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So it's been a while since the last real blog entry, and I can't begin to share how my heart, my head and my life has changed so much from the last several weeks and even months as I have been a part of the orientation program at belmont university. I feel like I made a similar statement like this when I was working for Passion two years ago, but I honestly feel as if God has put me in the orientation position to mold me into the man [or person] I am meant to be! A man in touch with knowing and caring about others feelings, and the way we interact with others.

As this process started to come to an end, I had an unbelievable opportunity to begin catching  a vision for who God was calling me to become. This vision has changed me, for the better and I believe that it is something that everyone can relate to in a way. 

I want to share that vision with you. 

Over the next several days and weeks I hope to just share a little bit about some of the ideas and life truths that I am walking away from this Belmont experience with.  I think that for most of you who read this, will be challenged and inspired as we think about the things most important in life. 

Relationships matter.

first and foremost, relationships are the most important thing in life. They are your fuel, they are your crutch sometimes, they are your joy and also sadness, they bring you full life, they allow you to share, they allow you to vent, they allow you to love and hate. Relationships are the center of full life!  now don't think that I am trying to tell you that Jesus is not supposed to be the center of your life... you see, that is a relationship too... and that relationship should be the top priority among all other relationships! 

Our orientation program has a philosophy that we have adopted that really deals with this understanding... its called people over program. This idea embraces that programs do not change people, people change people. So when you are in a situation where you are producing a "program" or event, and you have a choice to be present with a person or fix a current problem with a program, I choose the person. WE, as orientation, choose the person. 

IF we take the time to invest in the people, there really won't need to be a program. Think about it... if we took the time to think back on all the meaningful moments in our spiritual walk, or even the times in life where we felt like we had the biggest revelation in our walk with Christ, what is it? Was it an event? was it a program? or was it an interaction with someone you were in relation with? Like a bible study leader? or a good friend? a mom or a dad? a brother or sister? even someone you had just meet? 

if we sit back and think hard about it, I would guess that your answer is very similar to mine, it comes down to relationships... Yes, there are a few worship services that were very impactful in my day... and I don't want to discredit that... but that was still a relationship if i remember those nights. Those nights I was in a deep connection with my Jesus, and he was with me in those moments. Therefore, it wasnt the music, or the speaker, or the visual effects, or even the people around me... It was my relationship with Jesus that caused me to be a changed or enlightened individual. 

Relationships Matter.  They matter more than anything else we do on this earth. Relationships are the catalyst to changing someone's life. If we really want to have an impact on someone we start with a relationship.... we start by investing.... we start by saying hello... not welcome.

So, for me, I have chosen the path of Relationships with other people. People who I care deeply about...  I would rather invite someone to a cup of coffee than bring them to some concert or event, I just think it is more effective! 

I don't know how that sits with you today, but I hope that it encourages us and reminds us to appreciate those around us, whether they live next door, or 800 miles away... the people who love you are very important people in your life, and it would be a great thing to recognize who they have made you become! 

a dear friend, 

-L