Things that matter and make a difference rarely happen overnight.
Whether it’s our dream to start a movement or our desire to fix a character flaw, it takes plotting, planning, prayer, sweat, sometimes tears…and then you actually have to DO.
How many of you made a New Year’s resolution?
How many of you have already broken those resolutions?
If you’ve been perusing the site at all lately, you’ll know that I’ve got some fun things going on. Between the launch of The Illumination Project, my upcoming book (aptly named Permanent Vertigo), a few upcoming events, and the general Love and Respect Now & Love and Respect ministries, I’m having a blast. (Heart palpitations.)
But I think I could clear a few things up…
I want to be a generous person.
As I think about how to be generous with my time, finances and love, I know that usually the best way is what is taught in Matthew 6—giving privately.
Easier said than done.
Hey y’all,
First of all, HAPPY THANKSGIVING! Words can’t express my gratitude for each and every one of you. A day devoted to family, friends, food, and football…that’s my kind of holiday.
In all my thankfulness, I have a very special Thanksgiving message for you: Read more
A woman who has known me since I was 5 years old and practically my second mother—not to mention the C.O.O of Love & Respect—didn’t fully grasp The Illumination Project until she recently watched it from beginning to end. I’m going to share the email she wrote to the whole Love and Respect (aka Mothership) staff at the end of this little post, but her response got me thinking that maybe some of you are confused, too.
Recently I was on Facebook and saw this post from my friend, Annie. It was the opposite of many people’s typical pet-peeve status updates.
Hi Friends and lovers of music,
It is with a sad heart that I let you all know that Stephanie, my partner-in-crime and other half will be ending her 2 1/2 years with LRN to start a new season staying at home with her babies.
I am 110% behind her doing this, but 110% sad that I will now be alone in the office staring at the wall.
Well Hello!
IT’S FINALLY HERE. The (almost) birthday of The Illumination Project.
They grow up so fast.
Hey! My pastor, Rick McKinley, is re-releasing his first book. And since I office out of my church and am close enough to steal a few copies, I did just that…for YOU!
You’re welcome.
Recently a friend of mine, who is single without kids, told me about some married friends who recently went on a camping trip with their kids and some other couples. Although she would have loved to go along, she felt like the “season of life factor” may have caused the married couple to compartmentalize the invitation list. My guess is, married people with kids probably assume single peoplewithout kids would rather go camping with their other single friends who can stay up late around a …
Fellow Portlander Emily is comin’ at you live today with two things we couldn’t agree on more:
1. Our need to launch our rap careers
2. Assuming the best (ATB)
What I call “ATB” Emily calls “No Negative Generalizations,” and my parents call it “Assume Goodwill.” And eventually, I will just come on stage and start all my raps with “Yo, let’s ATB all up in heeeeeaaa!”
So happy to have my friend, Paul, post again and tell us about his new book, 101 Secrets for your Twenties! Take it away, Paul! Read more
It’s not every day a magazine interview that is supposed to last 30-ish minutes ends up going 2 hours and subsequent plans are made to meet the interviewer the following week in L.A.
(Man, I wish I was about to tell you the interviewer was a dude!)
ALL I WANT FOR MY BIRTHDAY (and Stephanie’s half-birthday) IS MY TWO FRONT TEETH AND FOR YOU TO CONSIDER THESE TWO THINGS:
Hi-ya friendlings,
I have the honor of co-hosting the Epoch 2013 awards with my friend Jeff Shinabarger. The awards will honor the heroes you know but the world doesn’t. Have a friend who you want recognized? A friend who’s work could benefit from the $50K that’s being given away?
I met Janel in college. She was a star soccer player, artist, and native Californian. In my midwest naivety, I heard her speak and said, “So, are you what they call a Valley Girl?” She was not amused.
And she’s probably not amused at me telling that story.
Friendlings,
Finally! For those of you who haven’t been quite clear on what The Illumination Project is, here is the place where you can get info, watch sample clips, hear from people who attended the Portland filming, and sign up for mind-blowing updates.
Seriously, your mind will. be. blown. Read more
Brad and I became friends a couple years ago through our mutual friend Jeff Shinabarger. (I’m starting to think Shinabarger is the Kevin Bacon game of my life.) I am very impressed by Brad’s work ethic and his ability to lead people well.
Last week we told you about a site for men that features food, fashion, music, and just general, all-around know-how for men. Think bow-ties, blue grass, bowling league. Actually, I’m not sure if they’ve done a piece on that last one, but I submit that they do. Nothing says “gentleman” like two-toned shoes and polyester.
So speaking of fashion…this week, I’m excited to share about a new women’s magazine that is seeking to be, well, realistic. I doubt you will get your fix of anorexic models and a “Stars! They’re Just Like Us” section with Drew Barrymore picking up two-ply toilet paper at the local grocery store. Read more
My friend, Jeremy Blume, saw a problem and decided to fix it. And instead of me blabbing on and on about how he can probably give you a three-point speech on beard etiquette and bowtie a tie one-handed in his sleep, I’ll just let you read about how he got the idea for starting Bearings. A magazine for gentlemen.
We attended a Love and Respect conference in Chicago 5 years ago and it changed our lives. It gave us the tools to make our great marriage even better.
Now, we’re planning to go through the Love and Respect DVD series with our young adult Bible study and we’d like your advice on how to best lead it when there are people in all seasons of life in the group–single, dating, engaged, and married.
Well hello friendlings,
Conferences are a great way to get a lot of great information all at once…kind of like the Internet. And I have great news, because what I’m about to tell you combines conferences and the Internet.
It’s a conference on the Internet.
Mind. Blown. Read more
Nomo Shkar! (Hindu/Christian/Buddhist Greeting)
Here is a little bit of my story so far. Hopefully over the course of the next few days I will do justice at telling theirs… Read more
The holiday season is here, once again. I don’t know about you, but I’ve been preparing for this and getting in the spirit of Christmas for months. I’ve been slowly upping my caloric intake just so I can celebrate the birth of Jesus in gluttonous style.
But aside from announcing my celebratory eating habits, I wanted to let you know that I will be signing off until after the New Year.
(Don’t cry. I’ll be back, pinky swear.)
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