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 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?

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.

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.

• 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.

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.

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.

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.

So there I sat, in October of 2007. Back in corporate America, making more money than ever. Why did I leave being self-employed for that? For some reason I thought that churches / ministries / individuals wouldn’t be willing to pay more for me to design them professional websites, blogs, etc. My fees when I left the camp to work on my own were too low, and the quality of work I was doing wasn’t near what it is today. So I decided to take the easy way out, and take an interview that a friend of mine hooked me up with. Got the job, and was sitting pretty for a while.

But God had other plans. God was curious how I gave it all up when He brought in enough work. My fees being low wasn’t his fault, it was mine! How about Gabe continue to offer better websites and blogs, and re-visit the self-employment / ministry world? So I did. I knew there was enough work coming in. The internet’s too big, and there are too many poor websites out there for that not to be true.

So here I am today! My fees are very competitive for what I offer, but are more than double what I was charging back in 2007. There have been tough spots along the way. Times when checks didn’t arrive when expected, projects took longer, and quite a few other obstacles. It’s not easy, I guarantee that. I believe the closer we get to doing what God has planned for us, the harder it might be for us. What I enjoy most is giving away what I know. That’s why Digital Disciples and the God’s Mac Podcast exist at all. Knowledge is not where it’s at…..it’s with a fear of the Lord when we start to gain real wisdom.

I don’t know where I’ll be next year. Our church has brought me on staff part-time, first at 5 hours per week and increasing to 15 hours per week these past 9 months. I will finish by making it even more clear that God has orchestrated the entire process. I haven’t spent a penny on advertising in all of the 5 years I’ve been on my own. My boss (and yours) seems to enjoy divine connections, and letting word of mouth sell the work He wants done. Saving me quite a bit of money, and bringing me closer to Him through it all. I wouldn’t change anything if I had to do it all over again!

PRAYING for those who have found this series challenging. God will never leave you, no matter where you are or what you are doing. PRAISING God for the clients He has lined up next year. The ones I haven’t met yet, and couldn’t reach even if I did purchase advertising.

So we approached those same 35 families and few churches about what God might want to do with us next. It was their hard-earned money that helped us get to where we were. God opened a door. There had been many churches, organizations and individuals that had contacted me the past few years to help them with websites and graphic design projects. I helped a few, but didn’t dare attempt to help them all. Not while having a full-time job in corporate America or working at the camp (and having our first child). But what about now? What if those families and churches were fine with supporting us as I ventured out into working on my own and starting to say YES to the possible projects I could be working on with those other ministries?

The families were all for it, and completely understood that the internet is a mission field. Many of them attended churches (and the others were churches), so they knew how vital an online presence is for ministries these days. So Taviano Design was created in October of 2003. We moved closer to our families in northwest Ohio, found a fairly cheap house to live in, and kept our fees extremely low so we could definitely have enough work coming in. That went really well for over two and 1/2 years, until May of 2006. God always came through with enough projects to pay the bills, but our budget just wasnt’ working out. It wasn’t looking good, but we knew the challenge had to be temporary! I made a decision to jump back into an open door in corporate America. Working at a new company with previous co-workers and friends, making the most money I had ever made. The temporary financial problem was gone, but you won’t want to miss tomorrow’s post on  how that all changed in October of 2007!

PRAYING for individuals as they go through the difficult leap from a stable income to having to rely on God for every penny! PRAISING God for teaching us that money is not the focus, and that He will always provide. Sometimes not when it is easiest for us, but ALWAYS!