So I spend a lot of time putting thoughts together on this blog about things that I'm passionate about when it comes to the church and christianity as a whole, but I thought that I would take a few minutes to reflect on a year that is quickly fading into a memory that is 2010. This should also answer a few questions that are getting asked over and over again like: "So what are you doing now?". :) It's kind of a long read, but it's been a long and good year.
First thought is wow. I'll look back at this year as one of the most influential years of the entire journey. Time on earth is really short, so this year has really been about connecting with the purest intentions that Melissa and I were created with from the beginning when it comes to our purpose, overall worth and desires. Dreams only live on when they are pursued and this year has created the chance for some of those to be realized.
January was a blur and I can say that the only thing I remember is rehearsing for the concert series in Peru. What a great effort that was to be apart of. There's something about preparing for a massive effort that connects you to people for a lifetime it seems. I'll hold those experiences for a very long time. The concert series was an effort put together by Mt. Zion for Groupo Pacifico (TV station owned by the church in Lima, Peru) as a rally point for evangelism/outreach and overall connection back to the city of Lima as Mt. Zion continues to introduce themselves. (MZ recently took over the station operations after 44 years of great local ownership) We learned 30 songs. Yea, 30. It was quite the undertaking, considering this was all volunteered time outside of the near 60+ hours a week of office hours/events and services with the church. On top of that, 14 of them were in spanish. I don't speak spanish, but with lots of exposure over my life, I felt comfortable taking on the challenge. Thanks to Ruben and Ashley for helping me get my spanish singing into what seemed to be at least not disrespectful. Here's one of my personal overall favs fromt the whole series (in english):
Me Tryin' To Rock :)
February and March brought a lot of mixed emotions for a couple reasons... Melissa was entering into the "grind it out" stage of pregnancy with baby Liam and I found myself literally stepping off the peru rehearsal/performance train and jumping onto another production with three weekends of performance scheduled for April (Passion of Mary). Ephram turned two which seemed like a whirlwind, making me wonder how my little boy could be turning two already. We also had put offers on over 30 houses in Rochester during the previous months. Melissa and I had taken on three flip projects prior to this over the last two years and in doing so, found that we could really cut our living expenses by renting our current home (which was purchased at the peak of the bubble) and moving into a rehabbed foreclosure. With Melissa growing up in Rochester and us usually making our way out there on weekends for food, friends and entertainment, we thought it would be a great move for our family as well. Great parks, downtown Rochester, excellent proximity to anywhere north Oakland County and living in a subdivision all sounded great to us.
Our natural life and spiritual life are always parallel and in these two months, I sensed the Lord wanting us to prepare for expansion or "enlargement" (in Christianese). A word of partnership was also attached to this. I was reminded of David during his pursuit of building the first temple and God speaking to him that he wasn't going to build God a house, but that HE was going to build David a house. I felt that really resonate in my heart and mind. "I'm (God) going to build you a house." I knew those sentiments would require a lot of faith to see come to pass. I recall countless conversations with my close friend and brother Patrick, while at the office. We would talk about the stirring of God and what it was that these new seasons might look like in our lives. With their being no obvious avenues of change, anticipating expansion with everything that was currently in my life: family, ministry, friendships, future in general- seemed logical.
April came quickly with rehearsals and performances eating up extra time. I was really heavy in my spirit this month. It's funny how that when God plants inspiration in you, you somehow get it set in your mind that it should be happening quicker than it is. Everything is a process. Passion of Mary went off without a hitch. Many people came to the numerous performances and was well received. I enjoyed immensely the chance to get behind the camera for this. I enjoy all the arts and have had exposure to most outlets, but acting is something that I had not tapped into very much in my later years. I get why people love it so much. Considering the need for doing a lot with a little, the supporting film segments played as transition to the live scenes were great. Meanwhile the delivery of Liam was a massive success. There's a "Record breaking" labor and delivery story attached to the event and has made many mothers jealous, :) so I'll let Melissa continue to share that one. What a joy to be the father of two sons and I couldn't be more proud. With Liam born on April 22nd, I found myself at a closing for our new foreclosure project in Rochester on April 23rd. Let extra time now be solely dedicated in a new direction... again.
May: Well if you don't know, I write a little music. Over the last four years I've been working on honing my craft and learning from some great talents on what successful popular song writing looks like. James Nichols and I seem to collaborate well and we've partnered together on most efforts. I saw some new progress come to life in May with some of these investments. So that was really exciting for me... Just so you know, I've written a lot of bad songs and if there's something to listen to, everyone will know about it. :) Hopefully soon. May also brought the spectacular chance to meet Graham Cooke and Jason Upton. What great men of God. Short story: Melissa and I had arrived to the hotel in Indiana near the location for this conference and just two days prior had been told from the administrations that half the seats were still available and walkups were welcome. They said they didn't expect to sell much more at the door. When we arrived: SOLD OUT... But up walks a lady while we're at the table with two extra tickets. Husband and friend could not make the weekend and she wouldn't take a dime for them. ($80 a piece value) I appreciate the generous people who represent giving as Jesus would want it. Lastly, on May 28th, I experienced one of the most inconvenient injuries to date in my short 31 years of living. Tore my achilles along with a hairline fracture jumping off the back of a pickup truck :(. Right ankle-no driving. Let's keep in mind the pace of life Melissa and I are still engaged in here... I would learn a lot of patience in the weeks ahead.
This leads to June being two things: Hobbling/begging for rides and finishing the Rochester Project. July 4th was our target finish date so we were doing all we could to hit the date. Mike T + crew even took time to help while in town visiting from Nashville, thanks again guys! During this month I have journal entries sharing that September continuously was sticking out to me as a landmark. I attributed it to the words set in place just a few months back of enlargement and partnership. I had even had two people initiate conversations that were significantly used in firming these thoughts. I thank God for those who hear His voice and are willing to share it appropriately.
July 1st- not done with house, going to need two more weeks. July 4th- great family trip to Milwaukee and Indy. Birthdays, Graduations and Anniversary's celebrated. ( These mid summer trips always surprise me at how much fun they turn out to be. Lets face it... spending any vacation time driving 1100 total miles with an infant and toddler can seem a little daunting, but we love our families! :) We eventually got done with Rochester Project and began moving. (4) 16' trucks, numerous SUV trips, one big Stage My Room liquidation sale, and two weeks time later, we were in. Thanks to Kelly, Dan, Scooter, James, Brett, OG-Santiago, Joe and a few others I'm forgetting. Thanks to Pops and Don for coming up for the landscaping cleanup extravaganza as well. At the end of this month, Pastor Loren began to share with me some of the changes he was going to be making to young adult ministry. Included in that was the ending season of me pastoring Generation One and the launch of 4:12 Exposed with a new team. This was a beginning of what has been powerful transition in Melissa and I's life. Enlargement was spoken and uncomfortable change was put into motion... "What was God doing?" was the only question to ask.
August was a difficult month. Change was here. I just thought that I would know so much more about what change looked like before it came. I always did in the past, but i think that my growing faith in God's plan has allowed me to be okay with the process of truly being led of Him, rather than jumping off to the races in the initial moments of inspiration. I had received a promise of enlargement six months earlier and now the natural would easily allow a spirit of complaining or discontent seap in and try to steal from what was actually happening. Melissa and I made the decision that everything that we were going to do and say would be life giving. God was working and we had to believe it! A highlight of August was the union of the Rutter's! We all embarked on another Frankenmuth adventure and it was a great time for the family to celebrate (and for me to be reminded about how bad I am at golf :). Scott and Lauren's wedding was beautiful and we're continually excited to see all that is in store for their life. We love you Scott and Lauren (my wife's sister and husband)! At the end of the month, Robin Sullivan (radio DJ WMUZ) was a guest at our Open Mic Finals at The District. This was my last scheduled event there as staff also part of the changes set in motion. You can imagine the mixed emotions. Not many people knew of the changes yet and my mind was filled that night with many memories and the obvious question of what's next? That night it became my understanding that there could be an opportunity to pursue the morning show for WMUZ. This came out of thin air and considering all the unknowns, it seemed golden in it's timing. Drew Neal, radio DJ?
September came like a flood. Change had consumed our thoughts and with weddings, house projects and moving all out of the way, it was time to push on doors and see what God had. Final Gen One service was Sept. 4th. It was a challenge. I had to speak and it had to be life giving. While I knew God was doing something good, its difficult to communicate information that makes sense to everyone when there aren't comfortable answers to obvious questions. I had the feeling after the service that all the young adults didn't know what was going on and they didn't. I didn't know what was going on, so how could they? Change is very difficult, even if it's God's leading. The first two weeks of September, I found myself behind the mic, seeing if I had enough raw talent to compete in the 8th largest christian radio station in the nation. Talk about pressure. Ha! I'm always up for a challenge and I had an absolute blast. I'm really grateful for the opportunity that I was given. Many thanks to all those involved. After that, the waiting game came into play to hear from the radio station. Pastor Loren had some brief thoughts about the new place he would place me within the staff but gave me the liberty to think and pray about those things considering the radio opportunity. We agreed that it could be a good thing if materialized before I jumped in. So, I'm sitting in an office daily and waiting on God to open doors. "Enlargement... Partnership... where are you? God, what do you want to be for me now, that I never knew you could be before? (thx Graham) Show me where your goodness awaits Melissa and I."
Back in may, while at the conference in Indiana, Graham had told us of another conference that was happening at his home church, The Mission in Vacaville, CA - September 23rd-25th. In July I had bought a plane ticket to go out there. One ticket. Considering the season that was coming, finances needed to be used wisely, so it was logical that Melissa would stay home with the boys. Monday Sept. 6th, while in prayer the Lord spoke to me that Melissa needed to be going on this trip. Wow. I would love for her to go, but finances didn't make sense. I've learned lately that God never goes through a recession and always has funds available. :) So I told the Lord if He pays for her ticket, I'll take care of the rest, we just didn't have the money. Four hours later, someone was handing me a check for $400 saying the Lord told them to give it to me. My plane ticket and rental car costs in July: $385. This was the beginning of God letting us know on a new level that provision was from Him and He was aware of our needs. California was amazing. We've never witnessed a more faith forward, empowered, loving community of believers... ever. While there, words of enlargement and partnership were confirmed and reiterated. It was amazing. These people have never met us, yet the Lord was speaking to them exactly what was in our heart. I love the goodness of God experienced thru the prophetic. We were so blessed by this family of people and are thankful for the friendship we've encountered there.
Oct. 2nd the radio station graciously informed me about their decision to hire Chris Stevenson. "Ok, that's not what God has" I told myself.
My conversation with Pastor Loren that day, brought me to the place of not feeling the new thoughts towards a different staff position at the church, were the answer to what was in our hearts. I committed to finding out what the journey looks like outside of that and it was definitely a scary moment. It's scary letting go of security and all that is comfortable. It was my last day in the office. The rest of that month came quickly with opportunities to minister at other churches as a guest speaker and in a whirlwind, after lunch with Dominic Russo... I was 8 days out from going to Haiti. Haiti marked me. you can read the blog on my Haiti trip
HERE. The Lord had told me that He would pursue me. It seemed these opportunities were coming after me, so I said yes to all of them. Enlargement and Partnership... On a family note, we were really enjoying our new home. Fall was setting in and things just felt really right to live there. It was starting to become home. Liam had his first halloween and both of the boys were adorable. It was so nice to have a neighborhood we could go out in and have familiar people to enjoy the night with house to house and this will only grow. We're blessed with kind neighbors.
November came with me connecting with anyone and everyone that was willing to connect. Had the great chance to connect with many churches and their leaders. I have a strong desire to broaden my understanding of where the american church sits right now. These meetings really helped getting that perspective for our area. Great favor was going before me with so many people, believing enlargement was here and that partnership was being defined. Scott and Lauren got their house! and it just so happens to be 12 houses down from us! It's so great being close to one another. I built them a mantle for their mantleless tile hearth and they did lots of cosmetic upgrades. The house looks fantastic. They are so blessed with a great first home. Melissa and I also got to host Thanksgiving for the first time in our 8 year marriage! It was seriously the best thanksgiving we've ever had. Thanks to Mom and Dad, Jess along with Jen and Tony for being willing to drive up. It was so special. Wii and our little dance parties were so fun.
December means Christmas. We really enjoyed this time with the boys. We found many simple ways to get great presents for them and family really blessed them also. The creative juices are flowing and it seems some good things are coming in place to help support whatever the mother ship gets defined as. December birthed a new direction in the book that I'm writing. May take longer, but makes sense to do considering what God is doing behind the scenes. I'm also working on a short film project that will be released in episodes. The music written over the last bit will hopefully support the films as well. These shorts will be creative stories filled with thought provoking monologue and music videos. These will be great tools in furthering a message that will be meant to bring life to many people who are empty inside. Along with that, Haiti is capturing my heart. I found myself visiting once again at the end of the month and I believe the Lord is asking me to get involved. We'll see what it gets defined as... but I'm really excited to see this as a beginning of many countries that God will allow me to have influence in. Most good things in life are not instant. My trust in God's plan is not one that is filled with hope only... but dedication to see what is invisible become visible. It takes a lot of hard work. We're up for the challenge.
Our greatest desire and call, I believe lies within the future of the church. I know God is doing something new and alive. It looks completely different than anything that we've experienced before. It's time for upgrade. The rejection of God in modern times I believe is a reflection of the greater need for the church to be more effective. It's not about being wrong... it's just time to upgrade. The central theme of my ministry will rally around the cause of the body of Christ experiencing this transformation. We've been only church minded. We've seen the church as a destination and not a launch pad. We've operated purely out of functional value and abandoned relational value. We asked the question of how does what God is doing today fit within the church? Rather than how does the church fit within what God is doing in the kingdom. It's a great time of discovery and walking by faith. I ask that you continue to pray for my family and I as God continues to open up the doors that will define the avenues in how that is expressed. 2010 was a great year. 2011 will bring the skin to the bones and my expectation is of the greatest. Enlargement and Partnership! Thank you to the many people who have sown in faith into mine and Melissa's life this year. It's really been unforgettable and we are forever grateful for your generosity.
