In.Motion

There have been a few awesome album drops (Audrey Assad, The Roots, & Dave Barnes) and movies releases (Inception) recently that have really been quite refreshing. There are a few releases coming up I’m pretty stoked about.
Here’s my top 3 …

One Sonic Society

If you haven’t heard of these guys yet, you will. They are something of a super group (Stu G & Jon Thatcher formerly of Delirious?, Hillsong drummer Paul Malbury, & songwriter/producer Jason Ingram), but they have a deep desire to be more part of a community than merely a band. I was first introduced to these guys in Nashville in February @ Re:Create and was not only impressed with the depth of their music, but the heart behind their vision for their music. They have an EP out now, but their full-length album drops sometime in October, so be on the lookout.

Dinner for Schmucks

This is real simple: I am a sucker for dumb comedy. Steve Carell is one of the funniest guys around right now and Paul Rudd is the quintessential straight man. The premise makes for several opportunities for ridiculousness. Add in Galifianakis & one of the guys from Flight of the Conchords, and you’ve got a stupid, stupid gem on your hands. I’m just excited to kick back, and laugh til I can’t properly breathe anymore.

John Legend & The Roots – Wake Up!

This collaboration was tasty enough on The Roots most recent record, but the fact that these guys are teaming up for an entire record of old soul & RnB covers is enough to make anyone who loves a solid groove drool. I imagine that I’m going to wear this album out like its goin out of style. Record drops September 21, and they’ve got a pre-order goin here.

One.Love
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So, I moved to California. I’ve sat down to write this post a few times, and I’m still having a hard time finding the right words. I’ve never been so busy or stressed as I’ve been, but I’ve also never grown so much. I’ve grown as a person, a leader, and, most importantly, a follower of Jesus.

I’m learning how to not just lead a ministry, but how to love people.

I’m learning how to not serve my preferences, but how to serve the needs of my church.

I’ve met incredible people. Some I don’t remember what life was like before them.

I miss some incredible people. I never knew I was so tied to my friends.

Life here is different. Good, but different. I have a new appreciation for my family and friends. I have a greater understanding of what grace looks like. The power a second chance can have.

My life is much different than what I would have written for myself, but I guess that’s part of why I’m not the author. Moving forward in faith is unsettling, uncomfortable, and even frustrating. Most of all, it’s been a confirmation. Confirmation that God is in control and truly knows me better than myself. Amen.

So, life is good and crazy and beautiful. If I had to sum the last months up in a few words, it’d be these:

God is faithful.

One.Love
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I’ve lived in Wilmington for most of my life. Moved here when I was 5, and I’ve been in it to win it since then. I love this place. I love the people here. Ever since I started looking into my adult future, I’ve always had desires of growing my family here, getting my first house here, or any number of things you dream about. However, my story is going to be taking a turn for a season.

I’ve been in talks & processing with New Harvest Church in Clovis, Ca about an opportunity that might have been available for me out there to join their staff. From the conversations I’ve had with Him to my visit out there in early December, Pastor Mitch Ribera has done a lovely job of being thorough, detailed, & gracious in our exploration of this possibility. Through lots of prayer and feedback and questions, we’ve arrived at our conclusion.

Pastor Mitch has asked me to come out to California and join his team full time as the Creative Arts Director for the church. I couldn’t be more excited about this opportunity to serve and grow doing exactly what I love to do. Quite literally, this is my dream job. I’ll be responsible for the worship environments for the church & other media expressions of the church, as well as the technical aspects of the church. I’ll be responsible for quite a bit of work, but I can’t wait to get to it. I’m also comforted that I’m going to be well cared for and intentionally built up and poured into as a young leader and growing Christ-follower.

One thing I want to make clear is that this whole opportunity has had nothing to do with Port City Community Church or anyone there. I cherish my close relationship with several leaders and they have done nothing but ensure that New Harvest was a place that was going to take my walk seriously and continue to build into my life. I am so thankful for their constant prayer and how they have always valued my walk more than anything that I can do. I have always felt loved, and I’ve learned more than I could possibly write from my time at Port City, so I will miss this church family.

So, where does this leave me? Actually, leaving rather soon. I’ll be leaving either Sunday (1/10) or Monday (1/11), for the left coast, to arrive in Fresno next Friday (1/15). This means that as I sit here on Wed (1/6) morning, I only have 4 or 5 more days here in Wilmington. I’m going to be doing a lot of prepping and packing, but I want to see as many lovely faces as I can before I say “See You Later” for a while. If you have my number, give me a call because I’d love to see you, but if I don’t get to see you before I leave, know it was only a conflict of time that caused me to miss you.

Through this experience, I’ve seen that God is faithful and that He loves overwhelm you with grace. I’m excited to see where He takes my life, and I’ll continue to step in faith into whatever I feel He is leading me to. It’s hard to leave the home and family I’ve loved and known all my life, but I know that His plan is far better than any I could create. If you’re ever in Fresno, look me up, and I’ll buy you some real mexican food. I can’t wait, and I’m quickly on my way.

Wilmington, it’s been great.
California, here I come!

One.Love

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