Last week, with the encouragement of my wife and the incredible generosity and sponsorship from a faithful friend, I took a huge step towards a new season of writing theologically rich, musically beautiful and timeless songs and hymns for the church to sing together.

International Hymn Writing ...

Two years ago I officially became the music & media pastor at Calvary Chapel Austin; a position I had initially voiced no intention of filling when I was asked to consider it. We had recently moved from Seattle where I was blessed to serve as an elder/pastor at

Joyful, joyful, we adore Thee,
God of glory, Lord of love;
Hearts unfold like flowers before Thee
Opening to the sun above.
Melt the clouds of sin and sadness;
Drive the dark of doubt away;
Giver of immortal gladness,
Fill us with the light of day! ...

It was the evening of August 29, 1993 -- 9495 days ago. I was 16 years old and standing on a dock at the entrance to the magnificent Princess Louisa Inlet in British Columbia, Canada with a few of my closest friends who had come to Young Life's Malibu ...

I am profoundly reminded this morning (via my 4 year old) about the kind of intimately close relationship I desire to have with Jesus. Lately, Levi has been struggling any time there is a separation from me, his mom or his brother. He’s beginning to understand what it feels like when one of us isn’t around ...