To Conference or Not?

This one is pretty simple. The question on the table is...to conference or not conference? For Christians, there are many types of conferences out there. Children's ministry, Pastor, Worship, Small Groups, Everything Combined, and on and on. And they cost money. When you add in travel, food, hotel, and the conference itself, it gets expensive. I know it's not possible for everyone. But for a moment, at least entertain my original question.

You see, my question isn't just for church staff. It's for you. Whether you volunteer, work part-time, lead a ministry, shake a hand, hold a baby, play a guitar...whatever....you need to think about getting away and spending some time at a conference that will grow and challenge you. An event that will refresh and restore you. A place of rest. A temporary home that gets you charged and ready to return to ministry back home.

Last year, I wrote a blog from Disney's Contemporary Resort about the importance of getting away. I was at an amazing worship conference called the Experience Conference.  It was an awesome week where the things I listed above actually happened. They really did. And I needed it. The fall is a busy busy time in every workplace and a few days to get prepared is huge! I've gone twice and am going again this year. In fact, this year I have gotten to be on the committee that plans the event. And I'm hoping to bring some other worship leaders from my church.

So back to my question. Should you go to a conference this year? If you have the means, ABSOLUTELY!!! You should make time alone with God a priority. You should make time to sharpen your skills a priority. You should make time with your team a priority. You should make restoring your life a priority.

I told you this blog was pretty simple. I could go on and on, but I'm not going to. Nothing super deep this week. But if you actually sign up for a conference, this might end up being the 'deepest' blog you read all year.

Check out the Experience Conference: www.experienceconference.com. We'd love to have you!

The 1 Resolution You Must Make

So here we go. It's 2013. Everyone is writing blogs about what they think is going to happen this year. What they're hoping for. What they're planning for. What they want.

Many write about how 2013 will be the best year ever. This confuses me. I wonder if they actually think that magically everything will be amazing. That death, disease, hunger, need, pain, loss, angst, depression...that they will all just go away because it's Tuesday. Oh I mean...Jan 1, 2013.

Now I understand if you have some incredible plans for this year and you're pumped. I know many getting married this year, others starting new jobs, having kids, etc. That I get. I'm not annoyed with you. But no matter where you're at on this thing, this next part is still something you should check out.

Jesus had a brother. Did you know that? Actually he had many. But one of them, James, became a big deal in the early church. Like the biggest deal. And he wrote a letter that became a book of the Bible. In it he says this...

Come now, you who say, 

"Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town 

and spend a year there and trade and make a profit" - 

yet you do now know what tomorrow will bring. 

What is your life? For you a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes.

Instead you ought to say, "If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that."

Are you wondering what that just said? It basically says: your life is really short...you don't know what's actually going to happen tomorrow...stop thinking that you do. And remember, James isn't down on us for planning. He says you can make plans, but make them with God. Let Him be in charge and then see what happens.

So what do we do? I don't want to be down on 2013. But I don't want to be blind now and disappointed later. Well, here's my big thought.

Rather than claiming how awesome this year is going to be, and then crossing your fingers, decide to make one resolution. Put God first. Do it. Go to a great church. Find people who walk with Jesus. No really, I'm serious! I guarantee...no doubt in my mind...if you do this, your year will be better than any of your statuses have ever thought :).

Now this resolution isn't for everyone, because some of you have already done this. But if you haven't, give it a shot. And if you don't know the gospel, which is how you can even do this in the first place, click here and check it out.

Because then no matter what happens in 2013, good or bad, planned or unplanned, you'll have a Father who is holding you through it all. And that will lead to the best year you've ever had.