Letter to the Unloved

You have no idea how much I love you, though at times I do believe you catch glimpses of it. Those are the times of peace that you encounter—it's kind of a peace that blows you away, right? You don't have to work very hard to feel my love—it's always present. If I could give you a little advice, I'd say: My child, I'm so proud of you. I made you very special. I believe you know that, and I love how you live your life always looking for ways to bring love and joy to other people. That's awesome! You are doing so much really great stuff and being used so well, that it's hard to think you'd be better off somewhere else.

Even still, I want to empower you to go after what you desire deep down, and trust that I'm with you. Really dig in and go after your dreams. I'm not going to be a genie in a bottle for you, but I'm with you. Cheering you on.

I love to see you happy and while I want you to know that TRUE happiness is only going to be found by resting in my love & peace, there are great joys to experience in this world so GO FOR IT! But, be patient and don't let your place in the journey ever get you down, or make you feel like there's something wrong with you or your abilities. Step back and see it as a beautiful, valuable story that's being written—it's not about you getting everything you want, or it's not about you being perfect, or amazing, or even great. It's about taking the next step in the direction that you hear me whisper. You HAVE been doing that really well—but I sense discouragement when you focus too much on the FUTURE. The problem with being ambitious is that you continually run the risk of not being present. That's why you have to work extra hard to stay present and see all that I'm giving you today, and all that you have—you truly have all you need for your deepest joy TODAY!

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Worship Is...

Worship Is....a choice. I have a choice as to how I'm going to respond to God's love for me. I could sit around my house and revel in the fact that the God of the Universe is passionately in love with me. Or I could allow that powerful love to be the fuel that gets me out of the house, filled with strength, courage, compassion, and creativity to interact with the world around me.

I've tried worship where I sing with eyes closed, arms outstretched, seeking to have a "good worship experience." And sometimes I feel all gushy and warm, like "God really showed up." But the fact remains that God has shown up...and will continue showing up...regardless of how I feel. Actually, it requires for me to have more faith in the truth of God when the "feelings" of His presence are absent.

Worship Is...continually choosing to not place such high value on my own feelings, and place higher value on the people around that God puts in my life--people who are desperately wanting to experience God's love, hope and compassion. I receive from God, not so I can hold onto it, but so that I can give it away to others.

God so loved the world that....he gave His only son. God showed his love to the world by sending his son. I desire to show God my own love for him...in worship. The best way I can do that, in my opinion, is by sending myself out into the world around me. God so loved me that...I can give my own life away to others.

Your Turn: How would you answer - Worship Is...

Little Things

I'm on a journey toward my dreams. And, as you can imagine, it's not always the easiest thing in the world. After I muster up enough courage to take a step forward, I'll stop and look around. I just want to see if I took the right step, or if it was a bad one. Sometimes I can't tell by myself. I have to look to other people for the objectivity I lack. One can have too many "yes men" in their life. Seriously, you really can't make room for one, except for your mother, perhaps.

Then I find myself waiting for glimpses of hope. Something that happens that tells me things are all going to work out. I've been raised to look for the big signs of affirmation (the applause, the money, the success) as proof that I'm on the right track. My eyes are learning that that kind of long-term, mostly superficial vision is merely a distraction, that really I shouldn't look so far ahead. That perhaps those big doses of encouragement are overrated.

I'm beginning to believe that the best things in life are found in the little things...the things that I might miss if I'm not looking. It's the tiny turns and twists in the road that take us to the new places...seldom new Interstates that we come across. Beauty is found in the nuance of the present. I keep praying, "God help me to see how you want to surprise me today." And he usually answers with something beautiful and meaningful...and small.

I'm On My Way.

I wanted to share one of my favorite blog posts with you. Maybe it's what you've been waiting to hear...

If you're anything like me, sometimes you feel like there's nothing happening in your life...and perhaps nothing ever will. The dreams that you've been holding onto are slipping through your fingers. The hopes of some kind of breakthrough professionally or relationally are gradually drifting out to sea, leaving a tangleweed of cynicism behind for you to trudge through.

Then I had this crazy thought this morning, reading a killer book called "The Dream Giver" by Bruce Wilkinson. He dares to suppose that this time we're spending in what he calls The Waste Land, where we feel like nothing's happening and probably never will, is actually a very purpose-filled time. That it's a time where we are being turned into the people that will actually be capable of carrying out the dreams and hopes we're holding onto.

It's funny how everyone who enters into the military knows they have to go through the horrid, near-torture of boot-camp. But they do it because they know that it is going to prepare them for what's to come. The pain, struggle and conflict during this brief time holds great purpose for them and their greater mission.

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"Pilgrim Man" On the Radio

Thank you so much to these reporting stations for taking a chance on me and playing "Pilgrim Man" for their listeners! It means a ton to me -- KCRN (San Angelo, TX), WECC (Saint Marys, GA), KCFB/KTIG (Pequot Lakes, MN), WTGN (Lima, OH). I hope the song is a great encouragement to their listeners! WDAC & WBYN in Pennsylvania, too! I really appreciate the support & encouragement! Anyone else hearing the song?