New Beginnings

I can't get this new Misty Edwards song out of my head, that says, "Did you learn to love? Is what You will will ask me. Did you learn to love? Not about my ministry. Did you learn to love? Not about my money."

2011. One of the best years of my life. Yes, still in the same situations, but I've found myself, my voice, and my mission. I can lose what few assets I own, but they can never take my purpose.

I've traveled, gotten healthy, made new friends, learned a bit of salsa [long story ;-) ], some aikido, continued biking and tkd, and am taking up Spanish again. Saw Buddy Guy, went to Kansas City, spent time camping at the beautiful Silver Falls, and went to the coast. The two trips to Seattle were incredible and helped inspire a new productive side of creativity for me. And I got closure for questions and struggles that had hindered my relationship with God for a while. Cool stuff, huh?

Yeah, okay, the head shave was a bit drastic, but it really doesn't seem that important in the grand scheme of things right now. I still like the look as do others, though my Mom thought it looked like a skinhead at first. Yep, scary bald me I am now. But now my head is cold, I need my beanie.

Finally got the two songs out that were started four years ago. Whether or not they do well, the important thing is that they're out. They say, put yourself out there, then adjust as you go. Scary...yeah, buddy! New songs will be out next year, a collection which for now I'll call the Far Beyond Project. I'll have little secular projects, but this will be my main deal. The website project will have a new blog that will be more commercial and focus on helping others. Others, not me, what a concept, huh?

All the prophetic words blow my mind. I have to let that shape my thinking. My Bible reading plan is Psalm 1 over and over again. I have to accept that I'm an out-of-the-box guy and have to let God take me down out-of-the-box roads. Looking forward to quitting my 2nd job. (Never been so happy about a store closing down!) I'll work a part-time job and no, the free time is not for playing x-box, but I will be busier than ever, making music, promoting, writing and doing cool stuff like travelling. And you bet I'll be praying, not because I'm so good at prayer, but because I'm putting myself in a vulnerable position where I need Him to come through.

Still haunted by the images from Nefarious, this issue of social justice motivates me. I think others are driven by this as well and it'll be interesting to see what creative ideas will spring forth from different sources. Hmmm, if we thought yesterdays battles were tough, get ready, this is outright war...

And so I continually ask myself like Misty's song, did I learn to love? And I'm not talking about a needy type of attraction feeling people call "love" that drains you (I don't think love would keep you from your purpose) or even needy "worship", but something that truly gives to others and to God. This subject would take too long to explain, save that for another blog. Maybe I haven't totally learned, but I think I'm in the process right now. Yeah, more process, oh boy!

My taekwondo teacher teaches the process well: you can only sit out if you get hurt, if you're tired you SUCK IT UP!

2011 was just glimpse and preparation. Strap on your seatbelts for 2012. Have a great new year!