update, intentions going forward...

it's been several months since i last checked into this blog and i anticipate it will be equally as long before my next post. perhaps not but it's more likely to be the case because i am focusing my time exclusively on two things at the moment: BJ and ministry
i was fortunate enough to hit the ground running with Crown Financial Ministries and every spare moment remaining (his mom permitting) i'm with my son.
this new life that the Lord had in store for me has been very rewarding emotionally and easily one of (if not the) biggest challenges i've had for a long time. i'm working on raising support for the ministry so i can afford more church visits and provide stewardship coaching to their people. right now it's been about a 70/30 split but i'm working closer to making it 50/50 because the work is so important and it won't get done without a lot of focused effort.
i'm blessed to have the opportunity to look closer into the lives of the churches that are trying to reach people for Christ, yet they have the challenge of financial support to help them realize those dreams. it's not uncommon for many churches to struggle with this but what is so debilitating is seeing ones that have a clear and legitimate plan on how they could implement some quality programming to help their people and their audience either doesn't believe or is unwilling to get behind the vision. it's one thing if a church has done poorly in managing their resources and they have built a reputation for being poor managers but it's entirely different when they've done due diligence and the hearts of the men and women attending don't capture the mission. ok, that's enough of a rant. i turn this to God and trust He will (if He desires) bring their hopes and aspirations to fruition in due time.
i have about 8-9 different churches i began meeting with recently to take a closer look at their infrastructure and demographics. this has been a slow moving process but already i can see some very valuable insight into how one thing may work great for one but be the equivalent of poison for another. i use an inner city church for example because they have much different challenges than a prosperous middle to upper class group. meeting with the inner city really helps put a lot into perspective. most of these people don't want nor are they asking for sympathy, rather they are merely looking to be validated by the least of things, most of which you and i take for granted daily. this also has been very humbling and i'm somewhat intimidated (to be boldly honest) how God may use some of my time with these wonderful people to convict my heart into action, or at least to a point where some of the action may then be delegated to willing and deserving people.

i don't recall if i went into this in an earlier blog post but i've stepped back from TWOFIVESIX management and now handle only PR. they just finished recording a new demo and plan to send it away for mixing/mastering, most likely to be added to the existing LP as a re-issue bonus on the next pressing. it's festival time and they've lined up a few showcases here in the area, all of which should provide some good exposure and the opportunity to touch base with supportive fans. we've always been about giving back to the hands that support us so everyone is looking real forward to getting back on stage for a few shows before the snow hits.

hockey season is once again upon us and i couldn't be more excited for the buzz surrounding the red wings and their minor affiliates. i have tickets again this season to see 15 of the griffins' games (red wings AHL affiliate). the season opener is oct 20 and it should be a packed house. after coming so close to hoisting the stanley cup last season, i'm pleased to see that detroit didn't lose much by way of their personnel. we upgraded on the blue line and added a gritty veteran to back up the already impressive forwards. game on!

i haven't (sadly) paid much attention to the latest beat on music lately. the new mae record has been spinning in my car quite a bit this past month and i would definitely recommend it to anyone. i'm still wearing out jon mclaughlin's "indiana" as well. eisley released a new record a few weeks or so ago but i haven't been out to get it just yet. i've heard the previews on the web and it sounds much more sophisticated this time around, more to come on that. the last two releases (not yet available) i'm highly anticipating are jimmy eat world and coldplay. i believe both of these bands will have very interesting surprises in store and i'm equally excited to catch them real soon.

cheers!