This morning I woke up around the time I usually do (11:00 am) and I started doing that which I usually do (paroose the internet, you know MySpace, Newsvine, CNN, Airliners.net). Of course this also includes a cursory look at the Buddy List. It is here I realized that I am getting old.

On my buddy list, I can see all the people on, and if they have an away message, it will display the first three words or so. If I hover over the name, it will display the entire away message (reference image to the left). Now I am reading through, same old, same old, but then I come to a friend (I will call her Amy) who's away message says "Finally doing my..." (I know stalkerish, but don't even try and convince me you don't do the same). With out even thinking about it, I think, ohh Amy's doing her taxes. Then I step back and think, wait a minute, why do I think that, I don't know that for sure.

So sure enough, I scroll over and bam, she's doing her taxes, just like I guessed. But it is now where I realize the 20s is a collective time in which we realize we are getting old. In the past, I might have thought "Finally doing my..." could be filled with homework, laundry, cleaning, or anything else we used to procrastinate.

After this I hop in the shower and I am still reflecting on Amy's buddy list revelation. I start to reflect on the topics of most of my conversations with other 20-somethings. I find increasingly that my conversations are on the topic of money, especially regarding the long-term. From the ever so classic, should I buy a place conversation, to 401(k)s, to having my salary deposited directly into a savings account vs. a checking account because I only pay three bills all month (rent, credit card, and tithe) and I could probably make some money on the $2,800 after taxes every month sitting in a 5.05% interest account while I wait to pay my bills. And I think to myself, man the 20s are one sexy time to be alive ;)

My uncle tells me that as people approach their mid-40s, they start asking the question, "does my life really matter," or "was their purpose to my existence." Although I feel like I have been asking that question since 9th grade, I bet when the 40s come along it will have a new meaning. For now, I am going to go out on a limb and say the question 20s are asking themselves is "how can I make sure I survive to my 40s and be ok." And as soon as you start talking survival, you know you are getting old.

Today was a first: I spoke at a career day at a local private academy on what it was like being a radio producer on arguably one of the top five secular talk radio stations in the world. The morning was interesting, the kids seemed intrigued, and of course, it got me thinking. It got me thinking about how we get where we are.

Oddly, my thoughts drift to an ex-girlfriend named Emily. Emily was a very smart girl. I don't have a shadow of a doubt that she won't be a success. I haven't talked to Emily since graduation so it has been six years, and she is about the only ex-girlfriend of mine I haven't stayed in touch with. But I hear from time to time that she is still pursuing the law thing and she is at the University of Virginia Law School.

What cracks me up about Emily's choice of career is its genesis. We had to put on a mock trial in a 9th grade English/Social Studies class for, if I remember correctly, the Nuremberg trials. Emily's tactic in cross examining my witness was what would be classified as "badgering the witness," and in a real court wouldn't have been allowed past the third question. But needless to say, this wasn't a real court, and she "stuck with it enough" to impress our English teacher - who definitely wasn't a lawyer (and frankly a little crazy). But Mrs. Walker complimented Emily and told her she did a great job, and well...the rest is history.

But here's what is funny, even though I kind of chuckle at the genesis of all this, I can't help but think that there are few people that would make a better attorney than Emily (and if there is something I know it's attorneys as I can count at least 8 attorneys in my family and another dozen or so friends in law school and as my friend Lissa says, "I just need to accept the fact that I am an attorney and go to law school already" because of blogs like these).

It's funny how very very small life events (like a compliment from an unqualified person) can lead us to such a huge life decision; especially when that "lead" is exactly where we are suppose to go, doing exactly what God created us to do.

I think about my own start and how I almost missed it. We switched youth group formats my sophomore year in high school, which really pissed me off because it sort of alienated a friend of mine I was bringing to church and trying my hardest to accept Jesus. The format switch though caused for a huge increase in the use of technology, and I was asked if I would do it. For the first week I protested the change and refused to be involved. I later reconsidered after I realized I had little choice in persuading him, and well, the rest was history...at 24 I now am a radio producer for something truly innovative.

Well that's about it, nothing too profound. I told the kids that grades aren't as important as everyone makes it (yeah I know, you think I am kidding but I am not), and that there is a difference in being successful in your career and being a successful person. We should all strive to be people of balance, keep faith first, trust God, and work as hard as we can at what we feel He created us to be.

Today is one of those days where you wake up and you know life will never be the same again. These days are really no different than any other day - other than one small detail. And the day after usually doesn't bring about immediate change. But you know inside this could be the day that changes everything. This could be the day you look back 50 years and pinpoint as "the day" - it could also be the day you look back at in 18 months and realize was the day you needed to start looking for another job.

Ten days ago, I arrived as I always do in the parking lot of Taco Mac on Holcomb Bridge Rd at 4:20 pm to depart for WSB studios with Allen and Jeanette. Jeanette was running surprisingly late. I didn't think much of it, and I hoped into Allen's truck. He turned to me and said, "how good are you at a keeping a secret."

Those are always scary words - especially for someone like me who likes to talk. This is not to say I am not good at keeping a secret when I need to, this is just to say I usually like talking about stuff.

"Next Tuesday," he tells me, "I am announcing to the staff and congregation that after much thought and prayer I am stepping down as Senior Pastor of Mount Pisgah and I have asked my successor to be named by June. I am willing to stay for up to a year for a transition period, but I feel called to pursue the radio show full time, and now is the time to do it."

Needless to say, I was shocked. I knew as the radio show program would grow, Allen would take more of an interest in the show and less of an direct interest in Mount Pisgah. He'd go from preaching, say 42 sermons a year to maybe 26. He would eventually step away from all things besides casting vision, preaching, and radio. But I never expected this, and I never expected it this soon.

I have the mixed emotion of extreme excitement and nervousness. It is kind of like riding a roller coaster when you are afraid of heights (like me). You know this is going to be a blast. You know are going to be safe. You know everything will work out fine and in the end you'll be so overjoyed all you'll do is long for the time just 5 minutes earlier when you could do it all over again - for the first time. But when your box car takes that first link in the chain to the top of the hill, you are still a little nervous.

From this moment on, sink or swim, it's just Allen and I. Sure there will always be Glenn, and probably Jeanette. And eventually we'll hire more people as the show grows. But for now it just feels like Allen and I. However, I can't imagine anyone better to ride up the hill of the "roller coaster of life" than Allen, because roller coasters are always much easier to surmount when you have a friend sitting right there with you. Sink or swim, I am proud to take this step and I am proud to do this with Allen. Alright, everyone put up their hands becuase here we go........