Steven Curtis Chapman

Last night, I went to the AGAPE Family Services Annual Banquet. AGAPE is a child adoption and family counseling agency based here in Memphis. This year, they had Steven Curtis Chapman perform as a part of their annual fundraising banquet. He is my absolute most favorite Christian artist. He even did a new song that he has written about adoption--it's going to be coming out on his new Christmas album and it is POWERFUL. It was an amazing event, and I'm thrilled I was able to attend. I almost got to meet the man at dinner, but he was greeting the people on the other side of the table and I didn't want to knock things over as I lunged across the table! Maybe I'll get another chance someday. His music has been a tremendous blessing in my life.

In other news, I finally completed my term paper for the Graduate course I took this summer. Needless to say, the last couple weeks have been miserable. I'm beginning to believe more and more that some people are "wired" more for school than others. And I'm one of the others. I simply do not enjoy it.

Exciting things are happening at Highland Street in the next several weeks. I'll explain more about it soon.

A Glory Story: Layne Rouse

Layne Rouse is my best friend. We were roommates for 2.5 years while attending ACU. This weekend, he moved to Waco where he will soon begin law school at Baylor University.

Layne has been a tremendous spiritual example to me. He is a man who seeks diligently to know God’s story, and to seek the purposes God has for his life. He has spent the last five years relentlessly pursuing the interception between God’s story and his story.

Five years ago (as a freshman), God began planting seeds in Layne’s heart for leadership and vision. He had no idea what it meant, but he was faithful to listen and obey the calling. Over the next three years, the Lord continually equipped Layne for leadership—providing unique opportunities and team-building experiences. Then the story began to make sense. Layne was elected Vice President of the student body—bringing further experience in leadership—but in more of a “back seat” role.

Last year, Layne was the President of the student body at ACU. You can imagine, after the amazing journey the Lord had led him on, Layne’s loyalties were not rooted in power, popularity, success or recognition. His loyalties were rooted in the God who called him. He was able to be a critical voice for the work of the Lord in Abilene as ACU approaches its Centennial celebration.

I wish all of you could sit down with Layne and hear his testimony. He has journal entries from his freshmen year that came to complete fulfillment in his role as President. Amazing.

And so now, I rejoice with Layne in his new beginning. Undoubtedly, he will be further equipped and refined for leadership in the Lord’s kingdom. Frankly, patience will be difficult as God fulfills more of His purposes in Layne. But I can only imagine the days of rejoicing ahead as God uses him more and more. And I know he and I will continue to battle in prayer for each other. And we will walk next to each other as we seek for the story of our lives to align with God’s story of redemption.

Nicknames

I was shopping yesterday at LifeWay® Christian Stores. As I was checking out, I once again endured the typical check-out clerk conversation: “is it Porche or Por-sha?” “Do you drive a Porsche?” “Are you related to the Porsche people?” “Will you own a Porsche someday?”

And as usual, this woman got a big kick out of herself. Then, I flashed my “minister discount” card. “Ooooo!” she exclaimed. “Pastor Porche! Do you have a Frequent Purchaser Card, Pastor Porche? No?! Oh, but you would be getting points today!”

“Well, I realize that, but I really don’t care for one,” I said.

“Okay, Pastor Porche. Here’s your new card, and I’m going to go ahead and stamp it once for you because of your purchase here today. And now each time you come in and make a purchase you just be sure to present this, Pastor Porche.” And as I walked out the door she hollered over the entire store, “Bye, Pastor Porche!” I didn’t wait to see how many people turned to look.

I’ve never had a good nickname, and I’m not so sure this one will stick. What nicknames have you had?