By Jonathan David Faulkner

I’m listening to Emery right now, I have not done that very much lately, my musical choices have ranged from NeedToBreathe to House of Heroes with a touch of Andy Mineo and Twenty-One Pilots sprinkled in for good measure. But that’s been about it…This is strange for two reasons. 1. I enjoy such a vast scope of musical samplings that just settling on four or five artists makes no sense. 2. I’ve reached a point in the summer where I’ve just settled into a musical routine and because it’s not at the top of my “Recently Played” list on my Amazon Music Player I do not bother looking for it.

Truth be told, I have not been listening to as much lately, probably because I have been playing a lot more as the band gets ready for its CLAMFEST appearance coming up in August. Or maybe it is because I am just out of gas and ready for a vacation. Please do not hear me wrong, life is really, really great right now. Greater than I thought it was going to be. Summer 2016 has been defining for me in a lot of ways and because of a lot of different things. Had you told me in April what God was going to be doing in my life now, I would have laughed at you.

But, here I am, and with everything God is doing, All I want to write about, I cannot figure out what to write about. I have reached a state where my desire to write is lessoned by the sheer amount of things I want to write about and my inability to actually put thoughts into coherent sentences. 2016 has been big for this website…okay that’s an understatement…we have outperformed everything we’ve done previous and are closing in on 10:31 Year 1 like numbers (our lowest year for readers). You have given me absolutely incredible feedback and I have enjoyed interacting with everyone…but guys…I’m out of gas.

I need a week at home, with mom and dad and my younger brother, I need a week where I do not have to think about all of you. Some R&R…and as it turns out, I will be going. Since my girlfriend needs to meet my parents and I do not get to go home very often I am glad for the opportunity to introduce my parents to the woman that God has used to make this summer what it has been. To see the dogs, friends, take a hike at Old Man’s Cave, walk around Albany, go to Athens, see an Ohio Sunset, maybe enjoy a nice Ohio Valley Thunderstorm.

I am in need of a rest, some relaxation, seeing old friends and building on the foundation in Christ, with the help and guidance of our communities between my girlfriend and I. Neither of us having to worry about work or the 2 hours between us, just hanging out with my parents and relaxing.

I love you all, and I will be back, probably in a week and a half (Monday the 22^nd’s article will not get written on the road and thus, not written). And I will have new things to say. I may have even finished a few more books.

So hang in there, bear with me, I love you and so does God the Father.

I’ll be back.

Jonathan David Faulkner is a student at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary, a Pastor, Musician and Writer. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Christian Education & Administration with a concentration in Urban Ministry