CRASH!

Yep.  For one week now, I have been dealing with being hit not once, but twice last Friday night (T.G.I.F!)

In short: I’m okay.  The other two drivers are okay.  The passenger of one of the two drivers is okay.  The sheriff’s department declared I wasn’t at fault.  The ball is rolling.  God is still God, and he is good!

In other news, I have been hard at work and enjoying building my knowledge of the tax business.  There is always plenty to learn (just go to IRS.gov and search for “pub 17″ if you don’t believe me).  It’s definitely off the beaten path of church communication, but I’m still getting to help people every day, and that is rewarding.

If there’s any word I can use to sum up 2012 so far, it’s growth.  New job.  New incident to deal with.  A renewed experience of God.

Less than thirty days into January and I’ve been completely taken aback at how much God’s Word has become a part of my life.  By that, I don’t simply mean I’ve opened my Bible and read it.  Before I got to that point, I was spoken two through a megaphone about how much I need it.  Then, I continued on my reading plan in YouVersion.

And last week, my church joined thousands of others in leaning more about spending time in Scripture and actually doing it on a daily basis.  (Stop and think about that last sentence.  Thousands of churches are engaging in the same books of the Bible at the same time over the next forty days.  Just imagine what that’s going to produce!)

In other words, a lot of big things are happening, and I continue to try my best to follow the leading of the Holy Spirit to know what to do next.

I certainly hope life has been treating you well.  In case it hasn’t, remember:

“Don’t worry about anything; instead, pray about everything. Tell God what you need, and thank him for all he has done” (Philippians 4:6 NLT).

It was also a day where I decided to start a new venture.  After really enjoying my college years of blogging on the one-time coolest kid in school, MySpace, I found out that starting a “big boy” blog can be tough.  People don’t comment as much.  People don’t see what you wrote as often without steady promotion.  This, along with some serious writer’s block, discouraged me into closing the doors of several blogs.

But I knew I wasn’t finished writing online.  Every time I saw one of my friends had a new blog, it made me miss having my own hunk of space on the Internet.

I began 2009 with a goal in mind to do one thing new every day.  I’m honestly not sure how far along I got on that goal, but some cool things did happen that year–I gave Twitter a second chance; I got interactive with Scripture reading on YouVersion; I got back into the awesome life-changing experience that is small group Bible study; and I also started this blog.

Although there have bee large gaps between postings at times, I have enjoyed being able to come here and write what I’m feeling.  And knowing I’d probably just start another blog if I shut this one down over being in a dry season, I decided to keep it going!

It is truly great to see people some and comment, follow this blog, and have my friends write about and like posts on Facebook, as well as give me some retweet love.  It’s very encouraging.

I’ve been able to do some great things on here, too.  Highlights include my first book giveaway (ever!) with Granger Community Church’s Communications Director and author of Less Clutter. Less Noise: Beyond Bulletins, Brochures and Bake Sales, Kem Meyer!  Not to mention my second book giveaway with pastor/author/my small group leader, Gene Jennings for his book Laughing with Sarah (see outtakes here).

My goal for this blog has remained the same, and that is, in addition for the random stuff that pops out of my head, to bring forth inspiration, thought and further action.  To that extent, it’s been great to share what God has put on my heart, my reflections of what I’ve experienced, and ways people can get involved in changing the world.

Thank you for letting this be a place you’ve visited over the past three years.  I look forward to continue sharing things that I hope serve as motivation.

P.S. If you’re thinking about starting/shutting down a blog of your own, I hope this serves as a nudge to keep at it.  Your thoughts can and will impact somebody.

As I conclude my attempts at putting Passion 2012 to paper, I look at what last week was about in regards to my time in a small group with several others at the beginning and end of each day, as well as how that’s already impacted my life.

Each day of Passion starts and ends with community groups.  This is where those in attendance are divided into smaller pockets where they are facilitated for discussion and prayer.  Things get more intimate when those in community groups are placed into family groups.  These are groups of 8-10 strangers (unless you cheat) who will get to know each other, pray for each other, and by the end of the conference be thankful for a very healing time together.

The anonymity of a family group allows its members to open up more than they would with those they came to Passion with.  It also let’s in fresh perspectives about what’s going on in other colleges, campus ministries and churches.  It is both a time to grow and a time to build others up.

Given that these groups meet before the first main session and after the last main session of the day, it is tempting to skip them for sleep, to line up for the late night concert, or to have a lighter load.  I’ve given in to some of these alternatives in the past, but this year, I made it to all community group sessions.

Not only did I love spending time with my family group each night and morning, I became less concerned about what I’d be missing and enjoyed the blessing of them.  One member in particular really opened up with me about a current state in my life that he recently went through.  I was also able to share in hopes of being there for others.

As I think about Passion 2013, I can’t help but be excited about getting back into family groups and enjoying this very real and moving part of the conference.

Heading into Passion, there was something going on online known as Acclimate.  This was a webpage where people could connect worldwide to collectively pray for Passion, and more importantly, read the word of God.  Upon visiting, a map was shown with pink dots representing those reading at the time.  The entire left side of the page was covered with random chapters of Scripture scrolling, as they would be until the beginning of the conference…

… and that was a very true statement.

Minutes before the first main session of Passion 2012 in the Georgia Dome, Acclimate appeared on screens throughout the venue.  With ten minutes to go, people came on stage and took turns reading the Word aloud.  This was then accompanied by thunderous drums, huge bold letters, and an intro to Passion that doused us all into what would be a central theme of the days ahead.

“THIS IS THE WORD OF GOD!”

From the opening to small groups to the messages to several leaders getting on stage and reading the entire book of Ephesians as tens of thousands stood and read with them, it was made abundantly clear that we need God’s Word in our lives.

And that spoke to me.  I’ve already heard God tell me the same thing just a day before the conference, and throughout it, I was constantly reminded in some powerful ways.

There is no better way to live in communion with God, have the power of His Holy Spirit stirring in our hearts, and boldly speaking His Gospel to others than to spend regular time in the Scriptures He breathed.

I thank God so much for beating me over the head about this all week.  I want nothing more than to continue to hear from Him.

I mean it.  I want to live each day on fire for Jesus.  I want Him to be so relevant in my life, He radiates out of every pore.  I want my skin to be pale in comparison to the color He will bring to it this year.  I want people to look at me and know, above all else, Jesus matters most in my life.

That’s what I’m feeling so far about this year.  Each day is its own accomplishment, and this is a journey to be taken one day at a time, living for the One who died for me.

I’m ready for a year of Jesus!

As Passion 2011 came to a close, the plans for the following year were laid out.  Rather than having 25,000 students divided between Atlanta, GA’s Philips Arena and Georgia World Congress Center, and rather than having thousands more gather months later in Ft. Worth, TX, it was time for these amazing days together to consolidate in a much bigger venue.

Next week is Passion 2012.  It’s going to be four incredible days featuring the teaching and music of Louie Giglio, Chris Tomlin, John Piper, David Crowder*Band, Beth Moore, Kristian Stanfill, Lecrae, Christine Cane, Christy Nockels, Charlie Hall, and Hillsong United.  Having been to Passion in ’06, ’07 and last year, I can already tell you there’s nothing like it.

Two big things I’m looking forward to are being there for the final David Crowder*Band show and seeing Hillsong United live for the first time!  (I know.  What took me?  Circumstances beyond my control, I assure you.)

Although the fanfare surrounding who will be at Passion 2012 is huge, that is only a very small part of what’s ahead.  Within seconds of being led by any of these people, the focus comes off of them and is directed to Jesus.

This time of connecting with God is going to be unreal.  It’s something I’m so glad I’m going to do in such a unique setting.

And perhaps the setting is what has me most looking forward to Passion 2012.  While normally held in civic centers, this year, it’s hosted in a bigger home.

For the first time ever, Passion will be in the Georgia Dome!

I think something like half of the Dome will be used for these four days.  That pretty much means tens of thousands of people will gather in one place to get loud and worship God.  I can’t wait to feel that energy and be a part of the experience!

I also can’t wait to partner with all of those attending this conference in raising for both Atlanta-based and international causes for Do Something Now.  Not only will we be arriving with towels and socks to supply area homeless shelters for the entire year, we will also be aiming to put a $1,000,000 dent in slavery around the world.  Watch and read more here.

For these reasons, the Georgia Dome is on my mind.

And as I think about that, I also think about the events that surrounded the birth of Christ.  Herod tried everything in his power to kill the Messiah.  He didn’t want his birth to take place, and that forced Mary and Joseph to head to Bethlehem and give birth in a dirty, filthy manger.

Even leading up to Jesus being born, Joseph was ready to leave Mary because of her pregnancy.  There was family conflict that was only resolved by God Himself through an angel.

The first Christmas was not an easy time, and there were plenty of things in place to make it not happen.  However, God had one good, pleasing and perfect plan, and because of the faith of His people, a way was made and our Lord and Savior came to this Earth to make it possible for us to be with Him for eternity.

Maybe you find yourself barely getting there this Christmas.  For me, it seems like every chance I get to breathe a breath of fresh air, tough decisions are having to be made, people in my life are hurting, and Satan is trying everything in his power to be discouraging.

This most wonderful time of year–and perhaps the most special Christmas in my life–has also been one of the most discouraging.

Are you there?  Can you relate?

Personally, I see December 25, 2011 as a day of celebration forthcoming.  I really can’t wait for it because it seems like the enemy doesn’t want anyone to be happy.  I also can’t wait to be in church tomorrow night, celebrating the birth, life, and Almighty name of Jesus Christ.

I pray Christmas is also a special time for you this year.  God is at work.  He is blessing people and changing lives.  Persevere, and know that He is with us.

I love you all.

For the next three days, mornings and afternoons on the radio will be filled with stories, interviews, and on-air personalities telling you more about the needs of the medical center, and more importantly, how easily you can help.  Volunteers will occupy the phone banks on-hand, happily taking your calls and cheering for you as you make the decision to contribute to the well-being of children who are spending their holidays in hospital beds, incubators, getting frequent treatments, and living out a childhood where all of this is “business as usual.”

The purpose of the radiothon is for you to help provide the best care possible and also make life as normal as possible.  You will not only be giving these children hope, but also enjoyment.

Any amount (ANY) you give to Geogria Health Sciences Children’s Medical Center–one-time or recurring–will be completely worth it.

For more on this cause, and to make a donation, click here.