Echo Day 1

Here is am in Dallas learning about church media. Today, my flight was delayed a bit...it took forever to get to the hotel by shuttle cause we had to wait for more people to get on. It's a share ride thing. The hotel is really nice and I got it at a great rate. The conference is within walking distance so I didn't need a car.

After all that I was able to catch the 2nd breakout session and learned about social networking and the church. I got a lot of great ideas but mostly learned how to ask the right questions when approaching how to utilize these tools for Waters' Edge. I also heard about some great interactive technologies that I would love to explore at Water's Edge in our gatherings. But, this whole technology conversation is also really informing and helping me as I prepare a paper and think about how technology and media shape the way we perceive scripture and engage in worship.

Finally, Phil Vischer, co-creator of Veggie Tales, was the keynote speaker this evening and he wore me out. He talked about how he as a leader had to lay down his dream, his longing, and ultimately his pride and go to his knees and make God the main thing. I know this might be hard to believe (haha), but I have some prideful longings or dreams for Water's Edge. I want it to be a place that makes a difference in this world, that changes lives for the better, and reaches as many pre-christians as possible. Now, there is nothing wrong with these dreams. The question was, am I willing to pursue God and not visions of grandeur. And let's be clear, God wants to help people and use us for the good of this world. But, when we are ready, when I am ready, to hand our/my dreams to God, even if they get lost into eternity, and trust that he loves us/me and is looking out to benefit his creation, then something is gonna happen. Now this is easier said then done, cause the reality is we truly have to believe that God loves us and is working in our lives. Because, if God is who we/I say God is then it's time to empty our hands and die that we/I might live.