Best Read of 2008

The Best of 2008

I read today that The Shack was the #1 book in America last year in sales. This is ironic and astounding at the same time. Never in American history have Christians been more despised as a group than now. On the opposite side of the spectrum, our society has embraced a clear presentation of the Gospel with open arms. I know there has been a lot of controversy amongst Christians this year over this book. I waited till the holiday season to read it myself. What I took from it was precious cargo.

God is neither Male nor Female, but Spirit. Hum...not really off-base in scripture, but that sure bristled a few backs.
God is a Triune God. Again, no big surprise according to scripture.
God is relational at His core. He delights in that expression more than all else.
Grace and mercy are His middle names.
He is patient with our failings, not willing that any should perish. Again, that sounds scripturally familiar.
Forgiveness is a God-in-you thing. Don't try to do it on your own. Someone could get hurt!
Beauty is an expression of Him. Check out Genesis.
Pleasure was created by Him. Again, reference Genesis or Song of Solomon.
You cannot see the BIG PLAN but God can, so trust Him and follow His lead.

These truths are priceless. They are the ones that drew me to Jesus in the first place, but somehow they became replaced with dos/don'ts/shoulds/shouldn'ts, and the usual garbage of religion.
Don't let America fool you, Church of God. It is not Jesus they dislike, it is us. Ouch! I am hoping to do a much better job of being truly like Him and a lot less like what they, sadly, expect from me.
I've got some growing to do this year, but since God is a big-time gardener, I think I'll ask Him for some help.

Happy New Year

The Tree of Life

The Tree of Life

Even in the garden there was a snake,

coiled among the ripening fruit,

full of contention and blame.

In her folly, the woman forgot

the voice of the master

drowned out by the murmurings of the serpent,

so cool and beguiling

in the sunlight.

Pain dawned on the woman

and she bent towards the earth.

Paradise, forgotten.

Marked by a flaming messenger

unyielding he stops the springtime and harvest.

Silence screams and the waiting begins.

A tree of life took root in a new dominion

where hope and dreams slept intertwined against a stormy sunrise.

In that portent it grew good and strong

and it stretched to touch the stars.

Life blossomed, rich and juicy along its branches,

pregnant with truth.

Taste and see this fruit.

It is the Lord’s seed and his garden.

Life lies in the rings that tell the tales

eyes cannot see,

and hope shines in the fruitful delights

of its boughs and timbers.

Taste and see.

The Lord is good. This is his tree of life.

October 2008

2008 Creative Direction

Last year's work was exhilarating and at times excruciating. I learned that I still love production work and nothing is more rewarding than ending my day climbing a ladder up a tall building and leading a photography team to catch that last glimpse of sunlight over the Houston skyline. If only my muscles had been happy about it the next day.






Sometimes I forget that I am not 25 anymore, but that is a good thing.
If not working in Creative Directing, I was directing special events for L7, the youth ministry of Lakewood Church in Houston, TX. God has blessed me with a diverse career and I am grateful. He has given me somewhat of the heart of a sea captain.. I truly enjoy the idea of setting off with a crew to some never before charted waters of creativity. I also had the privilege of learning to lead teams of volunteers in mentoring teens and facilitating services in L7. The role involved a lot of administration and creative problem solving for our 4 weekly service teams of 90+. I learned a lot about the motivations of others and how to lead by serving. Actually, I gleaned that by the good example of others He brought to my teams. That lesson I hope I carry with me into the years to come.
I have posted some favorite examples from the shoots I worked last year and hope you will enjoy the visuals. Special thanks to Lilly Goodman and Michael and Carrie Hodge, along with all the creative team members who worked to make these sessions so productive.
This year I am off-staff at Lakewood and a free agent. I have written a book for young adults and I am actively searching for a publisher and in the process of designing a web platform to support it. I am still dreaming and still exploring. Never too late for a little adventure in life. May God grant us the desires of our hearts as we delight in Him. That's not so hard, now is it?

Mary's Song

Power. Not something you think much about during the Christmas season with all the songs about the baby in the manger. Shepherds and sheep and cattle lowing on the hillsides is very comforting and not at all threatening. Power has a way of bringing fear. The misuse of power is something wars are made of and relationships are destroyed through. Power is not just about men, the military, or even the ability to sway a nation through a vote. Power is something that can be
used or abused, but it is definitely the choice of the holder thereof.

Mary was a powerful young woman. The Bible tells us she found favor with God. Not a small accomplishment by any measurement. But, she also found herself with a choice. In that choice she had the power to determine her future and that of her countrymen and mankind.
Yes, I know God would have made a way, regardless of her choice. He is not limited by our decisions. His resources are limitless. Nevertheless, he allowed a young woman the right to choose whether she would carry the King of the Universe within her body and birth righteousness and deliverance into this world. She responded to the angelic messenger with a "Yes-Let it be with me as you have foretold. "
As we consider this amazing exchange, it is our place to wonder what it is God has given us the power to accomplish or carry for him this year. Will our answer to His call be yes? Will we have hearts to bear whatever He places within us? Can we be trusted to carry it to fruition and cherish the privilege of being chosen?
Seeds of greatness are gifts God gives to all His redeemed ones. What he allows us, is the power to say yes or no to His will. We will either submit and experience His joy or resist. I am not clear on all that would be lost in resistance, other than His amazing presence in guidance or the profound process of glorifying Him.
I say, say yes to the Spirit this year. Use the power God has given you for good and be the reflection of Him who created you as an eternal spirit in his very own image. Could it be, in Him, we are more powerful than we ever imagined?

It is Christmastime. All things bright and beautiful twinkle through the eyes of children and sparkle in the windows of my urban landscape. This city is definitely at its best during this season.
The lights that illuminate the facades of our homes add so much to our winter laden landscapes and cement groundwork. This city personifies everything Texan. We build things bigger here. You should see our freeways. Our appetites match our persona and feasting takes on a monolithic appearance on our tables come Christmas night.
I love being a Texan. I hate being a Texan. Yes, it is the ying and the yang of my life. Being a Texan implies a certain strength of character that runs parallel with old Western filmstars and
political icons. The world needs more gumption and that is a word you will only hear inside our borders. Texans are full of gumption, backbone, and territorial pride.
We are also full of ourselves. The sun really does rise and shine based on our reality. We find ourselves a sort of central focus in the Universe. Why, we should have our own UN representative, shouldn't we? Our oil is our pride, as if we had anything to do with its creation! Someone's great grandfather probably did shoot into the soil and find a "bubbling crude" like Jed Clampitt on the Beverly Hillbillies told us.
In all fairness, there is a true value in self awareness. At least I can laugh at myself and acknowledge that all the above does apply to my viewpoint. When our oldest daughter was born, while her father and I lived in a far Western state, which shall go unnamed, I actually panicked. I seriously considered flying across country for the birth. I couldn't imagine having a non-Texan daughter. Now I have 3. But, as we cross the TX state line they know how to sing with full Texas pride "The Stars at Night are Big and Bright, Deep in the Heart of Texas." Some traditions are made to be kept and passed down. This is one that makes me smile as I sing along.