Do you have one thing in your life that you know God has placed in your path? If you were sitting at a buffet and only had to choose one of the foods at the bar, it’s the one you would take. Those other foods might also be good, but there’s just one that you enjoy most.

After some thought and prayer, I believe it’s time to part ways with two things that have occupied some (not too much) of my time these past few years. Why? Because the one thing God has made clear that I need to put my free time (for now) toward is focusing on Digital Disciples here in Columbus and helping the other cities consistently as they are getting started / continue meeting.

The first thing that I’m leaving behind is shooting 1 Photo Per Day. At the core I am a web / graphic designer, but I’ve challenged myself to practice more with photography by shooting a picture each day since January 1, 2010. I completed the 365 photos in 2010, and even kept it going in 2011 up until April 3rd. I’m not ditching photography, but I think the challenge has seen its last day.

The second would be (it actually ended a year ago anyway) the God’s Mac Podcast. My friend Lee Love and I recorded 56 episodes (interviews and discussion) for this podcast over the course of 3 1/2 years. We’ll still leave those up on the site for a while, but people continue to ask me if we’re going to get back to it. I’ve been tempted to, since it was such a good thing, but it just can’t happen.

I’ll share more in the next few days about what is going on with the Digital Disciples network, but I’d be thrilled if you could pray for that – and give all of the glory to God for all of these photos and podcasts that are out there. Hopefully many saw the great world God created through the photos, and heard the great work He is doing through people’s lives in the podcast. Have a great weekend!

Being a disciple doesn’t come easily
The past few months I’ve started to speak out a bit more about the local monthly (free) gatherings that are starting to take place across the globe via the Digital Disciples network. Some people respond by saying “I wish there was a group in my city…..it sounds so cool” or ask “could you stream your monthly gathering in Columbus live over the internet so we can sit in on it from the comfort of our couch”. Obviously paraphrased from responses I’ve heard!

I’ll be honest. I know there are some people who “have heard” about Digital Disciples. They feel like they should get involved, but they didn’t start it. They’d rather stick to the ministries that have their name on them, like living the Christian life is all about knowing who’s doing the most good. That’s what I love most about this discipleship network that is growing. It’s completely grassroots. No funding, no business plan, and honestly no measurement of what the world would call “a success”. Find a coffee shop or location that works, get together once per month and watch God move.

The way I look at it, it’s already a HUGE success. I get to meet with a fellow disciple tomorrow for lunch. Someone that’s been placed in a tough position, but has as much tech skills as the rest of us that meet here in town. What an honor!

The challenge for us all
Do you enjoy growing in your understanding of technology or creativity and have a passion to follow Christ? Are there at least two more individuals in your city who could meet with you on a monthly basis? Imagine forming a group where the sky is the limit to both your tech / creative understanding and in the transparency of your life of faith / spiritual growth! I think it’s time we realize just how important people are, and stop focusing on “what we can do” or the “services we have to offer”.

How about you? You spend time listening / giving lately? Or does everything you touch involve receiving only? The feet of the disciples had to move. If they were still alive on earth today they wouldn’t just be creating online ministries. They would be living them.

God knows what’s best, but I also know that He can use great people (like yourselves) to assist me as I move forward. There are now four cities where local gatherings are taking place on a monthly basis. We now have a weekly chat at 9pm EST on Thursdays (add me or visit here then). And even though winter isn’t here quite yet, I can feel the snowball getting larger and moving more quickly as time progresses!

I’m going to record a video for you in the next few days that sums all of this up, but I’ve never been here before. My friend Chad and I met today for lunch, and he hinted that this is what we get for being pioneers! I don’t have the money to pull this off. Whether that comes from sponsors, donors, grants, etc…….I have no clue. Who helps me figure this out? Do you have thoughts or answers that might help me?

I’ll leave you with a question – maybe you can help me on this one! Maybe some of you are more ready to speak on this one than me? Is it a disservice to the Lord if our ministry looks like a success, while the intention of our heart (the individual) has never been to lead the least who need us to guide them most?

A few thoughts on Twitter Lists:

• Let you quickly see what people think of you. You can’t hide from that, right?
• Like TweetDeck and other apps, they now let you focus within the chaos.
• Chances are you’ll find those you should be in contact with more quickly.
• I don’t see them replacing the hashtag for organized discussion
• Should be helpful in connecting those interested in your product / service together

And He was! After a few bumps in the road, He has turned a dream into a mission.
You can see the mission taking place by glancing over the map on the front of http://www.DigitalDisciples.net. The past few weeks – and days – God has turned the dream into a mission. He’s given myself and the others listed on the map the same nudge He gave disciples many years ago. Go! Enjoy creativity and technology. Connect frequently with people you might have never met, or that you’ve only connected with online. Share what God is up to with some that have never heard. And in 2-3 weeks we have seen around 10 new disciples stand up and be a contact point / part of that dream. And a second group is having their first gathering in Charlotte, NC on Monday!

I honestly believe we each have a dream like this in our life.
It could be a new start from scratch, or linking together with another that God’s given the same dream to. One thing I do know – dreams like this don’t just come true. They take a God that is able to turn them into reality and a mission. If God could take the world you live in and open a door that you never thought possible, what would that be? Could the world we live in really be changed by your dreams? I’d be thrilled to hear about your dreams, so feel free to comment outside the box – write whatever comes to mind!

PRAYING for the dreams that God is ready to give you. PRAISING Him for giving us a freedom to dream BIG, and not leaving when we think we might be asking too much!

Click here to view the embedded video.

Now back to this map we are on. This weekend I finally took a little time to start taking my missional vision with Digital Disciples and following through with missional action. You’ve read before that this is the one thing that has my gears turning. I love everything else God is letting me do at the moment: working at home and helping churches / ministries with websites / blogs, working part-time at Vista Community Church with the web / media, and even getting a new God’s Mac Podcast episode out every now and then. The vision He has given me with this is just different – I can’t put my finger on what it is.

The next step with Digital Disciples was to take the connections in other cities and start posting their interest online. My goal was to make it as clear as possible what God was up to. It’s obvious to me that this ministry is needed in many other cities besides Columbus, OH – there’s no question about that. So I’m taking those disciples that have contacted me, and assisting them in getting these groups running by placing them on the map. It’s simple. They want to also meet monthly, discuss technology and open God’s Word. Pray for each other. Share Christ with those that don’t have the privilege of knowing Him yet!

They are the answer to what God is wanting to do. It’s a prayer being answered before your eyes, for those that think God’s not alive today. The next prayer? Probably a prayer that many other organizations / groups / churches have. That those interested at all would take one step if that is what God is calling them to do. If you’re interested, take the step and let me know. If you’re confused, we understand and can help. Maybe it’s not for you, and it might be for a friend, family member or neighbor? Do us a favor and pass the word along!

PRAYING that we are responsible with the mission God has given us. PRAISING God for connecting me with you.

Obviously people prefer to learn from those that have serious experience. That’s a given. But why can’t those with experience share without getting so much out of it themselves. That’s usually where the money from the students pocket goes. This is one of my biggest passions in life, and I think it’s a way for many of us to be Christ to others. We all are gifted at something. So why not find a way to give that gift to someone else, for free. I’m so thrilled to host the Digital Disciples gathering each month, and let individuals and myself share all of the technology knowledge we have gathered. Actually following through with this has allowed me to realize that it’s not about the money. It’s also shown me that conferences sure can be fun, but that people don’t learn unless there’s a continual connection or dependable source to go to. Are some of you discontent with colleges and conferences being road blocks in your life? Could some of you step up and provide an alternative?

PRAYING that I can be a blessing to a family I am connecting with today. PRAISING God for providing the ultimate example of service and humility in His Son, Jesus Christ.

God really opened my eyes at the conference to the fact that He is moving across the entire globe through technology. So many times I get wrapped up in my own little web that I don’t even try to understand what might be going on at a distance. There are unbelievable things taking place in Switzerland, Bulgaria, Indonesia, Israel, China, New Zealand, and many other countries. Individuals who have given their life to serve God through technology flew into Seattle from those countries to connect and hopefully improve the work our Father is doing.

I’m a few hundred yards behind with my personal workload, but I know God wanted to give me this time and it was very evident as I returned on my flight home. Ramblings will continue to show up about the conference as I blog more. Just thought I’d say thanks for sticking around, and pray as I tighten up my boots and get back to proclaiming Christ online. How is God working this week through you, either online or off?

PRAYING for my brother as he hosts Skillet in concert this weekend in Lima, OH. Dreams will come true, and God will rock the house! PRAISING God for speaking through us all at the conference. His Word is alive and being read, heard and seen by new people every day.