Are you really going to read this? Or will you just skim through it?

Chances are, reading this newsletter is sandwiched between two other Internet tasks you have. Maybe you're combing through emails, or going through your Facebook feed. How's your fantasy baseball team doing? Have you watched that funny cat video I sent you yet? Why haven't you responded to my @replies on Twitter? Nathan Lee has tagged 3 photos of you in the album "Spring Break 2K11!"

Beeps, buzzes, tweets, badges, pings - our lives have become so noisy! Do you ever take a step back and think about all the information that you take in every day? And the better question here: how much of what you consume is actually worth consuming? 

This all coming from a guy who spends 40 hours a week building things for the Internet. #hypocrite

I'm not saying Facebook is evil, or that you shouldn't watch that funny cat video (seriously, I sent it to you). My fear is that we have lost our filter. We don't have a mute button anymore. We can't turn the noise off.

And what does all of this say about our priorities? Let's even hop off this theme of Internet time-wasters for a second - where are our efforts going, and what does that say about what we call important? Where is our money going? One of my favorite Dean-isms from this year: the easiest way to figure out someones priorities is to look at their bank statements. Money is one of the most accurate representations of what's important to us.

My family's life took a drastic turn last November when our first child Ava passed away on the day she was supposed to be born. It brought everything in our lives to a halt. All of the noise stopped. Things became quiet and empty. My life felt like it was starting over. As a human being, I can't fathom the list of reasons why God would let that happen or how He is making His name known through us, but one message of so many was loud and clear: "STOP."

More specifically, stop and think about what's truly important in life. Stop over-booking and over-complicating life. Simplify your world with what is good - and the only good in this world comes from our God.

I am so thankful for everything in my life and what new perspective it has brought me. I am continuing to learn what is worth pursuing and what is a waste of time. I pray we can all find ways to trim the fat, hit the reset button, cut the noise, and focus on a meaningful Christ-centered life.

Romans 12:2 

"Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is - His good, pleasing and perfect will."