my first blog...ever

This is my first blog ever.

It has taken me some time to get to this point so be gentle. I have been somewhat intimidated by the whole concept, thinking that it is more of an essay I must hand into my English prof. rather than a way of communicating with my friends. But a good friend of mine encouraged me to try it and so far it has been pain free. So with out the safety net of spell check here I go.

Much of my world is in front of people, either singing, speaking or teaching. When doing these activities I seek to be authentic but also realize there is a component of performing. Not in a bad way, but in a way in which I become the object of a group of peoples attention for a period of time. This makes me nervous, I don't want to waste peoples time, I don't want to make a fool of myself and I don't want to steal adoration and affirmation that is due the Lord.

With this is mine, I shift gears with the promise to tie it in  the end. I love to tell stories about my daughters. They are crazy and genius, beautiful, wonderful and wild (just like West Virginia). When I tell a story about them I seek to expose those who care to listen (or pretend to) to the greatness of my kids. The focus no longer is on me but on the little people that eat my food, wake me up at ungodly hours and call me dad 4,000,000 time a day and fill my life with adventure and joy. The usual response to the tales of my two "tough and gentle girls" is not one of "wow you are a great story teller" but "Grace is amazing or Addy is incredible". The focus and attention goes to the ones i am talking about and pointing to.

I pray that I can do the same when I preach, lead worship or teach freshman AU students in there mandatory Exploring the Bible class. Tell the story of how amazing, kind, grand, infinite and intimate God is. To put the attention of how gracious and real, mysterious and majestic Jesus Christ is.

Next week is Brethren National Conference and I will be in front of 450-600 people all week, so these thoughts are much at the fore front of my mind. May my performance be always authentic to who the Lord has made me to be and always pointing to the one worthy of having the attention.