He's My Dad

Yesterday morning I was running like crazy getting kids to school, taking Maddie to the orthodontist, running home to pick up Sam's forgotten lunch, worrying about orthodontist bills, and running Maddie back to school. After signing her back in I was leaving the school office a little frazzled and came face to face with the picture of my father on the wall (at Sam Thomas Elementary--named for my dad).

I stopped in my tracks. It literally took my breath away and caught me completely off guard. I cant even adequately describe what I felt in that moment. With all the hype of having a school named for my dad sometimes even the name is easier to associate with my kids' school than with my dad who played ball with me, held my hand, picked me up when I fell down, loved watching scary movies with me, played one million practical jokes on me, and loved me...to the core. I came face to face with those eyes--those eyes that always seemed to dance a little and laugh whether he was actually laughing or not. I saw that sly smile...a smile I so fully remembered and I was undone, So unexpectedly. Undone. I miss him, still, and cannot believe we actually get to send our kids to school there! He's my dad! What a dream!

As I was driving away, a spiritual epiphany hit me. Sometimes I do the same thing with God. It's easy to get wrapped up in churchy stuff, the initiatives of church, programming, meetings, the facility...and forget how personal this relationship is. He's my Dad! Thank you, Abba!

Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself. 
~C. S. Lewis

We are thrilled to announce that The ZOE Group has completed a time of transition and is ready to jump into 2012!

As The ZOE Group is relaunching, we hope that you’ll join our mission to reach others with a passion for worship. You can do that by sharing this site with your friends and family, by “liking” us on Facebook, by purchasing CDs and folios, by donating to the ministry, and by praying for us!

For a limited time, we are offering sales on available CDs and folios in the ONLINE ZOE STORE so you can complete your ZOE music library. Pricing for the CDs is from $5 to $8, and all music folios are $5. Be sure to take advantage of these great prices! We have limited inventory on some of these items.

Check back on this site often for the latest ZOE news and upcoming events. We are so grateful for your support and look forward to many more years of sharing great worship experiences!

I am personally extremely excited about our new ZOE Board! We have a wealth of gifted and passionate people serving in this ministry! Our new board and directors consists of Geof Vickers (our most awesome attorney), Jeff Berry (VP of Centricity Records who also ran a worship related non-profit for many years), Laura Troup (former publicist for Thomas Nelson Publishing working with many authors including Donald Miller), Mike Cope (speaker and Pepperdine Lectures Director), Josh Graves (preaching minister at Otter Creek Church), Kent Bogle (international man of mystery. Just kidding--but seriously. :) Kent owns 8 different companies all over the world and has a passion for worship and ZOE in particular.) Randy Gill (Randy has written or arranged many of our songs and will now be the acting board president). 


Directors include Jason McArthur (VP of Provident Record Label Group and singer with ZOE), Amy Westerman (ZOE singer), Kevin Penna (ZOE singer), Melissa Kirby (ZOE singer) and me.


Here's to a brand new day! I am so, so, so, SO pumped and so very grateful to be past these last couple of years of struggle to get here. Thank you, GOD!

Twelve Clean Pages

Go right now and order your copy of Nika Maples' new book, Twelve Clean Pages. Nika (a good friend and bridesmaid in our wedding) asked me to read the manuscript last Spring. I was completely sucked in. I wrote a recommendation for the back cover saying "I was not ready for this book to end!" And, I wasn't. You must read this book of grief, struggle, questioning, anointing, and triumph. I cannot possibly recommend this more highly. Congratulations, Nika! You are brilliant!

For more information, you can click on her link over there to the right in my favorite links. Or, visit her website at www.nikamaples.com . You can also read excerpts of her book on her blog...it will hook you. I watched as many of these life experiences happened to Nika. I don't know anyone else quite like her. She truly is an extraordinary person.

2012

Happy 9th Birthday, Ella!

Happy birthday to my lovely and vivacious Ella! She turns 9 today. Ella, you have made life so much more fun! Mommy and I adore you! Happy birthday!

Christmas Jazz

Last Wednesday night Derek Brown and some of his buddies did a jazz program for us at Highland. Derek is the director of the ACU Jazz band program and goes to Highland. It was so cool to see people getting to use their gifts and bless others. It was fantastic! Thank you, Derek!

The Christmas Family Tree

This year the Highland Children's ministry produced a Christmas musical called "The Christmas Family Tree" written by my Nashville buddy, Kathie Hill. Our friend Kelly Litton directed the show. She was simply amazing. Sheryl was on her team of teachers and we all just marveled at her amazing gifts along the way.

Maddie had her first solo...ever. I was so excited to hear her and my heart just melted when she sang! Ella had a hilarious lip sync moment with Sheryl singing off stage...video clips will be at the bottom after the pictures.

Thank you to Kelly, Suzetta (our children's minister) and all those who gave so much of their time to make this happen!

This is the video clip where the "Christmas" children introduce themselves...wait for Ella at the end. Hilarious!

This is Maddie's sweet solo. I wish you could have heard it live...it really sounded so great!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Here With Us

On December 4th we had the Highland Christmas Celebration at the historic Paramount Theater in downtown Abilene. It was an awesome night! Here are some pics of that long but fun day.

Load in started that morning at 9:30am...kudos to all the cast who gave up an entire day to get everything ready!

The theater is ready...the sound and lights are set and we are ready to begin our rehearsals and sound check with the band and choir!

Brandon Young who I knew at ACU and then at Otter Creek in Nashville is now back in Abilene with his family teaching art and design at ACU. He is a FANTASTIC electric guitar player! I am so excited he played with us.

Jordan Ziemer...God led me to Jordan. He plays keys at Beltway Baptist in Abilene but has connections  to Highland., I loved having Jordan there.

Rod Pringle...long time Highland member and awesome musician. It was a true pleasure having Rod play.

Logan Pringle grew up at Highland but in recent years has been traveling with his band and playing in Austin. Logan is incredibly gifted...and back in Abilene. I'm so thankful!

The evening began with Greg Straughn playing cello and voice over readings of the prophets and then a haunting acappella version of "O Come, O Come Emanuel" by Beth.

Thanks to Lyndell Lee for all the great graphics and ProPresenter stuff.

The band kicks into high gear for rehearsal

Lindi Connally rehearses her incredible dance piece

After rehearsal we shared a very special time of communion together.

Rehearsals are complete and it's time to open the house! Let all those folks in!

Thank you to Debbie Riggs from PURE Photography for these amazing pictures! They were such a great gift to us! I love the beautiful Paramount Theater. I can't imagine a more perfect venue for our Christmas celebration. Thank you to Barry Smoot and everyone at the Paramount.

Merry Christmas, everyone!