 08 starts tomorrow night and I look forward to my mind being stretched in the next few days. I think an event like this does two things for you. I think God helps to define you by challenging you with things you can add to you ministry or developing philosophy. I also think events like this help to define you because God shows you things that you should omit from your ministry or philosophy. The tempting thing is to go to a church like North Point and think everything they do is something you should do because they are so successful. This does not seem like wisdom. I pray for God's wisdom in the hours ahead. I also pray God stretches me in inspiring ways and even uncomfortable/challenging ways as well.

Canvas Went Down to Georgia...

I am taking my first trip to The South this next week. Aaron and I are heading out this weekend and we have a pretty fun trip planned. We are going to start in Atlanta and go to the Drive Conference at Northpoint Church. Andy Stanley is one of my indirect mentors at the time and I look forward to seeing first had what God is doing down there. We also have the privilege of driving up to Nashville and spending the day with Natalie Grant and her husband Bernie Herms. Bernie is going to give us a day and show us around his studio and allow us to sponge off of his experience in the recording industry. It's going to be an awesome time. Heather and I went to Natalie's concert a few weeks ago and had the privilege to met her back stage before the show. It was my first time meeting Natalie but Aaron has been close family friends for years. She said to me back stage, "We look forward to having y'all out to the house." Now I don't know how a Seattle girl starts using vocabulary like that but I think it's one simple word - Nashville. I reckon I'll post our adventures down south for y'all to see. (Just in case you're wondering...Heather won the tickets and the backstage passes to the Natalie Grant concert...she rocks!)

Running Machine

I am so proud of my wife! She ran in her first long distance race this past weekend - The Tom Wales 5k run on Capitol Hill. She has been training with her buddies from high school as they prepare for a triathlon this summer. She ran a personal record on a pretty difficult course. I was very impressed. As awards were being given out, her name was picked in a raffle and she won a book. She wins everything! I'm waiting for her to win a trip to Hawaii. Until then, we will enjoy all the concerts, dinners and books we can handle. I am so proud of her and the dedication she has shown the past few months. She's an inspiration to me in all she does. She models what it means to worship God with the whole of your life and with the excellence that is pursued along the journey. She definitely gives God glory in all the facets of her life. It think it's time for God to reward her with a trip to Hawaii!

Proud

For those of you who read my blog, I must admit to you that I am a proud man. I don't mean proud like I am of my beautiful son or proud like when I accomplish something that honors God or blesses others. Not even proud like when I started shaving for real because I had to, not because I wanted to feel like the Brawny guy on my mom's paper towels. No, I am the kind of proud man that the Bible speaks against or warns of. I realized this past week that I am just flat out proud. Pride is a root. A cancer. An oil spill of the soul. A welcomed sniper. A hound of winter and I became pride's prey this week.

If you actually read my blog or have checked in recently, you will notice that I deleted a post. It was actually the last post I wrote. I don't know if anything in that post was all that inappropriate or if it was wrong of me to write it. I do know, however, that I needed to delete it. I initially felt that my thoughts and feelings were justified and that I had a right to post them. That still may be the case but as days went on, God began to convict me about it. When I say convict, I mean he began to illuminate what was in darkness. At first I thought it was just the echoes of rules or traditions I grew up in. I thought maybe it's just good old responsibility knocking at my door but as I listened and looked closer, I realized it was God bringing my pride out into the light. As the light shone brighter, I knew I could either push it back into the darkness or deal with it.

Even though I put an end to this one area of pride in my life, there are so many dark corners of my heart. Proud. It's not a title but the reality of my nature. However, my job is not to fix the old self, but to let it die and continue to become the new creation Christ has created me to be. I encourage you to search the darkness that keeps you from accomplishing God's best. You see, I think you can still accomplish good while being proud, but I don't think you will ever accomplish the greatness God has for your life if you don't kill the gunman on the grassy knoll. If you look close enough, the spotlight shines brightly. Don't push it back into the darkness. Deal with it.

Remodel Posse

I haven't blogged in a while because I have been hard at work with a remodel of our 1933 farm house.  My dad, who is on the brink of turning 70, is still kicking my tail when it comes to swinging a hammer.  He's quite the ox!  He's the only guy I know who has a PhD and can nail in a beam with either his right or left hand. He's been a God send in many seasons of my life.  On my right (the guy with the sledge hammer shot gun) is my on-call buddy Andy. He's also an ox and a great friend.  Most people probably don't know how much of a servant he is and how much he loves helping people.  He came over and helped lift the central beam of the house on Saturday. You can also see he has become a fellow white man afro advocate and on many occasions people ask us if we are brothers...even twins!  It's great to know that I have people in my life that are there when help is needed.  I have a feeling that if I were ever cornered in a dark alley somewhere, they wouldn't hesitate to throw down for me either.  I can tell you one thing...even though my dad is 70 and a faithful man of God, I wouldn't want to get in his face while he's holding his roofing hatchet.  What happens when you get in Dick Blue's grill...bad things man...bad things!  Kidding aside, he really loves people and is one of the most generous people I know.  He's one of my heroes.  

The house has made great progress the past three weeks and we had the final inspection two weeks ago.  We are done with the city and just have minor projects to finish from here on out. It's been great to see how God has already used the new space to facilitate relationship and community.  It's amazing to see people being the church in your own home...that's what it's all about.

Anyone reading is invited to our house warming party when everything gets finished up. However, that might be another year or so...don't tell Heather.

Lincoln Brewster in Grants Pass?

Lincoln Brewster was in none other than Grants Pass, Oregon. So, I connected up with Mike Johns his drummer. For those of you who know Kip John, Mike is Kip's son. Mike and I met in Colorado Springs a little over a year ago and we have sort of kept in touch since then. He was able to get Heather and me free tickets to the concert. It was amazing as usual. It was the first time I saw Norm Stockton with Linc. Norm is a monster bass player! He's a great addition to Linc's team and an absolute genuine worshiper of God. It was great getting to talk to Mike after the show as he told me about being Lincoln's full time drummer now and is also a full time intern at Bayside Church where Lincoln is the worship leader. As you can see, I was also able to talk to Lincoln for a little bit and got him a copy of Everlasting King. He has an amazing memory, and recalled our time together at worship camp and all about the church, studio and the Canvas team. He's a pretty unique and genuine person. I greatly respect him as a fellow leader of the local church and greater worship community. I encourage anyone to support his ministry by getting as much of his music as possible. Not only because he is honestly one of the greatest musicians in the industry, but because he believes in the local church and desires to see the truth of Christ reach every heart and soul. He's most definitely an inspiration to this generation and to the generations to come.

Life on The Ranch

This week Heather, Ethan, Sadie and I packed up the car and went to Southern Oregon. We spent the week at "The Ranch" in Grants Pass. My parents live in a beautiful home that my dad built (of course) on the Rogue River in the wonderful Rogue Valley. It's absolutely beautiful. It's also one of the most relaxing vacations we take as a family. Mostly because my family just likes to hang most of the time and because there's nothing to do in Grants Pass. It was a great! Ethan was able to spend the week with his giant cousins as they rolled around the miles of carpet in their grandparent's home. Jackson and Tyler worked on getting "the buddy" crawling and he's pretty much nailed down the official army crawl. He loved his time with his Uncle Paul, Aunt Margaret, Grandma and Papa as well. I was so happy to spend time with that side of the family. We were unable to get together for the holidays, so this made up for the absence at Christmas. Looking back on the week, Grants Pass treated us pretty well. From tractor rides, to the local traveling circus and going to "Horton Hears a Who" on opening day, the week was packed pretty full of fun experiences. Ethan can't wait to join the big boys on scavenger hunts and tractor rides soon. With his blonde hair and blue eyes, he'll fit right in as the Blue Boy Posse goes bounding off on the many adventures of The Ranch!

I Want to Rock

Now this is what I call creating a greater culture of worship. When my son shows up to the CD release concert ready to worship with a shirt that says "I want to rock," I get pumped! I actually have to be careful when I see him when I lead worship because I almost lose it every time. He inspires me. It's great being a dad. It's also great knowing that his generation is going to accomplish more than we all can fathom. My buddy, Ethan, is going to "be the culture!"

Yet Another Road Trip

Canvas packed up the circus for another road trip today.  We arrived in Yakima for Youth Leaders Summit around 5pm.  Aaron and I were asked to teach at the event and we decided to bring the whole Canvas team along for the ride.  I always think life is better with as many people along for the ride as possible.  It may be more pungent at times but in the end the memories out weigh the stench.  

Yakima isn't the exactly a destination location but somehow we seem to end up here quite often.  The "Welcome to Yakima" sign says it's the Palm Springs of Washington.  I guess that's true since they're both in the middle of nowhere.  Other than that, I don't see people booking trips to the Yak Valley in the dead of winter to escape the Seattle depression.  Oh Yakima, someday I'll write a song about you.  It will probably be as much of a hit as your eating establishments.  i guess that's a bit unfair.  I will give you one thing...Miner Burgers.  I hope to partake of your one saving grace for lunch tomorrow.

A Small Glimpse

I'm not the most spontaneous person on the planet. And sometimes when I get long distance calls, I don't want to answer them because it might cut into my day. On Thursday afternoon I received one of those calls. It was a call from a student of ours from our youth group in Los Angeles. Turns out he was standing at the main entrance of Cedar Park.

Kody Stewart just showed up unannounced with another one of our students, Huey Hulbert. For those of you who don't know Kody, this is definitely his M.O. in life. I think he's the fulfillment of the phrase, "flying by the seat of your pants." Kody is a professional mountain boarder and was making a gear run for a mountain board company based in Denver, where he currently lives. On his way "out of town" he shows up (unannounced of course) at Huey's house in Colorado Springs. "The Springs" is over an hour away in the opposite direction of Seattle...I love this kid! There is something inspiring about a free spirit like Kody that can just run until the tank of life is empty and somehow just keeps cruising on fumes for a miraculous amount of time.

Heather and I had the boys, now young men, over for dinner and they spent the entire meal telling us of near death experiences, life in Colorado, the updates of So Cal and all the memories we had at our little church in California. We talked about the time I broke Kody's wrist, the time he almost broke my tail bone on a mountain board, the time Huey won Fear Factor at snow camp, and about all the friends and stories we have from that little church. It was an evening full of laughter and reflection.

As the guys got into their truck with their sights set on another stop in Portland, I had a blessed feeling in my spirit. I felt a bit like a father...a spiritual dad of sorts. I hugged them and told them to go to church. I then told them if they didn't I would stick my foot somewhere unpleasant (just speaking the language of the people). It was one of those times where God shows you a small glimpse of heaven. I think sometimes He likes to show you the "payoff." He gives you a snapshot of what He has actually done in people's lives through your efforts, and it's like you can almost hear him say, "well done."

I know I'm not the most spontaneous person on the planet, but I really look forward to the next phone call from Kody.

A Good Wife Rocks

I just have to say that my wife is amazing. I met her when I was 17 years old, she became my high school sweetheart, my fiance and my wife. Most recently she has become the mother of my son and is such a delight to behold. I honestly have to make "hanging out with the guys" a discipline because I don't really want to hang out with anyone else most of the time...she rocks.

I was thinking about her yesterday and specifically prayed for her during my time of prayer. When I pray in my office I light an oil lamp that she gave me. It's made out of Mt. St. Helens ash from the eruption in 1980. Mt. St. Helens is where we met and I can still remember what she wore on that day. It wasn't love at first sight for either of us, but it was a life changing day. That oil lamp on my desk represents that beautiful encounter.

After my prayer time yesterday , I sat down and wrote her an email.

Hi my love...

I just got done praying during lunch and I thought and prayed about you a lot in my time w/ God. I want to let you know how proud I am of you.

I was thinking about the gals you walk around the mall with…they are so blessed to have you in their lives. They don’t even know what kind of an impact you are going to make on them. I have seen a new sense of passion and mission in your life. It inspires me.

You are such an incredible mother. Everyone loves little Ethan and his personality…he gets so much of that from you. He is so blessed to have such a loving mommy. I know he already senses how much you believe in him.

What an amazing wife you are to me. You have sacrificed so much for me to be able to chase after what I feel God is calling us to. You have left family, friends, and careers to let me pursue my dreams. I feel speechless when I think about how blessed I am to be your husband.

I don’t know all the details of the journey ahead, but I have a peace about it. One of the ways God reassures me is knowing you will be by my side every step of the way. I love you so much and love the life we have lived together. I look forward to the road ahead.

I love you and I’m proud of you.

An old biblical proverb says that "he who finds a wife finds a good thing." I think that is a pretty large understatement. Much of who I am today is because of Heather. I also know that much of who I am is because of my mother...the wife of my father. Women shape history and the role of being a wife is overlooked so much.

Simply put...A good wife rocks!

Bible Reference: Old Testament - Proverbs 18:22

Ironman?

This morning I went running at the local high school track.  I ran a timed mile.  It was ugly.  I figured it's been 12 years since I timed a mile.  I have added roughly 3 minutes to my time...a minute every four years.  I can't believe I used to be a track athlete.  The invention of the desk was not the will of God.  It's no good getting out of shape. Hey Josh, I guess I'll actually commit and say that I'll train and run a triathlon with you.  The only thing I ask is that if I start drowning, you won't use it as an opportunity to put some distance between us.  Don't expect to see me in Kona any time soon.

Play Instead of Roast

Last night I couldn't fall asleep.  So, after the monotony of watching shadows from passing headlights started to gnaw at my brain, I decided to get out of bed and go downstairs.  These days the one thing that keeps me awake at night is the future of the local church.  So in the glow of my almost-crackling electric fireplace, I began to write...

I was on the Washington Peninsula today...I love it there.  There's just something about it.  You feel closer to God when you're there.  The sky is a deep, welcoming shade of blue.  Mt Rainier looks like it's about to take over the world as the Olympic Mountains stand in opposition to its conquest.  There are days when I miss it there.  Today was one of those days.

I have a friend that lives out there.  He's a good friend.  We worked at the same place for about two days once.  It was a good two days.  

We grabbed lunch today and he encouraged me like only he can.  He has been a kind of life coach and mentor to me and most of the mentoring has been while we have lived in different cultures and communities.  His investment in me actually began while we lived in different states.  It all started when my church slapped a restraining order on a student for pulling a knife on a board member.  I'll save that story for another day.

I told Heather that he's an unique person.  He is so inspiring to be around and yet sometimes after being with him you feel like you'll never amount to anything.  It's like coming home from Jazz Alley and grabbing your instrument so you can take the first step at becoming the cosmos' next virtuoso.  Then, as you look at your guitar you think it would be better served as kindling for roasting marshmallows.  He's kind of like that.

After today...I think I'll play instead of roast.  Thanks for walking the journey with me Wes.