Stepping out.

For this Lenten season, I am taking a step away from: blogging, social networking (Twitter, Facebook) and other unnecessary "noise" I've invited into my life.

I will instead be stepping into: as much face time with people as I can reasonably manage (particularly with classmates who I many not see much of in 88 days), a new (big) writing endeavor and just pursuing my Creator through reading, listening and taking time to just be.

When I stick my toes back in these parts come April 13, life will be at an exciting last push at the closing of one season and the ushering in of a new one. I want to be, be there with everything I've got, so I'm taking time out to intentionally prepare.

Blessings to each of you who read this between now and then. May you be filled with new hope, peace and joy each day.

(And for anyone who may read this needing to reach me, my e-mail and cell will still be fully functioning.)

For the Kingdom.
fmc

Sneak peek.

"All right. How about instead of what-- who? Who do you carry with you? You've been on this journey for some huge story and you've just got to realize you're not alone here. You've gotta start paying attention to the people. Who they are at the rawest. People are the stories, Jake. They're not just characters. It's like you keep acting like people are just influences on your life. You've got to stop that. They're all a part of you.

It's like if I'm trying to come up with some new song. I can't just try to box myself in to avoid influence from other artists. That's ridiculous. Everything I've been given, everything I've hear, every experience I'm in -- I carry bits and pieces of it all with me. Sure it gets messy sometimes. Sometimes, the dark inky mess of it all drips all over and I can't stop it. But sometimes, it's brilliant. When I carry with me everyone who had ever hurt me, loved me, held me and taught me how to wonder--if I just carry them all in my heart and let them just go free...Jake, it's a symphony."

Quiet on a Sunday Morning.

Man, I love this town.