The Beat Goes On

Farewell 2008

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 15:33:00 +0000

So, here it is, my final blog of 2008. A toast to the past and to the future. But first, let me share again that this blog appears in a few different places, so references to comments and such may or may not be obvious to you and where you see it. A word about your comments - they are encouragement to others who may be experiencing something similar, so I encourage yo to enter into the conversation.

The last post of 2008 issues a challenge: Share some highs and lows of 2008 and what your hopes for 2009 may be. I'll go first.....

In looking back and taking a big picture view, 2008 has brought it's share of loss:

I lost a pastor and friend whose vision and leadership both challenged and fulfilled the work I do. (Lost = he moved to a new ministry)
My youngest daughter lost a bit of her "care free" childhood as she faced test after test searching for answers to a medical mystery.
With the economy taking it's toll in all our lives, I find myself losing my perspective of doing what I want to do to doing what I have to do. This applies both personally and professionally.

Lest you think 2008 has been a total bummer, there have been some highlights:

2 daughters, both in college, continue to make the Dean's list and make good choices for their lives.
After all the testing, the current course of treatment seems to be helping my youngest daughter.
Had an amazing vacation this year.
Celebrated 21 years of marriage with the love of my life.
It seems the hardware they put in my chest last year is keeping my heart beating pretty well.
Built a guitar for the first time in my life and it rocks!

As I look forward to 2009 I share some uncertainty with most of the U.S. about our economy and such, but I'm also hopeful. Here's a few:

My church will recover it's vision.
I will travel to see family & friends I haven't seen in a few years.
I will continue to watch all my daughters grow and enjoy life.
Someone will experience hope in their life because I'm willing to share Jesus.
I will not break any bones when I go skiing next week!

There you go, now it's your turn. I wish all of you a Happy New Year. If you're attending a celebration, I hope it's with friends and loved ones and remember "all things in moderation". See you in 2009.

Peace......

A Christmas Miracle

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Thu, 11 Dec 2008 13:18:00 +0000

It's been some time since I last posted. I've had trouble with the blog with several posts not appearing (hoping as I type that Blogger has it's bugs worked out, though it seems to be picture related, hence no picture), and frankly, the season I find myself in hasn't allowed me to be as persistent in getting something up. What season am I talking about? The Christmas season? ...well, yes...and no.

Surely you haven't missed the decorations and sale ads that signal what has become America's Christmas. Or maybe, like me, you're experiencing the added activity that comes with the season. And while much of it is "Christmas related", most times it seems like work for works' sake with no real benefit identifiable. Forgive my "Scroogeness", 'tis the season to be jolly, but I'm finding it difficult. Let's be clear, I'm not blaming Christmas, it's an unfortunate coincidence. One of my daughter's birthday is December 24, it's not her fault either.

What I'm referring to here is a season of difficulty I find myself in. It seems to be coming from all directions, job, finances, etc. Perhaps it's the economic "recession" that the media finally admitted we're in which is affecting us all. Its easy to point to specific things, but I know it's my soul that seems to be taking things hard. And if you know me at all, you know that I don't write this for your sympathy.

I write this because I know this is part of our human condition. All of us,from time to time, find ourselves in "seasons" of life that are utterly draining on our souls. The things that used to energize and fulfill us become just another thing on the "list" of stuff we're expected to accomplish. The roles we take on in life, spouse, parent, leader, etc.; that most times give us a sense of purpose and responsibility, suddenly become pressures that add weight to the "load we carry". Life moves from enjoyable to difficult. Stress is a word that is often used. For many, such times lead us into depression which is a very real condition that requires professional help. If that last sentence resonates with you, be encouraged to seek that help out, it's a good thing.

So here I am, and perhaps you too, in a difficult season. As I said, I don't share for sympathy. Just like everything else I blog about here, I share to share...to connect...to make the point that we're not alone. The feelings you and I have are common to all of us. But what to do in such a season? I must confess that I am limited in solutions, in fact I only know one. His name is Jesus.

He said some things about times like this. He said, "In this world world you will have trouble...", I think that's exactly what I've been saying. He said, "Take heart, I have overcome the world...", which leads me to believe that something different than what I'm experiencing is possible. And He said, "I will never leave you...", that gives me some comfort in the difficult times. None of that changes specific situations, but it changes me. He gives me hope and strength that this world tends to drain me of, and because of Him, I know it will be alright. He's proven Himself many times in my life, and while I might hope for the miracle of things just changing overnight, I'll take the miracle of Him every time.

Let me close by wishing you a Merry Christmas. May all of us experience the miracle of Christ in our lives now and in the days to come.

Peace......

Test

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Sun, 30 Nov 2008 16:59:00 +0000

I'm testing the blog, it hasn't been working for me lately.

Taking Stock

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 14:59:00 +0000

Hola! That’s hello for all the gringos reading. Hope you’re well.

With all the bad news that we’re being bombarded with lately that seems to be literally going on worldwide, and fear of losing everything growing daily, I’d thought I’d take stock of what’s really important:

A Savior.
A Wife who loves me and shares the good and bad.
Children who continually amaze me and make me glad their mine.
Friends who care and share.
Pets that love unconditionally and make me smile.

They can take all the rest. What about you?

Peace……

The Same Ol', Same Ol'

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Fri, 26 Sep 2008 19:17:00 +0000

Hey there! Back after an extended hiatus and glad to be blogging again. I hope that the last couple months were kind to you and that you are well. I’ll let you define that. In my last entry, I stated that when something arrested my thoughts I would share here…well, here I am.

What’s going on in my mind has been there for a long time, but certain events have once again brought it to the forefront. You see, I have this theory – let me restate that – it’s much more than a theory, it’s a truth about human nature that I’ve watched play out over and over again in my lifetime. What I’m talking about is this:

When we don’t know what to do, we do what we’ve always done.

Think about it, let it sink in, and let me explain. We actually share this behavior with other creatures in this world. Cows, given acres and acres to graze on will wear thin paths from one point to another as they move in single file day after day. Birds fly the same migratory routes year after year. Sea life behaves in much the same way, which is why an industry can be made from fishing, we have learned their patterns. These are but a few examples that lean more toward a natural behavior; but when it comes to the human race, this behavior can be troublesome.

It’s being played out right now in Washington with the proposal of the financial bailout that we are hearing about. The powers that be don’t know what to do, so they are proposing doing the exact thing that led to this mess in the first place! Not to get too political but, the proposed “bailout” of our “financial system” is really the bailout of a banking industry that got greedy. Is giving them more money really the answer? I know this could be a topic of it’s own, but let’s stay on point.

Here’s another example: I am employed by a church, and it’s a known fact that is statistically proven that the American church is in decline. That means that less people than ever are attending and it’s been a trend for some time now; we’re talking a looonnng time. And in the face of this, the church (and yes, I’m lumping them all together) continues to do the same thing over and over. Not only that, but it regularly condemns movements of freshness that attempt to infuse new life into the “system” and continues in the same direction. Having been at this for some time now, I’ve seen the church (plural institution) “recognize” the problem and lament it’s consequences, but I’ve yet to see a course correction. Now let me make it perfectly clear that I’m talking here about the “institution” of religion, not the Spirit-filled lives of believers that Jesus referred to as the church – the gates of hell can’t stop that!

And finally, let’s make it really personal. As I’ve shared before, I am a former drug addict. Over 21 years ago, I was a daily drug abuser who couldn’t stop. Regardless of how bad my life got, and how sick of myself I was, I didn’t know how to end it. And so, day after day, I did what I’d always done. This tendency of ours leads to countless people, maybe even you, getting stuck in destructive behaviors that ruin lives. Drugs, drinking, sexual abuse, gambling, smoking, verbal abuse, lying, stealing, anxiety, depression, physical abuse, obesity and on and on. And for many it continues day in and day out because we simply don’t know what else to do.

So I challenge you to take a look around, can you spot this behavior taking place in your world? Now look inward, are you stuck? If so, let me tell you what changed my situation over 21 years ago – Jesus. I simply cried out one day that if He was alive, like I had heard He was, and if He loved me like I heard He did – then I needed His help. He helped me and He’ll help you. And maybe you already know Him but are in a situation where decisions are made to keep the status quo rather than rise above it; if so He cares about that too. Call out to Him, ask Him for direction – but then listen and be bold enough to move in that direction!

Never again will I be satisfied with the same ol’, same ol’ in my life, Jesus didn’t change my life for that. What about you?

The Floor Is Yours

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Thu, 17 Jul 2008 13:47:00 +0000

Good day to you. Just a really quick post today about the pace of things in my world. Furious is the word that comes to mind. I can honestly say that I am busier at this point and time than I can remember being in a long while.

That’s not a bad thing, so far. The stuff that I’m running to keep up with is all of my own scheduling and planning. But in the midst of it, I find myself thinking at times that if one more “fire” starts that I need to put out it’ll throw everything else off kilter. Of course that isn’t the case, but the feeling begins creeping in from time to time.

For me, that’s a signal to do a couple things. The first is rest. I need a solid eight hours of sleep every night, if I don’t get it feels like I’m always behind, operating at a deficit if you will. The second is rallying the troops. My troops are my family, and I’ve found over the years that when things get crazy, a good way to de-stress is spend time with the ones I love and who love me the most. Doesn’t have to be planned or something we go do, just hanging and being close does the job.

So, with that in mind here’s the plan. I leave town next week for a week long conference. When I return it’s “troop” time and down time for me. That means this blog won’t see an update for awhile. I hope that doesn’t stop the discussion that has begun from the previous posts. I’ve had some great comments and thoughts come my way concerning them. I encourage you to keep chewing on and wrestling with the notion that God is so much bigger (and different) than any religion you’ve ever experienced, and worship service you ever attended, and anything you’ve EVER read about Him.

I’ll keep checking in, and should a profound thought assault me, I’ll share. Until then, the floor is yours.

Peace……

Don't Be Shy

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:25:00 +0000

Back from vacation and thankful to be able to connect with you here in this forum. Again, I really appreciate all your comments, as I don’t evaluate or place a judgment of right or wrong on them, I simply enjoy the conversation. Why some of you choose to comment here and others privately is always a curious thing, but all are appreciated none the less.

I’ve obviously struck a nerve by suggesting that modern day, western civilized church (regardless of denomination) is broken and far removed from Jesus’ intent and idea of church. The comments and conversations have been all over the map. Curious and defensive are just a couple of adjectives that come to mind, but as they say, “It’s all good.” Regardless, they have led me to some new observations that I’d like to share.

First, it’s quite obvious that whoever warned against discussing religion (along with politics) as a place you just don’t want to go was on to something. It’s very difficult to have simple discussions and share differing ideas in that it’s a subject that is very personal and causes folks to debate their points of view with passion and a certainty that I find curious. Not the passion, I fully endorse passion, in fact a life without passion for something is a life I don’t want – it seems a dull place that I probably wouldn’t thrive in. But the certainty is the curious part for me.

I cannot understand why people believe God can’t exist beyond their personal understanding of acceptable practices and behaviors, rites and rituals or traditions. Here’s what I’m certain of: for all the different flavors of religion that the world has ever known, not all can be right and conversely not all can be wrong. From my point of view people gravitate to the form, function and style that is most attractive to them. If that’s true, isn’t religion and the many, varied religious practices (think denomination here) simply an exercise in selfishness?

The pursuit of God is really my only non-negotiable. Sure that can lead to some strange and even dangerous places. But if one is able to be honest with one’s self, identifying places and practices that demand something from you in order to come close to God as self-serving are easy to spot. God requires nothing of you to be His child, that’s your identity by default. Finding a place that allows you to express yourself to Him, share your faith in Him, love others as a response to His love is your choice. Mine will not look like yours and why should it? I am also certain that God is so much bigger than any denominational box or even humanly conceived practice.

Secondly, I am curious as to why some people don’t even want to discuss anything beyond their understanding. It seems as if it’s not okay to have questions without answers. They have all the answers that explain absolutely everything when it comes to God and His ways, and they are presented (almost as if they were memorized) in succinct fashion that is worthy of an “Amen!” every time. I’ve stated this before but the God who has changed my life, and continues to do so, constantly leaves me with more questions than answers. I have no need for a god that I can fully understand; that would make me his equal.

Lastly, I see God in each and every point of view…with the exception of the memorized, know-it-all ones. In those I see a little army of drones that have traded their thoughts for someone else’s. But in the differences I see the love of a Creator who has given each of us something special that this world needs. And only by sharing with one another do we take our place in it and reflect more of Him, which is, exactly what this world needs.

Don’t be shy, He can handle all the questions, doubts and debates we may have. I look forward to hearing from you.

Peace……

When Did That Start?

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 15:38:00 +0000

Summer greetings to you all. As the days get longer, and certainly hotter, I hope this finds you healthy and at peace with yourself. This is my pre-vacation post, as I’ll be heading for the hills (literally) to spend a couple weeks relaxing with the family.

I just started reading a book that peaked my interest and I can tell by just the introduction that I’m going to like it. It’s called “Pagan Christianity” , and it’s written by Fank Viola and George Barna. It’s a look at why the modern church does what it does – where did all those traditions come from anyway? Not surprising to me, the book lays out that many of our Christian traditions come from pagan rituals and not directives from God or Jesus. My suspicion is that this very tendency of man to “institute” forms and rituals and ascribe them to God may be at the root of them impotency of today’s church.

Listen to Barna describe what he calls a “revolution” of people leaving organized religion seeking more of God:

“…they are seeking more of God. They have a passion to be faithful to His Word and to be more in tune with His leading. They ardently want their relationship with the Lord to be their top priority in their life. They are tired of the institutions, denominations, and routines getting in the way of a resonant connection with Him. They are worn out on the endless programs that fail to facilitate transformation. They are weary of being sent off to complete assignments, memorize facts and passages, and engage in simplistic practices that do not draw them into God’s presence.

These are people who have experienced the initial realities of a genuine connection with God. They can no longer endure the spiritual teasing offered by churches and other well-intentioned ministries. God is waiting for them. They want Him. No more excuses.”

Does any of that sound familiar to you? I know people that fit that description to a tee. Should be an interesting read anyway. I’d love to hear from you about your experience with the forms and traditions that you currently experience or have experienced. Ask yourself if you know why those things take place on a regular basis, when did that start?

I am thankful to be with a group of believers right now who are tired of doing things just because “we’ve always done it that way”. Ironically, moving in that direction often leads to more questions than it does answers, and most people are looking for answers. I’m learning to be comfortable with the questions, after all, who really has the answers when it comes to God?

Peace……

Danger!

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Thu, 29 May 2008 14:18:00 +0000

Howdy! That’s Texas speak for “hi”, if you didn’t know.

So, continuing the thought of the current day church being broken and far removed from what Jesus intended when He said to Peter, “…upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven.” Matt. 16: 18-19 NLT
I’m reminded that the early Christ followers did so under the threat of death, which as it turns out, was more than a threat. Most of the early believers died at the hands of the government and religious leaders by crucifixion or stoning because of the threat they posed to the power held by those entities.

So I ask you, is the “church” of today threatening or dangerous at all? Do you ever hear anyone worried that organized religion is going to shake up the status quo and bring about real change in society? Perhaps the medical community is worried that too many people are being healed in Jesus’ name, or the welfare department is concerned of going out of business because believers can’t sleep at night knowing a fellow human is hungry. I did hear once that going to church could in fact cause death…..from boredom!!!! (That was a joke when I heard it and I say it as one now - but it was born from a bit of truth.)

Let me repeat – following Jesus isn’t an institution or religion. It’s an eye-opening, life-changing choice that will, by His very nature, put you at odds with the ways of this world. Shame on those of us who are satisfied with the modern-day church system as we know it, and are willing to call that following Jesus. I’m praying for following Jesus to once again become dangerous.

Peace…….

In Memorium

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Mon, 26 May 2008 16:59:00 +0000

This Memorial Day weekend I am reminded just how consumeristic the country I live in has gotten. The majority of time and effort spent seems to be on furniture sales, automobile sales or just about any other line of goods you can imagine. Many people use this weekend to travel, perhaps to see family, but often just to blow off steam at the lake. And while blowing off steam is something I consider important in this culture we have created, it's not the purpose of the weekend.

The purpose is to remember those who have fought and died for the freedom we take for granted. That's it. Please take a moment to do that, won't you?

Peace......

Still Chewing?

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Thu, 01 May 2008 15:26:00 +0000

I suppose your still chewing on last week’s entry; it’s been strangely quiet on the reply front. That’s good; I hope it’s causing you to think, to wonder, etc. Good, thoughtful people need to be addressing this issue instead of just walking away from church like too many do. Here’s your thought for the week:

Jesus never intended following Him to become a religion.

In closing I’d like to honor a friend and reader of this blog who passed away this week. Her name was Linda and she was kind and thoughtful and encouraging. She replied to this blog frequently, accepting my invitation to this journey together. Her passing reminds me that one day, I will know the answers to all the questions this life has caused me. Until then, I invite you to ponder them with me here.

Peace……

Broken

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 19:05:00 +0000

Today’s post marks a huge change in this blog that’s been brewing for some time. Since the beginning of my electronic journaling over 10 years ago, my posts have been fairly generic, “stuff of life” entries. I have endeavored to share the hope of my faith with my readers without sounding judgmental, condemning or otherwise narrow-minded when it comes to differing views. In fact, I have solicited those views in an effort to broaden my own thinking about this thing called life. I have intentionally side-stepped or soft-pedaled issues regarding how one’s faith is lived out when it comes to church related issues because I am employed by one (more than one over the years), and I wanted to avoid the appearance of stumping for or railing against my employer(s). Today that changes.

Let me say up front that I am not going to begin stumping for or railing against my employer (past, present or future), so those of you drooling can stop now. Rather, I am continuing to solicit your opinions, thoughts and experiences because I sincerely believe that as widely separated and different as they may be, reality and the truth live among them. And I am going to be posting about the church. More specifically, the evangelical, protestant (sadly) western church system.

I have come to the conclusion, that it is broken and in need of real change if it has any hope of being an entity of any relevance in this society. Otherwise, it will continue to see declines in membership and continued dismissal from a society that increasingly views it as unnecessary. Again, I’m talking about the structure or system of church as most of us know it, not faith or individual spirituality. This causes me great angst when I head to work each morning.

So with that – let’s get started. First, let me suggest some reading for you. I’m not the only one who feels this way and there are several authors you might want to get familiar with. Brian McLaren & Tony Jones are just two who have written volumes about it and have consequently been labeled heretics and worse for it, a good place to start. From there you will glean other names and organizations that can further inform you. You may agree or disagree with what you read, but they frame the picture clearly. I want to leave you with a couple questions in hopes of starting the conversation here.

What is the Church’s purpose?

If you attend one, is what happens in your church every week what Jesus told us to do?

Looking forward to journey. Peace……

Easter

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:22:00 +0000

I never know what brings people to this blog. I do know that I am grateful for the many folks who have subscribed to it; that for some reason like to read and comment on my thoughts. But I also know that I have many readers and get comments from folks who just “happen” across these pages. Maybe it was a search engine that brought them here or a link from another website. Regardless, as I type I envision each of you (I know – that sounds totally weird). But it’s more like having a conversation – I’m sharing what’s on my mind and hope that you will do the same.

So here’s what’s on my mind today…Easter. I’m curious as to what that means for you. Oddly, I’ve found that it’s a lot of different things to most everyone. I guess all of life really is. You can take the exact same “thing” and have as many different views of it as you have people. That’s the very thing I try to get at with this blog – “here’s my experience, what’s yours?”

For me, Easter is a time of remembering mostly. Because of my faith, it’s a time to remember the hope I have in Jesus. I’ve stated before that I’m a “hope junkie”, its fuel for me. If I have hope, I can conquer the world! The hope I remember at Easter is the resurrection of Jesus. He was actually seen by people after his death, and promised that there’s something beyond death for me too. And that jives with this feeling I have inside that there is more to life than what I see and experience. So I have hope.

It’s also a time of remembering family. I have fond memories of family gatherings and activities at Easter that make me smile; some from growing up and some from my own children. This particular Easter is unusually close to spring break, so I’m enjoying my kids at home for awhile before they head back to school. Some of these memories are warm and fuzzy like the whole family snuggling in bed before we go see if the Easter Bunny left a basket.. Some are hilarious remembering Easter egg hunts that ended in tears because “I didn’t find as many eggs!” or not finding all the eggs that got hidden until days later. Some are bittersweet remembering loved ones who aren’t alive anymore. Good times, good memories.

I am also not immune to the “pressures” of Easter. Even though my kids are pretty much grown up, shouldn’t I at least get them a chocolate bunny or some Peeps?! Funny, my mother actually still sends my kids candy through the mail at Easter! And of course I’m expected to attend church on Easter Sunday, right?! (Added humor here because I actually work at a church!) What about a new outfit?! An Easter bonnet?! Oh, the humanity!!!!

What is Easter for you? I think I’ll stick with remembering this year. And for you, I pray that you too will have hope and fond memories. But if you do get yourself a snappy new outfit, I’d love to see it! Happy Easter everyone.

Peace……

Cooperation

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 15:40:00 +0000

Snow is falling in West Texas this morning. Not much, but enough to remind me that winter isn’t quite finished even though I am thoroughly ready for spring to arrive. I am reminded today that it is God who holds time in His hands and not me…all things happen in His time, not mine. I hope today that wherever you are, you are warm, healthy and happy – the first two contributing to the last!

I was pondering a verse today from the book of Exodus in the Bible. Chapter 9 verse 16 says “But I have let you live for this reason – that you might see my power and that my fame might spread throughout the earth.” This was part of the message God gave Moses to tell Pharaoh when he sent Moses back to Egypt to free Israel from slavery. Now this is just part of the message for Pharaoh, but it captured my thoughts today, here’s why:

As a believer in God Almighty, Creator of heaven and earth, I operate in the belief that my life is not my own – it belongs to Him and I do my best to live it in a way that honors Him. This verse reminds me that all life belongs to Him, not just believers. He is at work in the lives of everyone.

There are plenty of other places in the Bible that support this, but this particular verse speaks of our actions in the midst of God being God. We can cooperate with Him, or not; but neither action will change the fact that He is moving in the world. His purpose will trump our behavior every time. That may or may not bring you to the same question that it does for me…so I’ll state it here: “What is His purpose?”

As it’s stated in that particular verse – “that you might see my power and that my fame might spread throughout the earth.” More questions…..Is God an egocentric deity? Is He starved for attention? Why doesn’t He just set the hills on fire, or do a little sky writing to make Himself known? Simple answer….He desires a relationship with each of us.

Each soul, each life is precious to Him. He longs for us to know Him. Not just know of Him, but to know His heart, and the depth of love He has for us. When we begin to know Him, which like any relationship takes some effort; our lives begin to reflect His passions and purposes. When we see others suffering through life for whatever reason, our hearts begin to ache like His does, and we begin to move with Him to cooperate in changing those situations. And we begin to see His power and His fame spreads throughout the earth.

My cooperation with God has let me witness some pretty incredible things in my life (His power), and because I’ve seen that, I can’t shut up about it (His fame). What about you? Are you a willing participant in this life or not? No judgment here, I’m confident God will use you either way.

Peace……

Give It Away

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 15:07:00 +0000

Greetings from my corner of the world to yours. I’m happy to report that I’m feeling much better and have been able to beat back the crud that was assailing me the last couple weeks. I’m hoping you haven’t had to struggle with sickness, it’s just no fun.

So I’m writing today to encourage you to give your passion away. That’s right, just give away that fire inside that gets you out of bed in the morning, pass along that idea or vision that motivates you to go the extra mile…just give it away. You may be hesitating at the thought, thinking that if you give away your passion you’ll be left empty, but I want to tell you different. I will share my own experience and perhaps you can do the same by leaving a comment or two.

If you’ve read this blog at all, you know that I’m an advocate of people finding out what inspires themselves (their passion) and pursuing it with all they’ve got. I also believe that life is too short and precious to arrive at the end of it with regrets, so if there’s something that you’ve always wanted to do, why aren’t you doing it? Anyway, I have discovered my passion to be music. Through my relationship with Christ, I use that passion for music to lead worship. But that’s not where it ends. Sure I could be content to just lead worship, after all, it affords me the opportunity to play and practice music on a regular basis, almost daily; but I’ve learned something over the years. I’ve learned that by sharing my love of music, it not only inspires and moves others but it increases my love for it. So here’s what that looks like for me:

In addition to leading worship through music, I instruct and lead other musicians and vocalists in assisting me do that. I teach guitar lessons as well. I look for opportunities outside my career of being a worship pastor to share music. Don’t tell anyone, but I actually play in nightclubs and bars on occasion! Just kidding about not telling….in fact tell everyone and check your local listings to see where I’m at and come on out! I also share by providing music and leadership at youth events, adult retreats and gatherings. I’ll come and play your private party, birthday or bar mitzvah too! All because I love music and each time I share that love with folks in any setting, it fans the flame inside of me, satisfies me to no end, and makes me want to do it even more.

And that is why God has given us each a passion for something - for us AND for others. It’s music for me, but it may be caring for orphan children for you, or working on cars, or mowing grass…it could be anything! But by pursuing it and sharing it, a couple things will happen. First off, you may hit your pillow at night completely exhausted from the pursuit of your passion, but you’ll be extremely content. Secondly, others will be blessed by your passion and will either benefit in some way from you sharing it with them or will be inspired to pursue their own. Maybe both!

I’d love to hear how your pursuit and sharing is going. I’m heading out tomorrow night to share with a group of youth at an overnight event. Two sets of music, one at 10:30pm another at 4am! Doesn’t that sound like fun!!! Being tired is a small trade off and one I’m willing to make. What about you?

Peace……

What Dreams May Come

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 14:43:00 +0000

I’m sick today. It’s been coming on for a couple days and I feel officially crappy today.

This won’t be a long post, I just wanted to connect and let each of you know that I appreciate you. I may not know you, but I appreciate the time you take to read and respond to these posts.

Above that, I believe that as part of God’s creation, you are unique and full of potential to change this world for the better. So, as I head for home and bed to recoup…I pray that today, right now, you gain a sense of all that God has for you. Nothing is impossible for those who believe in Him. Your dreams, the desires of your heart, even ones you haven’t had yet – all await you...in Him. May you discover all of them.

Peace……

Life

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:42:00 +0000

Greetings to all. I hope this finds you healthy and happy, two qualities I place great value in. First off, a disclaimer: I’m not really sure why I’m thinking along these lines today, perhaps it has something to do with the change going on in my life right now. Regardless, as always, I share my thoughts with you in hopes that you’ll share yours with me and let the conversation take off from there. Humor me……

In his sermon this week, my pastor alluded to the fact that he only has 5 months to preach. If you don’t remember, he and his wife have taken a position with a ministry that will take him out of the pulpit in June. (read about it the last post) I don’t know why I hadn’t thought of that before, but it hit me on an emotional level…for him. After giving 30+ years to preaching, in June he will no longer prepare sermons for Sunday mornings – something I happen to know he loves to do. And I felt a sense of loss for him.

Now, I totally believe that God is going to fill his days with other things that are equally as fulfilling for him, but think about that for a moment. Could you do it? Would you do it? Voluntarily? And so, I began thinking along the lines of the make up one’s life. Yours, mine, no one in particular, just anyone. Here’s the simplified thought:

For practical purposes, let’s say that 75 years is the given span of one’s life. The first 1/3, or roughly 25 years is spent in discovery mode. You learn and you discover who you are, what your giftings are, and ideally, begin to position yourself to be true to those for your lifetime. You begin to make choices to help you find your place in this world with a sense of fulfillment using those gifts and skills you’ve discovered and acquired.

For the next 25 years (again a simplified estimate for theory’s sake), you use those skills and talents to better yourself and help others in the process. The skills you possess are valuable and marketable and in return for your time and effort, you secure an income and a sense of security. You may provide for a family or be part of a group that accomplishes great things that benefit mankind as a whole. This stage of life labels you a productive member of society. Don’t you hate labels?

And finally, the latter 1/3 of one’s life arrives and suddenly, an strange fork in the road appears. Many take the road to retirement, unplugging from the working world to rest and settle into a soft life. Not a bad choice if you can swing it. Yet others take a path that leads them to sharing with and investing in others the same skills that carried them to this point in life. A lot of time that looks the same as the middle 1/3 of life because it can be hard work, but the thought process of the person who takes this path is far different. They have achieved a level of comfort and security in their lives, and the motivation for the hard work at this point looks to the future; a sense of passing the baton, if you will. In some instances it resembles teaching, in others it’s the continuation of a business that will operate and succeed for years to come. In both respects, it’s a very giving attitude; you might say “blessed to be a blessing”.

Okay so there’s the thought, but what’s the point, right? For me it’s this: I believe our lives are not our own. We are created in the image of God to display His goodness, and pass it along. That can happen without wearing a pope hat, you know. Sadly, too many people relate the things of God to church and religion, and while the things of God are on display in those arenas, God doesn’t have any problem being part of your life and my life right now, at whatever stage, in whatever field we happen to be in. In fact, many times He shines brighter there.

So, whatcha think? Agree, disagree? Where are you at in this life theory? Are you having trouble finding your place? Perhaps you have a different theory…I’d love to hear it. May God show off in you and through you today, may those around you have no doubt He’s alive and well because of you.

Peace……

Winds Of Change

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 15:27:00 +0000

Greetings all! Thank you so much for stopping by this corner of the internet, I’m always amazed at how far this little blog reaches in terms of geography. It’s really the coolest thing that I’m able to share some thoughts with not only the number of you who read, but in the states and even countries you connect from. The only time it gets better is when you connect and comment, and then it’s truly a global conversation.

Today's post has the same title a weekly newsletter I used to publish years ago did. I'd like to share with you some of the latest news in my world, because it seems the winds are picking up around here. Just this week, my pastor (senior pastor of our church) announced that he will be stepping down so that he and his wife can begin a new adventure ministering to others in ministry. It’s a very cool outfit called Sonscape, and the work they do is awesome, I encourage you to check them out for anyone you may know in ministry. In my opinion, part of the excitement for them is that my pastor’s wife can now truly step into a role that will allow her to use her gifts in a more pronounced way working with him. The role of a pastors wife is not one many women I know are lining up for.

So this hits me on a couple different levels. On a personal, selfish level I feel apprehension and fear of the certain change it will bring both professionally and personally. Questions like “Will the new pastor and me see eye to eye on worship?” A perfectly normal question since I’m the Worship Pastor, right? Will this new pastor have the vision and leadership that my family and I crave in a spiritual leader? A question we should all ask of those we allow to lead us spiritually. And the questions go on and on, but ultimately there is no answer to them for me now. In addition, my pastor is my friend. He and his family will be sorely missed for sure. You may have heard the saying, “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future.” (The “Who” being God Himself) In times like these, He is the only sure thing, and I need to stay close.

On a more philosophical level, which I tend to air out here in this forum; I’m excited, not just for them, but for those of us on staff and our church members. If you’ve read any of my posts, most of them contain a thread of how change really is the only constant of this life. And this is big change for my life - God is on the move! I’m sure it will bring new challenges that will require effort on my part to manage and overcome, and certainly an abundance of faith; but those are things that make me feel alive and connected to the One who gave me breath. And I know that challenges cause me to grow as well, something I need – growth that is. Let’s face it, many of us complain about the routine of our lives, we get bored with the same old, same old…. I won’t have that dilemma in the months to come! don't get me wrong, if I had a choice - this change wouldn't be happening - but I don't have that choice, so......

What about you? How do you view change? Do challenges excite you or make you cringe? I’d love to hear any words of wisdom….I may be needing lots of them. God’s grace to you and yours.

Peace……

Happy New Year

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Wed, 02 Jan 2008 19:22:00 +0000

Happy New Year!!

Perhaps a few days late, but is it ever really too late to wish someone happiness? By now perhaps you’ve made your resolutions, maybe even kept them so far; but I simply wanted to share a few things you might find helpful in the new year.

I have to admit that 2007 was a tough year for my family and me. Some of it I’ve shared here, and some I’ve kept to myself – but trust me, 2007 won’t be remembered as one of my favorites. Regardless of that, I’ve persevered by standing on 3 simple things. Here they are:

Faith. When this life gets crazy and the stress of it begins to take it’s toll on me; remembering that there is One who is in control of it all helps – even if I don’t understand it. Another way I’ve heard this said is, “There is a God and you are not Him.” I need to believe in something bigger than myself because, as I’ve said before, my own best efforts have resulted in running things in the ditch, a place I don’t much like being.

Hope. This one builds on the first actually. It helps to build hope when you believe in the One who holds the future. This life and world we live in doesn’t offer much lasting hope, it’s all very temporary at best. Real hope doesn’t exist in tangible things. No, real hope exists in the heart which holds your thoughts, ideas and dreams. To have hope means to have a future. Keep your hope alive at all costs.

Love. What can I say? Love is the driving force in this life. I believe it fuels most all of human interaction whether it’s seeking it, returning it, dealing with losing it, etc.; it’s a powerful motivator. But more than that, it is life sustaining. When things get tough for me, the love of family and friends is the most comforting thing in the world. It doesn’t change situations much, but it lets me know I’m not alone. And when I think that God sent His Son to die for my junk just so I can be with Him for eternity, well….there is no greater love I know.

So, for 2008 I not only wish you a “happy” new year, but one filled with much faith, hope and love as well. See you down the path.

Peace……

Processing

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 16:17:00 +0000

Good day friends. Please forgive today’s post for it’s utter selfishness, but I just need to process this stuff and blogging it helps.

So a friend calls me this morning and shares with me that someone we both know and love has passed away overnight, and in the wake of the phone call I’m left with an overwhelming sense of sadness. You may think that’s perfectly normal, and I guess it is, but I’m sad for me and for you.

After I prayed for my friend and we hung up the phone, all the plans of my day, of which there were many, seemed so insignificant; and yet when I left my house (before the phone call) they were so important. And if I’m honest, every day of my life is like that – filled with activity that ultimately is trivial.

May I remind you that my life’s work is sharing the hope and power of One who I believe gives us eternal life, and I regularly share that hope and comfort in funerals and memorial services so death is a known reality for me. It’s never been something I’ve feared or didn’t want to think about it, it’s a reality I’m okay with. But today, for whatever reason - in light of this particular death, it’s our lives that are saddening me.

I could go on and on, but I guess what I’m needing to say today is that life is temporary. I need to evaluate every moment and be very intentional about how I’m spending it. My stuff will get done today I’m sure, but if for some reason it doesn’t, I don’t’ think it will bother me so much……not today.

I pray for you reading this that each moment of your life is filled with unbelievable joy, unshakable peace, and deep abiding love. His name is Jesus.

Peace……

How's Your Christmas?

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Thu, 06 Dec 2007 15:05:00 +0000

As I face another Christmas celebration at church, I brace myself for the rigorous schedule. I think of the huge investments of time and energy that go into it. I quietly wonder if we're really getting our money's worth out of all this, spiritually speaking. What does Christ think of our Christmas celebrations anyway? How much of it is even pleasing to Him? After all, isn’t He the very reason we have Christmas?

Remember that He is the One who saw straight through empty words and ceremony. He was absolutely ruthless toward such "praise". His quotation of Isaiah 29:13 is never from from my thoughts as a Worship Pastor:

These people honor me with their lips,
but their hearts are far from me.
They worship me in vain. (Matthew 15:8-9, NIV)

When the disciples were impressed by the beauty of the Temple, Jesus spoke of God's displeasure and foretold its complete destruction. He was a bit upset as He condemned the Pharisees for their pomp and pride. They made a show of their religion while ignoring what matters most to God.

Instead, Jesus connected with and was impressed by the faith of a widow, the honesty of a prostitute and the plight of the beggar. He gently rebuked His good friend Martha for her well-intentioned busy-ness. Her sister Mary had chosen the only thing that was needed: to sit and quietly listen at the Lord's feet (Luke 10:38-42, NIV).

What would this Jesus think of our Christmas celebrations?

Instead of pointing fingers though, what would He think of my Christmas celebrations? That's the real question, not my church's activity. All true worship takes place in the heart, so if true worship is lacking, the problem is in me.

In spite of all the "religious activity" that goes on, I've found that Christmas can be a tough time spiritually. Sadly, I must admit that often this time of year too little happens between God and me; too little real celebration of what He has done, too little true worship, too little heart-to-heart with my Father, but plenty of activity. If nothing is happening in my heart, what good is any of the celebrating?

So this year I’m asking, “God how can I give this Christmas to You? How can I be sure that my activity is pleasing to You?”

What about you, how’s your Christmas going?

Peace……

Thanks

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Tue, 20 Nov 2007 15:20:00 +0000

Greetings, I hope this finds you well. I also hope it finds you in a place where Thanksgiving is truly a celebration for you, whatever that looks like. I really think that all these years (centuries) later since it’s inception, Thanksgiving has morphed into something far from its original intent. It can be stressful for many, sad for others – certainly something other than a celebration.

If I am honest, I have to admit that I am often focused on what’s not quite right in my life or things I’d like to have changed rather than being thankful for all the blessings in my life – it seems to be my nature. So right up front I’m thankful for Thanksgiving. It allows me a time to stop and reflect – a time to take stock of just how fortunate I am. And if you are familiar with me at all, you know exactly Who I give credit to for all of it.

The short version of my story is that left to my own devices, my best thinking seems to drive my life in the ditch every time. Only when I seek God and His will for my life do I see anything that resembles goodness. It’s just that simple – He’s good, I’m not.

So today, this week, whenever you find yourself reading this I encourage you to take time to take stock. The very fact you are reading this is something to be thankful for on so many levels. And know this; you are among the many things I’m grateful for. I really appreciate you and the time you take to read and respond to this blog. Sharing ourselves with one another makes life a little more bearable; at the very least it helps us to know we are not alone in this. May God’s blessings be abundant in your life.

Peace……

The True You

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Thu, 01 Nov 2007 15:27:00 +0000

“To thine own self be true…..”

Most of us are familiar with this quote taken from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, but how many of us know the rest of the verse: “And it must follow, as the night the day, Thou can not then be false to any man.” The thought being that unless we can be true to ourselves first, we cannot be true to others. In my opinion, self-awareness, knowing one’s self or being “true” about who we are is critical to every relationship we have.

In my last post I shared that my wife and I just celebrated 20 years of marriage. I think the reason we made 20 years has something to do with this thought. Had we given our lives to one another at the cost of losing who we are as individuals in the process would have led to distress on both our parts. When we allow someone else to define who we are, we lose our ability to discover and grow inwardly. But accepting one another for who we are and growing together has been a wonderful journey, one I highly recommend.

Truth….truth is a word that brings out such negative reactions to many of us. In fact it seems to be becoming more and more subjective everyday – what’s true for me may not be true for you, etc. But that kind of thinking makes even the ground we’re standing on start shifting. Webster defines truth as “conformity to fact”. Facts aren’t subjective; they're pretty black and white. Perception on the other hand, is very subjective, but it doesn’t change the facts or the truth. Many will debate the truth while in fact, they are really arguing their perception of something, but again it doesn’t change the truth.

For example, I could perceive myself as being 6’10” tall with an incredible inside move to the hoop and show up at the Dallas Mavericks training camp for tryouts. However, it won’t take long for the truth to bear witness to the fact that I’m 5’7” and might sink a free throw every now and then. In the same way, not being honest to myself about my strengths and weaknesses will put me in difficult situations in life as well. It will cause my relationships to be built upon falsehoods that will ultimately lead to hurt feelings and emotional rifts.

Unfortunately too many of us are less than honest with others about who we are. Somewhere along life’s path we learn to put on masks and claim that everything’s fine or pretend things don’t affect us. Do they teach that stuff in school? I suppose it stems from the idea that anything less than that would look like weakness to others. The reality, the facts, the truth is that when we live our lives that way, our lives become false and empty. That creates problems that none of us really need. The truth solves a bunch of that “stuff”.

The second part of this verse is a natural occurrence if we hold true to the first part of the verse, but it begins within one’s self. So, when in doubt as to our motives of not being truthful with someone….look inside and ask, are we being less than truthful to ourselves?

”This above all: to thine ownself be true,
And it must follow, as the night the day,
Thou canst not then be false to any man.”
Shakespeare - Hamlet

Peace……

Sharing

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Thu, 18 Oct 2007 20:27:00 +0000

Greetings to my friends around the globe who take time to read this. I apologize for the gap in consistency lately, but if you’ll read back a few posts, you’ll see I’ve experienced some life changing events recently and finding a routine has been difficult. Not to make excuses however, you keep reading and sharing and I’ll keep writing.

With that said, depending on when you read this, I could very well be on a beach in the Caribbean. As the saying goes, “Wish you were here”. In just a few short days my wife and I celebrate 20 years of marriage with an additional 5 year courtship thrown in for good measure. As the applause dies down, I need to tell you that equals more than half my life I’ve shared with the same person. I can’t even begin to share all we’ve seen and done together; the joy, the sadness, the miraculous and the mundane, tears, laughter, children (life), funerals (death)…..the stuff of life. It’s been an incredible 25 years and I can honestly say that I love her more now.

But I’m not here to promote marriage, even though I’m an advocate; rather I’m here to sing the praise of having someone, anyone, to share your life with. It could be a friend, it could be a counselor, etc.; the point is that the human heart and soul wasn’t made to go through life alone. There is a built in need to share and process with others. In fact, scientific studies have shown that people who have strong, long lasting friendships are generally healthier and live longer than those who don’t - given other health related factors being equal.

Lifechurch.tv, an emerging, video venue church with locations across the country and even around the world now (just launched locations in 2 foreign countries); proved this point in an astonishing way recently. As a way to get people connected and involved in a series about the secrets we all have, they invited folks to connect to a website and share anonymously the stuff nobody else knew about them. Amazingly, within the first two weeks they had over 5000 “confessions”; ranging from affairs and embezzlement, to bulimia and just plain doubt and fear. People need to share.

And it’s not just the stuff we’re ashamed of either. Its sunsets and walks, it’s how you feel at a given moment, it’s your hopes and dreams – that stuff has to be shared. I’d challenge you to try and prove me wrong by going 90 days without sharing a single thought with anyone, but I know where you’d end up - you’d be miserable. The life around you with all its wonder (the people, the scenery, etc.) would simply become a backdrop for your comings and goings. Your hopes and dreams would wither and become mocking reminders of failure while despondency would soon set in as you begin to believe that no one even wants to hear about how you feel. You see, sharing one’s life with others is part of living; the alternative slowly snuffs it out.

It’s why counseling actually helps people. The simple exercise of voicing the thoughts we carry within ourselves has an incredible way of enabling us to gain awareness and understanding of what motivates us, or why we’re feeling the way we are. Just the opportunity to express an emotion or feeling without judgment in return can be freeing.

I count myself very fortunate to celebrate such an anniversary with someone I’ve shared more than half my life with. I pray that you too have someone, anyone that you can share a moment or two with. And as always, I’d love to have you share with me.

Peace……

Grass Mowing and More

noreply@blogger.com (Tom) — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 14:52:00 +0000

Good day to you and yours friends. Thank you for stopping by and reading this blog. If you find any value in it at all, please pass it along to someone you know. As always, this forum exists for conversation. While I really appreciate all of you who read this, I’m really looking for comments, dialogue….I want to know what your experience is. Life is, or should be – a shared journey. Look around, it’s no accident we’re surrounded by billions of other people. We weren’t intended to go through life alone, and when we take time to listen to others, the potential exists for us to learn and grow, to become better people because of time and thoughts shared with others. So, here’s what’s on my mind….

Earlier this week, I mowed my yard for the first time since my medical procedure, that would be some 3 ½ weeks ago now. Fortunately, I was blessed to have a friend send over a yard crew a couple weeks back so I wasn’t facing a complete jungle. But with edging, the hedges needing attention and the front and back yard to mow, I knew it would be quite a task – especially since I hadn’t been “released” by my doctor to resume such activity until just a couple days earlier. I am happy to report things went well, no problems. It took a little longer because I intentionally took my time so I didn’t “over do” it, but all is good – I felt fine every step of the way.

Now here’s where I might lose you, but I enjoy mowing my yard. Yes it’s work, but unlike other things in my life, I enjoy immediate results when I do it. The payoff for the effort is very clear, it’s the same reason I don’t mind ironing my own clothes, but that’s another story I guess. I suppose I’m merely a product of the society I live in – instant coffee, microwave cooking, convenience stores, etc. The western culture really caters to such a mentality. You want it…you got it.

However, I’ve found that the really important things in my life don’t exist in the parameters of this mindset. I’m talking about the relationships in my life, which I consider the most valuable things I have. There’s not one of them that I can put forth an effort into and see immediate results. Yes, my wife and children respond to kind words and acts of love and affection, and don’t forget gifts…they like gifts too! But those things don’t make a relationship, time does. And it’s over the course of time that my friends and family really come to know me. And the relationships in my life that last are the ones that after we know each other, I mean really know each other warts and all, we still care about each other. And the only way to do that is over time.

Which brings me to my most important relationship, the one above all the rest, my relationship with God. It’s been my longest and most consistent, not on my part mind you, but on His. I’ve left Him, I’ve comeback, I’ve ignored Him, I’ve acted like I never knew Him and he still loves me, period. I don’t have to jump through hoops, I don’t have to act a certain way, I don’t have to do anything, and He loves me. I wish I was as consistent.

He’s done incredible, miraculous things in my life – saving me from a drug addiction and allowing doctors to find a huge problem with my heart before it was damaged or killed me, just to name a couple. And yet, often times I find myself viewing our relationship like I do my lawn - I want to put forth the effort and see immediate results. Our relationship doesn’t work that way, and really I’m glad it doesn’t.

I don’t want a Santa Claus who I hand my wish list to, or a slot machine that I take my chances with. I want to know the heart of my Creator. I want to know who He believes I am and what I’m capable of. And I want to be able to see others around me the way He sees them as well. And that only happens over time.

Yes, I’ve known His power when my drug addiction was gone in an instant. Yes, I’ve seen His mercy when doctors said, “You are a very lucky man, most people don’t go home from this.” But it’s only over time that I discover His faithfulness to provide for me, His love that doesn’t stop when I’m an absolute jerk, and His Spirit that gives me strength and guides me when I seek Him.

I’m not here to try to convince you to believe in God, not my job. I just want to share with you my experience. More than anything, I hope you have relationships in your life that are meaningful. Because after all, the satisfaction I get from mowing grass doesn’t last that long. In fact….I think I hear it growing now!

What’s your experience?

Peace……