To Clarify...

In my last post, I mentioned that Jen and I are starting to look out of state for a ministry opportunity. While that is true, we're also continuing to look here in the PDX area. God has a way of opening a door when we reach the end of all that we can do. It is His way of saying, "Surprise! Now you know it came from me!"

I'm not sure what the future holds. I know that for today, I'm prepping as if I'm going to be here for a while. We have this great concert coming up next Friday (see above poster...lol), and I'm getting ready for that. Then, Easter is almost upon us. Lots to do, and not enough time to actually worry about what comes next. I mean, seriously, can worrying about it add another day to my life? Or actually make a job appear? God will be God, and He will put us exactly where He wants us. That's kind of liberating, you know?

Right now, I'm praying that we don't have to leave our home, our schools, and our family. If that's not God's will, though, then I'll be praying for my heart to be ready for a new community. I pray that if God wants us elsewhere, He will prepare us to love a new area just as much as we love this one, and that we will want nothing else but to serve Him in whatever way He sees fit to use us. "The Lord gives and takes away. Blessed be the name of the Lord!"

Binary Solo...000000100000011001001001

Ok, so I'm back to square one. Well, back to square zero, really. Gotta start looking out of state to see where God has planned for my family and I to minister. There aren't really any opportunities in our area, and Jen and I really feel God's leading to continue in vocational worship leading. One of the ideas I have is to form Red Letter Project Foundation, a non-profit that sends out worship leaders to churches in need of training, seminars, concerts, and leadership. The foundation would also support the band, allowing the main band to minister globally. This will take years to get off the ground, and is something I'd like to work on while ministering to a church body. Of course, it takes money to get it started, and that will take God's blessing. Be praying! Also, be praying for where God directs us to start looking, nationally. We believe He is calling us to a church that is looking for someone with strong leadership skills to help provide vision and direction in a loving way. The question is - where? There are jobs in all 4 corners of this country, and places in-between, but which is right for us? Jen and I will be spending much time in prayer over this. The hard part will be leaving the band and the people of our current church behind. I'm still open to staying here, of course. That would be my first choice, but sometimes God doesn't ask, He directs. The trick is to be obedient. I guess it's time for me to do what I'm always asking my kids to do. Obey. And, maybe, rock out with a great binary solo...(back to square)000000100000011001001001....

decisions, decisions...

Trying to come up with a set list for this concert is very difficult. It's not that we don't have enough music. It's that we have too much! Trying to sort through it all to get to the good stuff, the essential songs, is a tough task. Plus, we're adding a few new songs that we want to cover for this show. That makes it chock full of musical goodness! I'm so excited, though. We've already raised over $3500 for Medical Teams International's efforts in Haiti, and the concert hasn't even started yet! We're planning on covering a blues number, Neil Young's "Rockin in the Free World", and maybe one more song. Add to that our original stuff, and we're ready to rock! The band is so excited to bring it for such a good cause. Ok, gotta run. Details to work out, posters to put up, etc...

In (At) Jail....

Wow. Last Friday night, Red Letter Project had the opportunity to play at a local jail. This is something we try to do each month, schedule permitting, as it's a great time to not only share the gospel with people who are hurting, but also try out new music. The truth is, when we have their attention during the concert, we are really trying to reach much deeper than just the superficial with these people. We are their guests, and they allow us to share more than just new music. Our lives touch. The stories we hear about broken lives, broken relationships, these things humble us. We realize how close we all are to being this broken. One choice is all it takes to be in their shoes. For some of them, they are really hearing the gospel for the first time. They may have heard of it, but it never sank in until they were facing a long period of incarceration. Jesus offers hope. As a band, we always want to do this sort of gig, so that we can stay in touch with those that so obviously need Jesus. What a joy to be able to reach this demographic of our society. I am humbled at how God has used us here.

Putting Things In Order

So, now the hard part is here. We're trying to organize this benefit concert, and I'm looking forward to the end result. There's a lot of hard work that has to come before, however. My first senior pastor, David Poyta, used to tell me almost everyday that there is value in the process. If I close my eyes, I can still see him, sitting at his desk, speaking to me in that NY accent he had. "Eric", he'd say, "there's value in the process. Remember that God values the process". How many times has that lesson been learned, over and over it seems? I feel like God has to continually remind me that because He values the process, I need to do so, also.

So, off I go to continue planning for this show. How exciting it is to pull together two bands, three ministries, a bunch of people, and get a great opportunity to serve God? I can't wait. Back to work. Love you all. Remember to be the church today!