Here are some photos from the Music and Molasses festival last weekend!

Maddie and Ella pose in front of a very large cow statue. (This is in no way meant to endorse Mayfield ice cream over Bluebell!!!) They have purses in hand with their coins ready to purchase a pumpkin.



We stopped to watch this family playing blue grass music. The kids were just amazingly talented.




Maddie and Ella loved watching the boys playing guitar and upright bass!





This was a family of cloggers. You know what they say...the family that clogs together, stays together.





Baby Sam was enjoying the day. He was kicked back taking it all in--imagine that!




We took a picnic lunch (fried chicken, grapes, goldfish crackers--who could ask for more?) and sat and ate under a tree.



The festival people had put out all these old fashioned wooden toys and other things for kids. Maddie and Ella were enjoying the twirly things.




Maddie and Ella pause to pose during lunch. We were listening to some guy dressed up in cowboy attire do covers of Johnny Cash.





Some funny moments from last night...

While we were stripping wall paper in the bathroom Ella announced that she had to go potty. I told her to wait a minute or go upstairs and she said, "But I have to go poo-poo and Jesus likes for us to go poo-poo." Yes, he does, Ella.

At dinner, Maddie was really hungry and about to dive in to her dinner. I asked her to wait til after we prayed and as we grabbed hands she whispered, "Hey daddy, make it a real short one!"

Last night as we tucked them in Maddie grabbed me and squeezed my neck saying, "You're the best daddy in the whole world!!" Moments like that cannot be described. What a gift!!!

Finally, in answer to Shannon's question yesterday (she and Sheryl talked by phone last night but I wanted to answer on here anyway), yes, there are so many moments when we fail to parent in a way that honors God. There are many moments of frustration. Ask our life group members! However, God has been teaching and showing us how to handle them and how to walk with Him through all of these baby/pre-school years. They really are short years and I really believe that through prayer He is giving me a deep sense of appreciation for them--even on the hard days. Even when we've been ready to put them in bed at 5:30 pm, we can still sit and look at each other that night and feel extreme gratitude. There are times when they get on our nerves and we're ready to put a for sale sign on them and stick them in the yard, but those days are fewer as of late. It's just such an adventure, isn't it?? These are great days--and ones we'll always remember!!

Finally, I was thinking about Sam last night and the direct correlation to the story of Samuel in the Old Testament. Hannah prayed and prayed for that special son. Sheryl and I feel the same way. We prayed and prayed and prayed for a baby with his disposition. I secretly prayed he'd be a boy. Seeing him, watching him smile, cuddling with him, and watching the way the girls adore him just makes me pray like Hannah prayed:

"My heart rejoices in the LORD;
in the LORD my horn is lifted high.
My mouth boasts over my enemies,
for I delight in your deliverance.
"There is no one holy like the LORD;
there is no one besides you;
there is no Rock like our God.

1 Samuel tells us that he "grew up in the presence of the Lord and the Lord let none of his words fall to the ground." He grew up to judge Israel and even got to anoint young David. I pray that my Samuel will have such experiences as he walks with the Lord!

Have a great day, everyone!

After our worship services yesterday, Mom said, "Come go eat brunch at Mere Bulles. I'm paying!" Didn't have to ask me twice. We gathered everyone up and headed to Mere Bulles. We like going there because they have out door seating. (Outdoor seating makes eating out a possibility when you have three kids.) It's a beautiful old Brentwood mansion that has been converted into a restaurant.

The food was wonderful. The weather was perfect. The kids did great...until that point. You know...THAT point? Most parents can relate. You have this window of opportunity to eat and leave. If you miss it. You regret it. But, they really did well.

Our real cue to leave came when a server cleaning off the table next to us dropped his tray and a wine glass hit the brick floor shattering into a million pieces, bouncing all over the patio. Actually, I got showered with it. It was nice and dramatic--I had blood dripping down my forehead. (This is chapter 45 in my Why Me book.) Check, please.

Actually, come to think of it, when the waiter asked if we wanted dessert, I said something smart like, "Yeah, I need that like I need a hole in my head." Silly waiter--I was NOT being literal.

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We're finally tackling our downstairs bathroom that we haven't touched since we moved in three years ago. We had a family party this afternoon trying to tear off wallpaper. The girls are really into it.

I love days off. I love being with my family. I love it when Maddie or Ella says, "Chase me, Daddy!" And they run off squealing in delight. These are sweet days. So many people have told us they pass so quickly. As Pat Ward says, "Long days, short years!!" It's true. We're soaking in every minute we can.

Have a great Monday, bloggers!

Thursday, 14 years after my own dad died, Galen Foster's brother, Tanksley, died suddenly leaving a family in deep grief. This morning I did the music for his funeral. Galen is a dear friend. His brother was 58. His son is 22 and in college at UT. I sat today at the funeral where I was almost facing him. It was so surreal. It was like a flashback to 1991. I saw myself in him. I recognized his expression and his disbelief. I wanted so much to run over to him and tell him that things will not always be like they are today...but now is not the time. I couldn't--wouldn't--hear that for another year or so. My heart went out to all of them.

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On a separate note, Sheryl and I sang at Kristen Butler's wedding last night. Talk about your polar extremes! What an amazing wedding! Wow! The song we sang was quite challenging. But, we got to sing with a full string quartet and the excellent Mrs. Clarissa Cox on piano. It was a lot of fun. The reception was at the Belle Meade Mansion. Truly indescribable. WOW!

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Today I've had this weird homesickness for Abilene. Some people long to get away to the beach (don't get me wrong, I'll take St. John any day over Abilene) but I was longing for the good ol' Key City today. It's ACU Homecoming. The 100th anniversary Homecoming. Quite the shin-dig, I'm sure. I was really homesick today. I was imagining standing at Bitsy's Flower shop where we always stand for the parade. I was imagining Gamma Sig Homecoming breakfast (and then I remembered that I swore never to go again! I can always throw biscuits at Maddie and Ella and not have to pay $10 to do it!!) Tonight I've been thinking about the Homecoming Musical--Suessical, which I'm sure is fabulous. I wish we were there. I'm ready to visit. November 4th can't come soon enough!

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Today was full of family fun. We went to the Music and Molasses festival. Yes...you heard me...Music and Molasses. It was really so much fun! There were people dressed up in frontier garb and cooking over open fires. There were horse-drawn wagon rides. There was homemade ice cream! There were cloggers--yep, cloggers. There was music, and great music at that. However, I'm not sure I ever saw any molasses. Hopefully, Stephen Bailey had more luck at the Modern Dance and Syrup festival. But you'll have to ask him about that.

Tonight Sheryl made shrimp scampi, corn on the cob and broccoli. I think it was the best thing I've ever eaten. As we sat down to eat, we talked about how thankful we are that we both came from families who sat and ate together. It's really such a fun time for us.

God bless your Sunday--wherever you are...Africa, Abilene, Manhattan, San Francisco, Kansas, Virginia, South America, or right here in Nashville. We gather together in a sense, and join a great cloud of witnesses as we declare the glory of the Lord. May our hearts burn with conviction to be passionate about the things He is passionate about!

Please keep the Largent family in your prayers. Sheryl's oldest brother, Shelby, lost his son Thursday night. He died in his sleep at their home. Kye was only about 30 years old. As you can imagine, they are devastated. Please keep Shelby, Susan, Pam and the entire family in your prayers.

I'm going to borrow from something I wrote last October and edit it a bit for today's entry...

Fourteen years ago today, my father died. That day is embedded in my memory. I had a very real Holy Spirit experience that morning and knew he was not well, so instead of going to the Sunday morning assembly, I went straight to the hospital. He had been fine the day before. Upon my arrival, it was obvious that he was not fine. While there were moments of laughter and sharing with him that day, he was near the end.

Gradually, the word got out and friends began to spill into the room. By that evening, we had college students up and down the corridor praying, singing, whispering and sometimes laughing. So many faces are etched in my memory.

Around my dad's bed were people like my crazy aunt Dot (his sister), my grandmother, my mom, Sally Gary, Paula Agnew, Shane Holland, and others. I was at the foot of his bed watching his labored breathing and rubbing his feet. We were all telling stories and laughing. I know Dad could hear and was probably loving every minute--AND wishing he could interject.

That night, a little after midnight, he took his last breath. I just stared at him. I couldn't believe it was over. He was definitely gone. It was both a deeply spiritual moment and also extremely frightening. I didn't feel ready. I WASN"T ready. It was so surreal.

We left the hospital and the Harold and Jeannette Lipford met us at our house. Brent McCall drove me there and stayed that night. We sat around and talked and I kept feeling like I was outside myself just looking and watching everything going on.

The next day, my roommates and I cried together. Stephen, Craig and Chris had walked with me through much of his illness. I wouldn't have made it without friends like them. Kyle, Shane and Brent had listened to me and eased my fears many times. Paula, Shelly and Trish had prayed so ferverently for him. Mom and I were surrounded with community. The Lorenzes were closer than family to us. They held our arms up.

Days and weeks went by. I dove even deeper into school, covering my pain with trying to make a 4.0 and doing every social activity possible. I had no context for how to deal with something like that. Eventually, it caught up to me. There was community then too. Praise God.

As I look back over the last 13 years, I see how God walks with us--even through the valley of the shadow of death. Even on days when my lack of faith wouldn't allow me to say "I'm not afraid", he was STILL with me. His rod and staff comforted me. He has led my mom and me beside still waters and allowed us to drink from the bounty of His goodness. He has warmed our hearts and filled our emptiness in ways we could never have dreamed.

I don't like it when this date comes around every year, but it forces me to remember how God walked us through such a difficult time. He is good. And...maybe the best thing I learned, He is PRESENT. His abiding presence does not depend on whether we feel Him there or not. He's there. His goodness is not dependent on how we feel about life. He's always good. His faithfulness is not contingent on our faithfulness. He's always faithful. Death is not the final chapter. There's more. He is the Father of the fatherless and He writes our names on the palms of His hands. I am a rich man because of the love He's allowed me to know.

Thanks Dad (and MOM!) for pointing me to Him. You laid a foundation that He has strengthened even through hardship. I miss you, Dad. I wish you were here today. There'd be so much to talk about. So much to laugh about. You'd love Sheryl. She's YOU in so many ways. You'd love Otter Creek. You'd adore these girls. You'd be amazed at this little guy who bears your name. We miss you and thank God for the legacy of faith you left for us.



After Dad died, the Abilene Independent School District built a school and named it after him. Here's a picture-



What's amazing to me is that for the first time in 14 years, there's a new Sam Thomas in our house. There's a new spirit of joy. There's a spirit of adventure implanted genetically by his grandfather and by his Heavenly father. Look at his eyes--ready to take on the world!! God has truly blessed us. Dad--I wish you could see him! He's a gift!

Two nights ago I went into the girls' room to get one last look before bed (it was around 10:30 or so). Maddie was wide awake so I laid on her bed and she asked me when we'd get to see "Poppy". It brought tears to my eyes. I reminded her that he was in Heaven. She said, "I know that, Daddy, but when is he coming back??" Then she began to process some about death and cancer and asked some really good questions. It's both wonderful and painful to talk about it with them. I know they'll experience loss in their lives, but I'd love to protect them from it. They'll know pain and hurt sooner than I'll ever be ready for them to. I just hope they'll hear those words from the 23rd Psalm that they've known since they could talk echoing in their heads.

We love you, Dad! I think about John Mark Hicks' interpretation of Hebrews 11 and think about you joining us in worship...a part of the great cloud of witnesses. What a powerful thought.

Also, my mom has written a moving blog today about my father.

OH MY WORD!!!!! SEE BELOW FOR AN ADDENDUM TO TODAY'S STORY!!!

Why do weird things always happen to me? That should be the book title of my autobiography.

Yesterday Kyle Rigsby called and I called him back. A voice answered, "Hello, this is STAN GUFFMAN!" (name's been changed to protect the innocent...namely, ME!) He said it in a real animated and almost sarcastic way...sort of like a TV car salesman. It was clear to me that it was Kyle. He was joking around and being stupid.

So, I said, "Well hello there, STAN GUFFMAN (real sarcastic and animated just like he said it), this is BRANDON SCOTT THOMAS!!!" He laughed nervously.

"What's up, bud?" I asked.

"Not too much, just finishing some things up at the office," He replied.

It sounded like Kyle. Was it Kyle? Why was he at the office at 5:00pm. He's a P.E. teacher for crying out loud.

"Cool," I said.

Long pause.

"I'm wondering if I have the wrong number," I finally blurted out.

He quickly asked, "Well, who were you trying to call?"

"Not STAN GUFFMAN!" I said and nicely excused myself.

So, then I find out that "Stan Guffman" is this real estate guy who has ads all over TV and radio. He probably thought that no stranger would possibly kid with him like that. And beyond that, I'm sure he wondered how I could have possibly gotten his cell number. Poor guy. He was probably scratching his head going, "Brandon Scott Thomas....who in the world???" And he seemed like a really nice guy. Hopefully, I didn't freak him out.

OK--Addendum...so I'm on my way to Cool Springs to meet Brad and on the phone with Tim Woodroof who is out writing this week. I'm telling him my funny story and at the end he says..."You know who that is, right? It's ________'s best friend (a member here). He's been to Otter Creek on numerous occasions to see Christmas and Easter productions. He knows EXACTLY who you are." I could have died. Twice.

Why me? (Why me is right. I think it's the spirit of Sam Thomas. Dad, you've gotta stop this!)

Speaking of why's...this morning the girls were watching the Disney version of Peter Pan. (I know, shock.) There's this song in there about the Indians and Tiger Lilly. "What makes the Red Man red?" Now THAT'S PC for ya. Good job, guys. Check it out. It's pure comedy.

Speaking of songs, I'm meeting Brad Crisler in a minute. Brad and Dawn are new to Otter Creek. Rumor has it they even blog on occasion. HEY GUYS!! Brad wrote one of my favorite recent country songs, "Sweet Southern Comfort". Buddy Jewel sings it. (He's written lots of other stuff too--for Tim McGraw and other artists.) I love turning it up and singing it at the top of my lungs. They both have talent oozing from them and God has dropped them at Otter Creek. I can't wait to see what God does through them.

Still processing the weekend. I stared at the ceiling last night thinking about my class on Saturday. Long. Verbose. Borrrring. I don't think I was able to really get to the heart of what I wanted to communicate. Mainly, saying that the most radical approach to worship ministry to me is trying to keep it real. Scratch that. The most radical approach to MINISTRY period is trying to keep it real. We play games and tell people not to be plastic and meanwhile we're writing the book on being plastic. It's a constant battle that any of us in public ministry will have to face, however, we HAVE to talk about it. We have to combat it. If we don't, we're a joke.

One last thing and I'll stop. 14 years ago this week I was watching my father die. It will be 14 years tomorrow. I'm having lots and lots of memories and tears. The tears are sweeter than they used to be. For those of you who've experienced loss, know that at some point you can actually think about it--even cry about it without always feeling that raw wound. Sometimes, it's still raw just like that day. But, overall, God uses time to bring healing and wholeness. More on that tomorrow.

Blessings to you today.

This will be mostly a picture post from ZOE. Thanks to Scott who's on vacation, I have a computer to work on this week. (I'm preparing for our praise team retreat which is a week and a half away. (WHAT WAS I THINKING???!!!!!)

These will be in chronological order:



We were so blessed to have so much family here for the conference this year. Here's Sam enjoying time with MeMaw.




We're so blessed that Chris Lindsey is connected with ZOE. Chris works for Media Shout and always does our ZOE presentations. Chris is leaving Media Shout and heading to Rochester, MI to be the worship minister for the Rochester Church. Since that's Sheryl's old stomping grounds, we're thrilled for all of them.




The crowd gathers at the ZOE conference ready and eager to worship. It's one of the coolest weekends of our year. The sheer sound coming towards the stage is almost deafening. I mentioned Sunday morning that it was like leading wild horses. It's so energetic and fun!




My good buddy, John Chisum, was in concert Friday night. He also helped me do the Worship Leaders' track on Saturday. John is a gifted writer and travels with the Hosanna/ Integrity Worship conferences as a presenter. It was a blessing to have him with us!



It was so fun to have my best friend and his wife (Stephen and Stephanie Bailey) with us for the weekend. The girls were really excited to see them--but they would have preferred to have Rainey there. (Rainey and Maddie are only a few weeks apart in age.) Stephen has always been a brother to me. Sometimes we communicate telepathically. That's a really scary thing.




Another ACU roommate of ours, Craig Fisher, married up--waaaay up. Beth Ann Souder's dad, brother and nephew were all there this weekend. It was fun Having Scott, Sam and Gary. 3 generations of Souders! Hmm...we've never even had ONE Fisher. But, I'm not bitter.




Sam and Scott are great guys--you just tell by looking at them. It was a blessing to have them with us.




Baby Sam did great all weekend. True to form, he just went along for the ride. It was a blast being able to show him off! I couldn't wait for Stephen, Stephanie, Sally, Hainey, Amy--all our friends--- to see him.




Michael Card gave a concert on Saturday afternoon. It was fantastic. His songs were a perfect fit for our conference and theme. I had a good visit with him during lunch. We've been trying to connect with each other. I look forward to learning from him. He's a great teacher and thinker--not to mention a brilliant musician!



Peter Wilson sings with ZOE but he lives in Malibu, CA. We miss him when we're not together. Maddie and Ella love him. LOVE him. Maddie has had a crush on Peter for well over a year now. Poor girl, she can't even be normal around him. She turns dorky--like a 7th grader. Bless. She wouldn't even let him hold her for the picture.




It was fun having Jay Duty and his father, John, at the conference this year. Jay was my intern about 4 years ago. He's active in the children's ministry at the Farmer's Branch church in Dallas. He's a nut--can't you tell?




This was taken Sunday morning at Otter Creek. This is Peter with his amazing girlfriend, Lindsey. We all LOVE Lindsey. She's a part of our ZOE family. We love hanging with her in California, but it was nice having her at the Nashville conference this year. It just seemed right for her to be here.




It was fun having our extended ZOE family (they affectionately call themselves "Chloe") singing with us some this year. Sunday morning was such a blessing. All those energetic conference participants infused our assembly with joy and exuberance!




After church we had about 20 people at our house for lunch. Two life long friends were here this weekend. Hainey Price and Amy (Nichols) Boone. We all grew up together in Abilene and had a blast laughing again. Amy and I used to call each other and speak in weird Chinese languages back in junior high. We all grew up singing together too. Amy married Grant, son of Nick Boone and nephew of Pat. While he doesn't have the singing career Pat or Debbie have enjoyed, he wears some nifty white buckskin shoes like his Uncle Pat. We asked him to sing "You Light Up My Life" at the conference but he refused. Apparently the golf channel is more important than ZOE. Thanks, Grant. Next time we'll just have to resort to asking Joel Quile.



This is only a section of the people who were with us Sunday. Left to right as pictured: Stephanie Bailey, Ella, Sheryl, Julie Danley, Hainey Price, me, Katey Earles (doing a marvelous job of managing her crowd anxiety here, I must say!), Gina Lewis, and Amy Boone.

What a marvelous time of challenge and worship we shared together. There's much to blog about but it will have to wait until I can decompress a little.

Have a great Tuesday, blog land! (I tried publishing this once and lost everything. I'm still a Christian.)

The conference ended with an amazing Saturday night full of comissioning all of us to go out to serve and lay down our lives in whatever occupation we might find ourselves in. There were also wonderful testimonies of the work of God through ordinary lives.

This morning Otter Creek was packed. It was standing room only. It was fun to have the extended ZOE team up there. The morning was such a great way to put a cap on the week and weekend together.

After church several of our friends came over for lunch...several meaning 20. It was such a blast! Amy Boone, Stephen and Stephanie Bailey, Gina Lewis, Mom, Hainey Price, Katey Earles, Sheryl's parents, Bob and Ernestine, Gail and Chris (Fajita), Canaan and Sierra, Sally Gary, Julie Danley, and our family all celebrated the ending of a powerful weekend. Katey made some AMAZING brisket, like only a good Texan could do. Mom brought fried chicken and we all ate to our hearts' delight! Bit by bit, segments of our group left to head to the airport. Stephen, Stephanie, and Hainey stayed til around 4pm. It was so fun to spend time talking to everyone without having to think about what session or class was about to happen. I loved getting to see Stephanie's pregnant self! What an answer to prayer upon prayer upon prayer! Sally brought stuffed pigs for Sam and pig books for the girls. (long story). So cute!

I don't feel like I had nearly enough time with Chris and Gail. Weekends like this are always so amazing and yet seeing people in passing is such a tease.

Tonight we're getting ready to fall into bed. We've had 11 people sleeping in our house. I get to spend one more night on the floor in the girls' room, but I know I will be sleeping soundly.

I feel so thankful for all God did. I'm anxious to hear feedback. I agree with some of Cope's thoughts about the leadership conference (with maybe another one or two ideas about the worship times there). Overall, I loved the new format. I would have loved to have heard some of the speakers a little more than just bits and pieces here and there. There will be time for serious discussions and evaluations. But, tonight, I'm basking in the goodness of the Lord for all the answered prayers. It was a great weekend of fellowship and deep spiritual growth. I pray that it's something that will lead to action in me. In all of us.

It was great to see all of you bloggers! My the Lord bless you with peace and safe travels home.

I feel this weird mix of sheer exhaustion and spiritual energy. It's the epitomy of my spirit being willing but my flesh being weak (literally).

What a weekend! I am still reeling from Len Sweet. I don't even feel like I can absorb the weekend conference yet. Sweet blew my socks off. You MUST order the CD from his sessions on mission.

Just had a nice visit with Michael Card before his set. He did a great job. I have a funny story to share about our time together that I really, really wish I could share. Really. I do.

I'm taking a rest during the second session of classes before my class at 3pm. Afterwards, we'll close the night with a big worship and testimony time led by ZOE and Cope. As is usually the case, my voice is WORN OUT. It seems that by the time the conference usually gets here, I'm already tired. So it's always a challenge to last 3 or 4 more very full days. Please pray for me. I need to pace until tomorrow afternoon.

Highlights so far:
--Len Sweet and Larry James and their session on mission
--leading worship with the band from OC Thursday night
--The session on healing (Ways God has been at work in healing brokenness) POWERFUL!
--Seeing friends! Hainey, Stephen and Stephanie, Jay Duty, Sally Gary, Kaye, Amy Boone, Peter and Lindsey and more. It's been so rich!
--Donna Hester and Jill Maxwell's dramatic presentation Friday night. Wow!
--The Mike Cope music video. There are no words. I think that's when I lost the last of my voice from laughing.
--Jeff Walling's dramatic representation of Matthew. Superb!
--Partnering with Chiz
--Getting to show off the kids. SO FUN!!
--Getting to worship with my ZOE family--both immediate and extended.

More to come!
--Michael Card's concert this afternoon. WOW!
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So far, the conference has been filled with challenging and encouraging teaching and discussion. It's been so fun to see old friends and hear the powerful worship resonate inthe great hall. Always a blessing!

We're about to set up for the praise night. The band is setting up gear and we're anticipating a cool night of worship. Please pray for us!

Wish you were here!

So, my computer is gone. Dead. Done in. Unbelievable.

Tomorrow begins the 2005 ZOE Conference. It's hard to believe it's really here. This is our 9th year of conferences. That seems so strange! I know it will be such an amazing time with everyone. I won't be blogging so hopefully some of you bloggers out there who are coming can keep everyone updated.

God is good! He's heard our prayers and blessed our planning. Now, all we can do is let go and give it back. I can't wait to see what's in store! It will be such a fun ride! Yeeeeee-Hawwwwww!

Incarnation--such a powerful thing! God in flesh. A hands-on lesson of how to live. A call to follow. What a gift!

You just wouldn't believe the day...

Computer crash--hard drive or something.
Move all my conference stuff downstairs to work in Tim's office since he's in MS.
Things are rolling along and I'm back in the middle of it.
Power goes off.
Stays off.
Off.
Power comes back on.
Boot computer back up.
Try again to boot computer up.
Computer won't boot.
No one's computer will boot.
Holly throws me from the ship calling me Jonah.

HOWEVER--

Ella is ELLA again! She's back to her bubbly hilarious self. Her eyes look clear and she's feeling great!
Sam's better too--back to his normal, smiley self.
PLUS--
I'm completely jazzed about the conference. Things are coming together nicely and we're all feeling this great excitement about what's coming in a couple of days.

AND--

God is good. There is no pit so deep that His love is not deeper still. I didn't really have a pit today, but shared some time this morning with someone who is in a pit. She's having to watch her husband of 50 years or so suffer the effects of a stroke. She's walking with dignity and yet with great burden. She reminded me this morning that we need to encourage people that God doesn't always get us OUT of the pit (see yesterday's blog). But His love reaches deeper. His love surrounds more powerfully than any shadow. It envelopes us--even in times of doubt. His love walks with us through the valley of the shadow of death.

We praise Him, not for removing us from hardship, but for walking with us THROUGH anything we face!

Apparently, I was premature in writing that everything was better. We're still dealing with illness at our house. How long, O LORD??!!

Last night I had a very spiritual experience. I was flipping channels and found The Hiding Place. It's a movie based on the book by Corrie Ten Boom about her experience in a Nazi work camp. She and her sister, Betsy, were sent to the same camp. They were "political prisoners" not Jews. They were captured because their family was using their house as "hiding place" for Jews during the war. If you've never read the book or seen the movie--go now and rent it or buy the book.

In high school I watched this movie and I give credit to Corrie Ten Boom and the book of Romans for melting my heart even more fully to Jesus. I cannot describe how this movie has impacted me over the years. The real sharing of Jesus in those circumstances NEVER misses the mark in nailing me to the wall. I have seen this movie probably 15 times or more and I've never made it through the movie without being a puddle at the end. It forces me to my knees. Literally. I praise God for melting my heart again last night.

Interestingly, I surfed for a minute before landing on the Corrie Ten Boom story. (I wasn't sure I really wanted to go there last night.) Within 3 channels were three incredibly different stories of people claiming to be passionate about Jesus. One was the Ten Boom story, as I've mentioned. Another was a taping of a live Rich Mullins concert. (I actually did tour promotions for him when I did my internship at Reunion Records. That's another blog for another day. INCREDIBLE MAN OF GOD!) And the other was Joel Osteen at the Lakewood Church. The contrast was interesting. Here are three very different people all talking about Jesus. Rich and the Ten Boom family seem to be more similar. I just had to wonder about Osteen. I am not here to call anyone out. I have enough stuff in my own life and planks in my own eyes. I just wondered if any of the things Corrie and Betsy Ten Boom and the Apostle Paul have said that have moved me to follow Jesus over the years would be heard from Osteen.

While dying in a concentration camp, Betsy Ten Boom said, "Suffering does NOT mean that God doesn't love us!" And my favorite, "There is no pit so deep that God's love is not deeper still." It reminds me of Romans 8. "What can separate us from the love of Christ?" POWERFUL STUFF!!! It really makes me want to fall on my face and cry out in worship.

Neither Corrie or Betsy Ten Boom, or the apostle Paul (or Jesus for that matter) ever said that the love of Christ would lift us from all hardship. In fact, we're pretty much guaranteed hardship. The way of Christ is not an easy way. Jesus promised us we'd have trouble but to be of good cheer for He had overcome the world. There they were, Corrie and Betsy, in a concentration camp with death all around and disease threatening their lives, and they spoke boldly of the great joy we have in Christ Jesus. Now, THAT is being missional. THAT is Kingdom. The Kingdom of Jesus is not made up of worldly wealth or even "having our best life now". It is the way of the cross. It is the way of self sacrifice--and yet at the same time a way of great joy.

It seems there are two extremes we generally see--either the health wealth gospel or those who claim to be so super spiritual that there is absolutely no room for joy. The real difference is made when those who pick up their cross do it in a way that shows they know a deeper sense of joy and peace. What a blessing this reminder has been to me in helping me get out of my tiny world of issues. He is SO good!

Thanks for your prayers about this week. We are counting on them. Although exhausted, I feel energized in ways that aren't explainable. I am filled with great anticipation about what this week holds. I love that God is so unmanageable and unpredictable. I can't wait to see what He will do this week.

Everyone seems to be feleing much better this morning. Thank you for your prayers! Thank you to Lauren for her help last night, and THANK YOU to Julie Woodroof for the amazing dinner. We are thankful for your prayers.

John Chisum and I are teaching the Worship Ministers' advanced track next week. Chiz is taking the first and last session and I'll teach the middle one. For a complete track listing of Saturday's sessions, click here. Chiz has some great material on transformational worship leading. My class is titled, Radical Worship Ministry (asking the holy "So What?"). Part of my class will be talking about some presuppositions we bring to worship or worship ministry. For instance, one of the most common is that worship is about us and what we want. And while people might not admit that, the way we approach it sometimes suggests that we're operating under that presupposition.

What are some others? What have some of you worship leaders experienced out there?

The rest of my class will be about some important elements that can be Kingdom building in worship ministry...things like confession, collaboration, communication, celebration, creativity, and conviction. ("that's a lot of alliteration for anxious anchors in powerful positions." Name that movie!) There's a popular saying right now--"Keepin' it real!" I think many of our churches and ministries would do well to adopt that as our mantra. I know I need to be better about that.

Movie Night tonight--maybe I can finally get the voice of Glenda the good witch out of my head. Anyone out there in Nashville have "The Apple Dumplin Gang"? Wanna do a loaner??

Thanks for the prayers. We've really needed them. Last night and today have seemed eternal. Ella was miserable all night and her sweet little voice is just a graveled mess right now. She can't even call out for us. So, Sheryl slept next to her and we both tried to tend to her through the night. Maddie continues to say, "Poor ol' Ella". I think it's partially because she feels bad for her and partially because she's very worried about coming down with it herself. (She's a germaphobe like her old man.)

Sam had a rough morning. Poor guy. He cried for about 2 hours straight...all this while my mom had taken Sheryl to the surgery center and Ella was moaning in the other bedroom. He's better this afternoon. (Sheryl is doing GREAT!)

Parenting is tough no matter how you slice it. In the beginning you want to protect them from sickness and there are some things you just can't take away. I imagine that holds true for a lot of other things they'll go through over the next 20+ years. I so desperately want to fix it, but I know I can't.

Meanwhile, ZOE planning is going full steam ahead. Yeee-Hawww! Please, please, please continue to pray for all of us as this week approaches. There's a flurry of activity here, but I so desperately want to have time to be still and KNOW. I really need that this week.

Have a great weekend. PRAISE GOD for this amazing weather!

Please pray for us today if you have a moment. Sam is still recovering. He's just been pitiful, but still smiles all the time--even with those sick eyes. Ella came down with it last night...103 temperature and all. They both have Croup. It's so sad to hear them barking.

Maddie and I left this morning and Ella was not happy about not getting to go to school. Maddie was so sweet as we drove. She kept saying over and over from the back seat in this pitiful little voice, "Poor ol' Ella!" She made me turn off TJ's CD and pray for Ella. Precious!

Rehearsal went well last night. We spent some time on "You Were There". It's going much faster now than it did in the studio. One more week. WOW! Just please pray that if I am going to come down with all this sickness that is can happen BEFORE next week.

We're praying for all of you who are coming. I can't wait to experience what the Lord has in store.

Thanks to the “Lizard of Oz” I woke up at 6:30 this morning hearing the very strange voice of Glenda the “good witch” singing “come out, come out wherever you are and meet the young la-dy who came from a star”. What’s with her voice anyway? It’s a terrifying way to wake up.

Great, great comments yesterday. It’s so cool to know that so many people are interested in education. Both of my parents were educators. My dad was a school administrator after teaching 6th grade for several years. My mom was school librarian, then an LRC coordinator for the Abilene school district and then taught Children’s and Young Adult Literature at ACU for ten years or so. I still remember my father talking about kids and how things were different then than they ever had been. My feeling is, every generation has wondered and dealt with these types of issues. My dad was a very positive leader. His method was to help kids develop a passion for learning. He would have HATED all this test goobledy-gook. (It’s fun to take the kids to Sam Thomas Elementary when we’re in Abilene and tell them that it’s named after their “Poppy”. Some day they’ll understand more about that.) Both of my parents were very influential in the lives of children and helped to shape character and even faith…and all of that was in public schools.

Speaking of school, I almost literally ran into Amy Grant in the parking lot last week. Vince and Amy’s daughter is in school here. All her kids have gone through here. She’s such a neat woman. Have any of you seen her new show, “Three Wishes”? It’s really cool. It’s neat to see her ministering—even on prime time television. (It would have been just my luck to have a collision in our parking lot and it be with her or someone like that...but it would have made for a great story!)

I’m really excited about the conference next week. It’s so hard to believe that one week from tomorrow we’ll be getting started. I have a real sense of anticipation about it!

ZOE’s rehearsing tonight and we’re celebrating Melissa’s birthday. It’s been so fun to sing all these years with people we love. We’ve all sort of grown up together…getting married, having kids, etc. Now we’re also getting to celebrate the upcoming marriage of David’s son. I can’t imagine ministry without these folks. I love them dearly. We’re looking forward to being reunited with Peter too. He flies in from Malibu next Thursday. Cope also comes in Thursday. Can’t wait to see you, bro! Not sure yet when Walling gets in.

Here’s a schedule of events and speakers for those of you who are coming. Maybe this will help give you an idea of what to expect. Word of explanation--Discerning Communities will be assigned when you arrive (much like the Emergent Convention). Affinity Communities are comprised of those who are in similar jobs--like worship ministers, praise team, tech, Elders, children's ministers, etc.

Thursday, October 6
11:00 am – Registration Opens
1:00 pm – Worship
2:00 pm – Discerning Communities
4:00 pm – Affinity Communities
5:00 pm – Dinner Break
6:30 pm – Worship
7:00 pm – Discerning Communities
9:00 pm – Late Night Program (this is when the Otter team and band will do our thing)

Friday, October 7
8:00 am – Affinity Communities
9:15 am – Worship
10:00 am – Discerning Communities
11:30 am – Lunch Break
1:30 pm – Worship
2:15 pm – Discerning Communities
4:00 pm – Worship
4:30 pm - End

Guest Resources:
Mission - Leonard Sweet & Larry James
Kingdom - John York & Wade Hodges
Incarnation - Mike Cope & Randy Harris
Healing - LaJuana Gill & TBA

Leonard Sweet
A popular speaker, Len has written more than twenty books, including the postmodern trilogy AquaChurch, SoulTsunami, and SoulSalsa. His web-based preaching resource in partnership with Group Publishing is calledwww.PreachingPlus.com .

Larry James
Larry James is President and CEO for Central Dallas Ministries, a human and community development corporation serving inner city Dallas, Texas.

Friday, October 7
5:30 pm – Registration Opens
7:00 pm – Worship--BST and Mike Cope
9:00 pm – Late Night Program (John Chisum Concert and a taize worship experience are two of the choices)

Saturday, October 8
8:30 am – Worship--BST and Jeff Walling
10:15 am – Workshop Session I
11:30 am – Lunch Break
1:00 pm – Michael Card Performance
2:15 pm – Workshop Session II
3:45 pm – Workshop Session III
5:00 pm – Dinner Break
7:00 pm - Worship--BST and Mike Cope

Guest Resources:
Mike Cope, Abilene, TX – Jeff Walling, Charlotte, NC – Michael Card, Franklin, TN – Jill Maxwell, Abilene, TX – Donna Hester, Abilene, TX – Larry & Linda Bridgesmith, Nashville, TN – Larry James, Dallas, TX – Wade Hodges, Tulsa, OK – Randy Gill, Nashville, TN – Brandon Scott Thomas, Nashville, TN – John Chisum, Mobile, AL – Eddie Plemmons, Franklin, TN – Randy Harris – Abilene, TX – John York – Brentwood, TN – Matt Maxwell, Abilene, TX – Media Shout, Nashville, TN and many more.


Workshop Sessions:
Missional Church – Spiritual Direction – Children’s Ministry – Worship Planning – Church Leadership – Recovery Ministries – Youth Ministry – Worship Ministry – Drama Ministry – Audio and Media Ministries – Songwriting – Voice Clinics – Media Shout – Technology – Arranging Music and many more.

Have a blessed day, everyone.

Blogging may be sporadic over the next week or so as the ZOE Conference looms. I did want to ask about something though. We have friends teaching in Davidson and Rutherford Counties who are really frustrated with the school system. Apparently, because of "No Child Left Behind" (that's another blog for another day), no teacher is allowed to give a student a failing grade. No child can earn less than 60% on any assignment or test. And, if he or she does not make the grade, the teacher must give endless opportunities to either re-take the test or do the homework over. Any child who is in special ed. cannot receive below a 70% no matter what.

For instance, a student was recently in juvenile detention for 2 weeks. Upon her return, the teacher was instructed to wave all of her assignments from that time and not count them against her...not even requiring her to make any of it up.

Similarly, when students are disrespectful or curse at the teacher, there appears to be little backing from the administration. "Write it up and keep a list" is what they're told. Maybe once a student brings a gun to school then someone might say something. Might.

Upon hearing these stories, I have been angered and disgusted. It appears the state is becoming more and more concerned with the technical "passing" of the student as opposed to them learning anything or having to face consequences. Because, after all, if a student fails, it can't possibly be their fault. What happens when the kid gets into the real world and expects 25 opportunities to get the assignment right? Haven't most of us learned more from our failures thatn our successes?

There's no way to say this is true across the board, but are any of you seeing the same things? A friend recently told me that if she were us, she'd think again about public schools. This was troubling because I believe deeply in public schools and want our kids to have a multi-cultural experience. However, I also value Christian education. I'm a product of both and had valuable experiences in both arenas.

How do you make a decision about this stuff? I'd love to hear you guys weigh in on this and I know there are a variety of opinions on this topic. I don't mean to open a can of worms. I just wonder if any of you are experiencing similar things or have had to wrestle with these issues.

Yesterday an announcement was made about a possible detour in our building program. The Living Word church in Brentwood (formerly Brentwood Baptist) has contacted us and offered to sell us their building. This happened several weeks ago and it's been the buzz around the office, as you can imagine. While I still can't fully blog about this, I must say that it's one of the most exciting possibilities in this LONG 7-8 years of building talk. There are all variations of opinions on the matter, but to me, this would be such an answer to prayer. There are a lot of details to consider and I'm not holding my breath, but I am hopeful.

It's rainy here. The girls are building small towns and dressing their Polly Pockets for action. Of course this is after they watched parts of The "Lizard" of Oz this morning.

Have a happy Monday!

Yesterday we met Geof and Amanda, Lauren and Emily and my mom at Sonic for an outdoor lunch. While we were there this guy walked up to me and said, "Are you Brandon?" (That always terrifies me and makes me want to say, "I didn't do it!") When I told him I was he told me his name and said he used to live on my street in Abilene 25 years ago. Now that's WEIRD. I looked at him and tried to remove 25 years and remembered! He is also a music minister in Nashville. Small, small world.

After lunch we went up to see Geof and Amanda's place. It's so cool! It won't be long til they're both living there--married. The Vickers Family. Amanda Vickers. It's so cool!

Last night it was easier to just stay in (Originally we were bringing the girls up for the Singles' childcare night). We watched "Two Brothers". Even though I had to fast forward through some parts, the girls really loved it. Those tigers were so cute! Thanks for all your suggestions on movies. We've got those stored away.

I'm sitting here this morning listening to "King of Glory, King of Love", which is what we're performing for Christmas at Otter Creek this year. I'm really looking forward to beginning rehearsals. After the ZOE conference, we'll begin.

This morning we're talking about service and I am teaching Clarissa and Michael's new song--"Let Us Be You". (or...Lettuce Baptist University as Chris Yoakum and I liked to call it.)

Have a great day, blog family. It's cool to think that we are joining in fellowship around the table this morning--all ages, all nations, men, and women, the weak and the strong. We are blessed!

If some natural disaster hit Yemen and they required assistance...

If we sent them "help"--what would it be called?

And could the news anchors call it that with a straight face??

(this blog is inspired by Ella's 2 1/2 year old vocabulary and speech)

PS: Looks like many folks missed the worst of Rita. When you can, let us know how you're all doing down there.

Many prayers are being lifted for those in Texas and especially for those still reeling from Katrina in Louisiana. I cannot even imagine. The reports coming from Texas look very menacing.

As you may have read in the comments yesterday, Sheryl's brothers, Kevin AND Shelby, are staying in Houston with their families. We'll be anxiously awaiting news on how they are doing.

Also, Since my father was from Houston, I have many relatives there. Most of my cousins are staying put too. The lack of gasoline, the interstate parking lots and the risks of trying to get out seemed too much. We'll be praying for you guys.

I heard this morning that there's a chance that Rita could just park over East Texas and dump over 25 inches of rain. I cannot even imagine that. The weather guy said that in New Orleans, the rain had already caused Lake Pontchartrain to rise. Talk about compounding despair. We really need to be praying for them.

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Usually on Sunday afternoons around nap time I hear this constant drum beat...like one might hear from a car passing when the bass is turned up really high. Eventually, I discovered that it was my neighbor who rehearses on the top floor of his house in the room that faces our bedroom. One night I had to call him about 11:45 and ask him to knock it off. I was THAT guy. I felt bad, but it was loud. And he's such a NICE guy!

Yesterday we were all out for a walk and Maddie was riding her bike and Rick was out washing his car. It was the first conversation we've had in a while. After he poured out apologies over the late night of music, we got to have a pretty cool conversation. Turns out he and his wife moved here from NYC where she was in marketing for a record label and where he used to play drums for groups like Nine Inch Nails and the RAMONES! I was impressed! (I'm not advocating the Ramones here, but still...) So THAT'S why I always think I'm hearing drums. Whew! And I thought I needed to check into Cumberland Heights or something. (Remember how they'd always start hearing drums on Gilligan's Island?) It was cool talking with him and, hopefully, building potential for some dialogue later. Cool guy.

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Any suggestions for Movie night this weekend? We may resort to Charlotte's Web again since the girls have been begging for it and Sheryl never got to see it.

Have a great weekend, everyone. Many prayers are going out to those of you in the port cities of TX and LA. Please keep us updated on the state of things.

Here's a somewhat humorous picture of my parents and me at their 25th anniversary dinner back in 1987. Nice glasses, guys.



Here's a picture of my father after one of the large snows that I remember us having in Abilene. Weird--it seems like it snowed more there than here.

I've been thinking about my father lately. I always do around this time of year. I'll post more on that around the 13th or 14th of October. It will be 14 years this year since he died. Almost unfathomable.

Last night as I was tucking Maddie into bed she told me that she had dreamed of Poppy (what we call my dad who she's heard a lot about but obviously never met). She told me that in her dream he was standing by her bed saying a prayer for her. Now, how sweet is that?? I love those moments.

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I had a nice lunch today with Adam Ellis and Phil Wilson. It was great getting to actually visit with Adam in person instead of by blog or IM. He's here taking a short graduate level course this week. Phil, well, Phil I get to see on a regular basis. Ah, Phil. Bless him. You know I love you, bud.

Here's a nugget Adam shared with us from John Mark Hick's class this morning on Systematic Theology (or better put, Narrative Systematic Theology). He spoke some about the worship assembly and John Mark said something like, "In the assembly, we are present with God in a way that we are not individually." Quoting from the Hebrews 12 passage about the great cloud of witnesses, he said that sometimes during communion and worship he imagines joining the host of witnesses who have gone before us...including John's son who died...worshiping the Lord and communing at the table. It was a powerful image for me today as I thought about my own dad.

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This Sunday at Otter is going to be about service and being the hands and feet of Jesus. Whether it's the washing of feet (John 13) or being an Elder or participating in Katrina Relief...we are called to lay down our lives for each other. There's more coming Sunday that I'm really excited about but can't blog about. Oh, the anticipation!!

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As Fajita wrote today, please pray for our BONEHEAD brother-in-law who is refusing to leave the Houston area. Maybe after castigating him on the internet we can guilt him into leaving. For some reason he thinks riding the hurricane out will be fun. Sheryl has 4 siblings in the Houston area. Chuck and his family have evacuated to Austin. Cindy and her family (except for Billy who works for Dow and has to stay because he's part of crisis management or something) are headed to Arkansas to Sheryl's parents' house. Shelby and his family are leaving on Friday. But Kevin is staying as of now. Please pray for them.

Warning: I need to rant a bit this morning.

Congratulations, Red Cross of Nashville. You are making a city-wide plea for more volunteers. You've advertised on the news, you're sending out mass email, and you're using organizations like Hands-On Nashville to recruit more help. BUT...B-U-T you CLEARLY want to make it as hard as possible for anyone to volunteer. I've taken your dumb online course that took an hour and was basically useless. I've signed your forms--twice! I've registered online. I've also registered through Hands-On Nashville with whom I've already volunteered through NARAS (National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences). And NOTHING. You say each time you'll get back to me and it's been two weeks. Nothing.

Yesterday I got an email from Hands-On Nashville which pled for more volunteers. When I went to the link it was to the Nashville Red Cross. They wanted me to take this online training course again, which I've already done, promising that at the end of it there was a way to report for duty, which there isn't. Then, when I followed the other link to training sessions, the only date posted was in the past. There was no note of instruction except one saying, "This date is in the past."

I've even been to your shelters. The only way I got my foot in the door was by playing the "clergy card". The directors of the shelters claim there's no need for more help. If that's true, then why the plea for more help?

I knew that interest in helping would wane. I figured that financial support would dwindle. I wondered if the immediate "romantic" idea of helping would pass. But, I have to really hand it to you guys for making it even more impossible for those who are still interested in helping.

Thankfully, there are many, MANY others who have gotten frustrated and started their own helping organizations for real families in need. For those who are looking to help and help NOW, that is definitely the way to go. It's disappointing because, at least in Nashville, it seems you have to be a dectective to actually meet one of these families and try to give them assistance. And now they're saying we're getting 3000 more people?

Thank you for the assistance you're giving. Thank you for the food, clothing, beds, and counseling you're providing. I can only imagine how overwhelming it must feel. But, for the LOVE, get it together before making an appeal for more help. It's completely ridiculous. And that's all I have to say about that.

Now, I must go and eat some Baja Burrito and soothe the savage beast.

Here are some pictures from the weekend...Maddie is so into wearing her "wedding dress" right now. Saturday she got her bouquet and rode her "wedding bike" all around the downstairs. She's enamored with the idea of weddings right now. I think Alisha's wedding this summer was the trigger.










Geof held Sam through a lot of our life group meeting Sunday night and Sam was loving it. Geof had the touch!






Last night Maddie and Ella went off by themselves. We found them in their room sitting on Ella's bed reading books. What a JOY!











Maddie and Ella wanted to pose together after story time.








I had coffee this morning with Charlie Brandon. Officially, he's a "former" elder at Otter Creek. But, in reality, there's no such thing. He has a shepherd's heart. It was of great encouragement.

My heart is heavy today for people going through stuff. It's so hard to offer it up to the Lord and not want to "fix" it. I'm also feeling like the ZOE conference is blowing in and I have a tiny little umbrella. There's a lot left to do. I'm meeting tomorrow night with the band to rehearse for the instrumental time on Thursday night the 6th. I think we're going to do some Lincoln Brewster stuff as well as some instrumental versions of songs off of In Christ Alone. What I LOVE about the ZOE conference is that God collects these people from all over the country and the world on that weekend and does something that none of us can even imagine. Just pray for discernment for me in my planning. I'm SO overwhelmed every year about this time with the honor of being a part of that weekend. It is so humbling to know that God works in spite of me and such an honor to be a part of that. I always leave feeling like God spoke to me through people who come. It is truly an emotionally draining weekend--in a great way!

Have a great Tuesday. Thanks for your prayers for the conference.

There is no way I can even describe what happened yesterday at Otter Creek. In fact, to even attempt to get into all of it would somehow cheapen it. Suffice it to say, it was an incredible morning. We had multiple responses. It's like the Lord is really lifting the veil on brokenness and renewal is happening in ways that are blowing my mind.

I sat next to Jeremy and Hailey Hiett during first service. As I listened and then saw people pouring out their hearts before the Lord I was taken back about 8 years ago before I was married when Jeremy and I were roommates. Jeremy walked with me through a very difficult time and showed me the unconditional love of Jesus. It was a powerful moment reliving that yesterday.

Last night at life group we had similar experience. So many people sharing from the depths of their hearts in a truly confessional way. I just can't get over what God is doing in our midst.

Have you ever noticed that confession breeds confession? The enemy tells us in the recesses of our minds that if we confess, it will drive people away. "If they knew how you REALLY are, no one would love you," he says. The reality is, some people do respond like that, unfortunately. However, when the Spirit is moving, what happens more times than not is that confessing allows others to share their struggles too. We're seeing that right now and I praise GOD for it.

Today we went to Granny White Park and spent the afternoon with our friend Shelly and her daughter, Caroline. Shelly is the short blonde who sings in Point of Grace. Weird story, but we go way back to movie nights with Jeff Berry and Heather (another POG girl). The weirder thing is that long before they were married or even thought about it, her husband, David, and I became friends in early in 1990 when I interned at Reunion Records. Later, after moving back to Nashville, I discovered that Sheryl was working for him at the William Morris Agency. Go figure. Such a small, small world. He and Shelly later married and then had Caroline. Caroline and our Ella are almost the same age. It was fun to catch up and spend some time hanging out. We also took the jogging stroller so that the girls and I could go for a little run. Bless my old fat body. I'm trying to get back in shape. I know, I've been saying that for a while, but it seems this time it's actually happening. Slowly but surely. Why is it so easy to put weight on and so difficult to take it off?

My heart is full of praise for what's happening in our lives and in the lives of our friends and church family. Although there are many, many difficult situations and it seems that some lives are coming unraveled, I see the hand of God working in our midst in ways I haven't seen in YEARS. And, I'm finding the freedom to be more open about my own struggles. God is good. I told Sheryl that it seems like almost overnight something happened and all of a sudden we ministers are overwhelmed with the things that we really SHOULD be about. I LOVE IT.

Praise God for His timing and for the Spirit who keeps reminding us that this world is NOT our home. Therefore, anything we seek to fill us up from this world will only hurt us or distance us from the true Source of Life. It's so much easier to write that than live it, but I'm finding such strength in community to walk that road. For that, I'm so grateful!

It was a great weekend of family. We tried Alice In Wonderland last night for our family movie night. Neeexxxxt.

Katey Earles went to the Mall with us yesterday and she got a first hand experience of the three-ring circus it can be. She was a great help! She even got to stay for movie night. The girls were glad.

This morning we're studying John 12 and Tim is talking about seeking the praise of God over the praise of man. Wow. No matter what he says on the topic, it's already convicting. I want to seek His praise only. I know that I don't.

I hope you guys all have a great morning worshiping the Lord. Please pray for us. A close friend is responding this morning in second service. I know it will especially difficult.

Last week Paul Johnson brought to my attention that the front cover of our new CD looked like the statue of the robed Christ behind the St. Louis Cathedral in Jackson Square in New Orleans. The designer confirmed that it is that very statue. He had taken the picture while in New Orleans a couple of years ago. And--he finished the CD cover earlier this summer...before Katrina.



In the picture above you can see that only the finger was broken. The statue remained in tact. This is a shot through the fallen debris. Thank you to Paul for these pictures.






I couldn't believe the irony. WOW. It reminds me of September 11, 2001. We were preparing to present our conference titled "Deep Calls to Deep" with sort of a lament theme. We had no idea what would happen on 9/11. A lot of people were feeling the need to lament that year...for many different reasons.



The conference theme this year, In Christ Alone, will be about being a missional church. What does that look like, what does that mean? I just can't get over the irony. As we sat last Novemeber 2004 to begin plans, we all felt that burning in our hearts about a missional theme. And now, in ways we haven't seen in decades, the church is getting outside themselves and into the lives and hearts of people. It wasn't planned, it wasn't even wanted. It just happened. I'm not saying that God is responsible for Katrina by any means. But, as we all reach out and give of ourselves, we're getting a crash course in what it means to be missional. I do believe that God's hand is in that.

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Lauren Gingles....what a blessing to our family. With three kids, babysitting can be expensive. Thankfully, we have my mom and Kiki who are so great to help. But, Lauren, who is not a part of our physical family (but definitely a member of our spiritual family), calls us almost weekly to ask when she can come give us a night out. What a gift! Thank you, Lauren!! We had a great dinner last night with Geof and Amanda. We laughed and talked wedding stuff. I am going to be a groomsman. I'm really honored to stand with Geof. So, we'll be flying to TX in November to sing and participate in their great weekend.



I took this last night of Sam. He's such a little boy! (even if he is subjected to sitting in his sisters' old bouncy seat!) It's cool to see him developing and loving his sisters. Not a day goes by that I don't praise God for the gift of my children and wife.

I'll close with this great prayer by St. Augustine. (Thanks to my mom for this. She's using it in her Spiritual Formation class on Sunday mornings at Otter Creek.) There are some folks really hurting at Otter right now. This was very encouraging for them. I hope it can be for you today as well.

God of our life,

There are days when the burdens we carry chafe our shoulders and weigh us down;

When the road seems dreary and endless, the skies gray and threatening;

When our lives have no music in them, and our hearts are lonely, and our souls have lost their courage.

Flood the path with light, run our eyes to where the skies are full of promise,

Tune our hearts to brave music;

Give us the sense of comradeship with heroes and saints of every age;

And so quicken our spirits that we may be able to encourage the souls of all who journey with us on the road of life,

To your honor and glory!

St. Augustine

Before we get started today...guess where the picture on the front of our new CD came from. The correct guess, and it's unreal, will get a free CD. Paul Johnson gets the credit for noticing this one.




There are several books I'd like to write someday. I've not sure when that will ever happen and really only a couple of these are viable.

1. I'd like to write a book about embarrassing moments. I mean, come on, who is more qualified? On that note, this morning a friend sent me an email with an attachment from someone else. The attachment was quirky and I made some comments about it and ended up sending it to THAT person instead of my friend. Perfect. Good job, BST. Some things never change.

2. I want to write a children's book about the reverse of growing up--or maybe the beauty of being a child. Maddie would always say things like, "Daddy, when you get little you can sleep on a bed like mine!" Or, "Daddy, when you get little, you can play with toys like these." There's a book in there somewhere.

3. I'd like to write a book about grief. I remember going through such a rough time after losing my dad...my goodness, such a rough time. I remember going to the Christian bookstore and searching for hours for something that I could identify with. The only books on dealing with grief that were available were, in my opinion, completely retarded. I've had some email correspondence over the years with other friends going through grief struggles. A part of me wants to write a book and call it "Letters to Tony" (or some other made-up name). I think that when I was in the middle of that it might have helped to read the real struggles of others to know I wasn't alone. Maybe a peek into someone's journey to healing could be of help. Who knows?

4. Then there's always the worship book. I have lots of ideas here. Maybe a tie between some passages in Isaiah and Matthew. But, the market is so saturated with worship-type books. I'm not sure that we really need another one.

5. And lastly, I'd love to write a book of collected stories and ideas on the missional church...practical ways to get the church off their collective butts and into the community. It seems to me there are a number of books talking about the importance of it and even some that share stories, but I think we need some good, solid ideas and suggestions. I'm not saying I'm the one to write that one. I just really love the idea.

On a similar note, Teresa Kelly at Otter Creek has orchestrated an adopt a school program for one of Nashville's inner city schools, Kirkpatrick Elementary. Different groups are adopting each class room. For instance, the "mature" classy group who call themselves the "Ya-Ya's" are taking the entire 1st grade. They'll split up the classes so that each of them will be a room mother to one class. I am a room father to a 4th grade class. I'll be getting to spend this year with Ladarius, Santangila, Mercedes, Ty'Quisha, DeQuan, and Cavelle...to name only a few. The goal is to get involved in the lives of these kids and families and to provide an opportunity for all Otter Creekers to get outside themselves. We're partnering with an African American church in the inner city to provide a Thanksgiving dinner in November. That should be fun. In fact, once I get started with my weekly room parent stuff, I'm SURE I'll have some good stories. Don't worry, I'll only share what's appropriate to share. (well, "appropriate" is subjective, now isn't it?)

Lastly, and I know this is long. Sorry. Here's a blurb for all you OC folks out there. This is from Doug. We need your resources TODAY! I'll sign off here. Blessings!

All of the household furnishings and furniture donated and warehoused at the King House are already 100% depleted and placed with some of Katrina’s relocating families. Otter Creek has furnished 4 apartments completely but more donations are needed desperately. The requests for more are still coming and the King “Warehouse” is empty. Another 16 apartments have been donated and families are ready to take occupancy but these families will need everything for their new homes: furniture, beds, linens (kitchen, bed & bath), kitchen ware, lamps, EVERYTHING. Please take donations to the King House as soon as possible. If you cannot deliver your items, please call the church office to arrange for pick up. May God be glorified through these efforts.

Thank you, Otter Creek family, for all you do!

As my bro-in-law, Chris (Fajita), put it, "The romance of Katrina is coming to an end." Now, you may think "romance" is a weird term, but I think it's dead on. In the wake of tragedy there are concerts, benefits, news stories, headlines, etc. We're now coming to the grim reality of what we're left with after the immediate drama of Katrina. We're left with many homeless and jobless people who are still searching for family members and a way to put their lives back together.

Charles Marsallis and his family are from New Orleans and they are living with Jerry and Sandra Collins. Charles is working at Otter Creek right now with Ed Rucker helping with maintenance. As we talked yesterday about all the needs, you could see the overwhelmed look in his eyes.

Linda Green and her son Jonathan are staying with Otter Creek member, Betty Brigham. They, along with the Marsallis family, were stranded in the balcony of their church for a week. When her son, Jonathan, went to find food, the rescuers came and everyone had to leave. Linda and Jonathan were separated from each other for several days until learning that each one was safe. They are now reunited and a part of our family.

The stories go on and on. We have partnered with another church in Nashville who is placing families in apartments and empty houses. Our role is supplying furniture. It's a huge thing to take on and seems a bit overwhelming. We've organized a furniture supply at the King House on our new property. We're asking everyone to bring donations of furniture. Please--no junk. We already have quite a bit and have been getting the place organized. It will be manned from 4-7pm Monday-Friday. We need volunteers, we need men who can lift, we need people who can make deliveries, and we need people to help organize the stuff as it comes in. Please call Doug at the Otter Creek office (615) 373-1782 if you have furniture to donate or want to help in any way. Yesterday was our first day. We had lots of furniture and it's already gone and in the hands of those families who needed them. I'm really excited about that!

Doug and a huge group of OC folks are leaving tomorrow at 6am for Picayune, MS. They'll have to cross FEMA borders to get through. They are taking 8000 bottles of water, cleaning supplies, chain saws, you name it. One of the nurses from the area wrote asking everyone to come prepared--physically and mentally. They haven't been able to even get to removing the bodies so the authorities have resorted to putting an "x" in blue tape across all areas with dead bodies. She said there are x's everywhere--over cars, piles of debris, houses, stores, everywhere. Please also be in prayer for those going. This will be life-shaping for many of them.

On a lighter note, we are meeting tonight to rehearse for the upcoming conference. It's been a while since we've all been together and I'm really looking forward to being with ZOE again. There's nothing like family! We're also working on last minute conference details. Our praise band and I will be doing a late night worship time on Thursday. John Chisum will be doing a worship night on Friday night. Michael Card will be playing on Saturday. There are a lot of cool things coming. Randy Gill and Chiz will be handling worship for the leader's conference (Th-Fri afternoon) and then ZOE and I will lead through the weekend at the main conference. Those of you bloggers who are coming, leave a comment and let me know. I'm excited to see you all!

Tonight is Vespers and ZOE rehearsal. It's a beautiful day in Nashville! I hope your Wednesday is full of peace.

Three cheers for Sheryl! Rochester College (formerly Michigan Christian College) just named her the Outstanding Alumnus of the year for Christian Service. Way to go, honey! Now you're old like me! This award will be given the first weekend of October. We're proud of you, Babe!!!

Amazing morning yesterday at the Creek. My favorite quote went something like this...
"There is NO SHAME in the struggle. The shame comes from the secrecy. And our secrets are polluting our assemblies."

How encouraging AND CONVICTING! One small step for Otter Creek. One giant leap for those desiring authenticity.

We had fun at the Greek Festival yesterday...even if it felt like it was 102 degrees. We normally go at night, but decided to try the day time when the crowd would be a little less. Now I know why there's such a crowd at night! It's cool enough to enjoy yourself. Here's Maddie enjoying a ride on "Lady Bug".



Ella also had fun riding "Dusty". They were so excited about the ponies. I got to tell them about my pony growing up, "Tiger" (OK--so I had animal confusion). After watching Charlotte's Web I also got to tell them about my pig, Wilbur, and show them pictures. One day I'll post that picture, but it's in the embarrassing category of my time performing for Norwegian--and maybe worse.




Adrian and Shelly Church went with us and reluctantly allowed me to snap this picture of them inside the Greek Orthodox sanctuary. I'm so glad they live here now.





One of the highlights of the Greek Festival is always watching the dancers. Maddie and Ella loved it. Maddie would not go dance with them but later imitated everything she saw them do.


This morning is the anniversary of 9/11. We're also all still feeling the effects of Katrina. So, we're going to talk about storms this morning. The storm of life. There are many lives experiencing terrorism of the soul and winds blowing against their marriage and their very will to go on. Sometimes it's good to stop and acknowledge our desperate need for Jesus. As the Psalmist said, "My soul thirsts for God, for the living God. When can I go and meet with God? My tears have been my food day and night, while men say to me all day long, "Where is your God?" These things I remember as I pour out my soul: how I used to go with the multitude, leading the procession to the house of God, with shouts of joy and thanksgiving among the festive throng. Why are you downcast, O my soul? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God."

May your day be blessed as you remember the love and gift of Jesus.

WHAT THE HECK???

It cost me $54 to fill up my Blazer yesterday. I wanted to make a protest right there, but I was just glad gas was only $2.99 a gallon. I thought it'd be interesting to see what prices you guys are paying out there. Leave it in the comment section at the bottom of today's post.

And now for something completely different and light hearted for this Friday...

Speaking of the price of gas...(sorry--Mom, stop reading HERE) now that I am sharing an office with our Senior Minister (or Director of Ministries), I'm finding that there are all kinds of cramps in my style. This is especially true in the area of freely being able to expel. Yeah. That's another price of gas I'm dealing with. The freedom to just tear it up in the privacy of one's own office is extremely valuable.

There was a precious woman who USED to work at Otter Creek (come to think of it...maybe this is why she's no longer here). It was like this sick timing. EVERY single time I passed gas in my office somehow she was near and needed to speak to me about something in my office. I remember hearing that knock and thinking to myself...good grief, it never fails. In she'd come and try her best to talk to me through the cloud of green smoke. She'd always have this sort of squinty expression like she was wishing for an oxygen mask or something. Bless. She MUST have thought I was the most vile individual on earth. You might too, now that you've read this. But, seriously, it NEVER failed. It became a joke.

Now, I am sharing an office with Doug Sanders. While I value my freedom of "expression" I also value my roommate. It's hard...all these gas wars. Yes, very hard. We're all paying the price...one way or another.

Tonight's movie night...Charlotte's Web and Newsies! Mom's coming over to join in the fun. Sheryl's getting a much deserved girls' night out. This weekend is also the Greek Festival at the Greek Orthodox Church on Franklin Rd. It is NOT TO BE MISSED. If you're in or near Nashville, go check it out.

Have a blessed weekend.

YEA!! Today is the official release of IN CHRIST ALONE!

If you've pre-ordered, it's on its way. Thanks, everyone!

Doug went down to Clearview Baptist last night--one of the Red Cross shelters here. He said that many of the survivors from Katrina were in the parking lot and it had this "camp" feel. They were playing their guitars and jamming. The music was obviously Cajun and kids were dancing in the parking lot. I'm thankful they could find some respite in music last night.

We are working to narrow the focus here. There are so many people wanting to help and all efforts seem to be a shotgun approach at best. Perry and Paul Rogers who are now with us minister with the inner city church in New Orleans. We hope to help them track down folks from that community in shelters and bring them to Nashville and house them with our members.

We're also partnering with a church in Bay St. Louis (where the eye of the hurricane hit). They've lost everything--EVERYTHING. We felt like partnering with one group would help us build relationships with them and give an in-road into the community there. We hope to be taking 2-3 groups over the next couple of months with chain saws and shovels to help them dig out. Anyone want to go?

One other thing for you Otter folks out there--we're trying to form a clearing house for furniture. There are people in Nashville right now who are being given housing but they have NOTHING. Yesterday Doug took mattresses to a family who got placed in an apartment. There was absolutely NOTHING in the apt. They need cooking utensils, couches, chairs, etc. We decided that since that will be a pressing need maybe we can help there. So, Otter Creekers, get your furniture ready. We're hoping to have a clearing house out on the King property.

Sheryl is doing better. Neither of us got much sleep night before last. Every child was up 2-3 times in the night. Must have been a full moon. Or could it be that Code Red I gave them before bed?? Just kidding. So, last night we were asleep by 9:30 or so. I feel like a new man today. Praise God for rest! I know that one of the families who is with us at Otter Creek is having to leave the light on all night for their children. You can only imagine the trauma involved after all they've experienced. I'm grateful for rest and pray that they'll be able to find peace soon.

Lunch today with Justin Mundie was amazing. Thanks, brother. "How good and pleasant it is when brothers live together in unity..." Ps. 133. I praise God for you, bro, and for the impact you're having on lives at MTSU, whether you realize it or not!

Also, can I just say THANK YOU to the food ministry at Otter Creek? For cryin' out loud. These folks have really saved us over the last week. And it keeps on coming. THANK YOU!

Have a great Thursday!

Immediate needs in Nashville--
There is a convoy leaving this afternoon and then again on Saturday from the Crieve Hall Church of Christ. They have specific needs. If any of you in Nashville have time to run by the store during lunch and drop a sack off at CH, please do. They are leaving today at 4pm.

Needs:--Mattresses
--sheets, pillow cases
--Hand towels
--plastic utensils
--non-perishable foods
--cleaning supplies of all kinds
--baby food
--diapers/wipes
--Children's clothing

There's also another drop in Cool Springs. If anyone is interested, email me for directions. They are taking clothing of all varieties today and tomorrow.

Chad Jarnigan and I are working to plan some sort of worship night/benefit for the Hurricane survivors who are here. (Does anyone else think "refugee" is a media term? I hate that term. While they ARE refugees, it only seems to add to their despair to call them by that term.) We're contacting other artists to try and plan something encouraging for these folks in Nashville...soon to be over 20,000.

The needs only grow daily. Here's a thought about housing from Sheryl...it's a definite issue when you have kids. While it sounds bad, we still have to be careful and discerning. However, if there's someone else you're close to who is willing, move in together and allow a family or two to take the empty home for a while. Some of you may be finding success with housing surviving families, but we are running into real problems here with the Red Cross. They don't even want to talk about individual families opening their homes for fear of liability. And I can understand that. So...all that to say, there ARE ways to still help while being wise and discerning.

Yesterday Ella was going all over the house saying, "We need to give them that piano. They don't have a piano. We need to give them this high chair. They don't have a high chair. We need to give them our van. We could all ride in Daddy's car and baby Sam could just ride in the back (the hatch)." So cute. We have a real opportunity to teach and show our kids what it means to give of ourselves. Last night Maddie was upset at some of the stuffed animals we were collecting to take with the clothing. Sheryl told her to look around at the playroom full of toys and think about it. That did the trick. This morning she told me that she dreamed that someone came in and took all her toys away. Then she said..."It wasn't really that bad." HA!

Keep sharing your stories and ways to help. I know, at least for me, it's very inspiring!

One of the things that we were so sad about last Thursday was that we missed the girls' fist day of school...and Ella's true first day, ever, of school. So, today we took pictures and video and acted like it was the real first day. Here are two back-to-school beauties.

I've sensed this collective depression over what's happened in the Gulf. We're feeling it at our house. The girls always want to watch the news and pray for the people and Sheryl and I are trying to get certain images out of our minds long enough to sleep at night. Last night, with abdomen throbbing, Sheryl said, "We can't go one more day without doing something."

So...not sure exactly what that is. Are any of the rest of you finding it hard to find ways to do hands-on helping? There's always the dropping off of food and clothing and that seems easy--needed, but easy. I just want to go help. It's weird how difficult it's been this morning to track down information about Red Cross training. Thankfully, Linda Benthal, one of our missionaries to China is here in the states and has extra time so she's helping to coordinate Otter Creek efforts for Katrina survivors. Doug, Steve Sherman and Beck Cowart took off for Mississippi today with a huge truck and trailer full of supplies and water. Linda's helping us who are here figure out the best way to direct our efforts.

Sheryl continues to heal. Yesterday wasn't as good, but she's making steady progress. Thanks for your prayers.

Prayers. I feel like I am running out of words. What to pray? How to come before God in all of this. He truly is God above the storm and over the flood, but it seems to me that all I really want to do in prayer is be quiet. I don't understand this whole thing and I still trust Him, but I feel like my words are blather at this point. We're praying for comfort and safety. We're praying that God would soothe loneliness and grief and we're praying for provision. Other than that...I am at a loss.

One thing I DO know...God sees and knows about the pains and hurts more thoroughly and completely than CNN, FOX, Good Morning America, The Today Show, CBS This Morning, any governor or President or even survivor. Even if he seems distant, He sees. He is in the hands of those comforting. He is in the arms of those rescuing. He is food and water. He is with those dying. He is Emanuel, God with us. It's hard to even say that and not feel like a cheesy Christian commercial. But I believe it. It's a part of the tapestry of my life. I don't even feel like I am choosing to believe it. I believe because it is in the core of my being. Even though I doubt and want to shake my fist somewhere--heaven, govt.--somewhere, I still believe.

We've had a good weekend. Sheryl is really sore, but recovering well. Her parents have been a great help and my mom too. Kiki spent the day with us yesterday helping me with the girls. Each night has ended with a laughter-filled game of "13". Even Sheryl played the first few hands last night.

We are so grateful for the many, many prayers. There have been churches praying for her healing and we are so thankful for the prayerful support. Please continue to pray. She still has a couple of procedures left--nothing major.

My brother-in-law, Fajta, has been writing some especially good blog entries about the hurricane and the situation we find ourselves in. Check out his link over there to the right.

So many of you are writing or calling with amazing stories of helping those so devastated. I feel like I am getting to live through you vicariously. Hopefully, we'll get to visit a shelter this week. I'm hoping that ZOE can travel to Louisiana to sing. Keep praying, Andrew! All you blog readers out there keep sharing your stories. It's such an encouragement to so many to show how we can take our light to those who are hurting.

This morning we are still in John 11. I know we'll have some folks with us who've lost homes or friends in the storm. I pray that the message of resurrection from our own spiritual death will be encouraging. Even in the midst of unbelief, there is hope. It's so hard to see though. The scenes from CNN and FOX are burned into my head. How long, O Lord? We need you.

Yesterday was a long one for all of us. Sheryl's surgery began at 8:00am and lasted until 1pm. We'd been sitting in the surgical waiting room watching all these doctors come visit with families and about 1:15 a nurse came over and said, "Are you Mr. Thomas?" I said that I was and she asked if I had any other family with me. I began to get nervous and told her, "yes". She said, "Doctor Dasari would like to meet with you and your family down the hall in a private room."

I freaked. PRIVATE ROOM?? Why the private room? Why not just say everything's fine? Why is he not here himself like the other doctors?

So, we followed her down the hall and sat in this little room with couches waiting, waiting, waiting. 10 minutes passed...no Dr. Dasari. I don't know when my stomach has ever been in knots like that. Sheryl's parents and my mom were with me and we were all just looking at each other.

FINALLY, the doctor walked in and said everything went well and that she was in recovery. We collectively breathed a sigh of relief. He spent about 20 minutes with us and was very thorough. We liked him very much. He did an amazing job. PRAISE THE LORD!!! I have never been so glad to see her!

Sheryl is still there and may not get to come home until Saturday. We're waiting to get the word. I'm waiting for Sam to wake up from his morning nap so that I can go up and see her.

Praise God for community! Yesterday between my mom, Sarah Williamson, Jill Young, Lauren Gingles, Katey Earles, Molly, Amanda and who knows who else...our kids were well taken care of. In fact, they enjoyed the bustle of different people playing with them throughout the day. They also had their first official day of school since it got cancelled on Monday because of Katrina.

While we waited for 5 hours until the surgery was completed I watched CNN. Horrible, horrible conditions. I just can't fathom. Talk about a time for people who love God to stand and make a difference! I've read blogs with people talking about the philosophical significance of such a disaster and the wealth of America. I've read people jabbering about economic policy. I feel the same way as many of my friends do who've written those posts...I just can't bring myself to even blog about it. The irony just seems too thick. Here we are blogging from our comfy chairs in our air-conditioned offices or homes, maybe eating or drinking something. It just makes me sick to my stomach. All those people starving and dying. We need to keep blogging and writing and calling people to action. BUT--we can't stop there. There needs to BE action. Thanks for the link yesterday, Jana!

THANK YOU for your prayers for Sheryl. Please continue to pray. Pray that she can come home tonight. We love you all.