Taxes

I've NEVER been this late filing my taxes. I worked them up several weeks ago, but didn't file because I've been trying to get a couple questions answered by a tax professional.

Wanna know the answer I got?

"Go ahead and file. If something's wrong, you can file an amended return."

Brilliant.

Routine vs. Rhythm

From Merriam-Webster's online dictionary...

routine - 1 a: a regular course of procedure
rhythm - 3 a: movement, fluctuation, or variation marked by the regular recurrence or natural flow of related elements

Right now, I'm torn between my responsibilities at home (which are increasingly difficult to focus on) and my evolving role at Lifepoint Church. Truth is, I've been wrestling with this since September when I started the student ministry as a volunteer, then the scope broadened in February to include Kidspoint as a part-timer. I'm counting down the next week and a half until I'm officially full-time (counting faster hasn't worked yet...suggestions?!).

One thing I'm looking forward to about being officially full-time in ministry again after a year off is getting my life back into a rhythm, but not a routine. I used to think of it as routine, but now I know it's actually rhythm. I want my life to be anything but routine...

Things have been so chaotic for my family over the past year, I find myself craving the "natural flow of related elements" I used to have. Those related elements comprise my life, and you have your own set of life elements, too. The challenge is getting those elements to make beautiful music together in a way that honors God.

Ever heard a tight band play live? You know, one that is just...tight? Timing is impeccable, they can read each other's minds, and everything just grooves? It's hard to describe, but you know it when you hear it...and you know it when it's not there. Well, just like that tight rock band grooves together, I want my spiritual life, home life, ministry life, family & friends life, financial life, health life, etc. to settle into that synergistic groove that's been missing over the past year.

Rhythm is underestimated. When you have it, don't take it for granted. When you don't, keep practicing...

Twitter Bug Got Me

In keeping with my very first blog post, I'm now a "twit" - @steven_latham. Yeah, finally got bit by the Twitter bug and gave in to pop culture peer pressure. Now just gotta learn the dang thing.

Follow me! Bet Jesus would say that if He was on Twitter...

March Madness

The season of late nights is upon us. You never know when that instant classic is gonna happen. Right now, I'm watching the UCLA/VCU game come down to the wire. 11.6 seconds left, VCU down by one...

Gotta love it.

Who's winning YOUR bracket?

Back to School

Homeschooling is such a trip. A trip to the past, that is.

Today, I spent about two hours doing math with my girls. It's incredible how much you forget from your school days, but even more incredible how fast it comes back to you. It's actually fun to rediscover stuff I used to think never mattered, even if it still doesn't matter today. Does that even make sense?

Somewhere along the line, I forgot that pi is more than something you eat. I double-dog dare you to ask me how to find the area or circumference of a circle. Go ahead...do it.

Tired, but Wired...

Long day, but a great day. My day in the office, great staff meeting, and had an amazing evening at Momentum with our great volunteer leaders.

Momentum is our quarterly gathering of key leaders (60 of 'em!) to worship together and pour into them vision, leadership principles, some good vittles, and some serious fun. I bet you've never raced other followers of Jesus doing shots of Lucky Charms! Anyway, I'm sure you're thoroughly confused and disturbed now, but it was such an encouraging night, and aptly named...

Even though I'm exhausted from the day, I have so much running through my head. Tired, but wired. God is going before us, and He is going to allow us to make a huge dent in Hell this Easter Season. We don't want to go anywhere He's not going ahead of us.

I'm so honored to be part of such an amazing group of people that are sold out to the vision of reaching people far from God so they can experience His design for their lives.

Who are you bringing Easter Sunday?

Craigslist is my Friend

Sold my old phone tonight. Got someone on the hook for my iPod Nano. Got wifey's old phone and a DVR I'm cutting loose (anybody interested?)...

Why?

Daddy needs a new phone.

The cell phone I inherited is driving me mad. Like literally mad. I've never been given to slamming doors, stomping feet, or maniacal screaming like some other people I know, but I've come close to throwing this phone through the wall a time or two. I feel like I have two left hands with this thing! What's that they say? "Don't know whatcha got til it's gone...?"

Yep. Saving up for a new phone. Should I get an iPhone like the rest of the planet?

Stevenday

So, I've decided to petition God to add an eighth day to the week. I've decided that He simply made a mistake when He chose to make a week seven days. Now, don't get your panties in a bunch over that last statement; I know God doesn't really make mistakes...just play along, OK?!

I'm six weeks into the part-time portion of my new position at Lifepoint Church. It's been such an answer to prayer that God led us to this incredible church last spring, but especially since He opened a door to us serving there after a long year of looking for position (yes, it's been a year). I'll be part-time for three more weeks and FULL-TIME APRIL 5. Needless to say, I've got that date circled on my calendar!

These past six weeks have convinced me that God should have made an eight day week. You see, I have so many exciting tasks/project/initiatives that I want to pursue that I'm finding it difficult to squeeze them in. Need that eighth day! Between my two day work week (crazy-busy Sundays and staff-centered Tuesdays), school for the big girls, house work, a full-time working wife, etc., life's been...shall we say...a little crazy.

So, for the next three weeks, I'm proposing an eighth day - "Stevenday." That way, I can get all the things done I want/need to. Will you bend God's ear with me?

The good thing is once April 5 gets here, "Stevenday" can fade into history as seven will do just fine like it always has. I think...