You know I think the main prayer I have for my life is to be a vessel for the Lord. I want to be able to use my life to serve Him. After a busy, fun-filled weekend of teaching, playing and leading I feel so grateful. I am so glad I can use whatever skills/gifts I can offer, to encourage anyone to look to Jesus. It's such a fulfilling endeavor to try and live with a heaven focus and to be able to reflect that focus on worship, creativity and God's Word. To do this job or any job for that matter in a way that honors God is a blessing no words can describe. I think it's vitally important to get in touch with how you can further the kingdom of heaven in any and every way. Whether it's through a job, a friendship or in your family, being a vessel for Jesus is the endgame that really matters.

As I plopped down exhausted on my couch today, I looked at my wife and our kids so thankful for redemption and love and that I am able to be a leader/vessel in my family. I love that our family seeks to pursue Jesus together and I am able to live in the freedom and purpose that brings. I love watching my kids growing up in their talents and gifting and championing them on to discover who God has made them to be. I look at our home and all of the miraculous blessing in my life and I am astounded. Our family keeps a prayer journal and I can tangibly see prayer requests being answered in the most specific ways. It's never easy following Jesus but living as a vessel for Him will fill you up with unspeakable joy even as the world attempts to throw its roadblocks and challenges in your way. Even if you stumble and make mistakes God can and will still use your life in mighty ways. Just be open and willing to be used and you will see incredibly opportunities unfold.

I really love this time of year. Spring usually signals new life, warming temperatures and the Easter season. This year though, I have been doing a ton of memorial and funeral services. Being a part of special moments celebrating the lives of my friend's loved ones has been incredibly moving and life changing. I feel like there has been so much death around us in the last several months that as Christians, it forces us to be heaven focused. We cannot see death as the world sees it, as the end of life, but as a graduation to being in the presence of our heavenly Father and Jesus. Living with a focus on Jesus, breathes hope into anyone who is struggling or grieving. It also helps us to be a comfort to those who are struggling in any difficult season of life. 

My grandmother turns 98 this year and I recently made a trip back to Georgia to visit with her. I got to spend some great time with her walking, playing music together, and just catching up. I asked her as many questions as I could think of and listened to her talk about heaven. She made me my favorite pie and sang to me. She told me old stories of my childhood. We laughed and drank sweet tea. She cried as she talked about the day my granddaddy died, several years ago. I sat with her and tried to be as present as I could soaking up the memories we were making moment by moment. I filmed her just in case I forgot anything. I am so thankful that I have been able to be a part of my grandmother's life. She is the strongest person I know and she has always loved me and accepted me unconditionally. No matter what she offers a sweet word of encouragement or kindness, whatever it is I am going through. She is fiercely protective of me and adores my wife and our kids. She gave me my awesome mother and has been a great example of living in grace and serving God with her life.

As I hugged my grandmother goodbye on the last day of my trip, I got choked up. I realized that God could call my grandmother home any day. I realized life is short and the importance of cherishing the moments we are given and living with a grateful heart. I am inspired by my grandmother's desire to be a witness for Jesus and to appreciate the opportunities that God has given me to serve his people in worship. She has inspired me to see the importance of forgiveness, leaving the past behind you and to keep moving forward in life. She has inspired me to be independent and self-reliant. And I realized how much the small things we do every day can impact the lives of others and just how quickly our lives go by on earth.

It was an enriching and impactful trip that was truly good for my soul. 

As 2020 has drawn to a close and we embark on the new year, its almost like turning the page to a whole new chapter in our life stories. We  are glad to have made it through some challenging times, during a year filled with uncertainty, anxiety and even the loss of cherished loved ones. Some of us are eager to close the 2020 chapter and never look back. We long for normalcy and peace. We are looking forward to the next chapter being better than the one we were just in. But what if the new year isn't the reset button we had hoped for and what if we continue to struggle with challenging circumstances? What if 2021 has its own set of hardships and difficulties to face? What are we supposed to do then? In an uncertain world, that we have been told is not our home we can hold onto one thing: Jesus. Jesus truly is the Way, the True and the Life. His promises are real, His presence is real and a relationship with Him is the only path to everlasting peace during this time, in this life, and beyond. Serving Jesus with our lives is the only way to make this new chapter and the ones that follow truly matter. We can experience hope, joy, peace and love in relationship with Jesus because He is the same yesterday, today and tomorrow, no matter what year it is and no matter what challenges we are facing.

We have officially started decorating the house for the holidays! A little premature, yes but I am feeling joyful and ready for some celebration. Even after the challenges presented in 2020 I can look back and truly appreciate a year of great growth and change. I have grown in my faith and I have learned more about Jesus in my life, I have grown even closer to my beautiful family, and I have worked hard to become a better singer/songwriter. I have learned to appreciate all of the ways great and small that God shows up and works amazing miracles in my life. I am thankful for extraordinary friendships, determined fellow worshipers, and brave church leaders who have worked undeterred to continue to serve and support ministry this year. I am ready to hunker down and celebrate this holiday season grateful for the things in my life that truly matter.  As we move into 2021 and beyond, let's try and stay focused on things that matter and not sweat the small stuff or give energy to distractions that aren't that important in the bigger picture anyway. God is in control of everything and all we can do is try to live in relationship with Him seeking His will for our lives. Merry Christmas friends! I hope you have a sweet and restful holiday season!