On October 21-22 Redding, California young leaders converge for a uniquely grass roots-driven conference: When God Dreams.“When God Dreams is a conference for leaders, pastors, church planters and visionaries who are serious about living God’s dreams with courage.”

I spent several years ministering in Redding and have watched Nathan Edwardson, pastor of The Stirring, passionately reach and grow people with creative vision and humility. He is one of the speakers for this conference which also includes Jesus Culture leader Banning Liebscher and Jason Ostrander, the National Director of Youth Ministries for the Christian and Missionary Alliance.

If you can make it to Redding, do not miss out!

I am ending my trip to Redding, CA after sitting in airports waiting for fog to lift to get back home and even experiencing an airport terminal evacuation. Travel this week was about friends.  I was able to spend most of my time at the Miller’s home and enjoy them while showing support as well. Randy and Kristyn are truly an inspiration. Randy is a family man, concrete contractor and guy in the church worship team who ended up in a cutting edge band (The Myriad) touring the US and on MTV! His battle with cancer is just beginning, but being the toughest dude I know and a person of faith I see God healing him.  That, and the thousands praying for him add to an amazing story of God’s grace and the best of Christianity being expressed.

One cool thing was that I got to see every guy in the men’s groups I started–some were just for moments, but to see these guys thrive filled me up. I visited The Stirring for worship, where my friends the Millers worship and see an effective and growing ministry to this next generation. Serendipitously, I ended up playing piano in the worship band at Neighborhood Church Sunday night–Neighborhood is my former ministry of several years and I was glad to support their efforts. They were announcing the pledges for their building expansion last night.

Between events, my friend and guitar shredder Jim Sletner and his wife were so gracious to shuttle and host me as was my former intern Zach Tanksley. Seeing them and other very special people like the Kerrs and the ever inspirational Garth Schmeck made this worth coming. My trip ended with a coffee with old boss and good friend Erich at Yaks downtown right before heading back to SoCal.

It has been beyond a year now that our family moved from Redding.  Going back to visit reminded me of how much I miss the people and even the smell of the trees. (By the way, not very many trees in SoCal.) It also reminded me of how much these wonderful people shaped me and the best of me today is partly their fault. Some of these people are lifer friends. I would not want it any other way.

The Myriad’s new video for the song "You Waste Time Like a Grandfather’s Clock" has just been finished.  It was directed by Jesse Rosten and shot at The Cascade Theater in Redding, CA.  The Cascade brings back some memories as does this screen shot of my bro Randy Miller on the drums.  You guys are amazing…can’t wait for the new CD!

My family is hanging out with me at one of my fave coffee shops of all time, Yaks.  I just ate an enormously delicious cinnamon roll and have big coffee mug in hand.  I will be meeting with my good friend Erich, working on my wedding remarks for Zach and Karina, and hoping my family can get through some online lessons for their homeschooling.

After 5 months some things really do change.  Yaks, for instance, is adding a fancy coffee roaster.  They are not settling.  I love that.  Other things here in town will be the same the next visit I make.  This reminds me to not settle in with life, but to keep dreaming, growing and living.

How have you NOT settled and is that being “unsettled” a good thing to you?

Yes, this is a shameless plug!  This picture is of our former house in Redding that is for sale.  We loved this quiet neighborhood.  In fact, the previous owners loved it so much that they simply moved into a bigger home down the street.  Check out the virtual tour and information on this house.

This Sunday we are doing something I have never done before–two drumsets and drummers for the worship set!  Beyond the dueling drummers, I am not going to give away any other details, except to say that a couple of the song choices will have special meaning for me about Neighborhood Church.

Please come by and say "hey" this weekend.  I would love to thank you for being such a great congregation to serve and for being such a loving group of people to share life with.

Katie Nichols has launched a website with her artwork!  She, a Redding local, is great at collage work and the pictures of her gallery on this site show that to be the case.  Check out her work.  Any of you have artist sites to share?

The photo above is of part of the Whiskeytown Falls from a hike this morning.

Here is the score for this week:

• MONDAY:  Hike 3 miles–The Brandy Creek Falls hike is uphill on the way there.  Me and my son had a great time, too!
• TUESDAY:  Run 2.6 miles–ouch…my knee got torn up a bit
  from the downhill part of Monday’s hike and then I ran on it just to
  prove I’m not as old as I really am.
• WEDNESDAY:  break
• THURSDAY: Treadmill 1.5 miles–taking it easy on the knee, but needing to work through the pain.
• FRIDAY: Treadmill 1.5 miles–repeat of the Thursday.
• SATURDAY: Hike 3.4 miles–Whiskeytown Falls is VERY uphill for the 1.7 miles to the
  falls.
    I was easy as I could be on my knee and am pretty sure the heart rate
  was pushing the envelope at the pace I took.  Breathtaking views and
  out-of-breath hiking!

Next week I am out of town a couple of days.  So, the challenge is to find something to keep me moving.