I was really excited about coming to Amarillo today, but I really didn't expect any cool scenery. Well.... Stanley took us all to a "Pseudo-Grand" Canyon and it was gorgeous!!! You can see it in the background of this cool pic! Peace.
Today I'm traveling to Amarillo, TX with Emily to meet some friends for New Years Eve. This is a real-time pic from the road. Don't you love technology!
Today we are learning that the death toll from the great tsunami is almost 120,000. My human mind can't comprehend the immense tragedy that this is. As a believer I feel very unprepared to answer a question as simple as "why would your God allow this to happen". Frankly, I don't know. I know and serve a God who is more powerful than any tsunami would ever be, yet I feel a sense of confusion when I think of what God could have done. As I search the scriptures I see that grace is found in ever single part of creation. God will use this tragedy for some good. I couldn't explain that to someone who just lost a loved one, but I can approach God and pray that through this tragedy the light of Christ will shine somewhere. I am proud to be a part of the most giving nation in the world, both in government giving, and in personal chartitable giving. We may not be able to answer questions, but we can be the light of Christ. Keep praying for a sense of peace for those affected by this tragedy.
Tommy
Last week was an incredible week. I always love Christmas time, but this year I didn't "feel" like it was Christmas. I don't know if you had the same experience as I did, but I saw Christmas all around me (trees, lights, presents, Mary, Jesus, Parking at malls), but I just didn't sense it on the inside. Don't get me wrong, I had a wonderful Christmas. I love spending time with my family and friends, and giving presents is always a fun thing (so is recieving, :) ) This year just went by extremely fast, and I believe that is why Christmas didn't feel like Christmas.
I am wholeheartedly excited about this coming year. I am going to be taking a lot of time to prepare my heart for some new things in this coming year. I am excited about leading worship with the finest bunch of worship leaders I have ever worked with, and I am excited about leading our congregation into the throne room of God in fresh and unique ways. 2005 is going to be a great year.
Today we have just found out that the total deaths from the great Tsunami will possibly be over 50,000 (it's already 40,000). I believe we should be in prayer for all those who are being affected directly and indirectly with this tragedy. I wish I could see what God sees when I look at this broken creation, but I can't. So all I can do is pray that God will comfort the broken hearted, and wake up the rest of the world to the fact that we are not alone in this world, and that God's command to love our neighbor also means our neighbors across the world. Join me in praying for all those who have been in the center of this tragedy. Love God by loving others. Peace, love, and rock and roll.
p.s. you can donate to the Red Cross by clicking on the title of this post.
Christmas is a time for...
Remembering the sacrifice God made
Remembering the love God has for us
Remembering the day that our redeemer was born
Remembering the day that our hope and salvation was manifest
Remembering that parking at malls is the absolute worst part of this holiday season. I believe I would rather swim in a pool of acid, or have mice chewing on my skin incessantly than park at a mall during Christmas.
There so many important things about the holidays. I love Christmas.
p.s. I really do love Christmas (parking is what I don't love)
by the way, for all of you who have been asking, yes, I am dating someone. someone special. now please, quit asking me about it. God bless. :)
I went to a Chinese restaraunt today and the were playing the song "The First Noel (Birth of Christ)", and they have a big Buddah statue in the lobby. Hmmm.
Tommy
I've had one of those weeks. It's on of those weeks that are REALLLY wonderful, but intense. It seems like time seemed to find the appropriate moment to speed up, and you were left behind. Well, I have learned this week that I constantly need to refocus, refocus on the one true constant. I am reminded of one of my favorite songs, "Give Me Jesus". Its words are incredible simple, yet incredibly peircing..."You can have all this world, but give me Jesus". That's it. That's what life is about, refocusing everything you do on finding Jesus. It sounds to simple, and a little cliche'd, but it's real.
Tommy
This year, for me, has been especially speedy. It seems (literally) like a few weeks ago was when I arrived in the wonderful Oklahoma City. I am amazed at how time seems to expand and contract on a whim. But time is not why I am posting today. I had a thought that I would like to share with you.
A lot of people look at the business world and condem its approach of over-commercializing Christmsas time (or to be politically correct, holidays). But, I thought it might be prudent for those who are believers in the birth of a savior named Jesus that we look closely at some of the positive aspects of the business world. "Christmas 2005" is already in the works at major corporations. Most corporations have an idea of what the trends will be next year, and at this moment are working on a marketing plan for Christmas 2005. What if we (and I'm speaking to believers here) took a cue from the corporate world. What if we didn't celebrate Christmas just one day a year, but experienced the begining-of-redemption on a daily basis. What if on December 26th we still marveled at the beauty of a love so great that it would humble itself to become a human born in a mule feeder. I think the corporate world has a lot of priorities out of whack, but I think there may be some redemptive qualities we can learn from. Just a thought. God bless.
Tommy
This is my first post in a week. Sorry about the delay. Life is going
strong right now. I love the weather change (other than NO sunshine).
I heard a friend from another state tell me the other day that they
didn't get anything out of his/her church's worship. I thought about
that statement for a long time and realized that his/her thinking about
worship has been distorted. The meaning of worship has nothing to do
with US getting anything. The word worship is all about US giving
everything to our Creator, expecting nothing in return. We worship,
because that is what we were born to do. Until we can grasp the idea
that worship is not another Western consumer product, and it is a
living-breathing-lifetstyle, anything that we "feel" during a "worship
service" could be construed as emotionalism. Until we give ourselves
away in our worship instead of expecting some kind of emotional
high----that is all it will be, an emotional high. You can feel God
when you genuinely worship, I believe that. The problem is that our
mentality has been such that our END is to feel, and not to give. Just
a few thoughts. God bless!!
Tommy
it's funny that last week our worship experience at Northview was all about prayer for others. This week I have been bombarded with people who need prayer (more than usual). Another interesting fact is that my spiritual renewal times this week have all focused on the idea of intercession. This week I have really learned a lot about the power God unleashes when someone prays for another someone.
Prayer for others also inspires a new view of the world. When prayers are all centro-focused you can easily become consumed with the ups and down of your own life. It seems, though, that when your prayer life is others-focused you start to see the world in a more breathtaking ways. Things are suddenly more beautiful. You start to appreciate more around you. You start to drop the negative outlook that can consume someone who's prayers are all centro-focused.
Enjoy God this week, and tell Him I said hey.
Tommy
Here we are again, faced with another week. This is a week with two
options. Number one, we can take a hold of each day and create
something great, or number 2 we can stay the same. I am excited about
what can happen this week. God bless!
Tommy
This week I had the flu. Not cool. But now, I don't have the flu.
Very cool. I'm now ready to get back to work and do the things I love
to do. Sometimes when your body forces you to stop doing what you love
it rejuvenates your passion to do those things with more fervor. God
bless all those with the flu, I understand your pain.
Tommy
I went to an Alter Bridge concert last night. It was amazing. He is a
picture of the lead singer!
Tommy
At least once a week I work out of my office and into a different
environment. Sometimes it's Barnes and Nobles, sometimes Borders
Books, sometimes the Oklahoma City Library, and sometimes Panera Bread
Company, etc. Today was the Bread Company. I was amazed today at the
diversity that God has. I saw many people who are...different. The
first person I came in contact with asked me to show him how to use his
cell phone. This guy had 2 big hoop earrings, wore a leather jacket,
and looked like he just stepped away from a Harley Davidson convention,
but he was very cool. Then the guy across from me asked me to watch
his stuff while he used the restroom, and later on I did the same,
forming a weird kind of connection. There was a guy in front of me who
was about 70 years old, and he was wearing all green, and I mean ALL
green, it was awesome. Then a lady came over and talked about the
kind of beverage I was drinking. In all, I just learned that God has
created many types of people, and I believe he delights in it when his
children see this. God bless.
Tommy
You need to vote.
You need to vote with purpose.
You need to vote with intentionality .
You need to vote with your heart.
You need to vote.
Today is a day that will go down in the history books, be a part of
history.
Last week was a great week. I had one of my best friends from Chicago come down and visit me (Kara Burkey), and that was incredible. We also had a great morning at Northview, it was an incredible time of worship and teaching. I am so excited about where we are going. God is blessing.
Tomorrow you must vote, let your voice be heard.
Tommy
Elisha stood on the mountain waiting to hear from God. I can imagine Elisha’s heart jumping as he heard the mighty windstorm approach. The wind was so harsh that the scriptures say rocks were torn loose. I can also imagine Elisha’s heart sinking as he realizes that God is not to be found in this violent gale. Then an earthquake makes an approach. Elisha’s heart jumps at the thought that God may be in this earthquake. The anticipation of an encounter with his creator must have been nerve-racking. After the earthquake was over…Elisha stood alone. Suddenly there was a fire. At this point, he had to believe that the fire must be God. God had used fire many times before to speak, so clearly it was him, right? After the smoke cleared the area Elisha stood--alone. Then a whisper. The scriptures describe this whisper as “gentle”, so gentle in fact that Elisha had to move towards it to understand it. This is when Elisha met God.
This story is full of truth. Not just a principle to live by, not just a compass to guide, but a truth to shape us. We are to be silent. We are to wait. We are to listen. It is hard as a human to do this. This is not just a 21st century problem. This is a problem that we find time and again through the living story we call the Bible. We can’t blame our inability to decipher the whisper of God on TV, cell phones, internet, etc. That is the easy way out. The problem is internal, not external. We must shape our inner core to be silent at all times. This is when we are worshipping him most fully---when we are silent on the inside.
Silence is the very presence of God---always there. But activity hides it. We need to leave activity long enough to discover the Presence---then we can return to activity with it.
-M. Basil Pennington
Tommy
www.sacredspace.ie
You must check out this website. It is a "daily devotional" (I hate that term), and it is very cool. Over 11 million people have prayed daily at this website. To check it out click on the title of this post. God bless!
We are heading into a monster two weeks. We have the World Series (which will be won by the Cardinals), and we have something on the side called the PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION. Two big games to win. I'm positive the Cardinals will win, but I'm not sure about the election. If I was to make an educated guess, I would say that President Bush will win. My gut feeling is that he will win with a wide margin, but obviously some of the news media is not saying that. You all should vote. Peace, and enjoy God this week.
Tommy
This is an old song of mine that I recorded in Nashville. It's been a long time since I've heard it, and I thought I would just pop it up on for your listening enjoyment. Click on the title of this post to hear it. God bless.
The new U2 album is coming in November, and I am totally excited about it. I am a HUGE U2 fan. Bono calls the whole album a journey from "fear to faith". Every objective review of the album says that is
their best, even better than Joshua Tree (we will see). I am very
pumped. And this picture is pretty cool. Look at the Edge's shirt, I
want one. God bless.
I was reading in Leonard Sweet's new book "Out of the Question...Into
The Mystery" (quickly becoming one of my all time favorite's), and he
brought up an interesting way of looking at our life-of-worship. He
suggests that we should view living not just as another human
experience, but as a "third testament". He concludes that the Living
Word of God (the scripture) is just that, living! And we as humans
have always been a part of God's living story. I thought it was
interesting. God bless!
Tommy
My friend Thad just sent me a CD of music that I recorded a long time
ago, and it brings back many good memories. Most of the stuff is
pretty funny listening to in now. Today was a great day, busy, but
great. It's kinda funny that I just got a whole bunch of old music
today, because I am currently working on some new music in my studio
now. Life is grand. Oh, and this picture is a picture from my first
CD that I made when I was 16. Funny. God bless.
Today is the start of a brand new week. A wonderful week full of
surprises and joys that I really won't know about until they happen.
My prayer is that this week will be another time where I can
experience, not just learn about, God in new and exciting ways.
Yesterday, at Northview, we had a beautiful worship experience. It was
such a joy to sing songs as a congregation, and express our prayers of
love! The Body of Christ is growing, and spiritual renewal is taking
place. That is exciting. God bless you!
Tommy
This is a photo of my office. As you can see there are many things
stuffed into a little corner. Unfortunatley, my camera couldn't get a
bigger image (its my cell phone camera) so you could see the rest of
the office. Anyway, I'm working today, and enjoying it very much. The
life of a person in the creative/GOD industry (is that politically
correct) is one that is full of life! God bless!
I'm very excited about today. The Cardinals won last night!!
President Bush won last night! Today is going to be an incredible day
of wonderful weather. Its going to be beautiful. I'm still reading
the book "Out of the Question... Into The Mystery". I would recommend
it to anyone who would like a deeper more intimate relationship with
their creator. Check it out. Well, time for work. God bless!
Tommy
One of my best friends named Cathy had a tragedy in her family today. Even though you may or may not know her, could you please breathe a prayer for her and her family as they try to wade through a tragicevent in their life.
Tommy
This is where I go for morning prayer and meditation. Its amazing how Gods creation gives us a glimpse of Him. Its beautiful! Peace.
It was a very cool day for me. I got to talk to Leonard Sweet today
via email. I first had to talk to his assistant about a question I had
on "Relational Theology". Then after I talked to his assistant he
emailed me back. Very very cool, if you are me. I've been a huge fan
of his writings for a long long time. What are your thoughts on
"relational theology"?
Tommy
Monday's are my day off, and they are wonderful. I watched a movie,
did laundry, worked on my budget, and ate some pizza. It was
wonderful. Monday is my personal Sabbath day.
Tommy
This morning's worship experience was beautiful. We worshipped in a variety of ways today, and I believe that God was dwelling in our worship to him. It was incredible. If you haven't you should check out our church's website God bless!
Tommy
Today was just a wonderful day. It was a nice temperature outside, and it just seemed like a day to carpe diem. I'm learning a lot lately about the "kingdom of God" through my Bible reading, and I'm really starting to understand that the kingdom of God is NOW, not in the future, not some distant time, but right this second. In Luke 17:20-21 Christ beckons me to live out my grace each day by passing around the aroma and beauty of this kingdom that I am part of. Love it. God bless!
En Theos is a gathering that has been on my heart for a long time to start. The idea is to create a worship experience that happens at many locations at the same time. These worship gatherings will not be a "worship concert", but an actual worship experience, by using ancient methods of imagery, and multi-sensory elements. Also, along with this worship gathering will be a time to journal privatley as well as publicly. You will be encouraged to write a prayer, poem, draw a picture, etc to express your worship. Those words and images will then be posted to the entheos website so that everyone at all locations can see expressions of worship. The entheos website will also be a breeding ground for ideas on worship and living all brought by readers of the site. Its a cool idea, and I don't believe its being done yet. I believe Christ will be thrilled with new forms of worship expression.
This is my new hat. cool? well, considering it was only $5 at American Eagle, I felt it was cool. :)
I started off the day reading a new chapter of Leonard Sweet's new book "Out of the Question... Into the Mystery", great read. I am working on a couple new video today (to advertisments). I also have some new ideas about a hybrid worship/web community that I want to create. It's going to be called EN THEOS. It is the latin root for "enthusiasm", but also means "in God". I'll share more ideas later. I also bought a new hat. cool. God bless.
It seems that work never gets slow around here. Today is supposed to be my day off, but it has become a day in at the office, but I digress. Its amazing how you can love to do something so much (my work), but you can not want to do it with the same passion. Weird. Email me if you are bored today. God bless.
