2010...no resolutions, just working to change one day at a time

Ah yes, the final week of the year…the time when people reflect on the year that was: successes, failures, missed opportunities. Time to make the New Years Resolutions of how you will live better, be better…only to be forgotten about by January 31.

I myself have been a victim of that over the years (though I do not think I have made a resolution in a few years). This year I am doing something a little different.

Inspired by Christian singer/songwriter Matthew West’s book “Give This Christmas Away” I will be chronicling something different every single day of 2010. I will no divulge what the content will be until December 31, but it will be 365 days of purpose (my apologies to Rick Warren)

Watch for a short video detailing this in the next day or so. Please join me on the journey in 2010.

Give This Christmas Away

We are two weeks away from Christmas...stores are having sales, shopping carts are full and people are trying to make sure they get everything on their list.

But what about those in need? The ones that will not have a tree with a bottom filled with presents? The lonely that have no one to share the holidays with?

As a family, over the past few years we have tried to help out who we can. I have been truly inspired this season by Matthew West and his new single "Give This Christmas Away" , a song that was inspired the Samaritans Purse program "Operation Christmas Child". Matthew West has taken it to the next level by writing the book "101 Simple and Thoughtful Ways to Give This Christmas Away"

This is not a list of high cost purchase suggestions, but simple things that everyone can do. Think about the impact we could all make but doing small acts of kindness, not just during Christmas but year round.

I encourage you to join me in the quest to make this season better for others, one thoughtful act at a time.

Milwaukee Wave welcomes Matthew West for faith & Family Day

MATTHEW WEST CONCERT AFTER JAN. 17 MILWAUKEE WAVE GAME
Thrivent Financial for Lutherans presents Grammy-nominated Christian music artist Matthew West in a concert following the Milwaukee Wave game on Sunday, Jan. 17, 2010 at the U.S. Cellular Arena.

Matthew WestThe Wave take on the Rockford Rampage at 2 p.m., and West performs on the field immediately following the game. The concert is free with a game ticket and tickets are on sale today through the Wave office and all Ticketmaster outlets.

West's debut single, "More," was the most played song on Christian adult contemporary radio in 2004. He has received multiple nominations for the Dove Award, the Christian music version of the Grammys. West's latest release, "Something to Say," followed a medical scare in which hemorrhaged blood vessels on his vocal chords temporarily cost him his voice. It features "The Motions," nominated Thursday for a Grammy Award in the Best Gospel Song category.

Driven by a distinctive lyrical clarity, "Something To Say" is a soundtrack for life - a powerful reminder that God is speaking every day out of the broken places and pieces of our lives. Produced by Brown Bannister, Ed Cash and Chris Stevens, the album delivers the infectious guitar-driven pop that fans have come to expect from an artist and writer whose songs have also graced projects by Natalie Grant, Mandisa, Mark Schultz and Billy Ray Cyrus, as well as a cut on Rascal Flatts' multi-platinum "Feels Like Today."

West also can be heard on "Give This Christmas Away," the theme song to a new video from the VeggieTales. West co-wrote the song and performs it in a duet with Amy Grant.

For more information on Matthew West, visit http://matthewwest.com. For tickets to the Jan. 17 game and concert, call the Wave office at 414-224-9283 or visit Ticketmaster.com

The Milwaukee Wave professional indoor soccer team is the longest-running soccer franchise in continuous operation in the United States. The team celebrated its Silver Anniversary last season, and operates the largest summer soccer camp program in Wisconsin. For more information, visit milwaukeewave.com.