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.

Yes, today is my birthday. So I thought I would check in on the blog and celebrate what God was up to while I was 32! It’s so crazy to think of the life Christ lived in just 33 years, and we don’t know a whole lot about most of it. As I turn 33 it’s definitely interesting to look forward and thank God for giving me more time on earth than His Son. In the past year He:

• Led our family through incredible peaks and valleys (figuratively and literally) as we drove 22,000 miles to see 52 Zoos in 52 Weeks!
• Nudged me to start Digital Disciples – which I think has HUGE potential for Him! Connecting monthly with great people in Columbus has been awesome!
• Asked me to proclaim what He is doing, and not just keep it to myself.
• Built new friendships through this blog and through Twitter / Facebook – which has taught me quite a bit!
• Allowed me to help my wife Marla as she continues to grow the writing / speaking ministry God has given her.

Obviously much more went on this year, but it almost makes me tired to think of how full this past year was. On the other hand, it makes me so thankful as we celebrate Thanksgiving tomorrow, to know that God is at work. Being so busy wouldn’t be worth it at all if it didn’t include Him, right? Thanks, God, for blessing me this past year. Have your way with me – even though I know that takes being tired, confused, stressed, anxious, and many other things that the world believes aren’t necessities. You are.

I got an email this evening that blew me away. It was a radio spot from my wife’s uncle, Rod Robison. It wouldn’t surprise me if some of you readers had either seen him perform as a mentalist (mental illusionist) or heard him on Family Life Radio.

Back to the email he sent over. Some of you might remember my previous posts, Grow Up Already and Two Retired Video Gamers, from earlier this year. My addiction to playing video games was real, and SO many others deal with it as well (and some can tame it – or at least say so). For some reason, God chose to open my eyes to the reality that it was nothing short of idolatry.

This message isn’t a message for parents – to bash their teenagers or for wives to bash their husbands with – it’s for the individual that struggles to tame the addiction. The individual that can’t honestly admit that they aren’t glorifying God through one of the things that consumes a majority of their free time. I truly believe Rod hit the nail on the head in the radio spot – stewardship really is radical and is rarely an easy thing. It really does take genuine and radical stewardship to listen to God, especially when He’s helping you deal with something that has rooted itself so deep in your life. All I ask is that you listen to it, maybe even twice, and give it some prayer and meditation if you or someone close to you is struggling with it.

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PRAYING that each of us is able to find new ways of becoming a radical steward of the life God’s given us. PRAISING God for breaking me, and then using that as a testimony of His love.

I’ve been wanting to post a follow-up to the “Grow up already” post back in January for quite some time. Apparently this topic steps on people’s toes, and I REALLY think it needs to.

Matthew 6:34 tells us not to worry about tomorrow, but that doesn’t mean we just cop out of thinking about our life 20 years down the road. So today I want to join with you in looking at what life might be like for the video game junkie as they enter the golden years. Many people try to say that playing video games isn’t inherently evil. We’re all entitled to our opinion, and you could be right. But again, we’re looking at the end here, not the beginning. Let’s take a look at the choice to be one of two retired video gamers….

Choice A is to reach the end of life, having spent enough time playing video games to have retired and start receiving social security checks. This path might include spending thousands of hours killing make believe digital creatures, walking imaginary lands searching for a treasure that will impress your friends, or living the life of a professional sports athlete through your fingertips. Playing video games has changed quite a bit, with exercise and family enjoyment now being a part of it (thanks to the Nintendo Wii). But let’s be honest, that usually isn’t the case. The issue at the core of all of this? Truly being social. When people don’t want to go the extra inch and enter into real society, I believe they take the low road and form an imaginary society by hanging out with people they most likely never see.

Dr. Maressa Hecht Orzack, director of Computer Addiction Services at Harvard University-affiliated McLean Hospital, agrees that the social aspect is a primary factor in many game addictions in this article from CNET News. She hit the nail on the head when stating that “Many of these people are lonely, have never felt like they belonged. People get a sense of belonging in the game. In some cases, it provides the only friends they interact with.”

Choice B is the choice I made four years ago. Retiring as a video game junkie after realizing how much time that lifestyle required. I believe every life should be lived with eternal retirement in mind. A choice to stop making excuses that allows life to be lived around ourselves, and wrapping our focus around what really matters. The cross of Christ. Isn’t that what Luke 9:23 is talking about? At the end of the day being able to say that you picked up your cross. Living a life that the preacher doesn’t have to lie about at your funeral?

Retiring from video games was one of the best choices I’ve made in my life. If you’re struggling with it, I understand. I was also there a few times. Wanting to break the habit, but not having the guts to make the move. In the end it wasn’t me who made the move, it was God who recognized my heart was ready, and He’s now working it out as He should be. If you struggle with this, or have overcome the battle, I’d love to read your comments. This issue is legit, and I want to focus on speaking into it with your help!

PRAYING for more parents to realize how enjoyment can turn into addiction. PRAISING God for removing this idol from my life.