What it be like to head out on a camping trip to the mountains for three days, by yourself...with nothing but a tent, a bag of clothes, a Bible, journal and guitar?

No noise. No ipod. No cell phone. No computer.

For some you reading this, you can't imagine anything much more miserable! For you, this would be your idea of hell. Or maybe you think it would be great...for about 2 hours. For me, 3 days of solitude in the mountains is a little slice of heaven. And it's my birthday gift from my bride (props to the ever-amazing Erin Kay Smith!!!). I head out Monday morning for the mountains of South Carolina and a true "spiritual retreat."

I crave time alone with God. I crave to be immersed in His creation, without distractions and noise. And as much as I truly love technology, I can't wait to get away from it for a few days.

And yet I'm well aware that I cannot live my entire life that way. This is temporary. God did not redeem my life so that I could stay tucked away in the mountains without human contact. I need this time to connect with my Creator, but I've never understood the philosophy of the monks...secluding themselves from the world. We are called to be His hands and feet. We are His ultimate method for accomplishing things on this planet...helping those who need help, caring for the broken, poor, lonely, hungry, needy and lost. So, as much as I can't WAIT for this trip, I know I'll come back all the more ready to serve and work.

I'll be spending a LOT of time listening and talking with God. I kind of feel like Moses saying this, but I want to take your requests to God up on the mountain. So, what do you need prayer for? I promise, I'll take it to Him. Just let me know! You've got until 9:00 a.m Monday morning...then all the noise goes away.