I have spent the last several weeks waking up and starting my day with a prayer of thankfulness. Even in the midst of outside distractions, I am incredibly thankful for my life and its blessings. I feel like as I focus on gratitude-- as almost a laundry list of things I am blessed with, then automatically my joy increases and my trust in Jesus increases. When I choose thankfulness and joy suddenly I am more trusting of God's hand on my life because I take stock in what He has already done. Sometimes its easy to churn internally on outside distractions (anyone see the news lately?!) and focus on futile things but that's not going to get you on a path of living your life with the freedom to serve God and love others. Often with an exhale, I try to pray thankfulness and gratitude into my morning and start the day with quiet contentment and true joy. It's a worthy endeavor.

Anyway, as I get ready to march out the door to enjoy summer adventures with my friends and family, I am grateful for all the small things that matter most. I am stoked that the sun is shining, my body still moves and I am surrounded by people who love me and make me smile. I am thankful that God has been so immeasurably generous in my life and that He loves me. What are you thankful for?

In the last few weeks I have been writing new songs again and been incredibly inspired by A.W. Tozer. I received a daily devotional from one of my friends and it's been awesome to read through it every day. I was struck by an entry about sin and God's grace. Tozer writes, "Just remember, sin is man's doing. Because it is man's doing, it has a limit to it. Grace is God's doing; and because it is God's doing, it has no limit to it whatsoever." God's grace for us is infinite and boundless. God has demonstrated His love for us and it is greater than I could ever even fathom. All I can do is stand in awe and worship inside the freedom that such unimaginable love radiates. That grace is available to every single one of us. Isn't that amazing?

Knowing Jesus, especially during difficult or challenging seasons has brought a transformational joy and freedom to my life. All of our sin is finite. Our lives are finite. I look forward to the day I get to be in heaven with Jesus who's infinite atonement has covered all of our sin, breaking its chains so we could all be set free.

As you go about your day today, remember the absolute freedom and joy that knowing Jesus offers you. It will literally change your life.

It's been such a weird time in our world. There is so much division and oppression. Since the fall of man, humans have done terrible, painful, awful, sinful things to each other and it will never stop until Jesus comes back and we are in heaven with Him. As believers, we know the battle we are in is much larger than the one we can physically see every day. I think the best thing we can possibly do is pray and love one another as God loves us. The love of God is still and will always be the light in the darkness.

So excited to announce that All Things New is now available on iTunes, Amazon, Spotify and wherever else digital music is sold and streamed! Go check it out and have a listen! Click the album cover below to head to iTunes!

Summer has landed in So Cal even if its not official yet. The weather has been beautiful and sunny every day and we have been outside working, eating and playing as much as possible. I am absorbing as much vitamin D as I can and it feels awesome to be out of the house! Even the mood in the neighborhood seems to have lifted a bit and people at the grocery store aren't quite so grumpy. It's amazing what a little sunshine can do. It's bringing everything and everyone back to life even in the midst of the Covid-19 darkness.

I was watching an interview with Maya Angelou recently and she talked about the importance of being a rainbow in someone else's cloud by loving people well. I think we can all be a little bit of sunshine or even a rainbow in someone's life in the midst of this crazy, dark time by trying to love people better. We can practice breathing life into other people. Maybe we can offer some extra grace, some extra kind words, some extra hugs around the neck, a special note, a bag of groceries, a roll of toilet paper (HA!)...just some reminders that the people around you matter. When the sun is shining outside people are inspired to be more active and get out more. When the Son is shining in our lives we should be inspired to love each other more. Out of His love we love and can bring hope to others who are struggling.  Faith, hope and love always work together don't they? But the greatest of these is love...

Sending out love to all of you today! God bless you!

Jeff

How's the long pause still going for everyone? It's still so surreal to continue to be trapped in our houses especially in So Cal where the last several days the temperature has climbed to the upper 80's. Before this week the weather around here has been unusually cloudy and overcast as an almost perfect partnering to the Covid-19 gloom. It's been weird and a real bummer. Kind of like everything else going on. Anyway, the clouds have finally parted and the sun is shining hot killing off virus strands and bringing life to everyone. 

I started thinking that's the way this whole debacle can actually change things in our culture for good. Maybe as the clouds part and this lockdown ends we can all come out of our houses and shine love on people so brightly it kills off the depression, anxiety, sadness, anger, etc. this whole thing has caused. We can hold our neighbors up as everyone begins to get back to rebuilding their lives. We can give more time and support to those around us that need it. 

I have been so inspired by my friends at church communities all over the world who are pouring out love on people so intensely its changing people's hearts forever. My own family has been blessed by an outpouring of kindness and support from several of the people at the church communities I am blessed to play. It's amazing. Being treated with love and mercy changes people..it just does. I am so thankful for a Savior who is the ultimate example of grace and mercy.  I am comforted every day because He sees everything and knows everything and is in control of it all. Out of his love we love. Let's continue to be His hands and feet in the lives of others. Hope to see some of you in person real soon! Until then let's keep praying and having hope that better days are on the horizon!

As we were winding up the day last night and searching for something to watch we decided to put on the Passion of the Christ. The lense we view life through gets so much clearer when we sit in the intense reality of what Jesus did for us. We know this as believers but to witness it on screen makes it resonate in a whole different way. I have only seen Passion a couple of times because it is immensely painful to watch but it really encouraged my heart today! As I prepare for Easter services this weekend I am immeasurably grateful for our Savior and that I get to know Him and commune with Him every day. 

I was hanging out with my family yesterday and we came across John Krasinki's "Some Good News' Youtube show. Complete with a back drop drawn and colored by his daughters, he announced several pieces of good news. He feels like being positive and sharing good news is so rare these days that he actually started a new show! Who'd have ever imagined that sharing good news could be so counter culture? Well I have THE BEST news ever! Jesus came to earth and put on human flesh, lived a perfect life, died and rose again to create a bridge back to God for eternity for a sinful and fallen humanity. As we prepare for Easter no matter how it looks this year---let's remember to be eternally grateful/worshipful for the sacrifice of Jesus. No matter what happens on earth our souls belong to and can rest in God.

One of the things I am learning during this strange season is the importance of prayer. Every morning I am trying to get out of bed with the intention to be thankful and prayerful. In the middle of the coronavirus storm, Jesus is still present in our midst and capable of calming the winds and the waves that are tossing us around. Whether its the fear of the unknown, or financial burdens, or health concerns God is here and we have access to him 24 hours a day. I have found that praying in the middle of any situation that might cause me stress takes the tension away and ushers peace into my heart. That and some good ole' fashioned worship. It's my heart's connection to Jesus that really makes all the difference.  I love Hebrews 4:16 which says, "Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need."

Also- you can download "I Need Thee Every Hour" here for a little encouragement! Stay safe and healthy! See below.

I was out walking the dog today and saw several of my neighbors. Everyone I would pass politely waved and then crossed to the other side of the street or sat in the car waiting for others to pass before they could get out. I went to pick up groceries and everyone was scurrying through grocery stores keeping their heads down and furiously wiping down their carts. Yesterday, I was leading worship for a practically empty room while we streamed online. I am seeing empty restaurants and gyms everywhere. What a weird feeling..this farness..its so quiet and almost creepy at times. On the other hand my family is officially getting cabin fever and our closeness is getting a little too CLOSE. HA! We are definitely making more messes and WAY more laundry. I laugh at how fickle I can be and how this coronavirusness is highlighting some areas of needed growth. That said I am still trying to sit in the middle of all of this weird craziness and be present with the Lord. I am trying to take this great opportunity whether people are near or far---to love better. I hope we can encourage each other more, maybe stop hoarding paper products, take care of our elderly and hug our loved ones. Also the sun was shining hot today...don't forget spring is coming and cold and flu season will be over! 

So the governor of California just issued a "stay at home" order (which we are already doing) but I guess they wanted to make sure everyone really gets the message! I have a feeling there will be even fewer groceries and less toilet paper (if possible) on the already barren shelves tomorrow. Don't you wish you owned some stock in Charmin right about now? Anyway I was watching my my friend Pancho Juarez's live stream and he said to turn off the scary/fear provoking news and open your Bible today! I thought that was a splendid idea and I was encouraged with this gem "Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you." 1 Peter 5:7 YES! Such a great verse and if you really let it sink in moment by moment it's an incredibly soothing truth. The God that created the universe cares for you! He cares that you need paper towels and eggs. He cares that you are scared about your bills. He cares that people are sick. And He the God of the universe is still in control of everything. He will take care of you. 

I think sharing good words with people is a much better use of time then fretting about the unknown Coronavirus implications so that's mine for today. Anyway-the upside of all this madness is that I get to spend more time with my most favorite people doing fun things and making memories I will cherish forever.  

Hug your family tight! I know I am! 

Jeff

Just like most people I have had A LOT more downtime then what I am used to this week. I want to be ultra productive and I must admit the garage is more organized and the refrigerator hasn't sparkled this much in awhile. We have gone through over-filled drawers and closets and deep cleaned bathrooms. We have binge streamed some great shows and I have caught up with some old friends on social media. I have done errands and seen crazy people stock piling eggs and water by the boat load. I have muted a ton of political banter from everywhere. I am social distancing at all cost. I feel like I am doing all the right things but I still feel a little bit unnerved. It's hard not to get bummed by the empty streets, event cancellations and the economic downturn all around us. 

Today I looked up some verses on hope and was encouraged by Romans 12:12 " Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. " I think that might be the medicine I need.  So now I am refilling my cup with some extra worship, some extra prayer and sharing some extra hugs with my family. I am praying for anyone I can think of that might need it. I think that's the ticket to getting through this craziness. 

Anyway-sending out love to everybody! Listen to All Things New--it might encourage you a bit! 

Jeff