Multitasking often leads to inefficiency. I’ve never really thought of it this way, but when technology cranks up the pace our life often gets so sucked into it that we don’t realize how much hurt is taking place. Like a computer, sometimes our lives don’t feel like they’re put to good use unless they’re running 5-6 applications at one time. Not realizing that we’ve slowed down and lost focus.

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!

I’ve always felt like I should have “an agenda” for this blog, so this website has scared me away for the most part. How could your own blog / site do that to you?

I know the blogs I enjoy most are usually written by people that are transparent about more things than they are hush-hush about. You can almost smell them while reading their posts. Do you have a blog like that you’d recommend me checking out?

Here are a few things that are swirling around in my mind this evening, so we’ll see if it’s a good start:

1. I’ve had an insane last few weeks when it comes to Digital Disciples. There’s a good chance that I’ll be working with this guy on turning it into an actual entity (501c3 non-profit from what it’s looking like).
2. God woke me up around 5:15am one morning a few weeks ago, and wouldn’t let me go back to sleep until I sent someone an email. I’m anxious to share details with you about that, but the timing will have to be right on that.
3. I finally made the leap (after saving up some money on the side) to purchase a new 13″ MacBook Air. It’s the kind of machine that makes blogging a comfortable thing, and I was even able to power it up enough to run my design software on it (thanks to my friend Andrew – who saved me a good amount of money with his Friends & Family discount).
4. Enjoyed starting to read Rob Bell’s Love Wins book (and discuss it openly), and am excited to read what Jon Acuff has to say in his new book that comes out on May 10th.

Thanks for stopping by. Shorter posts coming, more frequently, and possibly without any agenda before I start writing them. Think that’s a good thing?

I’m ready to start my new job on Monday at 104.9 The River, but I think this weekend will help quite a bit! Bright and early tomorrow morning, I’m heading to Tennessee with my Dad for three days to hang out with rednecks and racecars. Not sure if you’re aware of it, but I’m a big NASCAR fan (rooting for #29 – Kevin Harvick). He just happens to be leading in the standings this year, so we’ll see if he can hold onto that.

I’m most pumped to just get away from work a bit and hang out with my Dad. Something I don’t get to do too often. He and I will be hanging out in the first row up in the section above the “BRISTOL” area in the photo. Great seats for sure!

What things do you enjoy in life that would recharge you? Have you had an opportunity to escape and relax recently?

That’s the new title God has allowed me to be given after accepting a full-time position today with 104.9 The River (Christian radio station here in Columbus, OH). The way this opportunity unfolded over the last month was nothing but an act of God. I attended a Christian camp years ago while in elementary school, not knowing that God would tap my counselor’s (Director of Sales at The River) shoulder in 2010 and have him invite me into the station for a consulting meeting.

With the economy the way it is, it really shocked me to sense God’s love at the right time. I constantly reminded myself through the process that there are many out there today without a job – and to be offered one when you weren’t hunting for it shows God was moving even more to me. He was allowing us to get by as I worked at home as a freelance web designer (and part-time at our church), but it was getting pretty chaotic after 3-4 years. I tried maybe too hard to keep my fees affordable for ministries, while also not being too interested in bringing in a second hand to assist in completing projects as quickly as I’d like.

A few things God showed me through the process include: In the middle of the process I asked a pastor / friend of mine to pray, and he was quick to let me know that there couldn’t be a better job title for me. Another friend came up to me just last week (without knowing I had just applied), and let me know he heard the job opportunity ad playing on the radio and that I should strongly consider it. What excites me is to work with a group of individuals that sense the reality that God wants to use technology to improve the way they spread / connect His message to the community. To see how the coming generations use different technologies to communicate than the previous, and that God wants to speak to them where they are at.

I’ll share more details after I start (two weeks from today), but I thought I’d just give a small attempt at glorifying and praising God for His provision and guidance. His watch was obviously ticking – I don’t wear one.

I’m writing this knowing that I’m not the only one living a crazy life at the moment. Millions of people around the globe wish there were more hours in the day. While trying to clean up my work schedule / pace, God has brought a possible opportunity of change into the picture. More on that in the coming weeks. I thought I would take a few minutes to connect with you. Ask you to pray for that possible change, and for the things below if you wouldn’t mind. If you have anything that you’d like prayer for, I’d love to hear those as well!

Speaking at BibleTech and Apple Headquarters
I’ll be returning to BibleTech again next month (this time in San Jose, CA) and sharing what God is doing through the Digital Disciples network. An employee at Apple Headquarters in Cupertino, CA (in the San Jose area) and I have connected online a few times. There’s a good chance I’ll be stopping by and sharing about God’s Mac and Digital Disciples with Christ-followers within the organization – and anyone else who shows up. Their group is called Apple Christian Fellowship. Must be fun to be a part of that group!

Restructured presence on the web
I’ve previously had two personal sites, my personal blog here and my design portfolio. You might not have noticed (hopefully), but I have moved most of my newest projects in the portfolio onto the blog here. Hopefully confusing people less about what I do, and letting you get a glimpse of my personal life via the regular blog posts – as well as the “professional” side of things with the design blog posts. All in one location. Easier to manage, and allowing you to see more of what God is doing through me. That’s why I’ve done it really. What I do isn’t separate from who I am.

I’ve transitioned the Twitter account to my personal @GabeTaviano account, and the previous @GodsMac account is used for the podcast now.

Shortened / More frequent podcast
Enjoy technology or creativity? Love to hear how God is moving in the lives of people across the globe? Confused at times, like many are, with how God wants us to be using technology? Our podcast has been around for over 3 years now, including 54 episodes that most ran over an hour in length. It wasn’t acceptable, so we’ve changed it up. To be more fair to each person or topic that is a part of each episode, we are now providing episodes that are easy to listen to. Yesterday we just aired a second episode in the new format, an interview with the 2000 Olympic gold medalist, Laura Wilkinson. You may receive the podcast in iTunes, alerts via email – RSS – Twitter – Facebook (and easily listen to the episodes using the audio player on the site).

Enjoying photography
I haven’t missed a day yet. 55 days in a row of taking 1 Photo Per day. It’s been a new project that’s had my eyes peeled and always looking for a subject / object to capture.