Well, I really enjoyed my week off from twittering and blogging. I think I may do that consistently. One week per month. Maybe the first week of each month. No social media, just invest in my family. Of course, that’s not saying that I don’t invest in my family the rest of the time. I do, but I did enjoy not having to think about anything else. It was kind of like I got to focus inside my house and forget about everyone else. Most of the time I work inside my house but I still think about everything else. I guess it reminds me of the silence retreats they do at monasteries. They say it takes a whole day, maybe more, of complete silence before your brain even starts to slow down. That’s kind of what this was like. It takes a few days before I stop the frenetic nature of my brain, trying to think about my wife, think about my kids, think about my music, think about the record, think about the mix, think about the guitar part, think about writing new songs, think about studying, think about church, think about blogging, think about who might be reading that blog, etc. But after finishing the first version of the new record, Paul (my producer) said to step away for a few days. It was hard, but over time the list started whittling down. By the end, I was thinking about my wife, my kids, and my relationship with God. The mix reared its ugly head a few times. But mostly I was focused here. That was good. I think I may make it a more regular part of my life.
Thoughts?
Todd
That sounds like a beautiful idea. Thanks for sharing.
Wow – thanks for sharing this. Much needed for me and husband right now. We need a getaway, but not just to relax and be entertained. We need to get.a.way. I appreciate you sharing how long it takes to totally one’s mind of the stuff of life, and just get to the basics – God and family.
Sounds a lot like what Jesus did in taking time to get away from the frenetic crowds, the confused disciples, the constant need of people to be healed and taught. It’s a good balance to simplify everything down to the basic necessities of life every now and then. It helps you remember what is most important and revitalizes you for the work ahead. In Luke 9, Jesus spent time on the Mount of Transfiguration, but went back down to the demands of those who needed him. Praying for you, dear brother, to find that balance.
Cool, I may try a social media break. But If you need one more thought to crunch on, I think it would be cool to the ears to hear some Allan Holdsworth type legato in Christian music.
It seems wise to take time away from Social Media. Isn’t it funny to think how life was before Social Media was invented? For me it seems so long ago, yet the majority of my life so far has been without social media. Lately I have had a forced break from the internet because my internet connection has been down, and I have found that I have had time to focus on straightening things up, cook, work out more, on my relationship with God, the Bible, and even write a letter! I think my thoughts have been more peaceful since I have not been spending much time on the internet. We live in a time and society that moves very, very fast. I pray God continues to bring you His peace and helps you focus on sharing His love especially with those closest to you!
Amazing. It is a great thought to always make time away from worldly things and refocus on what’s most important, family and most importantly Jesus Christ!!
Keep up the great work Todd. You have a lot of people out here praying for you and your family.
I bet your family appreciated the break also. Taking a break and resting is vital to balance in your mental, physical and spiritual health. I think it is a great idea to slow down and focus on the REALLY important things in life, such as your time with God and your family. Enjoy it!
So glad to hear you took this time for yourself, to focus on what’s important…..your family, church and most importantly God. Everyone needs this inner focus for their own growth. You give us so much with your inspirational music and your faith sharing that we appreciate so much! You are such a blessing to us! Thank you for everything!
I really appreciate the fact that you have chosen to become more focused on the things that we often so easily neglect to make an undivided priority.
I recently fasted from maintaining our ministry website, responding to emails, and simply asked that those who needed to reach me do so by phone, or better yet, in person, and it was amazing.
On another note. Todd, if you are willing, please contact me so that I might ask a question about your trip here to our area in October. We live in Southport, NC just across the bridge from Caswell, which is where we first met several years ago, and I’d like to find out about bringing a small group from our ministry to attend the devotionals that you do in the evenings, or at least you did so last time.
Thanks so much for all of your hard work, and be blessed beyond measure as you push forward for the cause of glorifying God, and building His Kingdom.
Thanks also for your time if you are willing to reach me to answer the aforementioned questions.
Tim
i just looked at your website for the first time today. i enjoyed reading some of your messages and got alot of great insite from them. i really appreciate you taking the time to do this because alot of it will really help me im sure as well as it does so many others. i got truly saved about 6 years ago and was on fire for about three years doing everything i could to do that i thought was gods plan for me but like you say in alot of your songs i find it so hard to not keep ending up where Jesus found me.(and for me thats a BAD place brother) for the last three years i just fell all the way back. lots of stuff happened and i wont get into all that cause i know you are a busy person and this is probably too long already. getting to my point. there is nothing that brings me more joy in my life or in my heart than to sing praise to our great god and i can sing. but i am also one of those people who notices every little thing i do wrong and i always feel like maybe im not good enough for gods work but it truly is all i wanna do, and all i can think of most of the time. i have another problem with the whole music thing too. i cant play any kind of instruments, i have friends that can but are not yet interested in the music i wanna play. i have bought a guitar and a nice keyboard but im having trouble learning because where i live there is no one around teaching lessons and i really couldnt afford them right now anyway. im not trying to ask you for a handout or anything like that, just to pray for me and if you have any kinds of words of incouragment or otherwise feel free to send a message anytime if you ever have time and if you dont i can completely understand. my plan is to learn to play something so i can start out on my own and maybe i can reach them with the music and then you never know… plus not to down any churches but there is just no place anywhere near me that is anything like the bible says and i believe thats on your heart as well. the first song i heard by you is “My Jesus” and its no doubt my favorite but i also love “On a corner in memphis” well i love all your music and have all your albums and i really appreciate what you do cause alot of your songs have really helped me through this falling out ive been through and helped to get me back to dreaming of doing gods work again,and i can only hope that maybe one day god will use me in just a fraction of the way he uses you… sorry bout the super long message and thanks for the time it takes to read something like this.
Hey, Todd. . . great blog, as always.
And happy birthday. Sorry it’s belated. . . didn’t forget, just had a couple of crazy, crazy days. Anyway, hope it was blessed in every way. Take care.
Grace and peace,
Joy
(Luke and Jenna, too.)
Hi Todd
This is totally unrelated to your post. But sis anyone ever tell you you have the Jesus look, especially in the picture for your new album. Just thought you needed to know that. If Jesus was in modern time that’s exactly how I picture he would look (the album pic). 😀
Not sure if you are on a Media Break…. I just wanted to say Thank You for sharing God’s Word with us at CCC. I had two friends visit today and they, as I, were impacted by the words the Holy Spirit inspired you to speak.
Thank you
You really needed that and I’m glad you took the time to step into that solace. No matter who or what we are, we tend to develop these patterns that become engrained into our “doing” and eventually we see them as part of our “Being”. What you did was separate your doing from your being and in that you found peace. Thanks for sharing that…very cool!! I can honestly say that after meeting you I truly appreciate you more as a person and a great man of God. I hope our paths cross again.
thanks for sharing your thoughts….
I guess it’s been a long time that i have spent some real quality time with my family…and i can think of numerous excuses for that, which of course is not right.
Now, i intend to spend some time with them. i know i have not been a good child that i should have been to my parents..and i pray for guidance in my actions (whew, i always end up doing things that i really do not want to).
finally, i really love your song My Jesus…i want to be just like Jesus.
God bless you more!