Our Great Lifeboat Update /// Hello from Arkansas!

Our Great Lifeboat Update /// Hello from Arkansas!

Hey everyone! I just wanted to give y’all a quick update on the progress of the album. I am so excited about how far we have come! This album is the greatest music I have ever had the pleasure of making. I believe it will have a meaningful and positive impact on everyone who hears it. Often behind great art, there are countless hours of tears, sweat, and blood that goes on behind the scenes. This is particularly true for this album. We have had a fair share of setbacks in the process of producing this album, but this just adds that much more beauty and meaning behind these songs. Donald Miller once said, “It wasn't necessary to win for the story to be great, it was only necessary to sacrifice everything.” This is so true with this album. I have poured everything I have to make this album happen.

There have been times when I wanted to give up on this album when it looked like there were too many obstacles in the path towards finishing it. But God is faithful and He won’t give you a vision without provision. He always will make a way for us if we just keep being faithful. I am making this album because I HAVE to. I was created to make music that Glorifies God. I cannot wait for you to hear these songs. Thank you for your patience as this album is taking longer to finish than I had originally anticipated and planned. However, we are moving forward and the recording part is now complete. We just have to mix, master, and release the album. I will be sure to keep you posted on our journey along the way.

Thank you for being a part of this project. Thank you for your continued prayers and support. I can’t do this without you!

The Struggle Is Real

Last week was really tough for me. My car key fell off of my key chain and I was without a car. I then misplaced my wallet. Additionally, I misplaced several hours looking for said missing items.  And, in what was the exclamation point of the day, my phone broke. The struggle is real.

I know. Who am I to complain because there are people going through real problems much tougher than mine? But the combination and the timing was awful. I felt like crap. Things I took for granted were gone. And I wanted them back. It wasn’t Monday. It was FirstWorldProblemsDay.

I learned from Donald Miller, who took these ideas from a philosopher named Frankl, that we will find meaning when we find the “redemptive qualities of suffering”.

“God works all things out for the good of those who love Him…” Romans 8:28

Because I lost my keys and wallet, I cleaned my house and my car (which really needed to be done). I found my wallet. My parents brought me a spare key. Because my iPhone broke it forced me to stop obsessing over my upvoted Yik Yak posts for three days.

“Life is 10% what happens to you and 90% how you react to it.” Charles R. Swindoll

The redemptive qualities of suffering. Every heartache, disappointment, setback, etc. can strengthen our character. It can help us stay on the path we are supposed to be on.  We don’t see the whole picture as it is happening to us. But what if we are the main characters of an amazing story?  All great stories have conflict and then redemption at the end.     

What has God redeemed for you?

abide

John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.

A couple of years ago I had a very tough decision to make, and it was honestly stressing me out. I was so distraught that I was going to make the wrong choice and it was going to haunt me for years.  

I went to a prayer and worship service at a church and I remembered lying facedown on the ground in prayer. Suddenly, something happened--I cannot explain if it was a vision, dream, or just an impression in my mind, but here's what I saw:

Jesus and I were in separate inner tubes floating down a lazy river. His inner tube was connected to mine. I was so excited and was about to ask him all these questions that were on my mind. Before I could say anything, he looked me in the eyes and let out a hearty belly laugh. I started to smile and then I laughed too. I felt free.  It was truly glorious, and perhaps one of the most wonderful experiences of my life.    

I then snapped out of it, realized where I was and came to.

After reflecting on this for a while, I believe that God wanted me to know that His plan is not a tightrope for our lives.- where one wrong move would mean you are gone.

God’s plan is a lazy river that we can float down. Sure, it is possible that certain decisions we make may cause us to go faster or slower towards our destinies. But we are still moving forward if we make God the focus of our lives.

We don’t have to worry. We don’t have to fret about tomorrow. We just simply need to abide in Christ. He will fill us with joy.

The Urge To Be Someplace Else

“When I was very young and the urge to be someplace else was on me…”

— John Steinbeck

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I recently saw the movie “The Secret Life of Walter Mitty”.  It is about a guy who lives a pretty dull life working a 9 to 5 job  until a turn of events leads him to go on an epic adventure where he spontaneously travels to different parts of the world, climbs the tallest peak of a mountain, jumps from a helicopter into the sea, and does all of this while essentially becoming a hero.

This movie resonated with me deep down in my bones.  I remembered my own traveling adventures and now I am yearning for more.  

In the Fall of 2003 I went to Antigua, Guatemala on a whim and it ended up being one of the best decisions of my life.  I was truly free. The most free I have ever felt in years.  I met people from all of the world who came to that city to learn Spanish.  When money started getting tight, I lived in the back of a barbershop for cheaper rent.  I went to a beach with black sand, yes...black sand, and then swam in an ocean and nearly drowned from the powerful riptide.  I climbed a volcano with friends --I had just made-- in the pouring rain and climbed above the clouds.  It was the most spectacular view.  

God showed up in my life in many ways.  I learned how to connect with God at a deeper level in worship.  I learned the power and beauty of silence.  I saw his love in service.  Oh man...there are so many stories.  I made great new friends who I stay in contact with to this day.  This was the trip that gave me wanderlust.  This was the trip that started it all.  

Wanderlust

/wändərˌləst/ noun “a strong desire to travel.”

One of the last messages Jesus leaves his disciples is “GO”.  He said “Go into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”  Mark 16:15.  I like that.  Jesus gives you permission to have adventure for His cause.  He gives you permission to advance the Kingdom.  Does this resonate with you?  What type of adventure is calling your name?