Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas everyone, I hope you all have a great time with your families and friends.  It has been a great time of relaxation and catching up on some much needed sleep for me, during this week off.    

Last night I spent several hours at the Chapman's house.  I took them some gifts I had gotten them, then I got to make cookies with the boys and ended up playing Twister, I lost badly, but I am sure it was definitely a Kodak moment.  After they put the boys to bed me and Shannon stayed up and talked until way into the morning, about the future.  It is so great to have someone stretch you and believe in you. 

Tomorrow I will be celebrating with my mom, dad, and brother.  Then going to my dad's side of the family for lunch.  I may catch a movie tomorrow night and eat some left overs.  

House of Blues!!

Just got back from a great weekend in the warm state of Florida.  Friday Nevertheless played at the House of Blues in Orlando in downtown Disney.  It was a great time and what a wonderful feeling to be in Florida a week before Christmas and it is 80 degrees.  The show was awesome we opened for our friends Between the Trees it was their Christmas show.  I got to fire of the  confetti cannons which was a ton of fun.  The House of blues is an amazing venue, every city should have one.  Then Saturday we headed to Palm Harbor, Fl to hang out with some friends and go to a Christmas Party.  Sunday we got up, got on boat and headed out to the Ocean, pretty cool.

Later that day we went to an unbelievable restaurant called Island Way, and I had the best steak I have ever had in my life.

Me, Michael, Jonathan, Zack and AJ loaded up around 9:30 and made an all night drive back to Chattanooga. Was a bummer to pull into 14 degree weather. I slept all day, then got up and had dinner with the folks.  Tomorrow I have got to finish my Christmas shopping.

Stuck in Dallas, with a broken axle!!

So Saturday night we finished the 12 Days of Christmas Tour with the Afters and Remedy drive on the way to the show from Lafayette, LA we realized something was wrong with the trailer.  So we pulled over and got out to check it out, what happened to be wrong is that was not a wheel attached to the axle, no hub, no brakes, nothing and it had been dragging on the interstate.  Not the best situation, we scrambled around and finally ended up dragging the trailer to a repair shop dropping it and loading all the gear we could into the van.  We got to the show as the opening band was finishing and Nevertheless was to go on.  

We were hoping to pick up the trailer on Sunday and make the long journey back home but it ended up not being ready until Monday at 5 p.m. we pulled into Chattanooga around 6 a.m. this morning.

And to beat all my truck would not start, I finally got back to the house around 7 and crashed, then got up and drove down to Gainesville, Ga.  

Not sure why but my throat is killing me, problem the combination of no sleep, cold weather, eating nothing but fast food.

Snow in Southern Mississippi?

So we stayed in Pearl, Mississippi last night and the crazy thing was, there was snow on the ground.  Pretty weird I know.  We are back in the van heading to Lafayette, La today for a show on the 12 Days of Christmas Tour with the Afters and Remedy Drive.  It finishes up on Saturday in Dallas, Tx.  

This past Sunday at church our Pastor challenged us to 3 ideas, I wanted to pass those on to you.

1. Don't go in debt to buy Gifts

2. Buy gifts that give (Toms shoes, or other organizations that give back)

3. Do something for someone this season (Take them a meal, serve in some way)

I think these are great ideas and would help others to see Christ through all the blinking lights and tinsel.

Love is recap..

Well it is Tuesday afternoon, and I have had some time to reflect on this past Sunday.  Thanks to all of my family and friends who came to the Service, and a huge thanks to the Ethos community for allowing me to share my heart.  And even bigger thanks to my Pastor and friend Shannon Chapman for believing in me.

It was a wonderful day that I shared about Love is... and filled in the blank with what so many of us make love out to be and how we relate our encounters with love her on earth to love that God gives us.  The end of the day ended with the realization that Love is healing, when we as a community fulfill what God has commanded us to do, love one another.  

I believe that God moved in a powerful way and that many people began a process of healing in their own lives.

The message is available on Itunes under Ethos Podcast.

Taking it easy!!

I have been in Chattanooga since Wednesday night this has been the longest time in one place since May.  It has been a great time of seeing friends and getting some much need rest.  I went out to Ethos this morning to see the band practice the songs that they will be playing tomorrow.  They are going to be awesome.  Then I went to the mall for a little while, that place is crazy.  Now I am just enjoying some SEC football on TV before heading to Rock City tonight to see a friend sing in a band there.

My message for tomorrow is finished and I feel really good about it.  I am sure it will change before the morning.  I am expecting some awesome things to happen.  Tomorrow is also two friends of mine's birthdays.  They have helped a ton with getting the service ready.  Thanks so much to Jonathan and Sheryl and Happy Early Birthdays.

Ethos at City Church tomorrow morning 11 a.m. be there.

Love is...

This is the title for my message I will be speaking at Ethos on Sunday, I am really excited about it, it has been a few months since I have spoken.  I have been taking some time off to study and refocus.  If you can make it, please do, it is going to be a special day.  Here is the backdrop for the day.  Hope everyone has a wonderful Thanksgiving.

Rock the Sound Rocked!!

Just got back in from awesome weekend, Friday night we were in New Providence, NJ and did a show for our friend Mike Flavin, it was a great night I was excited because I got to fire off the confetti cannon, it is the little things in life.  I also ate at my first Jersey Diner, it was an experience for sure, every time I ordered something he said they were out of it, pretty funny.  

We then left Saturday morning for Bridgeport, CT for the 4th Rock the Sound.  It had a huge lineup, Nevertheless, Leeland, Skillet, Daivd Crowder and the Newsboys.  It was in a huge arena that sold out with 7,000 people.  It was a lot of fun, and the folks of Rock the Sound were so hospitable, and amazing people, thanks so much to Chris, Scott and Jeremiah for all your help.

I am in Chattanooga, and heading down to Gainesville, in the morning to get a couple of days work in the TEAMeffort offices.  Next week we finish up our Purpose for the Pain tour, that will be sad, we have had the best time with the Between the Trees guys, Dan evans and Renee.  

Just saw Coldplay, I am in awe.

So I just got back from Florida around 11 a.m. today, and I was planning on unpacking and repacking, when I got a phone call from my friend Shannon Chapman, and he said, "Hey, my wife is not feeling well, would you like to go to Coldplay in Atlanta?" I was like for sure, I had no idea what to expect.  And if I did have any expectations they were completely blown away.  I have never seen anything like it, I did not want the night to end.  

TOMS Shoes

I am in Ocala, Florida right now still on the Purpose for the Pain Tour.  It is pretty warm, i just wanted to tell you about my latest purchase and challenge you to do the same.  

I am wearing my first pair of TOMS shoes and they are amazing.  The best thing is every time you purchase a pair of shoes they give a pair to a child that has never owned a pair of shoes, it is a great opportunity to help and get some rockin shoes.  Check them out at www.tomsshoes.com

Creative meeting!

I am in Gainesville, GA, just about to pack up and head back to Chattanooga.  I am meeting with my Pastor Shannon and the creative team, to discuss an new series at Ethos.  I am really excited to because I will be speaking at Ethos on November 30th, and we are going to be discussing that message as well.  The title is going to be Love is Pain, I should have a graphic soon to post.  I have not spoken in Chattanooga in several months, so if you get a chance come to Ethos that day.  

I will be loading up in the van and heading to Florida, later on tonight, we have shows in Jacksonville, Ocala, and Bradenton, before heading north.

Canada and other fun stuff!!

Hey everyone, I hope you are doing well where ever you are and whatever you are doing as you read this.  It is 9 a.m.  and I am sitting in the passenger seat of the van heading south down I-76 toward Washington D.C. from Cleveland, OH.  

Last week I got to go to Niagara Falls in Canada, it was amazing and breathtaking.  We took the Maid of the Mist to the bottom of the falls, they basically drive the boat right into the foot of the falls, it was incredibly powerful and really loud.  We got soaking wet and it was freezing cold all at the same time, not the best combination of elements but a great experience.  I highly recommend it if you are ever close.  

We got back on Sunday evening, and I headed down to Gainesville, GA to work in the TEAMeffort offices for a couple of days.  We began clearing land at the camp to prepare for future building it was pretty exciting to see things happen there.  

We are playing at the Rock and Roll Hotel in Washington D.C. tonight should be a pretty fun with Between the Trees.

This past week was pretty eventful for the band Nevertheless.  As we were coming back Brad the guitarist decided he no longer wanted to travel so he quit the band.  That left the guys with 3 days to find a guitarist to replace him before heading back out.  In the mean time, AJ the other guitarist went to the Doctor and washed rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery, he had his appendix removed.  He is doing much better now, he is laying in the back of the van resting.  Zack is the new guitarist name, his first show was last night in Cleveland at Acquire the Fire in front of 2,700 people, he did great.

Well, I am going to get off here and read some more of the book Crazy Love.  

In the van

So it is 9:13 and I am sitting in the passenger seat of a red 15 passenger van as we are running a steady 70 mph down I-59, final destination New Orleans.  We just have one event this weekend called Shoutfest, it is part of the To Write Love On Her Arms tour that we are on.  

Earlier in the week I was working in Gainesville, GA, and I got to meet my brother Matthew for dinner, he lives in Atlanta and works as a microbiologist we don't get to catch up as often as I would like but when we do it is always good.  He was really excited because he just got accepted into the masters program.  His dream job is to work for the Center for Disease Control, and I am sure it will happen.

Today I had an amazing conversation with my friend from the UK Ramin, he truly inspires me.  Even though he was bragging that he just got the New Macbook which I am truly jealous in the most Christian way possible.  After speaking with him, I was just thinking how truly blessed I am to be able to share this amazing journey with so many men and women who teach me so much about myself.  So to you all I say thank you.

So I just bought the book Crazy love by Frances Chan, I am really excited to start reading it, and I am hooked on the band Between the Trees, who we are touring with, I have wore their cd out.  I bought a red flannel shirt today, I am pretty excited about wearing it this fall, especially on our trips up north.  

Well I think I am going to watch a movie, it seems to make time go by faster.

Working in the office all week!

I got back in Monday morning from Chicago, and Indianapolis, then I headed straight down to Gainesville, GA to the TEAMeffort offices.  I have been working all week on a project to help raise funds for "The Outpost"  It is the first camp that TEAMeffort has purchased right outside of Helen, GA.  It will be able to hold around 150 people a week by this summer.  I am really enjoying being in the office with the staff and getting to know them better.

Tonight I will be heading back to Chattanooga, to meet up with the band.  Friday the To Write Love On Her Arms tour kicks off in Iowa with a band called Between the Trees and Nevertheless.  Then Saturday we have our second ATF event in St. Louis, and Sunday night is another TWLOHA tour date in Cincinnati.  Will be a lot of traveling this weekend all in the van probably 2,300 miles.

God has been allowing me to have some amazing conversations with people about character and integrity.  It has been so awesome to see God stretch us, and continually show us places in our lives that need improvement.  I love have open and honest conversation that help me and others continue in our faith.  One gentlemen in particular that God has allowed me to get to know is Jonathan, this guy is one of the most creative people I have ever met, and he is truly searching after God.  He truly inspires me.

Thanks again to all of you that read this and for your prayers and encouraging words.

Tour is over!

OK, so about 3 weeks ago, I said I was going on tour.  And I made a promise that I would write more of what I am seeing and doing, well looks like I did not keep that end of the deal very well.  So if you will forgive me, I will do a recap.  The tour was great, we saw good size crowds the entire tour, I got to spend my a couple of days in New York City which was really exciting I had never been.  It was very overwhelmingly huge. Time Square was amazing.  The guys played in a very well known club called the Knitting Factory, which is about to be torn down, it had an amazing vibe to it.  

We spent several days in PA, before heading back south.  This past Wednesday Nevertheless had a cd release show in Chattanooga, it was great.  We had a turn out of over 1,200 people, I was in charge of most of the logistics for the day, so it was pretty stressful.  We then headed out to Cincinnati to play at a really neat Christian club called the Underground then Greenville, Sc and we just finished tonight in Mobile, AL.

We are driving through the night to get back for church in the morning because we will be gone for the next few weekends doing Acquire the Fire events.  It was a great tour, we made tons of new friends, but I am excited to be home for a couple of days and see everyone, plus I am a little sick so going to try to get better.  

Tour is about to start!!

I was able to go to my home church this morning Ethos in Chattanooga, it is an amazing community if you are ever near you should come.  It is so good to be able to go, that is one of the bummers about traveling so often.  I am just sitting at home right now watching some football, before this crazy week gets started.  I am putting some finishing touches on a message that I will give at a retreat this weekend in Alabama.

 

Monday I am going back to Gainesville, GA for a few days to work some in the TEAMeffort office, then I will be heading back to pack for tour.  The Unbreakable Tour begins thursday in New Jersey.  It is with Fireflight, Nevertheless, and Me in Motion.  I am will be speaking at the retreat and then flying from Atlanta to Washington D. C.  where Nevertheless will pick me up, we have 16 shows in 18 days it is going to be pretty tiresome.  But I am really excited about it, it is something new for me, I will be Road Pastoring, but also Road Managing.  

I have been reading a book by C.S Lewis called the Problem of Pain, and finishing up the book by Erwin Mcmanus The Barbarian Way.  I have been listening to the new Nevertheless record "In the Making" that comes out on the 16th nonstop and i cannot get enough of Paramore and Flyleaf.    I will be posting pictures and stories from tour really soon, I also hope to do some video blogs as well so stay posted.

Portland, OR

I am in Portland, OR, I just got back to the hotel room after having dinner and a session with the Next Generation Alliance Extend the Impact Conference.  It is so great to connect with other evangelists from around the country. I had some great conversations with Ramin from the UK, it is his first time to the U.S.  he has such a passion to reach people.

I am so excited to learn over the next few days how to organize and mobilize events (festivals) to reach people.  I really desire to have an event in the coming year in Chattanooga.  Tonight Dr. Tim Robnett shared with us and reminded us what it is we are called to do and be, then we had prayer for one another.  

Tomorrow we have sessions from 8 am-10 pm, the Friday we get to work as counselors at Portland City Fest they are expecting 50,000 both days.  I hope to post pictures soon. 

Rock solid Recap!!

I left at 9:30 Friday morning heading towards Freeport, PA about 30 miles north of Pittsburgh. Frank went with me to do some spinning on his turntables.  We got a little of a late start so about 6 hours into the trip we passed a place called King's Island, an amusement park north of Cincinnati.  They had a sign that said $15 after 5 p.m. and it was 5:15, so I crossed 3 lanes of traffic and exited.  We spent about 3 hours riding some coasters, one in particular called The Beast, and rightly so, it was insane.  Then got back on the road and ended up getting a hotel on the other side of Columbus, OH.  We finished our drive in early Saturday morning and arrived at the Rock Solid Festival.  This was my second year to speak there so, there were a lot of familiar faces.  Frank DJ in between bands and also while I was speaking if you have not seen him, it is pretty amazing.  I spoke about where do you turn when life does not add up, when 2 + 2 does not equal 4.  John 16:33.  I shared some personal hard times and that the only place I have found peace is at the cross of Jesus, because it is there we find love, that God is always in control, and he can turn the worst into eternal good.  Afterwards, I had some amazing conversations with people who shared their troubles, and we talked about how God was with them.  I am also receiving emails with people sharing their stories with me.

On a different note, Nevertheless launched a new website called www.Tiredofsleepingin.com it is an amazing place where you can post your stories and also encourage other people.  

I ended up driving 673 miles today, so I am a little tired, but so encouraged, that God always has my life under control, even though times it may feel as if it is spinning out of control.   He is so faithful.  Thanks God, You Rock!!

I fly out Wednesday for Portland, OR for a conference and a chance to see first hand Portland City Fest with Luis Palau, I am so excited to reconnect with old friends and make so many new ones.  Thanks to all of you for reading, I am amazed by how many of you tell me you do.  Even this past week one of you said you don't write enough, so I will try to write more.  Good night!!

Home for a few days!!

Just finished staff retreat with all 80 some odd staff that worked all summer at different locations for the Team Effort Mission camps, we had a great time of fellowship and just getting to know each other.  I at home for a few days back in Chattanooga, before heading out this weekend to Freeport, PA for my second time to speak at Rock Solid Festival.  I have been getting to hang out with some friends that I have not seen in a few months during all the youth camps.  That has been a blast getting to reconnect with the guys from Nevertheless, and plan out this fall.  Their new EP dropped yesterday on Itunes go pick it up, it is amazing.

I leave friday for PA and get back some time late Sunday then a week from today, I fly to Portland Oregon for a conference called Extend the Impact.  It is a conference for members of the Next Generation Allicance a division of Luis Palau Association.  I am really excited the whole conference is teaching us how to build our own festivals from start to finish, and then we get to experience Portland City Fest on Friday and Saturday.  

Some other exciting news, I will be working some throughout the year for the Team Effort Organization out of Gainesville, GA, that I traveled and spoke all summer for.  I will be doing some traveling and setting up camps, and helping out with some new program launches.

12,000 miles and 10 weeks later!!

I am sitting in the Denver, CO airport waiting on my flight to Atlanta to begin staff retreat.  Today ended an unbelievable 10 weeks of youth camps, I traveled to 6 different camps and over 12,000 miles during that time.  I had the most amazing opportunity to get to share with so many youth groups from across the country.  I feel truly blessed to have had that opportunity.  The last couple of days I spent at the Grand Canyon and in Sedona, AZ.  What an absolute beautiful place.

I would say that I am excited about things slowing down a little, but I think they are only picking up, staff training goes until Wed, then that weekend I will be with Nevertheless, they have asked me to travel this fall as their road manager, so I will be learning what all that means.  They have 3 incredible tours lined up, but I can't say yet.  

August 16th, me and Frank will be traveling to Freeport, PA for my second time at the Rock Solid Festival, then I fly to Portland, OR on the 20th for a 4 day conference with the Luis Palau Organization.  

God is so faithful, and every day he is blowing my mind, thanks for all your prayers this summer.  Let's see what else God has got in store.

July Jam and Back to Arizona!

Well last weekend had the most amazing opportunity to speak at an entire weekend event in Pikeville, Ky.  Friday night was an event called Praise in the Park, it was with 4 local bands and Among the Thirsty, it was really neat in a local park.  Saturday was the actual event called July Jam it was held in the Eastern Ky Expo Center.  It was with Pillar, Sanctus Real, Story Side B and Delorean Grey.  I got to speak between Sanctus Real and Pillar.  I was able to give people a chance to respond.  We had 13 people receive Christ and many more come forward with addictions.  Then Sunday me and Among the Thirsty led the service at Grace in the Old Weddington Theatre it was a really need place for worship.  I Got back home Sunday night after having to stop and change a tire that we blew on the interstate.  

Monday morning until this morning I was in Copperhill, TN at a TeamEffort Mission camp, and I am now sitting in the Atlanta airport waiting to fly back to Phoenix, AZ then drive to the Navajo reservation, it looks to be about a 14 hour travel day.  

There are some really neat things in the works, and I look forward to sharing them with you soon.  Thanks for your prayers and your encouragement.  

Navajo Reservation!!

I flew into Phoenix, AZ early Saturday morning, then rented a car and drove almost 5 hours north to Dilkon, AZ onto the Navajo Reservation.  It is one of the most beautiful places I have been the magnitude of how large the mountains and formations are mind blowing.  I have two groups this week one from California, and one from Georgia.  Yesterday we went to church with the Navajo people and had the opportunity to fellowship with them, singing Navajo Hymns, it was beautiful.  I wake up really early around 5 am because it is already in the 90's.  It gets up to around 110 degrees and as low as 50 at night.  

I have had the most amazing times, reading, and praying in the mornings, as I stare out into wide open range.  It is so overwhelming, to see what God has created, so much so it brings tears to my eyes.  

I mentioned the open range and it is that, there are no fences.  Cattle, horses, sheep and anything else roam freely, for some reason they really like to stand in the road, I guess because they can.  

Phoenix, AZ

It is 5:42 a.m. I am sitting in the terminal in the Chattanooga, Airport waiting on my 6:30 flight to Phoenix, AZ.  I am flying out to run a camp in Dilkon, AZ on a Navajo Reservation.  This is going to be my first time in AZ, so I am pretty excited even though I am a little worried about the 115 degree temperatures.  

I was in Gatlinburg, TN all week at a camp there, it was an amazing time, really hard to put words.  We have been experiencing  services that just don't make sense to the natural eyes.  It seems for so long in church/services, that there has to be a message, then altar call, and then people respond.  But what we have been seeing is that God is touching people's hearts and bringing them to recognition that they are in need of a life change so strongly that they are running to the cross without anyone ever asking for them to respond.  God is so good, and showing me everyday, how his love is over, underneath, inside, in between.  I am expecting to learn so much from my time in Phoenix. I am taking several books to read, one I am looking forward to reading is by Edwin Mcmanus called Soul Cravings.  

Chicago, on my Birthday!!

Well it comes that time of year when you realize, how fast life is really flying by, today I turned 29, seems unreal that I can be that old, I can remember when I was smaller thinking that life was over at that age, now I am thinking I am still young, I guess reality is somewhere in the middle.  

I have spent the last 5 days in Benton Harbor, Michigan.  It was a great time with the TEAMeffort organization there.  Yesterday I got to downtown chicago, and do some looking around, the city is amazing.  Here are some pics.  I am looking forward to flying back into Atlanta this morning, and spending my Birthday with the ones I love.  Thanks for your prayers.

Busy week!

Well I am in the middle of week 2 of youth camps.  I was in Copperhill, TN Sunday till today, I am on my way to Spencer, TN for a service tonight, then I head to Birmingham, Al for a youth rally on Thursday and Friday.  Saturday morning, I will be at a youth pastor's breakfast in Birmingham, then I will drive to Atlanta, to catch a flight to Chicago, IL.  I will be doing a week of youth camp there, then flying back on my birthday Friday the 20th, and finishing up the week in Cleveland, Ga, speaking at their closing program for the week.  Yes, it is a lot of travel, but it is amazing to meet so many wonderful people.  

This past week, I had a flat tire, so I am hoping for no more complications.  Please pray for strength and endurance.  Still have 7 more weeks of camp left. 

Building 429 Bus!! Camp Tomorrow!!

Today was J-fest in Chattanooga, TN.  I got there just in time for Steve Fee who was amazing, it was the first time I had seen him live.  Then it was Matthew West who is always fun to watch.  A friend I met at Agapefest  a few weeks ago is doing merchandise for Building 429, so he asked me if I wanted to see the bus and I was like sure.  So I got to go on their tour bus, and a few of the guys were on there, so I got to hang with them for a few minutes and watch Rocky III in the air condition which was great because it was really hot today.  So then I watched them for a few minutes.  Then met up with  a lot of the staff from some of the camps I am going to be speaking at this summer, it was their last day off for the next 10 weeks so they all came into Chattanooga, so we had dinner at Big River Grille, then went to Marble Slab.  The counselors are great and God is going to do some awesome things this summer.  I am so excited.  I leave tomorrow night to go to Copperhill, TN.   

Team Effort Staff Training and My back is out!!

I have been in Gainesville, Ga since last Wednesday with the Team Effort Mission Organization, there has been almost 80 staff made up of college students who will be working 24 different camps this summer across the U.S. I have been sharing with them the nightly programs that they will be doing all summer long.  The story of the woman at the well from John 4.  On Friday afternoon we were playing a serious game of dodge ball, when I bent down to pick up a ball, my back went out.  If you have ever had this happen then you know what I am talking about.  I did my messages that night out of a wheelchair, which was incredibly humbling.  I have been out of order until today, I got to go to the chiropractor, I am able to move a little now, but still dreading my drive home tomorrow, I have not driven since Friday. 

The training has been an incredible time of sharing and spending time with some amazing men and women who are going to be incredible camp leaders this summer to almost 10,000 campers.  The camps start this coming Sunday, my first week, I will be in the Coastal Carolina's then head back to Copper Hill, TN for the Friday night program.  I am so excited about what God is going to do this summer.  I will also get to travel to Spencer, TN; Chicago, IL, Arizona, Cleveland, GA; and Gatlinburg, TN.

Face Your Monster Recap!!

Sunday morning, I spoke at the River in New Kensington, it was mainly an adult crowd, which was a little different than I am used to, but the pastor said they need to hear about pornography and depression, so me and the band Among the Thirsty, did just that.  We had a good response with 8 people coming forward.  Then Sunday night was in Sarver, Pa with Among the Thirsty and Nevertheless, it went really well, we had around 40 people say they wanted to face the monster in their life, we had the opportunity to hear so many stories of teenagers that had been dealing with either pornography, depression or cutting.  It was awesome to see the response.  

Today I had the opportunity to share a devotional with a group of students at Soddy Daisy Hight School, I talked about unforced rhythms of grace.  Matthew 11:28-30. It is so weird being at a school that I was at 11 years ago, wow I am getting old.

Tommorrow I am heading to Birmingham to speak at Dilworth Church of God. Then hopefully to WDJC to do a devotional on the air on the John Walden Show. 

Sunday I will be heading to Louisville, OH for a Face Your Monster show with Among the Thirsty, I am looking forward to seeing what God is going to do.

Summer camps are right around the corner, actually they start next week, wow it is going to get busy. 

On the Road Again!!

I am just about to head out, for the next few days, I am pretty excited about this upcoming trip, it has been a few weeks since I have traveled more than 1 day.  I am heading to Nashville, to take care of some things, and Josh of Nevertheless is finishing up some vocals on the new record that is going to be amazing, it comes out Sept. 16th.  Then the rest of the band is picking us up in the morning and we are heading to Agape Fest in Greeneville, IL.  The guys are playing with Run Kid Run, Hawk Nelson, and David Crowder, then Saturday we head to Pittsburgh, PA for Acquire the Fire, which are always a lot of fun.  Then Sunday I am speaking at a church outside of Pittsburgh, with the band Among the Thirsty, and that night I have an event with Among the Thirsty and Nevertheless, I will be talking about Facing your monster.  It will be the first time, so I am excited about it, I will be talking about pornography, depression and cutting, and letting people know there is hope and help.

I will be updating on those events. 

Sore Arm

So today, my friend Kenny calls and says you want to throw ball?  I am like huh, he said baseball.  I thought well have not done that in years why not.  So we met in the peewee field, it was really small you could stand at home plate and throw the ball over the fence in the outfield.  So of course that is what we tried to do.  I am sure anyone watching got a kick out of us.  Now my arm feels as if it has been ripped off, got to love getting old.  I think it is nice sometimes to simplify life and revisit your childhood.

Nashville and Rock Point!

Yesterday morning me and Kristy loaded up in the Element and went to Nashville, to meet up with the guys of Nevertheless, they were playing at Acquire the Fire, I was pretty excited because Kristy had never seen one, and they are huge.  It was suppose to be Krystal Myers, Nevertheless, then Stellar Kart, but Stellar Kart's bus broke down so only two of them flew in and did an accoustic set so Nevertheless got to headline it was awesome over 4,000 people.  Then afterwards we went to the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Nashville, it was a lot of fun, if you have never been on Broadway street on a weekend you have to go, there are tons of people sitting on every corner playing guitars, buckets and any thing else.  We got in after 1:30 this morning.

I had the awesome opportunity to speak to the youth at Rock Point Communty Church, thanks to the youth pastor Michael Johnson, we had a great time, and I got to share with them about being able to travel and speak to youth, then my brother and his girlfriend came in town and we met my parents to have an early birthday dinner for Kristy since they were in town. Now just watching the Masters which is really weird I don't even like golf.  I am about to head out to see the bands Hello Kelly and Attaboy in concert tonight.  

Cherokee, NC

Ok so now my mind is thinking of all kinds of stuff.  Thursday after work me and Kristy took off to Cherokee, NC, I had never gone through the Ocoee to get there, so we did, we stopped in Andrews, NC for diner at an amazing restaurant called the Cole House, the food was out of this world.  We then arrived at the KOA campgrounds.  I had met the owner of it on my Christmas tour, and he hooked us up with a Cabin on the river, thanks so much Mark.  So we got a good nights sleep then headed to Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge before heading back home. Sometimes you just need get away for a couple of days, it was beautiful scenery, a good trip, and an even better traveling companion.

New Mac, busy week!!

Well i finally gave in and joined the mac world, and I have to admit, I am sorry I waited so long to purchase a mac, I absolutely love the simplicity of it, I feel it is smarter than me, no laughing.  And the ichat feature is amazing, if you don't know what that is because I did not as of 2 days ago, I can sit wherever I have Internet access and talk to someone else with a mac with video and audio, so you can sit and talk to your anyone anywhere.  It is awesome.  Ok enough about that, go get one. 

This week I will be heading to Ringold, Ga, not far, but I will be meeting the Doug Jones the owner of a mission camp called Team Effort, check them out at www.teameffort.org.  I will be speaking at some of their camps this summer, which I am really excited about.

I spent last Wednesday and Thursday in Nashville with the guys from Nevertheless checking out their new tunes in the studio, if you are already a fan, you are going to love it, if you are not a fan, soon you will be.  April 12th I will be heading to Nashville to be with the guys of Nevertheless at Acquire the Fire.  Then Sunday back down to speak to the youth at Rock Point Community Church.  Hope all is well, trying to catch everything up, I go for a while without posting these blogs, I forget, I am going to do better though.

Hello Everyone!!

I hope all is well out in blog land, things here have been a little crazy, but then I would not know what to do if it was not. There has not been a tour lately so I have been doing a lot of dates by myself, speaking at youth groups. It has been a lot of fun. I have also had the opportunity to go with my friends Nevertheless a lot more, those guys are amazing. This past weekend I went with them to Soul Blast 08 in Battle Creek, MI and I had the opportunity to speak, thanks John. We also met a new band called Ataboy, check them out.
Then saturday we had Aquire the Fire in Muncie Indiana. It was amazing the Ball State Arena was full. I also got to meet some of the guys from Superchick, which I am not definately a fan of. We heading back home, and arrived about 5:30, just enough time to catch some z's before church.
I get to speak infront of my old youth group Wednesday so I am pretty excited about that. The Face Your Monster Tour is begginning to book, so hopefully I will be out seeing a lot of you real soon.

Dallas Here I come!!

Last weekend I had the opportunity to go with Nevertheless to an Aquire the Fire event in Baton Rouge, it was an amazing time, those guys are a lot of fun. This past Wednesday, I traveled to Empire, Al, a small town outside of Birmingham to speak at Dilworth COG for my good friend Wes Snider. Josh the lead singer for Nevertheless went with me and lead worship, on our way back we stopped in at WDJC in Birmingham, and did a nightly devotional and interview. Me and Josh did a combo devotional, I should be posting it soon on the myspace. It was about us as the body that we should be functioning together and not as if we did not need each other. Tommorrow I will be flying to Dallas, TX for an event called Innovate 08, I am looking forward to it, it will be my first time to the big state of TX.

Some things coming soon, we have a new tour booking called Face Your Monster, we are going to be tackling real issues like pornography, cutting, suicide. That tour will be with Among The Thirsty starting in April.

At the end of April I will be traveling to Jamaica with the Luis Palau team, to work festivals and speaking in the public schools.

We should have a new t-shirt for sale soon, and the cd devotional is on the way. Thanks so much for all your support

An incredible weekend!!

We left Thursday for Florida, Kristy was able to go so that was great, she does not get to travel a lot with me when I speak. All day Friday we hung out and did some sight seeing, we went to largo, clearwater, and st. pete. Saw dolphins playing, and then we had lunch at this awesome place called shells, I had Mahi-Mahi tacos.

We then made our way to an accoustic concert with Aaron Gillespie from Underoath and The Almost at a place called Smiley's Coffe shop. It was called This is Personal, check it out at http://www.myspace.com/thisispersonall.The place was packed, it was a really neat setting with Jamie from To Write Love on Her Arms. He spoke and Aaron did some country, Almost, and Underoath songs. It was great getting to meet them. Then one of Aaron's friends Chip spoke, check out his ministry at
www.myspace.com/thevictorministries. Then Saturday we hung all day with The Smiths, which is Greg the drummer for Among the Thirsty's parents. We did some more sight seeing, got to go to the pier, where we tried on really amazing hats.

Sunday night I had the opportunity to speak at St. Andrews UMC in Brandon, Fl. It was a great time meeting Pastor Dan, and the youth there. Then we drove back to Gainesville, to spend the night and drove home first thing Monday morning so I could get back to speak at Student Venture at Baylor High School that night. It was a busy weekend, but a lot of fun.

Speaking this weekend in FL

Last night I had the opportunity to speak at Covenant Free Will Baptist in Hixson, TN. It was a lot of fun we talked about relationships. Special thanks to Justin Stanton for coming up from GA to lead worship for me, he did an amazing job. This weekend me and Kristy will be heading to Largo, Fl to see Aaron Gillespie from Underoath and The Almost he is doing an accoustic show at Smiley's Coffee shop with Jamie from To Write Love On Her Arms Organization, we are really looking forward to it, Saturday we are going to do some sight seeing and meet with a couple of people, then Sunday I am speaking at a church there. Then we have to get back so I can speak at Student Venture at Baylor Monday night. It is going to be a busy weekened and a lot of driving, but then again, I would not know any different. We just confirmed on a summer camp in Montana on July 12th-19th. We are so excited about that opportunity we will be flying out and speaking 5 days at the camp. So a lot of new stuff going on, be sure to stay tuned.

Been a few weeks!!

Well it has been a few weeks since I have posted anything, so I thought I would bring you up to speed. I have been having a lot of meetings with board of directors, Accountants, Partners, Design Team etc. Trying to get everything in place, before I head out on another tour, right now I am doing some spot dates speaking around home. With the help of Kenny Morgan at the Eight Six, check him out at http://www.theeightsix.com/ we just finished a new project I am so excited about. It is an cd devotional, I went into a studio and recording 14 tracks, the eightsix provided the awesome artwork, it should be out shortly for your listening pleasure. I am going to attach the front and back covers to give you a sneak preview. For some reason, the colors are not coming through on the design, but you get the idea. We are just excited about what is about to happen, and we are gearing up for whatever it is that God has planned. So stay tuned, it could get crazy any second. God Bless!!

Cd listneing too: Skillet Comatose

Book Reading: Starving Jesus by Craig Gross and Sex God by Rob Bell